A chemical clean for carb slides

[Cookie]

I was having the typical symptoms of sticking carbs slides with LTD number 2. She was giving me a mid range lean cough and would stall at lights. This bike sat for a number of years and since it probably had fuel stabilizer the idle passages cleaned right up after soaking for a while with cleaner. Sometimes dried fuel on slides actually get more sticky after running for a while, that seemed to be happening here.
When this happens just a bit it seems that a couple of ounces of Marvel Mystery Oil in the tank can lube the slides (Randak Tip) , that worked on my yellow bike but not on this one. I am also running some Seafoam but it has not helped the slides. Since the only alternative was to remove the tops and clean the slides properly I thought I'd try something easy first.
I picked up a can of Gumout spray carb and choke cleaner to try.
On a 75-77 the procedure is as follows.
Move the bike out where you can make smoke and have a fire extinguisher and hose in case of pop back. You also don't want to burn the garage down.
Open the faux tank and remove the tool tray.
Open the right side cover to get the knob out of the way.
Start the bike, warm it for a minute and shut it off. You don't want it fully warm. If cool you can make it richer with the carb cleaner.
Take off the air cleaner nut and remove the top and air cleaner.
Put the little spray hose on the Gumout.
Fire the bike up, reduce the choke as much as possible and rev her to at least 3,000 RPMs.
Control the mixture by spraying the Gumout with one hand while you work the throttle with the other hand, the working cylinder will suck in the fuel so precise direction is not necessary, the bike will stall if you give it too much cleaner, if so let it clear, hold the throttle open with no choke or cleaner and it will start right back up.
Work the throttle up and down so the Gumout reaches as much of the slide's moving surfaces as possible.
I gave it about five minutes of this making enough smoke and noise that would have gotten me thrown out of my last neighborhood by the association, my new Mexican neighbors are much more understanding.
After this I put the bike back together, the few bits I'd removed that is, and took her for a run. A half tank later it seems she is running about as well as the yellow bike and plans to remove the carbs are canceled.
At this point I think the MMO in the fuel will help to keep the slides clear and lubed.
This might also work with other cleaners, Seafoam is a solvent but not as volatile as carb cleaner so that might work with more effort.
Keep in mind this will only work with a mild case, I've seen slides that needed penetrating oil to budge.

[rogue1000]

Interesting....

[sunnbobb]

I'm all over this. Thanks!

[Hoosier Daddy]

Stored in the mental databank for future referal....

[heraldhamster]

great tip! thanks for the info.

[Fred Camper]

Sounds like it is worth a try, as I have a mild case. Thank you Cookie, you wisdom lives on!

[SloMo228]

I'll have to give this a try as mine are a little sticky from sitting for the last 6 weeks (that good weather in March tricked me!).

Can't wait to get rid of these carbs!