Question about 350x airbox tubes

[whiteman350x]

Here is what I have: Building a 350x out of misc. parts. The air box hasn't been on a trike in many years. The tube that connects the box to the intake side of the carb is hard as a rock. It also has aparently srunken as it aged. It is too small to fit the carb. Too stiff to stretch. Will not go on even when coated w/ grease. What can I do to make it flexable again? This is holding up the whole project. Thanks for any and all help.

[J.D.]

Buy a new hose.

[86350X]

I'm not sure, but you might want to try heating it up with a heat gun,,, also try soaking it in carb cleaner, it softens and expands rubber parts.....

[Joel85350X]

I had the same problem on my 200X back in the day. If it doesn't have any metal in it, put it in the microwave for 10 seconds or so and try it. Works great!

YOU MUST MAKE SURE THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE METAL ON IT.

Sorry, it had to be stated.

[Mobular]

Never use petroleum products on rubber! They are not compatable and hasten the deterioration of them!. To soften the tube, dip it into hot, hot water. This softens the tube enough to work it over the carb mouth.

[86350X]

The carb cleaner I am talking about is not petrolium based,,,, and like I said, try heat first,,,,,, Good luck

[hrc200x]

Maybe you have a larger carb and that is why it won't go on? Take a look on ebay at some 350x carbs and see if they look the same as yours.

[350xing]

just happen to have pics of the carb!

[ATCnut]

Looks like a 350X carb. Im with the rest of them, use a heat gun. When the tube is hot, it will go on easy.

[hrc200x]

are those two pictures of whitemans 350x carb or one off ebay?

[350xing]

Don't know. Had em saved to my computer for a while. Don't remember where I got em.

[whiteman350x]

The carb is stock 350x. I currently have 2 w/ the original carbs on them, and 3 more extra carbs. They are all the same size. The carb being the wrong size is the first thing I thought of. I got the others out to check and it is the same size.

[Mobular]

Carb cleaner is just solvents! It will eat the rubber just as quickly!

[samster143]

How about using a universal K&N air filter with an outerwear and hooking it straight to the carb? Just a thought...

[whiteman350x]

Well, I am trying to build this thing out of existing parts. Can't really spend more $$ in it. I have to get it out of the way so I can start on the Cagiva. Thanks for the advise tho. If I could afford it I would put a k&n on it. But, I really need to use what I have.

[Mobular]

Do the hot water trick!

[philmoore]

That is so weird. Both of my 350X's are like that (hardened). But, none of my 250R's, and even my old '79 110 carb intake tube is still pliable...

I dunked mine in really hot (almost boiling water) and was able to get it on there. It was tough though because the tube is short/shrunken.

[beaterbiker]

If you don't mind your friends laughing at ya, go down to the auto parts store, and get a truck radiator hose. I think I used a universal hose that I was going to put on a 78 F100. Ugly as all get out, but it is tough, and it was cheap. Two hose clamps and a razor trim, and I am in business. I think hose gets hard from all of the oil it sucks out of the air filter over time. That and it gets cooked slowly by the engine. BE CAREFUL on ebay, lots of dorks selling junk. There are some cool people, but make sure you ask plenty of questions. Anyway, good luck with it. I am struggling with an 85 350x. Covered in gunk, but seems to have a good engine. BRAKES on this thing are TOAST. If anyone knows a good swap for the front master cylinder, let me know. THe used stuff around here sucks!