Gouge in carb throat

[Downeaster]

I'm going through the carbs on my '79 using the excellent guide I got from this site. I started and rode the bike before I bought it, and it ran quite well for a short putt around the block, idled well, no real warning signs of anything.

On the right carb, there is a gouge in the bottom of the throat:

with a corresponding scratch in the bottom of the slide:

It looks a lot to me like some doofus stuck a screwdriver in there for reasons unknown.

I can't imagine it doing good things for the air flow. Question is, do I carefully polish it out as best I can, just leave it and don't worry about it, or scrounge up a different carb?

 

[jim540]

I would try to smooth it out as well as you can. It may affect the air flow some but I doubt that it would be noticeable if you are just cruising around.

 

[retiredgentleman]

Its so little it should have no effect at all.

 

[Downeaster]

Good deal. I'll just buff the sharp edges off it and go with it.

Thanks.

 

[gggGary]

At some point in the past the slides were varnished shut and the PO pried it open with a screw driver. Too bad he didn't know about 10 minutes in front of a hair dryer would have allowed the slide to come right out.