Boot Insulator Preservation

[Chipperf]

I purchased 8 new OEM boot insulators for my 1979 CB750 Limited when I first bought the bike in 2021. Soon after, I had my son and was left with limited time to work on it since. I did a lot of work on the bike, including adjusting the valves, rebuilding the carburetor, and other things. I got the bike started, after 22 years of sitting, and rode around the neighborhood! But, it’s sat since and I know rebuilding the carburetors is important since they’ve been sitting for a while. The boots I purchased have started to harden and I want to preserve them until I re-install the carburetors so I don’t have to purchase new ones. Is there any type of oils I can use with these rubber boots to extend their lifespan?

Note: the bike has been garage kept since it was purchased, and I live in SC with mild temperatures. No real exposure to the elements.

Thanks!

 

[dan newman]

Wintergreen oil from your local pharmacy. Also,,,, 100LL gas from your local airport is about the best carb cleaner for these old bikes. I run it in all offroad machines,,, not really,,, and small motors like weed wackers and blowers and such. My dodge plow truck lives on it, and always starts like it was just shut off.

 

[ScottishBadger]

Wintergreen oil from your local pharmacy. Also,,,, 100LL gas from your local airport is about the best carb cleaner for these old bikes. I run it in all offroad machines,,, not really,,, and small motors like weed wackers and blowers and such. My dodge plow truck lives on it, and always starts like it was just shut off.

Be careful with 100LL, even though it says "low lead", that's low in aviation terms to prevent knock in supercharged engines at altitude, not low for vehicle engines. It has almost three times the lead content (T.E.L.) as old leaded 4* fuel ever had (in the UK) and this is way too high for any car/small engine and leads - over time - to a buildup of deposits on the back of the exhaust valves, eventually creating poor sealing, hot-spots and ultimately burnt valves. If you want to use it, best to blend it with unleaded - a 50/50 blend with our UK pump unleaded fuel gives a fuel with less than 5% ethanol and an octane rating and lead content slightly higher than our old 1970's era 5* premium fuel.

 

[dan newman]

50/50 seems to work. 2 stroke small motors also seem happy and never have fuel issues, but I've only done it for ten years or so,,,