Why won't my Carb go on?

[militarymullen]

I just spent 3 hours trying to get my carburetor back on my bike. I could not get it to go. When two of the hoses lined up the other two didn't over and over again. I stepped away or I was gonna tip the bike in anger. Can anybody offer a word of advice?  

[TOOLS1]

Get some silicone spray, and coat the rubber boots thoroughly right before putting the carbs on. You can get it at any auto parts store.
TOOLS

[shinyribs]

Do you have a bike with a single carb? Which hoses are you having problems with?

If you are referring to a SOHC with a rack of 4 carbs,well,it can be difficult to get all four boots lined up at the same time.Use a straight edge on the carb side (with the boots on the head) to help line them up.Then,like Tools said,use plenty of lube.Its never easy,but it can be done.When i do mine I sit on the bike with my foot on the rear brake and reach under a shove them on.A slight  angle versus straight in helps also.Good lucl

[seestheday]

I believe the boots off the engine are angled.  Did you try spinning them to make sure they're all going the right direction?  The boots from the carbs to the airbox are definitely angled, and the outer ones are angled differently than the inner ones so if you had them on wrong that would cause a big issue.

Are your boots super hard?  There is a chance you need to bring them back to life.

Ditto on Tools solution, you could also try some dish soap.

[militarymullen]

The boots are extremly hard, how do I bring them back to life?

[TOOLS1]

Boil them in 1 quart of water to 1 oz of Winter Green, for 45 minutes. Be sure to put a rack of some kind in the pan to keep the boots from touching to bottom.
TOOLS

[Re-run]

When I put mine on, I start at an angle with the back lower. I rest the the carbs on the lips of the manifold boots then push while lifting up. They pop right on for me.

[Piute]

                       
                           This still will help but was thinking air box sorry

                                  Winter Green
 My 1st time felt the same way ,I use a small bungee cord to have lite constant pressure on them(mostly to hold up,slipped (squished) a plastic cup under to keep up also,now you'll have 2 hands to twist and turn get 2 lined up and tighten outside one,then start on other 2,.
  The second time with 2 people couple minutes.
 I can take them on and off at easy now (self)just have to learn how to treat her.(still use the cup though)
       With softer boots lots easier also ,

[Kube]

Sorry to be dense, but what is winter green?

[TOOLS1]

I'm not really sure what it is, but it sure smells good. I get it at CVS.
TOOLS

[bellison80]

I have used the silicone spray, works well. I remember pulling my first set on an inline 4. Took Hours and my hands cramped. I have learned to give myself as much room as possible. On my 79 this means pulling the battery, and sliding the battery box back as well as removing the lower plastic section of the fender. You gain just the room needed to slide the air box back just a little bit further. Its a few more things to pull apart but the carbs go on and off with ease. Going in at an angle is also a god trick as mentioned before. Good Luck!

[Re-run]

Just simple wintergreen oil drops. If anything, it should smell good while boiling I would think.

I need to replace my boots but I mjust be adept at mounting carbs or something. I have never had these issues.

I will explain a bit more what I do. You MUST make sure that if you remove the manifolds for whatever reason, they must go back on the same way. A simple ruler will help this as all 4 ends will be flat and line up. So hold a ruler across all 4 and make sure they sit even and flat then tighten them down.

Next, get the carb bank in there and rest the bottom of the carb throat on the bottom lip of the manifolds, all 4 must do this. Then, while lifting, push forward on the carbs. As long as everything is lined up, they will pop right in. You may have to wiggle a bit to seat them all the way but it should be minimal. Then tighten down your clamps and DONE! \m/
Hook up your hoses and cables then.
Now, doing the airbox, you do it about the same way. I dont know about the other airboxes but my 78 box allows easy install/removal of the boots. If you look at the boots, you should see a small flatspot. If you line this up with a spot on the airbox, the rubbers come right out and go right back in. Turn these edges away and user your ruler to make sure they are straight with each other.

Split your airbox in half and sit the bottom lip of the boots against the bottom of the carbs and again, push while lifting and things should slide right on. Splitting the airbox makes it easier to put on and take off, just be careful when tightening the bolts op so you do not strip things out.
I used to have issues mounting carbs and then I figured this out. Now I can mount my carbs just sitting beside my bike with little effort.

I am getting a little camcorder soon. I should make a vid of this, you know, if I can ever remember too.