Topic: Another project-1976 Honda CB550K

[MRieck]

Denny, this set of narrow. 002-.015" feeler gauges are excellent:they bend rather than break.
I have had my original set since 2015' and use them alot.
These feeler gauges work especially good on points because of their narrow 1/4" wide size.

I have 2 sets of those feelers.....they are the best....period.

[MRieck]

About a 20 mile shake down run today after installing new used valve cover with pinned shafts.

Sounds like a sewing machine now, much better than before.  Still have to do some tuning, but that can wait a few days.

I see a dandelion in that lawn....get on it!

[denward17]

About a 20 mile shake down run today after installing new used valve cover with pinned shafts.

Sounds like a sewing machine now, much better than before.  Still have to do some tuning, but that can wait a few days.

I see a dandelion in that lawn....get on it!

Where?

LOL ...

[BallAquatics]

That's one beautiful bike Dennis.  A job very well done.  The 4 into 4 really makes it!  I'll take one if you're interested in doing another!   

[denward17]

That's one beautiful bike Dennis.  A job very well done.  The 4 into 4 really makes it!  I'll take one if you're interested in doing another!   

Thanks!
I think I am done for a while, unless one falls in my lap.

[RAFster122s]

Mike that's enough to give someone with a beautiful manicured lawn an arrhythmia...or a skipped beat...

Beautiful yard and bike...with temps of 105 today abd 108 and 109 forecasted the next two days any grass is firmly in the brown dormant mode, the wildflowers which were plentiful are now reminder for a wildfire also. My yard had more winter grass than I've ever seen. Praying we don't have wildfires but around Phoenix and in Northern AZ they have had several already. N AZ is a totally different climate, forest and water and green, not the reds abd browns so dominant as seen in Southern Arizona desert...there is green just not as much.
We don't have anywhere near the mosquito problem that Phoenix has because of the lower humidity and dryness either...

[denward17]

Put about 175 miles on it since putting back together, running great!

Gonna take it easy for another 50 miles or so for break in.

Fresh oil change with filter yesterday, went with 20w50 Bel Ray.

Think (Hope) I am done for a while except just maintenance, now time to give the 750 some love.

[newday777]

Cool Denny.
Have you signed on to the 24 rides/2024(50 miles minimum)in the open forum?

[denward17]

Cool Denny.
Have you signed on to the 24 rides/2024(50 miles minimum)in the open forum?

I have not, but saw the thoughtful thread.  So far, most of my rides (at one time) has been less than 50.

I need to look at that in more detail.

[denward17]

I have enjoyed almost 400 miles of riding since put together, bike is running great and pulls good in upper RPM range, with exception to low speed hesitation/gurgle.

I was able to find 4 sets of needle set jets at DR. Powersports in Iowa (Thanks to Dex at Sound Sound Honda), got them ordered.

Want to compare the original Honda needle to whatever I have, updates to follow when I receive them and have time to tear carbs apart .... again.

[grcamna2]

I have enjoyed almost 400 miles of riding since put together, bike is running great and pulls good in upper RPM range, with exception to low speed hesitation/gurgle.

I was able to find 4 sets of needle set jets at DR. Powersports in Iowa (Thanks to Dex at Sound Sound Honda), got them ordered.

Want to compare the original Honda needle to whatever I have, updates to follow when I receive them and have time to tear carbs apart .... again.

I like to measure the needle jet/nozzles(compared to new ones)using my 'pin gauge set' to determine how much they've worn from the needles sliding through there so much.
I called and spoke with Dex on other parts just Friday;I enjoy how helpful they are there at South Sound Honda,especially locating NOS Honda parts at other dealers across the country.
He even gave me a choice of a dealer up in Norwich,ONT on the part I was searching for. 

[newday777]

I have enjoyed almost 400 miles of riding since put together, bike is running great and pulls good in upper RPM range, with exception to low speed hesitation/gurgle.

I was able to find 4 sets of needle set jets at DR. Powersports in Iowa (Thanks to Dex at Sound Sound Honda), got them ordered.

Want to compare the original Honda needle to whatever I have, updates to follow when I receive them and have time to tear carbs apart .... again.

Dexter is good at finding missing parts in the NLA listing's.

[denward17]

I have enjoyed almost 400 miles of riding since put together, bike is running great and pulls good in upper RPM range, with exception to low speed hesitation/gurgle.

I was able to find 4 sets of needle set jets at DR. Powersports in Iowa (Thanks to Dex at Sound Sound Honda), got them ordered.

Want to compare the original Honda needle to whatever I have, updates to follow when I receive them and have time to tear carbs apart .... again.

Dexter is good at finding missing parts in the NLA listing's.

He sure is, this is the 3rd time he helped me find a Honda part at a different dealer.

[BenelliSEI]

That Norwich, Ont. dealer is where I found my exhaust clamp!

[grcamna2]

That Norwich, Ont. dealer is where I found my exhaust clamp!

