Topic: Carb Adjustments Needed?

[campbmic]

I have a 75 CB550 with no airbox or pods, just straight carbs. I also have a 4 into 1 on the bike. The bike has been running terrible and I just put new plugs in and checked them and they were definitely black. Which tells me I must be running really rich. I've ordered pods and their on their way but I had a few questions since I was planning on ordering four carb rebuild kits as well...

1) Will I need a larger idle jet (skinny screwed in jet) or main jet (short fat one with butterfly clips) because of the modifications to the bike's intake and exhaust?

2) Will I need to move my needle position up or down and by how much?

I understand that pods/open intakes allow more air to flow into the carbs so why am I running rich without any sort of air filter?

[campbmic]

I just found out why it was running SO bad! I had a set of carbs on the bike and I broke an idle jet in the body so I had to buy another used set of carbs. I mixed and matched the best bodies of both sets and thoroughly cleaned them but didnt check the slides. So some of my slide needles were set real rich while others were set normal.

I set all the needles to the same position a viola! It runs very smooth and VERY strong. However, I still have a ticking in the engine. It sounds like a loose cam chain but I have repeatedly tried to tighten it and nothing seems to stop the noise. 

I will post a new thread with video and audio