[calman28556]

I had been over to MFI to get the rear tire on the Bullet changed out (cords were showing) and then stopped at Wally World to use my prepaid gas card.  When I went to pull away from the pump I went through the usual routine which included switching the gas back on. 

Lo and Behold the Bullet went clunk, clunk, clunk!!  I reached down to make sure I had cut the gas back on when I realized the carb was dangling free by the tube from the gas tank. 

Looking under the gas tank I found the tubing from the rear of the carb to the front of the air box had worked loose.  Also realized the portion of the tubing which fit the carb is held in place by a heavy duty electrical tie - not a radiator-type clamp which is on the rear of the tubing which connects to the air box. 
 
Took a few minutes to get the electrical tie off and re-seat the carb.  Managed to get home (35 miles) with carb only coming loose once more.  Put new tie on and now carry a couple of long electrical ties as part of my tool kit.

I can only surmise that these 20F-60F-30F-70F -40F weather swings we been experiencing had an effect on the electrical tie and it expanded.  When I replaced the electrical tie I left a 1/2-inch tab so I can check and tighten as needed in the future.  (Factory tie did not have enough remove to grip with a pair of pliers0

[color=redMileage at time of incident:  6,050 Miles[/color]

[Ofcalipka]

Get a set of the radiator type clamps.  They are cheap and the correct way to secure the carb.  The electrical tie sounds like it was a temporary repair someone made ages ago and forgot to correct. 

[PhilJ]

Mine came from the factory with the cable tie. The problem with cable ties is over time they are affected by UV, and deteriorate.

[REpozer]

Why? Why the cable tie? Mine came with it too.

 I 've had problems as well.
 
Did RE do it to save .50 cents?

[The Garbone]

Honestly, in a choice between a cable tie and the stock metal clamps that came on my rig its a toss up.    Got real clamps now.

[Spitting Bull]

I've always wondered - why does the 500 carb have this "hanging in space" type of fitting?  Why doesn't it just bolt straight onto the cylinder inlet port, like the 350 carb does?

Tom

[clamp]

Because keeping the carb cool and the petrol mixed with it  is important,-- cool air is what the engine likes. cool air is heavier so it gets more in per gulp.

   Engine manufacturers go to a lot of trouble to keep carbs cool and all sorts of spacers rubber hoses etc have been tried.

   Hence turbos have intercoolers etc etc

    I cant believe you have cable ties for this job ,--fit proper clips immediately,--they are called jubillee clips,

       

[Jeri Danger]

Hi
Fit proper hose clamps and replace the stock rubber
piece of crap. Just go to your local auto supply and
buy a radiator hose and some clamps.
My machine was backfiring and it actually blew the carb
off.
Jeri

[ace.cafe]

Hi
Fit proper hose clamps and replace the stock rubber
piece of crap. Just go to your local auto supply and
buy a radiator hose and some clamps.
My machine was backfiring and it actually blew the carb
off.
Jeri

My bike's carb has been blown off the engine about half a dozen times that way.
Each time the rubber inlet hose starts to go bad(which is often) it gets a lean condition and backfires, and the carb blows off.
I'll bet we're not the only ones, either, Jeri.

My latest rad hose is still holding up ok. But I bought 3 feet of it, just in case!

[Cabo Cruz]

I've always wondered - why does the 500 carb have this "hanging in space" type of fitting?  Why doesn't it just bolt straight onto the cylinder inlet port, like the 350 carb does?

Tom

Spitting Bull, the 34mm carb on my 2004 Sixty-5, Perla, has always been directly bolted onto the cylinder inlet port without any ill effects resulting from this arrangement.  I also have the (CMW) K&N Pancake style filter and an unrestricted (CMW) Gold Star style pipe.

[Jeri Danger]

Hi
Fit proper hose clamps and replace the stock rubber
piece of crap. Just go to your local auto supply and
buy a radiator hose and some clamps.
My machine was backfiring and it actually blew the carb
off.
Jeri

My bike's carb has been blown off the engine about half a dozen times that way.
Each time the rubber inlet hose starts to go bad(which is often) it gets a lean condition and backfires, and the carb blows off.
I'll bet we're not the only ones, either, Jeri.

My latest rad hose is still holding up ok. But I bought 3 feet of it, just in case!

Hi Ace
Several of my friends and I were imbibing some adult beverages
when my Devil Bullet blew its carb off, we thought it was the
most hilarious thing ever, we had a hoot.
Someone suggested the cable was a safety device.
Well after putting the carb back on I tried her again(kicked it)
That time it kicked back, it got me.
Not so funny, I limped for weeks.
Throw that stock rubber thing away!!!
My radiator hose is doing just fine.
Like yourself I have about 3 feet of it spare.
Jeri

[single]

Once again I see that no matter how unique my experience seems to me,many others have shared it.

[72westie]

Heck, my carb has blow off from backfires even with the big old hose clamps. Caught the bike on fire once too! 

[clamp]

Common thing,--even the japs do it.

   Some carbs are bolted straight to the head but there should be a fibre spacer of say 1/2 an inch there.

[jonapplegate]

absolutely have a spacer between the carb and head. You may really regret it if you are riding on a hot day and your carb decides to start boiling fuel.
  Does anyone know the boiling point of gasoline? I know its alot lower that water. Water is 212f or 100c, Whats gasoline?