I’ve got this old Hornet which has been ridden every winter for the past decade - I’m planning a complete overhaul of the bike - is it worth dismantling the carbs cleaning them and replacing the soft parts after this length of time?and how hard is it - carburretors are a bit of a black art right? e.g. I’ll probably need a pro to set everything up right when I’ve put them back together as I have no experience in setting up carbs.
Bikes running ok - probably just needs balancing - maybe don’t fix what ain’t broke the best policy?
As for everything else I’m planning on getting the engine out of the frame - so that I can remove rust from the frame and respray - new head, suspension bearings etc.
Thanks for any informed opinions 
If it’s been stood for a while it might be an idea to strip the carbs and give them a good clean as the old fuel can go all gummy apparently.
Isn’t too hard a job - just make sure that you don’t get carb cleaner on any of the rubber parts though as they can make them go loose !
Don’t know if it’s necessary to replace the diaphragms etc., depends on the condition I guess.
Balancing them is a piece of p!ss if you have the guages.
do it & can you come and do mine after…
By all means give it a go, but I’d say if its running fine then dont risk it - you sound like you haven’t done it before and so you dont want to cause a problem that wasn’t there before.
I cleaned a set of carbs out from a 20 year old bike that had been sat for a year and there was minimal gum build up to be honest. Modern petrol with all its additives is pretty good and if its running fine i’d say you only need to give them a liberal spray with carb cleaner down the inlets to clear out any surface grime.
That said, theres only one way to learn about these things, so if you’re confident then open them up for a spring clean, just be slow and methodical
Thanks DG - maybe i’ll just balance them - if it ain’t broke etc.
I did the same with a bike sat for 4 years and regretted it. it cost me several hours labour at the bike shop to get them to do it properly afterwards
cheat’s way: take the air filter out and spray carb cleaner in there while it’s running til it stalls. then run it normally. apparently that’s good enough
will have to remember that one!!
I think I’d drop the float bowls off and give them a clean out and take the time to check/adjust the float heights.
After that, carb cleaner or Red X* (keep the engine at fast tickover if you use either), change the fuel and air filters and call it a day.
Oh, and clean out the fuel tank.
Usual rule: Don’t fix it if it aint broke.
- Be prepared for “a bit” of white exhaust smoke if you use the Red X and don’t do it in a garage. You’ll never find your way out! A bit of a down side but I reckon it works better than carb cleaner.
