you can heat the boot and bend it aside, but if im going to take the carb out for anything i usually just take the time and lift the whole subframe up by taking out the bottom bolts, and moving it out of the way. you can do most things (change jets, needle/slide) just by loosening the clamps, rotating the top of the carb towards you, taking out the cap and slide, and then rotating it the other way and taking off the bowl.