Topic: 76 550f-One plug running rich...

[skarbakka]

HI, I am a noob and have just registered.  For weeks now, I have been scouring your pages looking for information to properly get my bike up and tuned.  I believe I have done everything (gaskets, tappets adjustment, carb rebuild, points, oil, new gas, cam chain adjustment) with exception to syncing the carbs.  But for some reason, I cannot get the number two spark plug to stop indicating a rich mixture.  The other plugs seem fine.  The bike runs pretty nice as far as I can tell, but I don't know what to expect.  Is it possible to run a single hotter plug to compensate. Any suggestions would be great.  I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere, but with over 800 pages of information to sift through, my eyes are starting to cross.

Thanks

[greenjeans]

sychronizing the carbs could fix that problem...could be that it's just getting more/less air than the other cylinders.
FYI I paid $100 for a Morgan Carbtune, and it is very simple to use....really made a big difference in the way my bke
runs.

[TwoTired]

HI, I am a noob ...   I believe I have done everything (gaskets, tappets adjustment, carb rebuild, points, oil, new gas, cam chain adjustment) with exception to syncing the carbs. 

You're not done yet, and haven't done everything.

[skarbakka]

Thanks,

I had a feeling the carb sync would help, but since everyone recommends leaving it for last, this is what I have done.  I really hope it works because I am ready to ride!!  I will post back with the outcome after I get the carbs done. 

I'm sorry one last question...I managed to break one of my connector plates between the carbs. (you know the ones that attach to the adjuster bolts. there are two) Will this in anyway affect the performance of my carbs?

Best

[dustyc]

Depending on how many miles you've put on it since everything else, you may need to go back and redo it, then sync the carbs.  It's best to do it all in one service.  Someone posted recently the order to do it all, so I won't revisit that, but do a search and you should find it.

[brianzenk]

I have the same bike you do. All my plugs run rich
with carbon. I'm currently trying a lower octane gas
then 93 to see what happens. Maybe a different rating
spark plug would help.

[phactory]

I would start with the basics first. Adjust the valves, then adjust the mixtures, then sync the carbs. I would also verify that the correct size jet is in there. I have the same bike and have no such issues, but if I let the bike sit for a week or more it is a bear to start.

Phil

[TwoTired]

I'm sorry one last question...I managed to break one of my connector plates between the carbs. (you know the ones that attach to the adjuster bolts. there are two) Will this in anyway affect the performance of my carbs?

It is my understanding the stay plates are there to help keep vibration from changing the setting.  The carbs work fine without them.  But, who knows for how long?  If you notice missing adjuster nuts and changed settings, you might want to search for replacement stay plates.

Cheers,

[skarbakka]

Hi again,

Ok so I called about the Morgan Carbtune and its back ordered for up to 4 weeks.  (Good info for those of you looking). So my question is: What mm is that screw on the intake manifold tubes that you plug the sync into?  Honda has one for sale that only comes with 5mm and before I order and don't get what I need, I would appreciate the heads up.

thanks