Does anyone know what size screwdriver is necessary to reach the carb drain screws? Need a length and blade width. Going to pick one up tomorrow and I'd prefer to not have to return something that doesn't quite make it.
Carb drains - need screwdriver size
- Thread starter Joeywhat
- Start date
DaveWooster
'95 ST1100ALS and '98 Standard ST1100W
Width is slightly less than a quarter of an inch to allow free turning.
Blade length I guestimate should be at least ten inches. That's if all the fairing plastic has been removed.
If all you remove is the maintenance covers, then blade length needs to be close to two feet, and the quarter inch width may be the only one your tool dealer stocks.
Blade should be round; not square.
Beyond that, I will have to locate mine and measure it. I doubt I will get that done for you
By the way, one screw is hard to get to: try moving the throttle twist grip a bit to improve access to it.
(Mine is Craftsman brand.)
Be gentle until you feel the tool is seated in the slot. Apply pressure; gradually increase torque until you hear and feel a "pop". Then watch for gas draining out.
(The screw is brass, but it's slot can be damaged if blade width is too narrow.)
Blade length I guestimate should be at least ten inches. That's if all the fairing plastic has been removed.
If all you remove is the maintenance covers, then blade length needs to be close to two feet, and the quarter inch width may be the only one your tool dealer stocks.
Blade should be round; not square.
Beyond that, I will have to locate mine and measure it. I doubt I will get that done for you
By the way, one screw is hard to get to: try moving the throttle twist grip a bit to improve access to it.
(Mine is Craftsman brand.)
Be gentle until you feel the tool is seated in the slot. Apply pressure; gradually increase torque until you hear and feel a "pop". Then watch for gas draining out.
(The screw is brass, but it's slot can be damaged if blade width is too narrow.)
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OP
OP
Thanks, I'll see if I can find one that long and narrow locally. If not, a grinder should be able to make something work.
The hole into which the screw is recessed is 3/8 in., with the actual screw slot 1/4 in.
My screwdriver is 9 in. long.
My screwdriver is 9 in. long.
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
+1 on the 1/4” tip. You need ~9-10” shaft length to reach through the tupperware. I used an overall length 14” Craftsman with the plastic handle removed and a 5” tube extension w/“T” installed in its place. Allowed me to sight along the shaft to find the drain screws. A flex-shaft flashlight helps a lot to find them. Painting the heads helps too.
The drain procedure is on page 5-18 in the Honda Service Manual.
[“So that’s what those little rectangular covers on the fairing pockets are for!”]
BTW, I haven’t drained my carbs in many years. Rode at least monthly for years (record: 83 straight) and always use StaBil or Seafoam when needed.
John
The drain procedure is on page 5-18 in the Honda Service Manual.
[“So that’s what those little rectangular covers on the fairing pockets are for!”]
BTW, I haven’t drained my carbs in many years. Rode at least monthly for years (record: 83 straight) and always use StaBil or Seafoam when needed.
John
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DaveWooster
'95 ST1100ALS and '98 Standard ST1100W
Do you have Harbor Freight? I got a very long, quarter inch, slotted driver there cheap. But it can bind in the recessed hole when one doesn't have a straight shot at the screw.
In other words, the flat end of the blade should be as narrow as possible if the nominal width is quarter inch.
Otherwise, I would find out where auto mechanics buy tools.
In other words, the flat end of the blade should be as narrow as possible if the nominal width is quarter inch.
Otherwise, I would find out where auto mechanics buy tools.
OP
OP
I'll give harbor freight a try.
Someone in this thread might be an idiot and didn't put stabilizer in the tank/carbs prior to store for a good 5 months...
Someone in this thread might be an idiot and didn't put stabilizer in the tank/carbs prior to store for a good 5 months...
Dave, While you are here, you are the guy to answer this question:
How many Sparkling Silver Metallic 1991 1100's did Honda make for the North American market? Thanks.
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
Yes. Should have mentioned that I ground the flared “shoulders” of my screwdriver’s tip so the entire tip was no wider than 1/4”.
OP
OP
I've done that plenty of times to plenty of drivers... Looks like harbor freight might have something that works out if the box, though... If not, I haven't used my angle grinder in a while.
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
John OoSTerhuis
Life Is Good!
Also, from that thread: Side note: the narrow flat blade is available on what is called a cabinet screwdriver.