 Vacuum Caps
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 619
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 619 |
Not a solution to a world problem but I have been unhappy about how short a time the rubber vaccum caps (squirrel condoms) have lasted on my bikes. Found some silicone caps that are used in powder coating industry (from Eastwood via Amazon). The 0.140 inch version is a good tight fit to the vacuum ports on the carbs/manifold, but it only comes in white as far as I can tell, and it is rather thin walled so was afraid it would blow off at the slightest engine stutter. So, what to do. Using a black rubber cap that the white silicon cap fit into I trimmed off the silicon cap to match then used a spring clamp to keep the whole thing on the port. So far it seems to be working and I am hoping that the silicon insulates the rubber from the heat a bit and will make it last longer, but even if it cracks the silicon will keep the port sealed. Please note that the spring clamp pictured is a larger size than the ones I used but didn't have an extra smaller one to photograph, and please forgive the low quality cell phone pics.   
Long time observer of the human condition.
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Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Looks like a good idea. I used silicone caps too but found them in multi-colours. I now have red caps to match my bike. It's a shame to waste vanity on women only!! 
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Instead of squirrel condoms, my mechanic used short lengths of
fuel line to connect together the 2 vac ports on each side.
It's held together for 25,000 miles so far, no signs of cracking.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
Quote:
Instead of squirrel condoms, my mechanic used short lengths of
fuel line to connect together the 2 vac ports on each side.
It's held together for 25,000 miles so far, no signs of cracking.
I'd like to see a dyno compare, with bridged intakes and separately sealed, yes , I realize our bikes run abridged. It just seems that if this is a performance enhance, cool, and if all stays the same, still good. Loss of any power? Poo-Poo..Ka-Ka
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Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 619
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 619 |
I ran with the ports bridged for quite a while but when I got ready to balance carbs again I looked into going back to caps.
Keith, are your silicon caps holding up ok?
Long time observer of the human condition.
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Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,671 Likes: 15 |
You could also use small zip ties to secure the caps.
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Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 740
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 740 |
Quote:
Instead of squirrel condoms, my mechanic used short lengths of
fuel line to connect together the 2 vac ports on each side.
It's held together for 25,000 miles so far, no signs of cracking.
I did the same thing and its held up well in the heat out here.
Bill.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."
-George Best
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Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 5,720 |
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Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
use oem condoms. Never a worry. I tried after market ones. Once.
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
Quote:
Quote:
Instead of squirrel condoms, my mechanic used short lengths of
fuel line to connect together the 2 vac ports on each side.
It's held together for 25,000 miles so far, no signs of cracking.
I did the same thing and its held up well in the heat out here.
The old Bonnies have a length of tubing connecting the vac ports on the intake manifolds.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: Vacuum Caps
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
BTW, I have no loss of power using the fuel lines instead of S/C's.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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