Topic: Should I be concerned or just ride it?

[JDrider]

1975 cb550k1
When I start the bike cold, I turn in the the main idle screw a couple turns.
Starts up nice and easy, but after 10 seconds it surges up 2500rpms and then i back off the idle screw
and it brings it down. After it warms up a bit the idle will climb a little higher and then i back off the idle screw and get it at perfect idle.
It rides fine and doesn't surge anymore once warmed up.

[Don R]

 It could be a plug wet fouling and then picking back up. Does it want choke?

[JDrider]

choke is fully on when starting, but i usually turn it to half quickly to get it started.

[calj737]

Properly adjusted carbs do NOT need the idle screw tampered with for start-up or take-off.

Set the choke and start the bike, move to 1/2, take off. Give it 10-30 seconds and open the choke fully. Ride on. If you have surging RPMs or a climbing/falling idle, your carbs are not setup. Pure and simple.

[seanbarney41]

Calj +1  Set the idle speed when bke is fully warm and then leave it alone.  May have to use some throttle when starting and idling until the bike is warmed up.  These are not fuel injected.

[Deltarider]

Read the CB550 Owner's Manual p. 28 paragraph 6. https://www.honda4fun.com/dwnload/Owners-Manual/CB550-73-Owners-Manual.pdf Some choose to twist the throttle grip to maintain 2000 RPM, others prefer the idle knob. Has nothing to do with 'properly adjusted carbs', but with preference.

[Don R]

  Most often the answer is ride it until you get to know it better. IMHO.
  My GL1000 told me it hates higher octane fuel unless it's airplane gas or left over race gas. It will spit premium pump gas back out the carbs. 

[Stev-o]

When I start the bike cold, I turn in the the main idle screw a couple turns.

Will it start up if you dont turn up the idle?  My 550 does not like throttle until she fires

[JDrider]

It needs it turned up a bit to start easier

[bryanj]

You are way overthinking this, back in the British bike days you got ready, got on the bike, started it and drove off then when comming to a stop if not fully warm either blipped the throttle or as it used to called "hung the slide" meaning holding the twistgip open a bit to raise tickover

[dave500]

yeah like old cars with manual choke,some take a knack to operate till fully warm,a lost art now with injection?(twist key and it idles),ive always tuned and set engines when fully hot and ridden/driven,how they behave when cold so be it.

[Deltarider]

[,,,] ive always tuned and set engines when fully hot and ridden/driven,how they behave when cold so be it.

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