Topic: CB550F Carburetor

[shade]

Hi
As I stated in my first post I am totally new to working on a Motorcycle.  My neighbor gave me his 74 CB550F that hasn't been started in about 9 years.  I have been advised to remove the gas tank and try to get any rust out of it, and to remove the carburetor and clean it. 
I have removed the Carburetors and when trying to remove the "float bowls" they seem like they have been sealed with some kind of white material.  I do not want to force anything but does anyone have any suggestions about taking them apart?
I understand that most of you are very experienced and I appreciate any help you can offer as I begin this learning process.

[stereosilence]

Probably some sort of liquid gasket. As I understand it, if you have a good float ring in there, you shouldn't need it. I just cleaned mine and I don't have them back on the bike yet. I'm interested to see if I have any leaks.

You should be able to undo the screws and peel off the bowls. If you can just pry it off with your hands, you might try lightly tapping with a rubber mallet or something.

[Duanob]

These carbs aren't rocket science more like a puzzle with a bit of voodoo mixed in j/k. Read up in the FAQ section buy just the four honda gasket sets don't waste money on the jets and needles until you get to them and check to see if they are beyond cleaning. Check the settings for the needles and floats and give everything a good cleaning especially the pilot jets. I use a K&L carb cleaning tool it's a bunch of different size cleaning wires, and a clear float level tube to check your floats after the carbs are mounted back on the bike. Also a four gauge vac sync tool if you can borrow one or $50 to buy one.

Don't be discouraged if you have to go through them a second or third time (that's the voodoo part) It took me a third time but they are spot on now and nothing to do to them except keep them clean and the bowls empty when storing the bike for the winter. I just started mine up after it's winter snooze and she fired right up.

BTW you scored by someone giving you a 550F. Those are getting kind of rare and are really nice looking bikes.

[shade]

Thanks for the input.  Once I get them opened I am going to have plenty of questions, but for now any more suggestions for getting the float bowls open? I am wary of hitting them with anything but if enough people suggest that approach I will do it!

[stereosilence]

The float bowls sit flush to the carbs. There is nothing you can bend or shear off once the screws are removed. Are those bowls really glued on there? I would try getting a razor blade and running it around the edge. You may be able to slide it in and cut through the seal.

By the way, be careful when taking apart the carbs. There are some little springs that will grow legs and run away. I nearly lost several parts the made a break for it in my garage.

[shade]

So you were right.  I lightly tapped the float bowls with a hammer and they came off.  Seems like they were sealed with something white...
Now after a simple and basic cleaning I tried putting the carbs back on the bike.  This is VERY difficult, is there a trick?  It is driving me nuts. 
I ordered new spark plugs, and once I get the carburetor back on the bike and see if I can remember where all the fuel lines go etc. I want to see if the bike will start.  If so, then I will plan on doing a more thorough cleaning (de-rust the gas tank, completely clean the carbs etc...)
Does anyone know the size of the hoses that come from the bottom of the float bowls?  Some were brittle and broke when I removed the carburetor and I am trying to order new ones.  I think they are 1/4 inch?

This is a really great forum, especially for someone like me who has no knowledge of motorcycle repair and is eager to learn.  Thanks.