Topic: CB350F Carb Quartet -- A Bounty of Instruments

[wdhewson]

I had to laugh the other day when coming across this picture of my disassembled CB350F carbs for cleaning, inspection, and setup.

The basis of my laugh was that there was so much precise and expensive carburation to feed a measly 350 cc engine.  In the previous years, one old Amal with 9 parts would have fed a single 350 cylinder.  For the CB350F, Honda was really just showing off its manufacturing and design prowess.

And good for Honda doing exactly that!

[jessezm]

That looks familiar!  and what a pain in the @@S!  I just went through my cb400f carbs not too long ago...  I hate how difficult they make it to change the needle position, with that silly little locktab and those impossible to reach screws that hold the plate down.

[scottly]

Didn't the Amal's use a "tickler button" that pushed the float down for cold starting, rather than a proper choke?

[wdhewson]

I was tickling my 1976 Meridan Bonneville in early Summer 2009.  Amals did have chokes as well, but those went in the spare parts box within a week of owning the Triumph.  They were not needed and strong springs tended to close the choke with the vibratory ride, and even break the choke cables.

The Amals were not bad if you believed that the name carburetor should be taken literally, that is turning gasoline into carbon.  My preference is to turn gasoline into CO2 and H20 and power.

[Joel]

I'll be digging into my 400F carbs this week.  The Honda gasket kits are on the way.  Hopefully next week will be followed by the first ride of the year.

[fmctm1sw]

Ah yes, a familiar sight indeed.  Welcome to the "strip the rack" club.  You'll understand what I mean the next time someone asks if they should strip the rack or leave them together when cleaning them  

[jessezm]

Only reason to strip 'em is if you have a perverse need to see how the linkages work. 

[scottly]

If I recall correctly, Amal's had a nickname nowhere close to "carburetor".