Topic: Todays carb/jet/starting question-updated

[hondachopproject]

I am sure This has been asked before, but anyways.

To start with working with 76 cb550, open pipes, K&N Uni-Filters, 125 main Jets.

Last summer had hard time starting bike, with choke closed.


Bike starts easly with choke OPEN, engine races very fast and then back fires or pops after starting, choking engine slows idle. BUT choking to much kills engine. While riding I have to open choke enough to get engine to run (although fast), and slowly close choke to slow idle so that it is half way safe to ride.
I have only ridden VERY short distances.

Does anyone know what to do to solve this problem?
HELP.
Thanks,
Lee

[mlinder]

125's sound huge for a 550, even with open pipes and a K&N. What do your plugs tell you?

[hondachopproject]

I have not checked them yet.

[mlinder]

I have not checked them yet.

Check 'em.

[Cvillechopper]

I'm running a 76 550 engine / carbs with 105s and it barely takes a choke unless it's hella cold out.  Just my 2 cents.

[hondachopproject]

I have not checked them yet.

Check 'em.

Could I learn much from them as I put them last summer -but bike was not rideable at the time.
When I would try to get the bike started at that time the would often foul out.
It wasn't until yesterday after putting engine back in frame that I accidently found it would easly start with choke open.

[hondachopproject]

I'm running a 76 550 engine / carbs with 105s and it barely takes a choke unless it's hella cold out.  Just my 2 cents.

what are you running for exhaust and air cleaner? think the 125 is too big?

[Cvillechopper]

I'm running stock airbox and exhaust and about 1 1/2 turns our on the idle mix.  Fires right up with about half choke when it's cool and goes quickly to full open.  I'd look into getting some smaller jets but like mlinder said, you got to put some fresh plugs in and check them to know for sure.

[hondachopproject]

I put new plugs and ran her just down the rode and back.
I still needed to play with choke to get it to run correctly.

After pulling the plugs, they were dry and black sooty collored.

Where do I go from here?
125 jet too much?

[Cvillechopper]

First, I'd go to the FAQs section and look at the carb tuning thread.  There's tons of great info there and it'll get you going.  Once you've got that down, see where you are.  I bet you have a few hundred miles on her before you've tried everything that's listed.