Author Topic: 60 mpg with a CB550!  (Read 12779 times)

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Offline fmctm1sw

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #25 on: May 17, 2012, 12:02:57 PM »
I'd really like to try this for the upcoming riding season if anyone has shown any [recent] proven success with this method.  The articles seem to make sense about emulsion/air mix/etc, but it also sounds like hole placement can be important (wow, i just said that).

Any updates, guys?

I've enlarged the top three holes in my 350F recently but haven't ran a full tank through to see.  I think it gave me some full throttle issues as an unintended consequence.  There's a thread here about it..
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
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Offline mono

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #26 on: May 17, 2012, 12:21:55 PM »
^ i read that -- it can lean things out (even more) at over-3/4 throttle.  understandable, and i rarely get there myself.  i'm mainly concerned with where people are drilling these holes hen drilling extras.

I can see how enlarging the holes would also work, but for emulsifying purposes i would think that more small holes would emulsify better than expanding current hole size.

i'm also looking for "yea"s or "nay"s specifically for this modification on 550s, since that's what i gots. ;)

Offline lucky

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #27 on: May 17, 2012, 01:07:29 PM »
Ok, this sounds really good, and logical. So, what can be the negative conswqueces of e.g. drilling too many holes? Or why factory didn't do it? Or why there aren't "aftermarket" solutions (mayb ethey are, but i didn't found them)?

Just it sounds a little too good to be truth. Such a simple operation, and such a gain. I will gladly do it myself, but just want to ask for "advocatus diaboli" opinion.

Thanks!

Good luck finding new emulsifier tubes!

Offline Gordon

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #28 on: May 17, 2012, 04:44:41 PM »
Ok, this sounds really good, and logical. So, what can be the negative conswqueces of e.g. drilling too many holes? Or why factory didn't do it? Or why there aren't "aftermarket" solutions (mayb ethey are, but i didn't found them)?

Just it sounds a little too good to be truth. Such a simple operation, and such a gain. I will gladly do it myself, but just want to ask for "advocatus diaboli" opinion.

Thanks!


Good luck finding new emulsifier tubes!


I'm betting that after 4 years he either found some or gave up trying. ;D

Offline bboyroxas

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #29 on: May 17, 2012, 06:14:07 PM »
After reading this I want to try but who here has done it?? Does it really mess up the throttle to put a set of perpendicular holes in??

Offline lucky

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #30 on: May 18, 2012, 08:41:16 AM »
You would need to get all 4 the same and like I said if the experiment fails,
WHERE will you get new emulsifier tubes????

It just has that feel of too good to be true. Double gas mileage!!
 C'mon!

Show me the evidence that is factual and recorded correctly and proven.
Detroit will want to know all about this.

FRONT PAGE of tomorrows newspaper.........
GAS MILEAGE Doubled by Inventor!!!!

« Last Edit: May 18, 2012, 08:45:43 AM by lucky »

Offline Duanob

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #31 on: May 18, 2012, 08:52:57 AM »

Show me the evidence that is factual and recorded correctly and proven.
Detroit will want to know all about this.

FRONT PAGE of tomorrows newspaper.........
GAS MILEAGE Doubled by Inventor!!!!

There is none, it was all bought up by the oil industry and destroyed!

Luckily I have an extra set of carbs. I may try it on the spare set of tubes and the next time I have my carbs apart (thanks to the new alcohol gas it will happen more often) I will try them out. Purely for research purposes, of course. My neighbor has a drill press that should work nicely.
« Last Edit: May 18, 2012, 08:55:20 AM by Duanob »
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
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Offline tango911

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #32 on: May 18, 2012, 08:54:10 AM »
yeah and then the headline " Inventor Disappears!"

ill be doing this on my CB750 build
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Offline fmctm1sw

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #33 on: May 18, 2012, 09:02:26 AM »

Show me the evidence that is factual and recorded correctly and proven.
Detroit will want to know all about this.

FRONT PAGE of tomorrows newspaper.........
GAS MILEAGE Doubled by Inventor!!!!

There is none, it was all bought up by the oil industry and destroyed!

Reminds me of this:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker:_The_Man_and_His_Dream
Quote from: 754
Dude is that a tire ? or an O-ring..??

Quote from: inkscars
This is not a pod thread
This is not a #$%* on my vacuum gauges thread
This is a help or GTFO thread.

1973 CB350F
1973 CB350G
1975 CB550K
1983 GL650I
1973 CB750K3 (http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=92888.0)
1984 Kawasaki KLT-250 (AKA 3 wheeler of death)
1994 Honda TRX300
1999 Honda TRX250

Offline Duanob

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #34 on: May 18, 2012, 09:20:56 AM »
Reminds me of this:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tucker:_The_Man_and_His_Dream

there was a conspiracy back in the 40's that GM, Mobile Oil, and Goodyear rubber got together and bought up as many light rail trolly systems that they could and shut them down. They got rid of the competition.
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

  __o
_- \_<,
(*) /' (*)

Offline singedebile

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #35 on: May 18, 2012, 10:52:41 AM »
You would need to get all 4 the same and like I said if the experiment fails,
WHERE will you get new emulsifier tubes????

It just has that feel of too good to be true. Double gas mileage!!
 C'mon!

Show me the evidence that is factual and recorded correctly and proven.
Detroit will want to know all about this.

FRONT PAGE of tomorrows newspaper.........
GAS MILEAGE Doubled by Inventor!!!!



