Topic: running on 2 cylinders now

[pinnacle]

 this is for a 78 cb550 with 74 cb550 motor.ok si got my motor started but noticed 1 and 2 were not heating up. i struggled to get it to start needed to boost it with  a 12 volt battery.anyways after it started i hear a popping from #2 carb.here are the facts i know: 1 and 2 pipes are luke warm 3and 4 smoking hot checked with wd40,i checked plug wires and they are in the correct spot,tappets are adjusted and set ,oil is getting to the top of the head,opened the float drain screws and got fuel out of all of them minus #1 carb,pulled plugs and got spark on them,ckecked timing with light and just a hair off,very little pressure coming out of left exhaust pipe they are jardine 4 into 2. i have included small vid sorry for #$%*ty quality but best i could get at time.

[pinnacle]

ok so here is an up date i trimmed 1/4 inch off the s[park plug wires and reattched the plug caps and popping from # 2 carb is gone good pressure off the left exhaust pipe.i'm going to stick new plugs in it and clean the cArbs out again they were on the sheklf for 5 months so might not hurt.i need to take her out to see how she pulls.anything else i should check that you guys can suggest.

[754]

Definite fuel problem..
 could be ,

pinched fuel line,

dirty carbs,

 for a start...

[Hush]

Fully charge your battery, you said you needed to boost the bikes battery with another (car one) so sounds like your battery is down on power.
SOHC4's hate low power from batteries, some wont think of starting without a full charge.
Even my partner's 400 twin refuses to fire up unless she has a full charge in the battery.

[HondaMan]

Take a look at your fuel line routing, too. If it is not correct, the carb bowls will not vent evenly, leaving either the 1-2 pair or the 3-4 pair with low float bowl levels. Inline fuel filters can often cause this problem, too. 

[pinnacle]

well Honda man i do have an in line fuel filter which is causing a bit of a kink in the fuel line.do you guys think there is a possibility when #1 piston got smashed and exhaust valve as well could anything in #1 carb have gotten damaged or sucked in that i should look out for as it is the only one not draining fuel now?.also i got home today and put new ngk d7ea plugs in she started up alot easier today by kicking it over but checked heat of the pipes and #1 is the only one not heating up i can grab it with my hand.i know i have spark and compression so i believe it is a fuel issue now.checked my voltage at battery when running at idle it sits around 13.8 v and when rev ed up goes as high as 15.i put a new solid state regulator  and a new rectifier from Oregon bike parts. i am running velocity stacks i bought from steel head dragon and i tell you mike is one hell of a descent guy to deal with almost bends over backwards to help you out. and last question if i may with obviously #1 cylinder not getting fuel will running the bike damage that cylinder as there is no combustion happening?

[754]

Take bike outside, drop #1 bowl. Use a cup or small saucer under carb, turn petcock on and check flow.

 If you got gas, good..
 Now remove the big jet holder (note torque), and clean both those jets, do not use anything harder than copper or brass wire. Make sure the cross holes are clean on the big one, and dont overtighten them. There is still the lowspeed jet to take care of, but this should get it running.