Motorcycle Repair: carb replacement, honda v65 sabre, silicone spray

Question
I have a 1984 Honda V65 Sabre and need to replace the carbs.  I have disconnected everything, but can't budge them.  Can you recommend the best way to remove them?  Thanks

Answer
Rob, there probably aren't any easy tips on carb removal for these bikes, other than the use of a heat gun to warm up the manifold stubs and some brute force using a longish pry bar. The formerly rubber manifolds have not turned into an almost solid plastic and they do get a good grip on the carburetor spigots, especially after years of heat and being gripped by the manifold clamps.
Try to squirt some silicone spray or other penetrating fluids down around the manifold/carb connections and just wiggle things back and forth to help it get worked down between the parts. A suitable pry bar or BIG screwdriver will help you lever one carb off at a time, hopefully.

Plan on getting new manifolds to help your new carb installation. Some people have had success with boiling the old manifolds in hot water... (no open flames, please, due to gasoline residues!) to soften them again, but I would vote for new ones.

Bill Silver