If hondaman hadnt chimed in I would likely be on your side, but he is a credible source
« Last Edit: May 18, 2012, 10:54:25 AM by singedebile »
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Offline HondaMan

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #36 on: May 18, 2012, 09:52:45 PM »
Ok, this sounds really good, and logical. So, what can be the negative conswqueces of e.g. drilling too many holes? Or why factory didn't do it? Or why there aren't "aftermarket" solutions (mayb ethey are, but i didn't found them)?

Just it sounds a little too good to be truth. Such a simple operation, and such a gain. I will gladly do it myself, but just want to ask for "advocatus diaboli" opinion.

Thanks!

Good luck finding new emulsifier tubes!

Actually...you can just solder those "bad" holes shut with a propane torch, then drill new ones. Works fine! ;)
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

The demons are repulsed when a man does good. Use that.
Blood is thicker than water, but motor oil is thicker yet...so, don't mess with my SOHC4, or I might have to hurt you.
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Offline Buber

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #37 on: July 21, 2012, 05:33:36 AM »
Actually...you can just solder those "bad" holes shut with a propane torch, then drill new ones. Works fine! ;)

Hi!

I, kind of, came back :) after all those years. CB is waiting for proper restoration job (time time!) and in the meantime i console myself with fazer 1000 :D
So, i tried them on both setups, with more or less holes (indeed soldering them afetrwards) and the verdict is.... no change. That is, no "feelable" or possibel to notice.
but it still is fun to tinker around :)
Welcome to my mountains!
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Offline kayaker43

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #38 on: July 21, 2012, 09:41:38 PM »
I wouldn't expect a change you can feel. The whole point is to create a change you can measure,.. less fuel used without affecting the way the bike runs.

Offline Buber

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #39 on: July 22, 2012, 12:23:40 AM »
well, i didn't felt it in my wallet, to be more exact. :)

Either way - this is a mod that will not hurt nor improve performance.
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Offline dave500

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #40 on: July 22, 2012, 12:40:29 AM »
myth busted?i like to chamfer the factory holes.

Offline kayaker43

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #41 on: July 22, 2012, 07:46:20 AM »
Buber I don't understand what you are saying? Did you try it on a Cb 500/550 or on your fazer? This may not be a universal mod, its possible the old CB just benefits from it? Were you expecting better fuel mileage or more power/ better running?

The only purpose would be to umulsify or foam up the fuel before entering the carb throat thus allowing better atomization. No more power or change in feel riding the bike,.. just better fuel mileage. But you would have to measure very carefully before and after.

Did you even check your fuel mileage accurately before and after the mods? The difference may not be very large depending on your bike. keep in mind the new ethanol fuel blends result in lower mileage numbers now compared even a year or two ago when ethanol fuel was less widespread. On these old bikes your mileage is affected by the state of maintenance and tune. You really need a back to back comparison, not years apart with different fuels, and I wouldn't assume it will work on other bikes.

It will remain a myth until more people do the mod with carefull before and after mileage checks and no other variables

Offline Buber

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #42 on: July 22, 2012, 08:07:33 AM »
It will remain a myth until more people do the mod with carefull before and after mileage checks and no other variables
Even then somebody might say that it is not valid, until a recongized lab will do this. heck, 90% of modifications on this forum will never be researched anywhere, so ultimately this is "seat of the pants" feeling.
So, no, it was not Fazer, it was my Honda. Yes, i know very well how much my Honda was consuming before & after - I have this bike since 1994, so I know it :) And i was exepcting better mileage.
No, I did not not seen a change in consumption nor engine running characteristics. Granted, I would notice if it changes like 0,5l/100kms - and i did some other variations (other camshaft for example) where I've seen the difference. And all that happened when this therad was started - some years ago. Alas, now my Honda awaits in shed when i wil have time to give her some love :)

In short - i doubt there is anybody here that would go through pains of doing the same mod on few bikes (you can't really objectively judge just one example) to see the result. Yes, theoretically it should help, practically i guess the effect is negligible.
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Offline InTheStreet

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #43 on: December 14, 2012, 01:12:05 PM »
I'm wondering if anyone on here has done this on a 550 (without doing other mods at the same time) and noticed any changes. 

I know Buber did it on a 650 with no results, but seeing as those run different carbs and aren't mentioned in any of the posts touting the advantages of drilling, I can't help but think that his findings only show that not every carb benefits from this mod.

So, anyone with a 550 have any kind of clear results or lack of results from drilling?
1975 CB550K1
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Offline harisuluv

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #44 on: December 14, 2012, 01:45:48 PM »
I got spares of just about everything to the person that wanted an emulsifier tube.  PM me.

Offline Sdsbassist

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Re: 60 mpg with a CB550!
« Reply #45 on: May 22, 2015, 01:11:03 AM »
I got spares of just about everything to the person that wanted an emulsifier tube.  PM me.
Do you still have emulsion tubes?
Gus, Austin, MN.
Current Bike:  75 750F

Past bikes: 76 750K - "Iowa Blue",78 750K Craigslist find - "Black Beth;" 77 CB750K Basketcase, with a 75K engine; 1970 Cb750 K1, "Rosa Luxembourg"
74 cb750, 75 cb550, 77 kawa 650, 81 virago 750, 83 virago 920, 80 Honda Twinstar 200, 71 Honda CT70, 1971 Honda CB750 Rat Project "Black Dahlia Bitsa"