Topic: 1976 CB550K Carburetor main jet Leaf springs

[Teatimetim]

19 years ago I bought My CB550k.  It ran good the entire time I ran it, so I never had the carbs off.  In a long convuluted story is was parked in 1995 and I'm just getting to it now.. lol.  I've taken 3 of the 4 carbs down and cleaning them, rebult them I, I decided to use new jets, the ones on it are probably functional, but they don't look to great.

When I read the manual, I noticed the leaf spring on the main jet but saw non on mine.  After much research I realized the same PO that put a regular hex bolt on one of the float bowls yes some 19 or 20 years ago, had also remove the leaf springs from the main Jets never put them back in.

My question:  how critical are they?  secondly I've not be able to find the part anywhere and if anyone had  a suggetion or two I'de be very happy.

[Gordon]

Your jets were probably somewhat glued in place with varnish.  Now that they're clean the little o-rings on the jets will hold them in for a while, but they'll eventually vibrate themselves out.  If you can't find a replacement, search the forums.  I remember somebody not too long ago who posted pictures of how they used a washer and coil spring to replace a missing main jet holder.   

[Teatimetim]

kinda what I thought..   I will try a motorcycle junk yard first if not, I'll see about the home built method..  Thanks for the help. 

[Duanob]

They are made of unobtanium. I made some out of hacksaw blades but it was temporary at most. I finally bought a good set of parts carbs at a swap meet last year and replaced all the missing springs and a few other parts. Did you replace your jets with OEM Honda or after market? I would stay with Honda brand when possible. I good cleaning should be good enough to bring the old jets back to life unless there was mass amounts of corrosion.

[Teatimetim]

They are made of unobtanium. I made some out of hacksaw blades but it was temporary at most. I finally bought a good set of parts carbs at a swap meet last year and replaced all the missing springs and a few other parts. Did you replace your jets with OEM Honda or after market? I would stay with Honda brand when possible. I good cleaning should be good enough to bring the old jets back to life unless there was mass amounts of corrosion.

I found the washer idea in the forums with the spring that would do in a pinch.  I bought some aftermarket that seem decent, but I kept the old main jet which are clear just incase and I have the old idlejets which I could only clear one of those.  My thinking was if I had problems with the non oem, I just put the old jets back in and take the gaskets off the new. 

The gasket sets from these non oem seem high quality, compared to most I saw online, so i'm hopping the jets will be like wise.

[Teatimetim]

Does have me thinking, I could cut links of aluminum sheet metal, make 4 bends in the right place, and drill big hole, and one that will snug up to the jet, probably work as good as anything.

[nayto550]

Try giving these guys a call.  They have lots of parts.

http://www.sportwheel.com/

[mrrch]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=101803.0

Do this, very easy.

[Teatimetim]

Yes I will try the spring, I should be able to find an assortment at the local hardware store, and I will try to use brass. 

[05c50]

Does have me thinking, I could cut links of aluminum sheet metal, make 4 bends in the right place, and drill big hole, and one that will snug up to the jet, probably work as good as anything.

You can also use the band material used to strap things to pallets.

.........Paul

[nayto550]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=101803.0

Do this, very easy.

You win.  Way easier than finding replacements.

[mrrch]

We all win when we share info. That's the great thing about this forum.

[Teatimetim]

Thanks guys for this solution. 

I used 5/8ths springs with a 5/16th diamiter, and lil brass washers.  I forced the lip of the spring a half a turn on the ther washer to hopeful have it stick and have the ability to removed the float bowl while on the bike.  The spring gave maybe a quarter of inch of spring to the bottom so I think this will be fine to hold the jet in place.

carbs go back on today and I've checked the valves and compression today, and all looks good.  So It may start as soon as tonight, after sitting for 17 years.