Topic: My 550 is fighting me

[Bankerdanny]

I think it knows I have been planning to sell it (I have actually showed it to a few people).

First after I replaced the chromed valve cover with a freshly painted one along with the cover gaskets and pucks it developed an oil leak. Not long after that I started experiencing major overflows from multiple float bowls.

I bought some NOS Honda pucks, but when I got them an measure the depth of the shelf they sit on and compared it to the thickness, they just didn't seem thick enough. I had a spare set of aftermarket pucks and my caliper says they are thicker than the Honda ones, so in they went along with a little Hondabond. Hopefully that will fix the leak.

I picked up one new OEM float needle set the other day for a very good price and installed it last night. I ordered 3 more this morning, plus a gasket set (with shaped bowl gaskets) for all 4 carbs.

I started to ride to work today to see if the new pucks fixed the oil leak, and I am still having overflow issues. I have the overflow tubes routed to the outside of the engine so I can clearly see which carb is leaking while sitting on the bike. The #2 carb got the 1st OEM needle/seat and no overflow. But the #3 and #4 are both overflowing. Plus fuel is leaking from someplace else to and I didn't have time (and wasn't wearing clothes that could get dirty) this morning to figure out where. I just rode back home and got my car. I'll play with it some more tonight to see if I can pinpoint it.

I have 2 extra sets of 550 carbs. So if I have a cracked overflow tube or 2 I will just swap as needed.

[Tews19]

Could you solder the tubes if they are cracked?

Whenever I have a leaking bowl. I always swap out a non leaking outer carb internals. See if the problem still occurs with the non leaking internals to the leaking... plus it's easier getting to the outer carbs.

[flybox1]

Often times the float and needle seat set sits at a different height than the OEM honda parts, so using the same float tang setting results in overflows.
Assume the float valve and seat are this way.
Why not clear tube test the offending bowl and have a looksee at exactly what your fuel level is....adjust the float tangs if needed.

If the standpipe is cracked...Brass hobby tube - sleeved over it, is a quick fix.
Solder works well, too.

[Bankerdanny]

There are a few options for cracked tubes. On my prior 550 which had 1 cracked tube I just used JB Weld. It held up while I still owned it, but I don't know long term how it has done.

You can sleeve it. There are a couple of craft stores around me that have brass tubing you can use for this.

Soldering definitely also an option.

At this point I don't think a crack is the issue because it is not consistent.

[Bankerdanny]

Flybox,

I will probably haul it down to my sister's this weekend. I can pull the carbs off, built a frame to bolt the rack to and then use my aux tank setup to sort it out.

[calj737]

I will probably haul it down to my sister's this weekend. I can pull the carbs off, built a frame to bolt the rack to and then use my aux tank setup to sort it out.

Please just don’t weld it if it’s cracked 

Just kidding...

[Bankerdanny]

I will probably haul it down to my sister's this weekend. I can pull the carbs off, built a frame to bolt the rack to and then use my aux tank setup to sort it out.

Please just don’t weld it if it’s cracked 

Just kidding...