Topic: '74 CB550 - OEM Float Bowl Gasket Issue

[AMT]

Hey guys,
In the process of rebuilding (or more accurately just cleaning and servicing) the carbs on my '74 CB550.
After quite a bit of reading here and inspecting my carbs I decided to re-use all of the original jets and needle, etc. I ordered a gasket / o-ring set from ServiceHonda Part # 16010-323-315 for the 022A Carbs and began reassembly. Everything wen't smoothly until I arrived at the float bowl o-ring (the main reason for purchasing the kits, as mine had been pinched by the PO and were torn and unusable. Unfortunately, no matter how many times I question my own abilities, I end up concluding that the damned o-rings are just too big. As I place a finger in each of the corners of the float bowl seat, careful not to pull the gasket around and stretch it, I still end up with excess material that won't settle into the seat. Edit: Ironically the opposite issue that I have when trying to re-install the old gaskets, which are just a bit too small to remain in the seat while I try to assemble it!
I'm not sure if there's a process (like boiling?) that might shrink them a bit, but before I go down that road I'm just curious if anyone has had this issue before. I've called ServiceHonda and cross referenced all of the part numbers again and everything seems correct. I also measured the O-ring, and while I'm not sure how accurate I was it appears to be roughly 73mm, but I can't find a reference for how large its supposed to be.

Thanks for reading!

[bollingball]

I would take a razor blade and cut just enough off on a 45 angle from top to bottom then use a needle to put one half drop of CA glue on the cut Work it in the splice and wipe off any excess. There have been many post about this poor fit. If you keep working around you may not have to do this but it does work.
Ken

[harisuluv]

Yes it seems too big but it will fit.  You just have to keep it compressed all the way around.  In other words, don't stretch it out tight around every corner and then be surprised when you have 1" surplus.  Compress it into itself reasonably around every corner and then you will just have a little in the end.  Mush it down in the groove and it will be ok.

It will help to scotch tape the corners or strategic locations to keep it in place.  If in the end you still have slack you can untape certain parts that are too tight and compress certain areas.

Next you install the bowl and leave it loose enough to get the tape out but not let the oring out of the groove.  Pull SLOWLY.

Hope that helps.

[BobbyR]

You can use a glue stick or some nail polish placed in the bowl groove to hold everything in place. When you tighten up the float bowl screws the gasket will crush and seal.

[AMT]

Appreciate the advise.
In the future I think it'd be easy enough to just take an accurate measurement of the O-ring and source one thats a couple mm smaller. Seems like a lot of messing around for no real reason, especially for part of a bike that gets opened up for service and tuning quite frequently. 

[harisuluv]

Sci sells a gasket that is pre molded, if you are ok paying a little more.

[bollingball]

Sci sells a gasket that is pre molded, if you are ok paying a little more.

This is the best way to go that is the kind I get from the Honda dealer. But I have 78 750 42b carbs never any trouble. Plus the bowls have little tits that hold the gasket in place.
Ken

[Duanob]

I bought a set of premolded off of ebay, I'm glad I did. I can get the kit o-rings to fit but what a PITA!

[AMT]

I bought a set of premolded off of ebay, I'm glad I did. I can get the kit o-rings to fit but what a PITA!

And here I was feeling proud for ordering OEM Honda parts and the eBay gaskets would have saved me a bunch of time.