Carburetors
About Carburetors
The carburetor mixes air and fuel for the engine on older road bikes and many off-road machines. Riders buy a complete carburetor when the original is corroded, worn or damaged, and many choose a rebuild kit first when a bike runs poorly or leaks fuel.
Listings include replacement carburetors, such as a polished HSR 45 mm unit, rebuild kits listed by model and year for bikes such as the Honda CR500R, Yamaha PW50 and Kawasaki KX250, throttle slides, jets, boots and holders, a vent line and a recalibration tuner kit. A rebuild is the cheaper first step if the body is sound, while a replacement makes sense when it is cracked or worn out. Match the carburetor to your engine and model, and check that its size and settings suit the engine before you fit it.
Brands here include Athena, Mikuni, Drag Specialties, S&S Cycle and All Balls. Jets and small parts are in Carburetor Parts. Related parts are Air Filters, Fuel Filters and Fuel Petcocks & Taps, and the group is Air Intake & Fuel Delivery.
FAQs on motorcycle carburetors
Should I rebuild my carburetor or replace it?
Rebuild it if the body is straight, not cracked and not badly corroded, since a kit of fresh gaskets, seals and valves often fixes leaks and poor running. Replace it if the body is damaged or worn. A shop can check the condition for you.
How do I find the right rebuild kit?
Match the kit to your make, model and year range, which the listing title shows, and to your carburetor type. If the carburetor has a brand and model stamped on the body, use that. If you are unsure, compare the kit's photos with your parts.
Does a replacement carburetor come set up for my bike?
Not necessarily. Settings such as jetting vary by listing and by engine, so confirm they suit your model, and expect to fine-tune after fitting. Check the maker's instructions and your service manual before you start the engine.
What size carburetor do I need?
Use the size your engine and the maker call for. A carburetor that is too large for the engine can make it run poorly at low speeds, and too small restricts power. Check the bore size in the listing against the specification for your bike.
What causes carburetor problems after storage?
Gasoline left in the carburetor can go stale and leave varnish that blocks small passages. Drain the float bowl or use fuel stabilizer before storing the bike, and clean the carburetor if the bike will not idle after sitting.
