Is there a differnce in airbox/air tube sizes between 85-86 Big Reds?

[newby200x]

Got back to putting the carb back on the 86 Big Red. Slipped the air tube on the back of the carb and dropped the air box in. Tried slipping the tube onto the box and it doesn't fit very well, the tube diameter seems just a hair too small and just a little short too. Went ahead and tried fitting the tube from the box to the frame and it was almost 3/4" too short..it will slip on to either end nicely, just too short. Once I lined up the airbox w/ the bolt holes its obvious either the airbox is different or the air tubes. Has anyone ever ran into this?

[newby200x]

Discovered last night that the tubes should be soft pliable rubber, not hard as a rock tubes like mine are which is more than likely my problem. Anybody know of a way to soften these up again? Or are they ready for the dumpster? I put a hair dryer to them last night, they will soften up, but once cooled back to where they were again.

[tripledog]

For what it is worth, the air intake boots on my '85 and '86 Big Reds look the same. It is quite common for rubber components to turn hard or even brittle with age, at least that has been my experience with motorcycles. I don't think you will have much luck restoring the intake boot's pliability. No expert here by any means. Good luck to you!

[atc007]

Whew,,I Think it was Mr Clean or Mosh posted a few years back,It was Mosh,, Soak them in boiling murphies oil soap? Google it and learn what you can and report back please lol!

[newby200x]

I'll definitely have to check in to the boiling soap idea. The worst tube is by far the box/frame boot. One end is good and the other is rock hard and is probably 1/2" from hitting the box. My initial idea was to clamp the tube down and heat it up w/ a heat gun and stretch the tube to the expected length and somehow try to clamp it down and let cool, so maybe it will at least be able to be clamped into position again.

Found it: http://www.3wheelerworld.com/showthread.php/128743-350X-Air-Box-Fitment-Issues?highlight=murphy

[DohcBikes]

Thanks for including the link! Haven't had a short boot on a trike yet, but I will definitely be utilizing Mosh's tip on some inline 4 carb boots! The center two box-to-carb boots on the old bikes are almost always shrunken and hardened, and most are impossible to find soft ones to replace.

[Dirtcrasher]

You could shove it straight up your ...............

But carb dip seems to soften rubber.I didn't watch the video, I only saw opportunity.