Carb Isolator Boots
 

I think a few things on my bike were not put together properly ages ago. Any torque worthy bolt takes a strong arm to remove, brake slide components did not have a healthy amount of grease, starter solenoid connectors had poorly crimped ends, etc. I'm sure there will be more...

Anyway, I'm getting at replacing my carb isolator boots and it looks like those may have not been put on correctly as well (Maybe causing my suspect vacuum leak?). Every one has a different "turn" on them. None of them look straight. I don't see any type of guide on the cylinders that would indicate where they should set in, except for maybe a bump on the inside of cylinder 1 and 4. I did notice the "MM5L" and "MM5R" marks on the boots themselves and assume that is the top position for outer left and outer right boot. There are also forked tabs on the side of the front facing rim. I'm heading to bed soon and will read through the service manual in the morning, but I figured I would check if anyone had some "yes I did that" advice to put me in the right direction. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/cbrforu...a0925ab855.jpg

Left bank orientation - I already removed the right bank so no photos.

You're right about the part number indicating left vs right side. There's a notch cast into the head that fits into the boot. Here's a pic from when I did mine
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/cbrforu...809207dd70.png

Awesome thanks! That's how this inquiry started, I found one notch and after putting a new boot on realize from what you are telling me the previously installed boots are indeed crooked. Now on to the carb cleaning - Looks like I'll get to ride my bike today.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/cbrforu...b850a8f636.jpg

Much better. Didn't look even remotely close to that initially.

Shouldn`t the middle 2 boot clamps on he block have the screw heads facing up to make them easier to get to?

That's a keen observation, I did look around to see how these clamps were positioned as my boots and clamps weren't assembled or positioned right to begin with. When pointed left/right on the top side the bolt tips rubbed up against the block a little. And when pointed up on the inside the angle of the dangle didn't line up well enough to get a good bite. That's probably why the phillips portion of the head was stripped on a couple. So I positioned them where a socket head would fit straight - There is enough room underneath and on the sides for a small 1/4" drive. The clamps are fine but someone didn't put a screwdriver on straight at one point.

If anyone has a photo of the factory position that would be good to have.

If you look at the position of 1 and 4 they are correct, except they are upside down. The screw heaads are angled propperly but they should be on the intake side, not the carb side. So 1 and 2 should be at the same angle, pointing out towarda the left side of the bike and 3 and 4 should pointing in the equal but opposite angle so the point out on the right side.
Also, it's easier to mount the boots on the carbs 1st the fit everything down onto the intake.
Hope this helps. If I need to take a pic, I can but it will be a few days probably

Thanks hamlin, I won't be taking the carbs of again for a while (They passed the spray test, no idle changes) but a pic would be good when you have time for posterity's sake. I'll put them on right next time the carbs come off, with brand new clamps, and maybe someone will need this info themselves someday. I'm not dumb (and not overly smart either lol) but I have a tough time with things when they are not right to begin with.

Also, if there is printed documentation that tentacleslap provided regarding the notches I could not find it. Maybe it's in the Honda Common manual, I didn't check there. Knowing that beforehand would have saved me a lot of time, so it's nice to have this info on the forum.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/cbrforu...fd521a7b24.jpg

This is from the service manual. #1 should be at the top and facing outward.
In reality it doesn't matter what their orientation is as long as you get a good seal. They are positioned top facing out for ease of removal.

Agreed. Hope I didn't infer otherwise.