Author Topic: running lean i suppose?  (Read 1123 times)

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Offline neil young

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running lean i suppose?
« on: June 27, 2007, 02:41:50 AM »
i have a 1977 cb 550 and from what i have read here the carbs from that year run lean..since i first purchased this bike last year i noticed that if i crank the throttle from a standing position it takes off great shift to second no problem third gear seems good to.in all of these i have almost red lined on the tack.then in forth and fifth when i really hit the throttle the bike seems to not accelerate for a few seconds then kicks in.from what i read in the clymer this indicates a lean situation.how do i fix this problem.i have never looked into the carbs so i dont know what the jet sizes are.i havnt done a plug chop either.but when i checked my plugs they were tan in color with some carbon on the threads.i have set the screws to 2 turns out a while ago.any ideas as to what i should do to correct this
1972 CB500 k1
1974 CB550
1977 cb 550
82 suzuki GS 750tz.......16  valves  baby
2008 Triumph Scrambler

Offline flatblack

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Re: running lean i suppose?
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2007, 04:55:19 AM »
Sounds a tad lean, but could be something else since it seems fine in lower gears...

I know dick about 550s, but try setting the screws a half-turn richer.

HTH...

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'76 CB400F
'78 CB750K
'04 CBR600F4i
'76 Yamaha RD400C
'79 Yamaha RD400F Daytona Special
'84 Yamaha RZ350
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Offline eurban

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Re: running lean i suppose?
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2007, 04:55:56 AM »
Before you "tune" your carbs you should probably make sure all the bikes systems are up to snuff.  Tune up items should all be taken care off.  Air filter should be clean.  You say you haven't touched your carbs yet so perhaps you should do a thorough cleaning and inspection and baselining of them.  Basically don't waste time or money swapping jets, fiddling with main jet needle positions etc until you are certain that things are fundamentally working as they should.

Offline TwoTired

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Re: running lean i suppose?
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2007, 09:03:28 AM »
Have you changed the engine breathing characteristics from stock?  Air filter, Exhaust... stock?

The turnouts on the bike in your avatar are likely less restrictive than the stock ones.  This lack of restriction will help evacuate the cylinders at high RPM and require more fuel to make optimimum power.  High gears / high engine loads and throttle positions approaching wide open settings,  demand the most power output from the motor.  Your symptoms do sound like skimpy fuel ratios. But, there is not enough data for a conclusive determination.

Do a full and complete tune up.
Install brand new plugs and perform a plug chop after a run with throttle wide open.
 Read plugs and proceed using this information.

You can also get proper information by utilizing a Dyno facility that can instrument your bike, load the engine in any gear, and sniff the exhaust for combustion by products.  This will tell you about mixture setting at any throttle position, and be a guide for corrective changes.

If I assume that all your tune up items are perfect, carbs clean and balanced, a clean air filter and exhaust in a design you have no plans to change, then, I'd guess you are probably looking at raising the main throttle valve needle and possibly a larger main jet.

If you fiddle with the carb jetting before you stabilize the other items, you may well increase the practice time you'll have with corrective jetting procedures.

Cheers,
Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

tmht

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Re: running lean i suppose?
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2007, 11:38:27 AM »
x2 on TT's post.

I don't know why everyone is so gung-ho to dive into their carburetors. You can make a lot of adjustments to the carbs that only compensate for other problems that would likely have been simpler to fix.

Offline neil young

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Re: running lean i suppose?
« Reply #5 on: June 27, 2007, 01:16:36 PM »
i installed a dyna s about a month ago,adjusted the valves,cam chain.then installed the new exhaust.also recently i bought another 77 cb 550 and removed the air filter cover and installed it on my avitar bike as it did not have one.also when i did this i added a new paper filter.after doing all these things i noticed my idle now hangs at 2000 rpm for a min or two when stopped then will slowly drop back down to 1100 rpm's after the bike is well warmed up,then on the next stop same thing rev's at about 2000 rpm's for a min or two then sometimes drops usually with a quick turn of the throttle sometimes not ???
1972 CB500 k1
1974 CB550
1977 cb 550
82 suzuki GS 750tz.......16  valves  baby
2008 Triumph Scrambler