Topic: Pilot Jet removal cb 550k

[jsari]

Trying to figure out how to remove pilot jets from 1978 cb550k.There is no place to put wrench or screw driver.Wondered if they would unscrew with pliers or visegrip??

[oldbiker]

I've just had a look at my spare carbs and the pilot jets have a screwdriver slot in the end. If yours don't have this slot then I think you could unscrew them by careful use of fine nose pliers.

[migopod]

76 and earlier are threaded and have a slot, but i seem to recall that 77 and after are not
(easily) removable.  there may be a thread about this on greenspun if i'm not mistaken...

[Justin_NJ]

I have a '78 CB550 - the pilot jets are simply pushed in and do not have threads.  I got them out with a pair of needle nose pliers.  Be careful to pull very gently, so you don't damage them.

Good luck cleaning them - they're a royal pain because the opening is so tiny.  I used a single strand of copper wire and carb cleaner, but it took hours to get light to shine through.  If you discover a better method, please post it.

[Tim.]

New pilot jets are $4 each (at least in Canada for the threaded type on a 1976 CB550F).  Are they worth cleaning at $16 for a set of new ones?

[Justin_NJ]

I'm pretty sure the 76 pilot jets don't fit the 78 carbs.  The 77-78 Keihin PD carbs are different than the earlier model carbs.  I wasn't able to find the 78 jets for sale anywhere when I looked.

[migopod]

i've used acetylene torch tip cleaners to clean out carb jets before, but you have to
be rather gentle and use something slightly smaller than the actual orifice size or risk
deforming the holes.

[Glenn Stauffer]

There is a tech doc on cleaning jets on the web site:

http://sohc4.us/node/38

[bryanj]

77/78 jets are the same as 750Auto and are a push in fit onto a taper seat. Grip with vice grips but not too tight and twist and pull to remove, tap gently back in with soft faced hammer to refit NOT A FIBRE HAMMER or you will put fibre back up the hole you just cleaned!!! (dont ask!!!)