Pine-sol for carb cleaning?

[quixotic]

Has anyone tried this?  Should I be using something else?  Apparently it's bad on anything that is plated, but won't harm rubber (though I wouldn't put gaskets, etc in there anyways).  

[k_enn]

For carb cleaning, I have always used GumOut brand carb cleaner.  It used to be available in both aerosol spray and in bottle.  It really strips the gum out a carb really good.  Just be sure not to get on any painted surfaces, it is a great paint stripping solvent too.  (I have used it for some minor paint removal and for stripping away adhesive residues on some surfaces).  I can't recall if it is safe for rubber, so just be cautious around any rubber parts.  With so many vehicles having fuel injection, you may have to look a bit to find it, but last I heard it was still available.

As for Pine-Sol, I would be concerned that it would leave a residue.  I think is it is mostly a detergent based product, and the detergent aspect could leave a residue.  Gum-Out is volatile solvent, and any reside quickly evaporates completely.

k_enn

[Luca]

For carb bodies with pressed in plastic bits (such as fuel inlet fittings... or in our case the plastic BING covers) I've used Purple Power mixed with hot water in a tall tupperware container.  Id does leave a hue on aluminium sometimes, but I've never had operational issues.  A thorough rinsing and compressed air blow-drying always follows that up... as with carb cleaner.

For the all-metal bits, I'd use a proper carb cleaner.  You can get a bucket for a few bucks.  In the long run, it will be cheaper than several cans of aerosol stuff... but if you don't have anything besides the R65 to clean carbs on then the aerosol versions are probably fine.  Gum-Out, Berryman's B12, etc...  whatever has a long health-hazard label.

The thing about our carbs is they have that throttle shaft o-ring, which you don't want to damage with chemicals.  A silicone grease can greatly increase its lifespan... but when you dip the whole body in a detergent you wash the grease out... and that o-ring is a PITA to replace

Considering you have a new-to-you bike and it sounds like in your other posts you are rebuilding the carbs, I'd clean everything with the strongest solvent possible and then take extra care to keep gum from building up in the carb bodies.  Pine-Sol seems penny-wise pound-foolish.  You can always rinse it out and dry the carbs to deal with leftover detergent issues... but is it worth the few bucks you save if you have to do the job twice because the cleaner isn't sufficient?  Keep in mind you can expect a carb sync after you clean the carbs... so include that in the time the whole job takes.