Kawi2strokes.com Forum

Enthusiasts from around the world dedicated to the preservation and ritual flogging of the infamous Kawasaki 2-stroke Triples
It is currently Thu May 01, 2025 11:00 am

All times are UTC - 5 hours




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 30 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next
Author Message
PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 1:12 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:12 pm
Posts: 1902
Location: Rockville, MD USA
In the past I used the Gunk brand dip bucket, spray carb cleaner, Acetone, and finally heated ultrasonic cleaner.
Know of these worked great but did work OK
I was about to go buy some Berryman's but noticed that many (on the net) say the new stuff is not as good as the old stuff
Found a Youtube video that suggested MEK solvent
I have heard about using vinegar although have some slight memory of leaving alum. in too long that actually made the part darker
Then there is Pine Sole
I have a glass bead blaster but many say it's not worth the risk but did just order some nylon bristle wheels for my die grinder

So I turn to you guys that have had experience with some / most of these above mentioned products

I would like MEK to be the magic bullet but don't remember that Acetone worked all that well
Suggestions?

_________________
There are only two types of motor sport racing:
Nitro and everything else
(Sometimes referred to as fast and slow)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 1:31 pm 
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:37 am
Posts: 10460
Location: Rio Rancho, New Mexico
I don't even keep MEK around the house, just too nasty. You might try S100 bike cleaner. I was amazed how the carbs looked new with it just sprayed on. Try it in the ultrasonic (if it doesn't foam too much) And you can clean the bike too! :mrgreen:

_________________
Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 1:45 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:12 pm
Posts: 1902
Location: Rockville, MD USA
Will do.
I still have some S100 and was surprised how good it is for general cleaning; never tried it specifically on carbs.

_________________
There are only two types of motor sport racing:
Nitro and everything else
(Sometimes referred to as fast and slow)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 3:16 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:34 pm
Posts: 9999
Location: North Central NC
I like lacquer thinner. Lowe's has it by the gallon. Just don't breathe it or get it on your skin, at least in large quantities.

_________________
If it surges, that's normal, upshift.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 4:31 pm 

Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:29 pm
Posts: 26
Location: Staten Island, NY
Ultra sonic cleaner is the way to go. They come out so shiny


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 4:37 pm 
Moderator
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 6:16 am
Posts: 2147
Location: North Alabama
Aerosol Brake cleaner...not the so called enviro safe stuff.....And I've bead blasted nasty carbs without any problem. Just rinse well with water and blast all the channels with the brake cleaner; tape off the ports if your worried about them.

_________________
Busy doing more riding than wrenching.......


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 7:04 pm 

Joined: Sun Sep 01, 2013 10:52 pm
Posts: 1236
Location: South Dakota
Jim wrote:
I like lacquer thinner. Lowe's has it by the gallon. Just don't breathe it or get it on your skin, at least in large quantities.

I have found nothing that works better.

_________________
1969 H1, 1971 G3SSA, 1974 G5, 1973 H2A, 1975 S3A, 1975 H1F, 1973 Z1, 1988 HD FLTC, Captain America chopper, 2000 Excelsior Henderson, 1965 Bridgestone BS90


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 12:16 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2014 8:28 pm
Posts: 5
Location: Chicago IL
GrumpierGrunt wrote:
Ultra sonic cleaner is the way to go. They come out so shiny


But my question is, what do you use as a solvent in it? I have one myself and have been experimenting- there are many opinions about what's best to use with it.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 5:05 pm 
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jun 09, 2011 9:12 pm
Posts: 1902
Location: Rockville, MD USA
OK so I got a little crazy on this and had some spare H1 float bowls to experiment with.
So far have tried:
Vinegar
Oven Cleaner
Muriatic acid
multiple carb cleaners
MEK
acetone
lacquor thinner
Simple Green
Standard McMaster Carr multipurpose ultrasonic cleaner soap

The last items to try will be:
Boric acid
Phosphoric acid
Castrol Super Clean
Pinesol

If you have a few hours to kill, Google cleaning aluminum with Pinesol; can't tell if it's great or horrible by the reviews
Also read some interesting reports using a standard polishing compound ground up and mixed with Naptha from tuckers

For keeping the oxidation away I have Never Dull and will pick up some carnuba wax
Will report back in a day or two

_________________
There are only two types of motor sport racing:
Nitro and everything else
(Sometimes referred to as fast and slow)


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 5:50 pm 
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jun 07, 2011 6:36 am
Posts: 2714
Location: Dandridge, TN, USA
Keep in mind that some folks think shiny aluminum means clean carbs and some of the things you listed are directed toward that end. However, in my mind, a good carb cleaner will dissolve the varnish build up within the ports of the carb body. Two different things....
Some acids, etc. may do wonders on aluminum but may not be able to penetrate gasoline varnish to be able to get to the aluminum.

_________________
Answers are here: http://kawatriple.com/


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 30 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group