Davidson's ? 

[BenelliSEI]

That Norwich, Ont. dealer is where I found my exhaust clamp!

Davidson's ? 

Yup. Speak to “Toby” in Parts Dept. Very helpful!

[BenelliSEI]

I have enjoyed almost 400 miles of riding since put together, bike is running great and pulls good in upper RPM range, with exception to low speed hesitation/gurgle.

I was able to find 4 sets of needle set jets at DR. Powersports in Iowa (Thanks to Dex at Sound Sound Honda), got them ordered.

Want to compare the original Honda needle to whatever I have, updates to follow when I receive them and have time to tear carbs apart .... again.

Denis….. leave it alone for now and ride it. Winter will come soon enough!

[denward17]

Couldn't resist John, Since I got the new needles I decided to take carbs off the bike and install the new Honda jet needle set.

I only have 1 carb needle out so I could inspect.

Old needle I suspect is a Keyster part? D26

New needle has part # 272304 on it.

Just for grins I tried to measure with calipers:
Length:
D26 = 55.55mm
272304 = 55.85mm

Tip diameter:
D26 = 1.39mm
272304 = 1.41mm

This explains why it is a tad rich down low speed operation.

Now what do I do about the clip position?  As it came apart, it was in the 4th position from top, don't know if this is where Honda intended or not, I cannot find a reference.

[grcamna2]

Couldn't resist John, Since I got the new needles I decided to take carbs off the bike and install the new Honda jet needle set.

I only have 1 carb needle out so I could inspect.

Old needle I suspect is a Keyster part? D26

New needle has part # 272304 on it.

Just for grins I tried to measure with calipers:
Length:
D26 = 55.55mm
272304 = 55.85mm

Tip diameter:
D26 = 1.39mm
272304 = 1.41mm

This explains why it is a tad rich down low speed operation.

Now what do I do about the clip position?  As it came apart, it was in the 4th position from top, don't know if this is where Honda intended or not, I cannot find a reference.

Denis,did you get OEM Honda 'needle sets' which include the needle jets/nozzles along with the new needles?  They do come as a set.

[denward17]

Couldn't resist John, Since I got the new needles I decided to take carbs off the bike and install the new Honda jet needle set.

I only have 1 carb needle out so I could inspect.

Old needle I suspect is a Keyster part? D26

New needle has part # 272304 on it.

Just for grins I tried to measure with calipers:
Length:
D26 = 55.55mm
272304 = 55.85mm

Tip diameter:
D26 = 1.39mm
272304 = 1.41mm

This explains why it is a tad rich down low speed operation.

Now what do I do about the clip position?  As it came apart, it was in the 4th position from top, don't know if this is where Honda intended or not, I cannot find a reference.

Denis,did you get OEM Honda 'needle sets' which include the needle jets/nozzles along with the new needles?  They do come as a set.

yes sir, plan is to change them as well.  I picked up a set of original emulsion tubes from another member and had those installed already, but decided to just go ahead and replace them as a new set.  The needle is the only non-original part, with exception to JetRus main jets.

[grcamna2]

The emulsion tubes which have a number of holes through them and thread into the lower carb. body and the main jet connects to on the bottom doesn't see much wear.
The needle and needle jet(set)will wear together,which messes with how the fuel atomizes.
I have searched for stock NOS Honda 'needle sets' for other bikes and found they can be difficult to locate. I like the performance of the bike after I've replaced them. 

[denward17]

The emulsion tubes which have a number of holes through them and thread into the lower carb. body and the main jet connects to on the bottom doesn't see much wear.
The needle and needle jet(set)will wear together,which messes with how the fuel atomizes.
I have searched for stock NOS Honda 'needle sets' for other bikes and found they can be difficult to locate. I like the performance of the bike after I've replaced them. 

Here is a pic of the needle jet set with the emulsion tube that presses in, the main jet presses in just underneath and uses an o-ring to help hold the jet in place.  Then the "wing" goes on over the main jet and presses within the float bowl to hold it in.

[grcamna2]

OEM NOS Honda needle set  Excellent.

[denward17]

Honda needle jet sets are installed, new needle set at position #3, moved up from 4th position.

Let sit in the bench vice for a couple of hours with fuel applied to make sure I had no leaks from bowl gaskets, no issues.

Installed carbs, air box and battery box.

Wednesday will install carb cables, battery and sync balance carbs and give it a whirl and see what happens.

[grcamna2]

Honda needle jet sets are installed, new needle set at position #3, moved up from 4th position.

Let sit in the bench vice for a couple of hours with fuel applied to make sure I had no leaks from bowl gaskets, no issues.

Installed carbs, air box and battery box.

Wednesday will install carb cables, battery and sync balance carbs and give it a whirl and see what happens.

Oh, I can imagine that bike will run Great. 
Which gasoline do you run,Ethanol-Free?
The Ca. gasoline is only available with ethanol and it doesn't give much power and goes stale very fast..