Any quick tips on intake duct spring?

[Heavy Armor]

I'm >this< close to having my carbs back on and sunnuva%^$&!, one of those stinkin' duct springs, the ones that are a PITA to roll back on, popped apart. And of course it's on cylinder 3, so it's impossible to reach down in there. Any tips on just how the heck I can get this thing wrapped back around and hooked without pulling the whole system apart???

[buzzcut]

I have used thin red xmas ribbon looped around the springs in the past ...long enough to grab and pull then it slides out nicely. still awkward.....

[Nails]

I think it's best to be careful about setting things up right to carefully roll the spring into position from further on the boot. But when I can't do that, I've saved the install by using a piece of stiff wire bent into a hook. At least do your best to get the spring on right where you can't reach it.

And once you got it on, take some Valium. You earned it.

[Heavy Armor]

I managed it in about 20 minutes during lunch today, just some dumb luck.

I used the wire trick... I have some really stiff stuff that I cut an 8 or 9" piece of and hooked the end, and threaded it like a sewing needle around the #3 duct, leaving both ends of the spring exposed below the carbs on the right side of the bike. I slipped the loose end of the spring through the wire also, like I was tying a knot, so that both ends of the spring pulled together and touched while wrapped around the duct. I did this two different times, experimenting with how to pull one spring end loose and hook it, and always losing my grip before I figured it out. The 3rd time however, the ends actually got tangled WHILE they were on the wire, and they hooked all by themselves! I very carefully slid my wire out of both ends and then gently rolled the spring into position. Good to go!

And I never, EVER wanna do it again.

[Nails]

To clarify, I install the springs already connected. Put them around the boots before reinstalling the carbs, and then roll them into position once the carbs are installed. I also put a little vaseline on the carbs or boots because they can be ornery about slipping on. Like bacon, everything's a little better with vaseline.

[Heavy Armor]

To clarify, I install the springs already connected. Put them around the boots before reinstalling the carbs, and then roll them into position once the carbs are installed. I also put a little vaseline on the carbs or boots because they can be ornery about slipping on. Like bacon, everything's a little better with vaseline.

Right, right. Definitely the preferred method. Mine just popped loose when I had everything about 80% aligned, and I was afraid to pull it all back out to put the spring back on. I thought "Eh, I'll deal with it last", and that was a real PITA!

[GrandpaDenny]

Like bacon, everything's a little better with vaseline.

You put Vaseline on your bacon? That explains a lot.

[Nails]

Oh fergawdsakes.