Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

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Dr. Frankenstein
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Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#1

Post by Dr. Frankenstein »

I was out tinkering in the garage today and was looking at the carbs on Rusty, my '78 GL1000 - is there any way to drain the bowls without getting gas all over the place? I was thinking a little flat tray with a funneled corner that slid in under the drains would be nice to have so you could just drain them and recover the gas - although I guess just putting a shop towel down to soak it up would do too, but it would still go all over the place. Do you guys ever do this?
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ritalz
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#2

Post by ritalz »

Probably not the best way but I just let it flow. When it's done I spray the area with brake clean to keep the gas stains in check.
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#3

Post by flyin900 »

I usually fold the blue Scotts shop towels (paper) into a wad of 2-3 towels folded in half and drain the gas into those. They seem to mostly absorb and contain the gas from each set of 2 carbs on each side, then repeat on the other side.
I tried the thin trays etc and just too clumsy and you spill the gas when removing anyway. This has been the easiest method for me in the past few years. If the gas soaks through the wad of towels onto the engine block, a quick wipe with another towel cleans it up quickly.
I use a set of long needle nose pliers to pull and position the towels under the carb bowls, as it is a little tight under there.
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#4

Post by 5speed »

Shut the petcock off, start the bike, go make a coffee and wait till it quits. It won't get all the gas but it will get most of it. Then do the towel under the bowl.
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#5

Post by Francis »

5speed wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 8:55 am Shut the petcock off, start the bike, go make a coffee and wait till it quits. It won't get all the gas but it will get most of it. Then do the towel under the bowl.
You beat me to it! :-D Form-a-funnel works, and for so many other things also. Love them things!
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#6

Post by flyin900 »

5speed wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 8:55 am Shut the petcock off, start the bike, go make a coffee and wait till it quits. It won't get all the gas but it will get most of it. Then do the towel under the bowl.
I thought about this method too, yet the fuel pump will run dry a few minutes before the bowls empty and the bike quits. Since most of the pumps are older, how hard is it on the rubber diaphragm in the pump running it dry for a few minutes?
Current Bikes:

1966 CL77 - Honda 305cc - Dual purpose - "Gentleman's Scrambler" was a period moniker.
1967 CL175K0 - Low production number with #802 engine serial- winter 2019/2020 full restoration.
1972 CB350F - Baby Four with low mileage - Cosmetic refresh to the next level 2021/2022.
1978 CB550K - Very original bike with only 7499 Km. from new - light cleanup and refresh done.
1983 CB1100F - Canadian model - DOHC Supersport in pristine low kilometre condition from new.
1984 GL1200 - Standard model in showroom condition - two owner bike from new.
1984 CX650E - Restored summer 2017 - a rare Eurosport model - excellent one owner bike.
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#7

Post by Dr. Frankenstein »

Francis - 'Form-A-Funnel"?? Do tell...
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#8

Post by pidjones »

I run mine with petcock off until they die, then drain the remainder into flat pans and suck that out with a syringe. Been doing it for years. Just takes about five cycles of the starter to get the bowls reflled come Spring.
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#9

Post by 5speed »

flyin900 wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 10:40 pm
5speed wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 8:55 am Shut the petcock off, start the bike, go make a coffee and wait till it quits. It won't get all the gas but it will get most of it. Then do the towel under the bowl.
I thought about this method too, yet the fuel pump will run dry a few minutes before the bowls empty and the bike quits. Since most of the pumps are older, how hard is it on the rubber diaphragm in the pump running it dry for a few minutes?
I've done it on my 1100 since I bought it and it hasn't affected the pump yet. You could clamp off the fuel line between the pump and carb's..why I didn't think of that until now is beyond me. :IDTS:
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Francis
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#10

Post by Francis »

Dr. Frankenstein wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 11:21 pm Francis - 'Form-A-Funnel"?? Do tell...
I got mine at napa, it was a bit cheaper than amzon but , the link shows you pics and stuff. Oh, by the way, stay away from the knock off, they're junk compared to the real deal.


https://www.amazon.com/Form-Funnel-Flex ... TFIYE?th=1
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5speed
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#11

Post by 5speed »

Francis wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 1:33 pm
Dr. Frankenstein wrote: Mon Nov 28, 2022 11:21 pm Francis - 'Form-A-Funnel"?? Do tell...
I got mine at napa, it was a bit cheaper than amzon but , the link shows you pics and stuff. Oh, by the way, stay away from the knock off, they're junk compared to the real deal.


https://www.amazon.com/Form-Funnel-Flex ... TFIYE?th=1
I bought something like that designed specifically for my fj. It isn't moldable though
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Francis
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#12

Post by Francis »

@ 5speed
Them things are great, lawn mower, snow blower, generator, pretty well anything. Well worth the money!
I love mine! Especially for the GMC before I got this, the oil filter was a real pita, now ,no spillage :)
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#13

Post by 5speed »

Francis wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 11:17 pm @ 5speed
Them things are great, lawn mower, snow blower, generator, pretty well anything. Well worth the money!
I love mine! Especially for the GMC before I got this, the oil filter was a real pita, now ,no spillage :)
let me guess...5.3 ls engine? :mrgreen:
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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Francis
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#14

Post by Francis »

5speed wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 4:58 pm
Francis wrote: Tue Nov 29, 2022 11:17 pm @ 5speed
Them things are great, lawn mower, snow blower, generator, pretty well anything. Well worth the money!
I love mine! Especially for the GMC before I got this, the oil filter was a real pita, now ,no spillage :)
let me guess...5.3 ls engine? :mrgreen:
Good guess :lol:
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5speed
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Re: Any Way to Drain Carb Bowls w/o Making a Mess?

#15

Post by 5speed »

Francis wrote: Wed Nov 30, 2022 8:43 pm

Good guess :lol:
the "engineer" that designed that block / oil pan needs to be keel hauled..
having said that..I watched an episode of engine masters last night and they ran 30 pounds of boost thru a junkyard 6 liter ls with a bone stock short block and made 1500+ horsepower. :shock:
1982 1100 standard. (sold)
1986 Yamaha FJ1200
2000 Yamaha Roadstar
1976 GoldWing. running but not on the road
1978 Goldwing. future cafe project.
2019 Can-Am ryker (boss's new ride)

2002 Shadow American Classic(sold)
1983 Shadow 500. (sold)
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