Topic: CB550 Idle Jets

[BMiller]

Just bought a 77 CB550 which hasn't run for 2 years.  Have cleaned carbs twice with carb cleaner, made progress, but bike won't idle.  Doesn't appear I can remove idle jets...not sure if they're clean.  Any ideas?

[SteveD CB500F]

If it has sat for that long the slow jets will be well and truely stuffed.  Did you clean by disassembly or just spray the stuff in?

[byidesign]

If you have not rebuilt them {new gaskets,float needles ,idle mix/screw O rings, etc}
  you will find yourself with tooooooo... many variables. all can screw up the idle,
   not just gummed up parts.{ eliminate as many{variables} as possible } with the carbs off the bike try spraying some carb cleaner
    {with thi little can nozzle } up the "slo jet" you should see it come out of the little
     orifice in the carb bore ,{ right over the idle mix screw.}  if it doesn't come out,
      it's cleaning time, post what you find out.{as cleaning slo jets, is a delicate thing}
          Hope it helps
                Bruce

[TwoTired]

The slow jets for your carbs are pressed in.  But, if your bike won't idle, these being clogged is likely.  They can still be removed and cleaned though.  Just grab and yank straight out with pliers.  No need for any twisting motion.  Tool marks on the outside of these will not effect their operation.  Pad with leather if the tool marks annoy you.  In fact, I mark them to keep the orientation and placement exactly as it was removed, as I feel the parts were married when first installed and may seal better when reinstalled that way.  Some say my attention to detail is annoying, though. ;-)
Anyway, clean the idle jets and emulsion tube holes when removed, and tap them back into place afterwards.  (The orifice is only about .014 inch in the soft metal.)  But, before you do, make sure the passageway behind the slow jets is clear flowing through all four exits to that passage.  Beware the small seal and washer behind the Idle mixture screw.  Some carb cleaners attack the rubber and compressed air will send them to inaccessible places.

cheers,

[BMiller]

Thanks for the responses.  I'll pull the idle jets out.  One other question, is there a trick to pulling the carbs out?  My Clymer manual says siimply 'lift out,' but I'm having to remove rubber boots on air cleaner side to make enough room.

[TwoTired]

Remove completely the clamps on the 4 rubber airbox couplers.
Remove the bolts from the air filter box, so the box and the plenum can move rearwards until the plenum hits the frame tubes.  Wedge in place with something handy.  Wood wedges wire, etc.
Push off the rear boots so the bottoms clear the carb mouths.
Then wrestle the carbs back and down and off to the left when the fronts clear rubber couplers.  Oh, leave the front clamps tight on the intake runners.

Cheers,