Cleaning procedures for VM 28's

I read a while back and can't find it now even using search. It seems I saw directions on where to spray carb cleaner and the what the corresponding hole/port would be. It seemed like there were directions on which port to cover with a finger while cleaning too.

If someone could re post this I would be forever in your debt and will make sure I print off a copy for future use. The reason I ask is because I'm at the point of needing to clean the carbs before I put them back on the bike. These have been off for almost 2 years and just need to blow them out real good. Plus #2 was burning a tad rich. I think the air needle is involved. I can turn it in or out and there is no change. The other 3 work as advertised.

I'll finish the install with a carb tune.
Thanks in advance, Tim

Patton shows how in his reply in this thread www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/59455...carbs#s5_scrolltotop

Thanks, I was looking for which hole to plug so the carb cleaner would come out of hole # what ever. The vid was what I was looking for but I found it anyways. Nw, off to get some of the nastiest carb cleaner on can get in a can today. Sure wish I could find some with a little MEK in it. Thanks Tim

that looks like my bike in your icon

for future reference I have made Patton's info into a PDF and uploaded it to the filebase under General. Its titled "Suggested cleaning method for VM 28's"

By the way I have learned how to rebuild my carburetors from the guys on this site, I can now do them like a pro. thanks to people like Patton and others on this site, these people have a vast amount of knowledge on these bikes , and its nice of them for sharing it, so don't be scared to ask questions and get your hands dirty, another thing I learned here is that I tried all kinds of cleaners to clean my carbs, but nothing cleans better than what a member here recommended, soaking carbs in diesel fuel.

I just thought I would share some things about cleaning my VM28's. The chart I got on which hole to block, squirt in port and should get cleaner out of port X.

Worked like a champ. I had a carb problem on #2. I could screw the air bleed all the way in or out without change in engine RPM. The other three worked as they are supposed to. So I got a chart and instructions. My port Number 6 was in fact plugged on #2. After following procedures, I now have carb cleaner coming out of port #6.

I have not fired the motor yet but I'm confident #2 will have a working sir screw adjustment.

Carb cleaner. I went to NAPA and asked for a can of the nastiest,most environmentally unsafe carb clear they had. I was directed to a can of Vavoline Heavy duty carb cleaner. I tested this stuff and found it would remove stuff the other carb cleaner I had on hand would not touch.

If I got some of this carb clearner on my hands or forehead, I was immediately aware of it more so if on the forehead. . I think I just found a new brand of carb cleaner which will actually work until the EPA figures it out. :whistle:

Patton wrote: Here's a better cleaning method, because it's critical that the #6 orifices into the carb bore (from the pilot passage #5) are clean and clear.

If the #6 orifices are tightly clogged, running cleaner as shown in the video will simply flow out the #2 pilot air passage and won't run through the #6 orifices, which leaves the #6 orifices just as clogged as they were to begin with.

Good Fortune!

it's funny you say that about valvoline carb spray the rep was in as we are switching brake cleaner washer fluid shop essentials etc... he was talking about the brake clean and carb clean products recently being reformulated based
on the input from the tech surveys and as my ADD kicked in the rest was blah blah blah but I did catch the part
where they have reformulated those 2 products to actualy work in a shop environment

Look forward to using Patton's method to clean my Vm26's off my 77' KZ1000. I originally removed all pilot and main jets and cleaned them. Used a little Purple Power and cleaned most external grime. What are your thoughts soaking the carb assembly in Kerosene or Diesel Fuel? Soaked my Drive Chain in Kerosene and did a great job in cleaning it.

Ok, I know it sounds dumb but over the past 2 yrs I started soaking mine in Pine Sol over night and rebuilding them the next day. Its not as good a chemical dip but sure does smell better. Just had the throw that in sure some one will be scratching the head now Going REALLY! John.

Pine Sol? Hey what ever works. I like the smell of pine trees anyways. I'm not so sure I understand why Diesel would dissolve residue from gas. I would think gas would be the better solvent. But what do I know. I know gas won't cut it. Tim