Topic: Carb removal question

[Duanob]

I've searched around this site and a few others about carb removal on a 76 cb550K. I'm finding some conflicting info so I'm posting this question? Is there a problem with removing the carbs with the intakes and all? It seems easiest just removing 8 bolts and pull sideways. And since I need to check the boots and intake gaskets for leaks and cracks anyway. Some carb removal guidelines say to remove the carbs from the intake boots but there is not a lot of room to play with. What's the con of doing it this way? Thanks. (got my carb gasket kits today hopefully pulling the carbs tonight)

[dRoc]

Unfortunately, you'll have to remove the carbs on their own (i.e. without the intake manifolds). Since the intake manifolds slide onto the stud bolts that are screwed into the cylinder head, the only way to remove them is to slide them back and away from the cylinder head, which can't be done with the carbs in the way. So you'll have to remove the carbs on their own.

Try this:

Remove your airbox and use some duct tape or string to hold the hold the rest of the airbox assembly (i.e. the one that splits the air into four streams) as far back as possible, after you've loosened the connector bands of course. This will give you the maximum amount of room to work with. Then loosen the connector bands on the intake manifold side, and rock the carbs up and down to free them. Then, carefully pull the carb assembly out to the side while carefully pushing the soft rubber boots around the carbs as you pull. Once out, then you can remove the 8 nuts on the intake manifolds to remove them from the head. It ain't easy, but once you get the hang of it it's not too bad.

Hope this helps.

[TwoTired]

Have you done a search for 550 carb install and removal?
I've described this several times.
One of the keys is to completely remove the rear coupler bands, which allows the rear couplers to distort while marching the carbs out of the bike.

[Duanob]

Thanks. I forgot to mention the airbox is off the bike.

Yes I've read the removal method on this site, other sites as well. Even the guy I got the carb gasket kits from has a tutorial. Everyone has a bit of a different method, though so it's a bit confusing. I'm not a total mechanical idiot, I've owned and worked on several boats and cars with multi-carb setups. This is my first bike I've actually torn into. Everything else I've done to it I've learned from here or other sites as well. Just getting all information before tearing into the carbs.

And so it goes.....

"From memory and for the CB500/550:
Remove completely the band clamps for the rear rubber couplers on the carbs.  Loosen the band clamps for the front rubber couplers only on the carb end.  The air filter box frame mounting bolts must be removed so the filter and air box can move rearward about 1/2 inch or so.
Remove throttle cables, disconnect bottom hoses and fuel line.
Disconnect engine breather hose and move it out of the way.
Work the rear rubber couplers off the carbs at the rear.  Fold the bottom of them in on itself so the rear of the carbs may move down.
Twist the carb bank down in the rear and pull them back out of the front rubber couplers simultaneously.  The rear couplers will crush some with the band clamps gone.
Once the carbs are out of the front couplers work the bank sideways out the left side of the bike mashing the rear couplers out of the way as needed. The rear rubber couplers are thin wall, more compliant, and flop around way more than the front ones.  With them yielding, and the 1/2 to 3/4 inch gain from moving the air and filterbox rearward, you get just enough room the get the carb bank out.

Going back in is pretty much the reverse.  Using a wedge or tying the air plenum and filter box rearward eases installation.  Leave those rear band clamps completely off the bike.  Push the carb bank in from the left side and work them across,  almost ignoring the rear rubber couplers until the carbs are aligned with the front couplers.  Then wiggle them home into the front rubber couplers.
I use a dull pointed "L" shaped scriber to guide the rear rubber couplers onto the rear carb throat nipples in the same fashion tires are mounted onto rims.
Push the air/filter box forward and reinstall all the band clamps on front and rear of carbs.
Reinstall filterbox fame mount bolts.
Reinstall hoses.
Reinstall throttle cables.
Bandage knuckles. "

[Duanob]

Wow, piece of cake! Took all of 5 minutes even in the rain. Thanks to the PO for not even tightening the two inside metal clamps on the boots.

Opened the carbs, they look pretty clean, I think someone cleaned them not too long ago. And then the bike sat for a couple of years. But I went through the motions of cleaning everything anyway. All emulsion tubes were clear. No gunk in the bowls to speak of. The O-rings were a little hard and brittle so I replaced them since I had the OEM gasket kits. BTW the bowl gaskets went on pretty easy. Not sure what all the complaints are about those. If you have the OEM Honda kit they seems to fit. I could see someone stretching them as they go in the groove, don't do this. Just place it and press it. There are for little tabs that hold it in place. The needles were set as factory as all jets were too.

I still need to remove the intakes and check the rubber. If the rain stops sometime this weekend I think I'll put everything back together on the bike and see what happens. My biggest problem at this point is I don't think I have a complete airfilter set up. The system needs to be sealed from outside air. I have the box and a new filter but after reading more I think there are tubes and springs and all sorts of other things that were taken out of the bike. Thanks PO! I still need to get some vent lines, inline filters, and fuel line but that's easy enough. That and a carb sync and I may be riding it soon enough. Cross yer fingers for me! 

[flybox1]

D-nob,
bench synch your carb slides(if you havent already) before you wrestle them back on.
snap a pic of where you think somethings missing....someone will chime in  

[Duanob]

Flybox you're on it! I was just searching on how to do that. I know one slide is off a bit just by looking at them. You know anybody that has a sync tool to rent around here?

I need to remember where I put my airfilter stuff! I got boxes of $h!t I never had before I bought this dang bike.

[flybox1]

yo!
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=56697.0

3rd entry down by bryanj

[flybox1]

prob should pick up the 5mm carb inserts with caps from motionpro as well as the adjuster tool. ($40 total probably)  might find a local MC shop who has these in stock.
then try a local autozone/schucks/oreilys for rental of vac sync gauges.
they might loan them out for free.

[flybox1]

THEN...when you're all dialed in, we'll have to organize the 1st Annual Isle of Mercer TT  

14 miles of twisty fun 

[Duanob]

Thanks Bud. I used to do the Mercer Isle back in high school on my 74 CB360. me and three buds all had bikes similar in size, used to take a saturday and ride for fun. Ah, the good ol days were as good as they seem!

[flybox1]

where/when did you go to HS?

[Duanob]

West Seattle, 1980.

Trying to remember what my riding buds had:

One Yam RD350
One older Honda CB350
I think the other was a Suzuki 2 stroke of some kind maybe a 380. That sound right? The 2 strokers were fast but seemed to break down a lot.

Funtimes. Always ended up at Lake Samammish at the end of the day for a swim, a doob, and bikini watching.

Curious, what is the adjuster tool? Do I really need one besides the sync tool? Not trying to go too cheap just got lots of other things to spend cash on like new battery, paint job, emblems, seat and all the other high cost items a bike needs.

[flybox1]

Nice.
Sammamish '89
mom grew up on mercer island, so i know the rock pretty well.
MI's Roanoak Tavern would be a great pitstop for a beer and a sandy after a ride 

adj tool
http://motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0022/

[Vintage Esquire]

I just removed by carbs from my 78 550 yesterday.  I removed the airbox and loosened all 8 of the rubber boot clamps.  After removing the choke and throttle cables, I was able to pull the carbs back and slightly downwards and all four slid out in one piece.  After I had them all out, I then removed the intake boots and mounting plate.  No problem.

[Duanob]

adj tool
http://motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0022/

Ah yes for those hard to reach places.

The Roanoke I haven't been there in years. Cool stop. I ride my carbon powered bike around the Island now a days. It's still a super nice ride whether human or dino powered.