Just bought a set of 4 carb diaphragms from eBay

[Erdoc48]

Used but in excellent shape per the seller…$65 shipped. I figured it’s cheap insurance in the event one tears (new is $140 each!). I assume this is not a common failure item. I asked my brother in Colorado about them. He has a Gen 1 Vmax and he said he pulls the slides out every couple of years and lubes them with silicone spray (I think his bike is easier to take them out). So, here’s the question. Do you owners as experts check and clean them or just ride on? Hate to do extra work, but these will likely be my last bikes so I want to keep them running.

 

[Uncle Phil]

I just ride on - for over 1/2 million miles without fussing with the carbs ...
One thing that I do is that once a week I go out into my garage and fire all 4 of the girls up and let them run for a little bit if I've not be able to ride them.
It's the 'sitting' that kills the carbs, not the 'running'.

 

[Erdoc48]

OK, thanks. I hate to buy a bunch of parts that may never be used, but you don’t know if Mother Honda will eventually stop making parts we need (and they have on a lot of parts).

 

[Uncle Phil]

I understand - I sort of like 'spares' myself ...

 

[SMSW]

OK, thanks. I hate to buy a bunch of parts that may never be used, but you don’t know if Mother Honda will eventually stop making parts we need (and they have on a lot of parts).

You do know that @Uncle Phil has 4 bikes he rides and 4 for parts, don't you?

 

[Uncle Phil]

You do know that @Uncle Phil has 4 bikes he rides and 4 for parts, don't you?

And that's not to mention the 'other' parts Uncle Phil's Parts Department has ...

 

[ST1100Y]

Better to have then to want...
and to need is the worst...

 

[Erdoc48]

Oh yes, I’m aware of UP’s parts supply…I don’t have that kind of room, but I was just thinking of more ‘friable’ parts. I have a couple of fuel vacuum diaphragm repair kits I bought years ago thinking at least one of them would fail- never did and I still have the kits.

 

[Uncle Phil]

Uncle Phil's Motto -
"Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!"

 

[Joeywhat]

I've never messed with them, on any bike even my Vmax.

I also use primarily ethanol free fuel and keep everything running at least once a week (except winter). Never had any issues unless somethings been sitting for a while.

 

[Larry Fine]

I understand - I sort of like 'spares' myself ...

 

[Uncle Phil]

Really!

 

[MotorBikeMike]

For me, it's best to leave the slides and rubber installed in a set of carbs. I've had slides out for an extended period of time of less than a year and the rubber shrank to the point that I could not reinstall the slides. Thus when I buy spares it's a whole set of intact carbs.

 

[ST1100Y]

I once had to work them on a '92 CB750...
Poor thing was left outside over the winter, frost and water did a number on the rims of the cups holding the diaphragms...
NRP supplied the diaphragms alone (+ 4 full Keyster kits), thus a reasonable price...
Delicate work, don't rush, check to work on a clean bench...
Got them nicely synced afterwards, purred like new...