Rebuilding Carbs, Jet Kit Co$t

[Vmax97]

hello,

new here and hope i'm posting in correct sub-forum.

i recently purchased a 97 Max, and I want to have carbs rebuilt and a Dyno Stage 1 kit (or similar) installed. i can tell there are issues with the carbs (smell gas, some minor back-firing etc) and figure since the bike is 14+ years old it wouldn't hurt to get it done. this is the first bike i've owned in about 18 years, and i don't mind diving in and doing work on it myself like i did with bikes in the past, but now, just like in the past, i never wanted to get into doing carb work myself. if i tried i guess i could do it (or not), but with no tools to speak of anymore and no garage on my small house to use as a shop, i'm just gonna bring it to a dealer or proshop and have them do it.

My question is is how much should i expect to be charged for this? i really have no idea. $200? $800? i really don't know, and wanted to get some input before i called around. also, i live in the Ft Lauderdale, Fl area, if anyone knows of a shop in the area i could call that would be appreciated.

thanks,
erich

 

[Fire-medic]

PM sent

 

[KJShover]

I wouldn't look twice at the DJ stage 1 kit. Only a handful of people has gotten them to work right. If you have an aftermarket exhaust system, I'd go with the Stg. 7 or Morley. Ok that was a lie. No "would" about it, I went with the Morley kit. (cost effective, I went for the full kit with the stg 7 needles. You can buy a reduced cost kit that doesn't include the needles.)

If you still have the stock exhaust, I wouldn't do a thing with the carbs after the rebuild, with the exception of adjustment of the a/f screws, float level, and the sync.

I would do the carbs at home. A shop is going to charge a good amount of money. I know you said you don't really have the tools, but it dosen't take alot to do the carbs. There is a great sticky in the carb section that will guide you through it, complete with pictures.

 

[ninjaneer]

the local stealership, here in east central florida, charges $90/hr. i rebuilt mine (a true novice) and it took me a day of meticulous work, but i was running around buying the odds and ends that i didn't account for (e.g., replacement bolts for those effin philips screws), float adjustments, polishing to shit outta the bits and pieces, resynching the carbs, etc. in the end, i had an elated sense of pride and satisfaction that the job was done ABSOLUTELY THE RIGHT WAY and not halfasswards. (**pat on back** hehehe). anyways, and having no experience dealing with the stealership whatsoever mind you, i reckon it would take a vmax specialist, oh i dunno, two to four hours to "do it right" and as such i figure the stealership's "general" mechanic would charge you two to three hours to do the notorious half-ass job.

parts cost--hmm, i remember seeing carb kits going for 20 bucks each on ebay. you'll need four of those so around $80. i'll factor 50% increase for OEM parts, so that's $120 that the dealership would charge you.

i reckon $40 bucks for the miscellaneous shop supplies that dealership would tack on.

so with sales tax ((90*3) + 120 + 40)*1.06) ~= 455

rounding up to account for the unknown, would cause me to set aside $500.

again, i'm guesstimating--having never dealt with a dealer or pro-shop.


as far as the stage kit, the general consensus (and there are a handful happily running stage 1's), will tell you to forgo stage 1 and go balls out for the stage 7. however, optimal performance from a stage 7 will require upgrading the exhaust. the oem will tell you that you can get away with slip-ons, but again the guys here will tell you "eff that go for a complete upgrade.

just my

 

[Vmax97]

thanks for the replys. man, i've tried calling 3 shops and only one will maybe do the work. i'm just not set-up to do this work myself . no tools, garage etc. you guys who've done this rebuild thing yourselves , much congrats to you. i could maybe pull it off, i'm just not willing to try...

 

[KJShover]

thanks for the replys. man, i've tried calling 3 shops and only one will maybe do the work. i'm just not set-up to do this work myself . no tools, garage etc. you guys who've done this rebuild thing yourselves , much congrats to you. i could maybe pull it off, i'm just not willing to try...

Another option is there are a rew blokes on this site that have rebuilt carbs for other members. That would make a good avenue to travel.
I don't know if he is still doing it, but here is a thred about carb work for a donation. http://www.vmaxforum.net/showthread.php?t=10537&highlight=carb+donation

 

[ninjaneer]

am not trying to be a jerk, but what makes you want to rebuild the carbs? perhaps, just some seafoam in the tank and/or the shotgun and/or peashooter is enough for the time-being? just a thought. i mean, don't get me wrong, i totally understand if it's just cuz you want a sparkling rack...+1 to that.


also read this Price to clean and sync carbs??? I'm not trying to push the DIY posts in the thread, because you have made it clear that this is not your cup of tea. but i remember reading in the thread some advice on outsourcing the job to some members with ultrasonic cleaners. matter of fact Cap'n Kyle out of Tampa does this if memory serves me correctly.

 

[Rand-5107]

Beware of keyster parts. 65 fury had a long protracted battle with a lean condition that Sean traced down to an emulsion tube or somethIng from a keyster kit. O.E.M. Is hard to beat.

 

[one2dmax]

$160 in OEM parts that are normally replaced. Other parts can be swapped but not normally needed. I charge $400 plus shipping (which includes the parts noted). If you have bad diaphragms or other rubber parts bad it will add up very quickly!

If the bike will idle without the choke then you likely just need some adjustments. You haven't specified the setup yet?

Sean