Topic: CB550F and CB550K Carbs

[parm94]

Do the two models (550F and 550K) have the same carb setup? I've got a carb kit for a 550k, would the jets etc be good for a 550f?

[madcow9100]

Hey there,

First off, what year are these bikes? the '77 and '78 550Ks had different carbs for sure (keihin 46A for 77, 46C for '78).

Secondly, you're really better off doing some searching around here. I'm new, but I've learned an absurd amount from this site by just slowly reading and learning.

To quote TwoTired (leading expert on all things 550):

The only direct replacement carbs for the F model Cb550 are 069A series.  Are you certain it is an F model?  (The VIN must have and F in numbers.)
However, if the air filter and a exhaust are modified, the 069A set up will no longer be valid.
The carb bodies are the same for 069A 75-77 Cb550F, 087a 76 Cb550K, 022a 74-75 CB550k, 627B 71-73 CB500.


If you change the intake manifolds, carb couplers fore and aft, and the air box from the donor, PD carbs for the 77-78 Cb550K can also be used (with jetting changes).

from here:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=106960.0

[flatlander]

yes there are different carbs. and the jetting is different between F and K models.
you can check in the documentation that's available here: http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb550/

[Tews19]

I like the earlier model carbs to include the F carbs. The 77-78 PD carbs blow

[Deltarider]

First off, what year are these bikes?

The year is irrelevant and leads to confusion*. Some mean by 'year' the year of production, some the year the bike was in the showroom, someone else the year the bike was first registered. It's better to state your model. Here is a list of the various CB550 models.

Models originally equipped with 4-4 exhaust systems were:
CB550(K0)
CB550K1
CB550K2
CB550K3
CB550K4

Models originally equipped with 4-1 exhaust were:
CB550F
CB550F1
CB550F2

When in doubt you can verify what model you have. Go to: http://www.honda4fun.com/materiale-documentazione-tecnica/parts-list/parts-list-cb550
All Parts Lists are there and in the first pages of every one of them you'll find the engine- and framenumbers listed of the model concerned as well which type of carb was on them. Check it to find out if a PO possibly has made changes. You can also find out what market your model was intended for (A = USA, CM = Canada, U = Australia).
Everybody can do this and there's no need to bother us with years and have us guess what model you mean.
All CB550F models for all markets had the 069A carbs. Settings may differ however. I have some indication the carbs on the CB550F2 were set leaner by opening their airscrews a bit more.
*For instance there never was a model CB550F3.

[Duanob]

The carb bodies on the 550K 0 - 2 (1974 - 76) and the F- 0 -3 (1975 - 77) are the same but the specs are a bit different. Mostly clip position. The 550 K 3 - 4 (1977 - 78) have different carbs altogether.

[Deltarider]

The carb bodies on the 550K 0 - 2 (1974 - 76) and the F- 0 -3 (1975 - 77) are the same

There wasn't a 550F3, the F2 was the last of the 'F' models.