Topic: 022a on a '78 cb550 engine

[CBDee]

I've been trying to get this bike together piece by piece. A friend of mine has a good set of 022a carbs will these work on the '78 engine or should I just keep looking? Ive heard the heads were changed on this model from the earlier heads, so I was wondering if I was going to have to fiddle with things to get them to work.

Thanks Dee

[chrima]

You'll need the intake manifolds from a 76 or older bike. Throttle cables are different length.  You won't need the choke cable. A re-jet will probably be needed. If you have stock 4into4 pipes, it will probably run rich. Also you will need a brass tee for the fuel line. 77 and up had one fuel line to the carbs. 76 and older had two lines to the carbs.

Yes they will work, but they are not plug n play.

[CBDee]

Thanks so much for the answer i'll take your advice. I have most of the part's i need to do this. I can get these carbs for free so I have an insentive to make them work! 

Would raising the clip and going to a smaller main (their 100's now) help with the rich condition?

[chrima]

That is where I am at. I have a 77 550k w 087A carbs. I raised the clip one from stock, still runs rich, so next I need to try one size smaller jet. Raising the clip may not be necessary with the smaller jet. Also my air filter is really dirty, so that would also contribute to a rich condition. Jets are currently 100 if I remember correct.

Just have to experiment a little. Try one thing at a time.

[CBDee]

That is where I am at. I have a 77 550k w 087A carbs. I raised the clip one from stock, still runs rich, so next I need to try one size smaller jet. Raising the clip may not be necessary with the smaller jet. Also my air filter is really dirty, so that would also contribute to a rich condition. Jets are currently 100 if I remember correct.

Just have to experiment a little. Try one thing at a time.

Thanks for the tips. Itll be a while before im ready to fire it up, but it sounds like it might be workable as long as i know what im getting myself into I can do some searches and get more help that way.

Thanks again for the help.