I have been doing some research that started with how to make it easier to keep the diaphragm seated in the carb body while attaching the top of the carb back on. I had been using grease, until; I came across several website that advice against it. The said ANY petroleum based chemical would damage the rubber of the diaphragm and the only safe thing to use was silicone. For the past few days I have been messing with needle settings and have been using the silicone and it seems to work wonders.
I stumbled across an auto detailing site that was discussing rubber protection for door and window seals and the debate was whether water based silicone or a silicone with a petroleum base or cleaner in it was the better choice. As it happened the thread starter had a father who was high up in Delphi Automotive and was an engineer for decades with GM and was in charge of the rubber components in the cars. His conclusion and then the consensus of the following detailers based on their experience convinced me that Dielectric silicone was the clear, proven, and chemically designed way to protect any rubber, or vinyl, based materials.
Now back to the carb guy. He mentioned that silicone was not only the only way to safely secure the diaphragm but that for years he has used it to add life into failing, dried, and stiff carb diaphragms. He suggested that you coat the diaphragms with Dielectric silicone one both sides and then close them individually in zip lock bag and let them sit for a day or two sealed in the bags at room temperature. then, I reason, gently wipe them off and put them back into the carb.
This link is to the discussion on silicone and rubber protection
http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-de...g-product-discussion/106599-fact-myth-conflicting-info-rubber-care-silicon.html
This link is to the carb guy, which by the way could be its own thread. It is the single best thread on carb cleaning, rebuilding, and care that I have come across for bike manufactured between the late 70’s until 2004. Go about half way down the page and he describes very well and in great detail, but easy to understand and supported with pictures of everything he is doing or talking about. It is a fantastic thread.
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3271098&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=1
Let me know if you have had similar experience with you bike.
I stumbled across an auto detailing site that was discussing rubber protection for door and window seals and the debate was whether water based silicone or a silicone with a petroleum base or cleaner in it was the better choice. As it happened the thread starter had a father who was high up in Delphi Automotive and was an engineer for decades with GM and was in charge of the rubber components in the cars. His conclusion and then the consensus of the following detailers based on their experience convinced me that Dielectric silicone was the clear, proven, and chemically designed way to protect any rubber, or vinyl, based materials.
Now back to the carb guy. He mentioned that silicone was not only the only way to safely secure the diaphragm but that for years he has used it to add life into failing, dried, and stiff carb diaphragms. He suggested that you coat the diaphragms with Dielectric silicone one both sides and then close them individually in zip lock bag and let them sit for a day or two sealed in the bags at room temperature. then, I reason, gently wipe them off and put them back into the carb.
This link is to the discussion on silicone and rubber protection
http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-de...g-product-discussion/106599-fact-myth-conflicting-info-rubber-care-silicon.html
This link is to the carb guy, which by the way could be its own thread. It is the single best thread on carb cleaning, rebuilding, and care that I have come across for bike manufactured between the late 70’s until 2004. Go about half way down the page and he describes very well and in great detail, but easy to understand and supported with pictures of everything he is doing or talking about. It is a fantastic thread.
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3271098&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=1
Let me know if you have had similar experience with you bike.
