Topic: CB550K............Manual supplements or addendums

[Tom in Newcastle......Ontario]

Hi Guys ......does anyone have any addendums or supplements for a 1978 CB550K.......the Honda manual (500/550)that I downloaded from this site only seems to go to 77..my (limited )Clymer says it goes to 78 but it also seems to only go to 77........I do realize that the 77 and 78 are similar but I know there are not exactly the same.......any help or hindrance would be great...........only 3 more months left until riding season starts(east of Toronto Canada)   

[bryanj]

The only differences 77 to 78, according to Honda, are cosmetic consequently there is no supplement for the 78

[Tom in Newcastle......Ontario]

Thanks for the reply.......I thought so but just had to ask any way.......

[edbikerii]

Based on my experience with 77-78 CB550K carburetors, I think there were minor differences in pilot jet sizes and float heights.  For instance, the PD46A vs PD46C carburetors have different factory specs.  There is a chart that TwoTired was putting together on the site somewhere.  Maybe available in the Carbs FAQ?

From my memory, which is probably flawed, I think that the 78 carbs, although identical castings, had larger pilot jets (42's vs. 38's), but lower float height (14mm vs. 12mm, where higher means lower float - measured upside-down, remember), or that might actually be reversed.  There is a lot more information about the 77 and 78 CB550K carbs in this thread:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=22036.msg258435#msg258435