Topic: 78 550k still not running proper

[screemn2]

alright all hoping for more info from all on what to check next ...only mods uni pods 4 into 1 mac system all else is stock....carbs perfectly clean 105 main upped from the stock 90 idle jet still stock 42 ....the bike will only run holding the choke shut or slightly fluttering ... i dont know were to go next ...i ve got a pile of time into this bike and i cant give up at this point ...but at a wall right now as nothing that i do with carbs does anything ...witch tells me it must be somthing else that i am missing ....electrics ? the vacumn line on top of the head is wide open because the air box is now gone ...valves are set to spec ..timing is as well unless i did somthing wrong ...ignition parts maybe ?...please help ...thanks   screemn2

[strynboen]

put the airbox back inn..if it run perfekt before

[turboed13b]

Holding the choke shut means it is running lean. You need to check for vacuum leaks and if everything checks out okay then you will need bigger jets.

[Killer Canary]

I've got the plenum you can have for postage if that'll help. Then you can burn those facking pods.

[harisuluv]

Holding the choke shut means it is running lean. You need to check for vacuum leaks and if everything checks out okay then you will need bigger jets.

He has eliminated the carburetors in his troubleshooting.  I think he is asking for a different direction to look.

[turboed13b]

Holding the choke shut means it is running lean. You need to check for vacuum leaks and if everything checks out okay then you will need bigger jets.

He has eliminated the carburetors in his troubleshooting.  I think he is asking for a different direction to look.

I see no mention of checking carb boots or intake orings.

Tuning takes time If you don't want to tune then put the stock system back on. I usually start rich with the jetting so I start with a 110 then go down from there if necessary.

Personally I hate the pd carbs and stick with the older 550 versions.

[screemn2]

Thanks for the info guys....i have a set of 124 jets...gonna throw them in ...i know there prolly to big...but gonna see if there is a difference...maybe ..just maybe it will turn into a jet itself ....i know prolly not..but im gonna see ..and keep you all posted....thanks again..

[b5rider]

I've got the plenum you can have for postage if that'll help. Then you can burn those facking pods.

I'll take the airbox if you the OP doesn't need it!!!

[screemn2]

1978 cb550k still not running right ....pd46c carb 105 main jet stock 42 idle jet ...carbs spotless all been gone through now no matter what i have done to these carbs it will not stay running with out the choke closed or nearly closed ...i have put oiled uni pods on all carbs and a mac 4 in 1 exhaust system is in place ...valves adjusted to spec timing to spec ....starts first kick as long as you hold the choke closed .....is it somthing electrical that i should check ?...i am getting so frusterated guys  ....i have no idea what to do next ...could the timing be off 180?....anything ....please please heeelp....should i just put some 125 jets in it ?wth......sooooo glad my  73 350 wsnt this difficult and i have somthing to drive ...

[flybox1]

Another thread on how to sort out your issue? 
Upping your mains will have no effect on getting your bike to idle properly. 
If you think this, clearly you still have no idea how carbs work.
You never mention your mixture screw, and if you adjusted it to compensate for your lean condition.  I posted pictures in the other thread...did you see and respond?
You've been asked to provide pictures of plugs.  You posted once.  What do they look like now, or do I need to go look for it posted in one of your other threads?
Hopefully someonewhere will continue to help you.
Sorry dude, i'm out.

[turboed13b]

Seems like you haven't changed anything or checked anything from last time.

Checked for vacuum leaks?

Are you running on all four?

Mixture screw settings?

Float height?

[screemn2]

floats all checked out perfect with clear tube check..idle mixture setting has some but very little change on running condition ...ive  tried from 3/4 out to three turns out and all in between...checked for vacuum leaks again ..this time with carb clean ...all exhaust temps are running about the same temp +-20 degrees ...so yes all cylinders are running and firing...last thing that i did was pull the carbs off again and pull the idle jet out and clean to perfection steelwool e string , compressed air , and carb clean ....still does exactly the same thing only runs with choke closed or nearly closed..and flybox if ya say upping the mains are not goin to do anything then i wont do it ..i dont know what to do next

[Scott S]

 I know what I'd do next: Put the stock air box back on.


