Topic: Mikuni VM34 Carburetor Kit on a CB550f

[xanaphyst]

So what's the real story? Anyone know if these things are actually better?

My bike has the stock airbox removed so my stock carbs are now handicapped with pods.

Reinstalling the stock airbox is not an option for me.

Are these the answer ??

[PeWe]

Will those relatively big carbs give any throttle response at middle range?

[Translations]

I have a set of Murray's on my CB750F and it runs really good, but i've just installed them recently so time will tell. Those do seem quite big for a 550? Might want to give Murray a call he is a wealth of knowledge putting dual VM carbs on everything and his manifolds are the best ones out there currently. He's a talker but he will get you sorted no doubt.

[WideAWAKE]

I have some Vm32s in my cb500t which I’d imagine would be close enough to a 550 to tell you they work very well.

I have some vm34s on xs650 (with a 750 big bore kit on it) and they would nicely.

If your 550 is close to stock (not a built up motor) I’d bet 32s would be a better fit but I’m sure you could get the 34s work well if need be.

[76FIVEFIFDEE]

I have these installed on my '76 CB550K and to say they woke this motor up is an understatement. I have been very happy overall!

There are some minor inconveniences when compared to the stock carbs, such as the individual idle screws, chokes, and a longer warm-up period. I do have to re-sync the carbs from time to time because of the idle screws, but I do it quickly using the smooth end of a drill bit to even out the gap in the slides.

Other than those minor things, I absolutely love these carbs. I have no plans of going back!

[76FIVEFIFDEE]

Here's a pic of my setup. This is when I was testing everything.

[xanaphyst]

I have these installed on my '76 CB550K and to say they woke this motor up is an understatement. I have been very happy overall!

There are some minor inconveniences when compared to the stock carbs, such as the individual idle screws, chokes, and a longer warm-up period. I do have to re-sync the carbs from time to time because of the idle screws, but I do it quickly using the smooth end of a drill bit to even out the gap in the slides.

Other than those minor things, I absolutely love these carbs. I have no plans of going back!

Awesome thank you for the info !!!

Just to clarify.... Do you have the 34 or 32  ?

[Tracksnblades1]

Interesting…

Looks like the opposite of the VMax system…
Does it make good low rpm torque with the long large intake plenums?

[76FIVEFIFDEE]

I have these installed on my '76 CB550K and to say they woke this motor up is an understatement. I have been very happy overall!

There are some minor inconveniences when compared to the stock carbs, such as the individual idle screws, chokes, and a longer warm-up period. I do have to re-sync the carbs from time to time because of the idle screws, but I do it quickly using the smooth end of a drill bit to even out the gap in the slides.

Other than those minor things, I absolutely love these carbs. I have no plans of going back!

Awesome thank you for the info !!!

Just to clarify.... Do you have the 34 or 32  ?

Sorry for the late response--I have the VM34s!

[76FIVEFIFDEE]

The only minor inconveniences are that these carbs take longer to warm up than the stock ones and I have to sync them every handful of rides. I use the smooth end of a drill bit to adjust the height of the slides to be synced and then I keep track of my turns on the idle screws. Other than that, I truly love them and don't want to go back...

Oh, you may notice a change in your gas mileage, though that depends on your throttle hand

[newday777]

The only minor inconveniences are that these carbs take longer to warm up than the stock ones and I have to sync them every handful of rides. I use the smooth end of a drill bit to adjust the height of the slides to be synced and then I keep track of my turns on the idle screws. Other than that, I truly love them and don't want to go back...

Oh, you may notice a change in your gas mileage, though that depends on your throttle hand

Why aren't you using gauges to sync the carbs properly?

[fizzlebottom]

I've been starting to think about a set from Murray for my CB650. I mean, I don't want to spend the $600 but I will if my hand is forced. I do love the stock Keihins and now know them like the back of my hand, but I do appreciate the higher availability of quality parts for the VM34s.

Are the Mikunis easier to fiddle with than the old CV carbs? More friendly to intake & exhaust changes?

[76FIVEFIFDEE]

The only minor inconveniences are that these carbs take longer to warm up than the stock ones and I have to sync them every handful of rides. I use the smooth end of a drill bit to adjust the height of the slides to be synced and then I keep track of my turns on the idle screws. Other than that, I truly love them and don't want to go back...

Oh, you may notice a change in your gas mileage, though that depends on your throttle hand

Why aren't you using gauges to sync the carbs properly?

I suppose I could, but this is quick and so far has been fine. Overall, I haven't run into any running issues!

[xanaphyst]

Well ..... I went and bought the VM34 carbs from Murray.  I'm having some issues and was hoping someone could help me. I've called Murray a couple times and I reckon he's just a busy dude.

My bike runs well from idle to about 60% but not so great at all after that and if I run it hard the engine gets very hot. It appears my jets are 165. Anyone have an idea what jets are in there VM34 carbs?

For reference I'm refering to my install on a CB550.

Thanks