Topic: 1976 cb 550k my turn

[spark]

Hello,

I've been lurking this forum for a few months now ever since I saw a pic of cafe racer on the web i've been hooked.  It inspired me to get my m1 license and get going on customizing my own bike.  I've gotten alot of inspiration from all of your bikes one way or another and have accumulated many reference pics of your bikes along the way.  Here is the start of my rebuild and I hope to keep this updated weekly so I can hopefully get some advice from you guys and also help anyone else that maybe going through the same process.  I scoured craigslist for months looking for a 70's 550 and finally after many tries I got a hold of one.  The condition was not that great, it runs but has it's issues. 

some problems:

1. Start button is missing, but getting used to kick starting
2. If I turn the choke off it dies.
3. Bogs out around 35 mph.
4. Front caliper bleed nipple was broken and PO tried to drill it out and failed, ruining any chance of me removing it
5. Electricals are mess. (but I fixed it!)
6. 1 & 4 dont' get hot even after a run around the block.  2&3 will be HOT to the touch but 1 & 4 are mildly warm enough to keep my fingers on.

[spark]

More pics.   I got the carbs off and started to clean them out.  I used about 1/1 ratio of simple green and warm water.  Purchase new uni pods (pk-3).  After some research I decided a good starting point would be to switch out the jets to 110.   Where's the best place to buy these 110's?

[spark]

I also want to adjust the needle for the uni pods.  I hear people say to raise it one notch, as a starting point.  Can someone please take a look at the diagram below and tell me which #/color I should change the clip to for pods.  Hopefully this diagram can help other out too!  I know I was a bit confused.  When I pulled it out of the carb it was set at position # 2.  Is that the stock height?

[afastman]

I have no idea what the answer is, but I have to say, that is a great way to "phrase" the question!  A picture is worth...

[CaféElite]

Two of my cb550's (1975) were set at three while one was set at two... I am going to leave mine at three and do the adjusting from there.

[TwoTired]

I also want to adjust the needle for the uni pods.  I hear people say to raise it one notch, as a starting point.  Can someone please take a look at the diagram below and tell me which #/color I should change the clip to for pods.  Hopefully this diagram can help other out too!  I know I was a bit confused.  When I pulled it out of the carb it was set at position # 2.  Is that the stock height?

Honda labeled the grooves in the reverse order of your assignments.  A chart in the Carb FAQ lists where they were installed as it left the factory.  Stock was 4th groove from the top (your 2nd groove... way to add to the confusion, sparky.  )

Raising the needle/lowering the clip position, makes the 1/4 to 3/4 range of throttle settings richer.

Cheers,

[fastbroshi]

Twotired, don't you mean to say the SECOND from the top, or the blue one, was stock?

[TwoTired]

Twotired, don't you mean to say the SECOND from the top, or the blue one, was stock?

No, not for 74 - 76 CB550K models with 022A carbs.  Top of the needle is the non-pointy end.  Clip goes in the 4th groove from the top.

Cheers,

[Flying J]

now thats settled, where to get 110 jets. If they are the press in kind they are everywhere and easy to find. If they are the skre in type i have had a bit harder time finding them. Im sure places carry them but nobby specifys them as "550 skrew in jets".
If you find a source please let me know or if you find out what type they are. All i have found was these. sombody said they were dj keihin jets.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Small-Round-Main-Jet-DJ-108-Mikuni-Keihin_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2em20Q2el1116QQhashZitem250241759508QQitemZ250241759508QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories.
Oh i see in the pic its the press in type easy to find just look around for the cheapest.
here is a list of places to look
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=743.0

I would start at #6 on your list. Find out why 1&4 dont work. Fuel, Spark, Compression. Cleaning the carbs may solve some of your problems. Make sure all the passages are clear and the floats are adjusted.

[spark]

Finally finished rebuilding my carbs.  I did a bench sync with the drill bit and then put em back on.  Runs better than before but not perfect yet.  Found a loose ground wire on one of the coils so now all 4 cylinders are firing.  Now I havent' done a carb sync yet, gonna build a manometer.  As of now, it idles at around 1500k with the choke slightly on.  As soon as I start the release the clutch in 1st gear it dies.  Also white smoke coming out of the pipes?  Anyone know what's wrong.

[syth82]

Sorry to be the bearer (sp?) of bad news, white smoke is most likely burning oil (or coolant, but then you have much bigger problems ) I'd probably do a compression test at this point. Good luck.

[TwoTired]

Finally finished rebuilding my carbs.  I did a bench sync with the drill bit and then put em back on.  Runs better than before but not perfect yet.  Found a loose ground wire on one of the coils so now all 4 cylinders are firing.

Coils don't need to be grounded.  They get power at one end and the points supply any ground that the the coils need to operate.

Now I havent' done a carb sync yet, gonna build a manometer.  As of now, it idles at around 1500k with the choke slightly on.  As soon as I start the release the clutch in 1st gear it dies.

These symptoms mimic where the idle/slow/pilot jet circuit is plugged or otherwise not working.

Check the head pipes for even heating.  Cooler ones indicate its coresponding carb has a problem.

Also white smoke coming out of the pipes?  Anyone know what's wrong.

Exhaust "smoke" is usually seen in one of three colors:
Black= unburned fuel, or soot  (hydrocarbons)
Blue = oil vapor, or oil combustion remnants
White = Water vapor, or steam.  This could be prior condensed water heated within the exhaust system.  Once the pipe is thoroughly heated to vaporise all the water, the white "smoke" stops.

Cheers,