Author Topic: OK, step 1 - carbs are off... (CB500K0-first bike)  (Read 910 times)

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Offline dkruitz

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OK, step 1 - carbs are off... (CB500K0-first bike)
« on: July 16, 2007, 06:18:46 PM »
Thanks to postings here, I removed the carbs en masse and it actually worked.  The rubbers on the airbox are a little beat up looking though.  Think I can use liquid electrical tape to spruce 'em back up later on?

Anyways - how do you know when you need a carb rebuild, vs. a good cleaning, either with aerosol carb cleaner, or a dunk cleaning?

If I go with the full rebuild, which kits are good and which are ones to avoid?


Offline Jonesy

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Re: OK, step 1 - carbs are off... (CB500K0-first bike)
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2007, 07:32:57 PM »
Too busy wrenching on your new ride to go to Constantine this year, eh?  ;)

You can get repop airbox rubbers from www.davidsilverspares.com.

For the most part (unless they've been messed with by a PO), the jets and such in the carbs should be reusable, unless the bike has seen high mileage. In that case I'd replace the needle jet and jet needle (available as a set) since they move back and forth within each other are prone to wear. If the carbs have been leaking at the bowls, a new set of float needle/seats might be warranted, provided the floats aren't sunk or the bowl vent pipes aren't cracked. If that stuff is OK, a new set of carb gaskets might be all you'd need. I would recommend a good dunk cleaning if they are removed from the bike and show lots of gunk inside. There are small passages in the carb bodies that must be clear for proper engine operation. Some people will run a fine wire through these passages to verify they are clear.

As for brands of kits, that's a point of debate. OEM Honda parts are the best for things like jets, etc and are also available from David Silver or your local dealer. They are also (not surprisingly) the most costly. Keyster brand kits are widely available, but sometimes don't match the OEM pieces. I've found the gaskets and main jets to be OK, but the jet needles (at least for the 750's) are tapered differently, making for richer running at low speeds and bringing about tuning headaches later on. K&L kits are also readily available, but I can't speak for the quality as I've never used them.
"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing people out there having a good time on motorcycles; it makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen

Offline dkruitz

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Re: OK, step 1 - carbs are off... (CB500K0-first bike)
« Reply #2 on: July 17, 2007, 05:26:27 AM »
Mr. Jones - issat you?

Not sure if you caught it on the aomci.org msg boards, but I've moved from the Chicago-suburbs to outside San Antonio, TX.  Too far for Constantine - but maybe next year if I plan my vacation.  Either that or possibly Tomahawk.

Thanks for the tips and the links - maybe someone else can chime in with opinions on brands.  I spotted a carb kit x4 for $70 on eBay.

Offline Jonesy

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Re: OK, step 1 - carbs are off... (CB500K0-first bike)
« Reply #3 on: July 17, 2007, 09:37:20 AM »
Yessir- It is I a.k.a. the "Zephyr Doctor".

Didn't know you were in Texas now. Yeah, that would make the C'stine trip a little more difficult!
"Every time I start thinking the world is all bad, then I start seeing people out there having a good time on motorcycles; it makes me take another look." -Steve McQueen

Offline dkruitz

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Re: OK, step 1 - carbs are off... (CB500K0-first bike)
« Reply #4 on: July 17, 2007, 11:35:29 AM »
This is my new back yard, and the latest motor I found - a '46 Mercury KD3 - my first outboard find in south Texas.

[img width= height=]http://www.elginoutboard.com/images/mercurykd3.jpg[/img]

Good country roads around her for riding - can't want to try 'em out!