 The choke is adjustable on those carbs. Down at the linkage area. Are you SURE the choke is working properly?
 You make no mention of tune up; valve adjustment, timing, etc.

 With a MAC exhaust and stock air box, you should be able to run stock carb settings.

[Tews19]

Take pics of your set up when doing the clear tube method. I thought someone asked last time for a pic and it never happened.

Flybox is correct tho. Nothing changed from your last thread, upping the mains makes no sense.

[screemn2]

my goodness i would love to put the stock airbox on ...but all the boots are junk that connect from air box to carb and cant find them any where...timing is perfect as i have quadruple checked it valve adjust is quadruple checked ... clear tube test came out perfect there is nothing to see that is why there is no picks they are all 3 to 4 mm below gasket ...and float height did nothing as well even know it was incorrect to start ..and from the last thread the idle jets were pulled and cleaned to perfection as airbox said to do ...and plugs read rich after the short time of running that is has had ...prolly due to needing to be choked to run

[DaveBarbier]

Yeah, as Flybox says mains won't do anything for idle. That's only for something like 3/4 to WOT. Not sure if someone posted this for you in all your threads ( just playing around) but this will give you an idea what circuits you should be dealing with for idle:

But disregard the throttle slide cutaway, I haven't really seen or heard of people changing this except for super extreme fine tuning.

If you can get it to run with choke on/fluttering then you're not 180° off with the advancer.

I see you still haven't adjusted the cam chain. It won't fix your issue, but usually you want to have everything else perfect before tuning carbs. To me it just seems careless.

What was the max amount of turns out with the IMS that you tried?

And you never posted a picture of your float levels with the clear tube method, right? I know you say they're perfect, but you also said your carbs were spotless when you never removed the slow jet...


---
1978 Honda CB550K

[DaveBarbier]

...and plugs read rich after the short time of running that is has had ...prolly due to needing to be choked to run

If you're running lean enough to need the choke to run at all, then the choke can't be making the bike run rich. It should be making the bike just run less lean. If it is running rich with the choke, then backing off on the choke (less choke) should eventually make it have a great mixture, no?

Maybe it's weak spark. Have you checked resistance on plug caps, wires and coils? What is the exact kind of spark plug you're using? Did you gap them properly?


---
1978 Honda CB550K

[screemn2]

The max turns out on the idle screw ive tried is 3 turns out...i guess i should start checking ignitioncmponents

[flybox1]

Video how you operate the choke while your bike is running, upload to YouTube, and post the link here...

[Scott S]

my goodness i would love to put the stock airbox on ...but all the boots are junk that connect from air box to carb and cant find them any where...

http://www.classicmotorcyclesolution.com/

[calj737]

Screemn - your bike willl run with pods. but your bike won't run until you verify everything.

You've been given lots of things to do, and you say it's done properly. Yet, your bike still doesn't work. There is a significant disconnect between these two. If want hep, you must respond with documentation of the information. If you're unwilling or unable, that will limit anyone's willingness to help you.

It's your bike, you decide-

[Scott S]

my goodness i would love to put the stock airbox on ...but all the boots are junk that connect from air box to carb and cant find them any where...

http://www.classicmotorcyclesolution.com/

 I just realized that's the link I posted on your other thread and you said you couldn't open it. It kinda sounds like people are beating you up a little, but lots of advice has been given here.
 I think if it were me and I couldn't get the link to work, I'd Google Classic Motorcycle Solution. Or " '77-78 CB550K carb boots". It's not THAT hard to find the parts you need. And  they're very affordable.

 Oh....and check the ignition. Someone once told me that 99% of carb problems are electrical. Trim back the plug wires and install new caps and plugs. Check timing. Install a Pamco or Hondaman unit.

[flybox1]

The max turns out on the idle screw ive tried is 3 turns out...i guess i should start checking ignitioncmponents

Idle screw?  I hope you mean fuel mixture screw.

[screemn2]

Lol....yes..fuel mix screws..and i am operating the choke right at the carb..there is no cable yet..ive been using a hanger to hold it a bent up hanger as a tool

[Deltarider]

Someone once told me that 99% of carb problems are electrical.

That might have been me