Topic: Keihin CR26 Carbs - Need opinions!

[FunJimmy]

OK

So I decided to pull the trigger and order a set of Keihin CR26 Special carbs and when I received them I found a few surprises.

Firstly, I should mention that I asked that the set of carbs be re-racked with a 77 x 100 x 77 spacing similar to that found on the Kawasaki KZ900’s. This spacing is a perfect match to the intake ports on the CB550 head and would require custom intake manifolds similar to the ones Bwaller used to mount KZ Mikuni carbs.

To this request I was told that it would be no problem, just a small additional charge of $41.00 to re-space them to that specification.

When I received the carbs I found the following.








Since discovering this, I have been told by the vendor that the supplier claims all would be fine and that there isn’t a longer throttle shaft available so not to worry.

What says you experts out there?

[Sam Green Racing]

You'll have a better chance of some feed back in here Jimmy.

Sam.

[754]

Re the shaft;
 Measure it, get a piece of drill rod.  It comes in 3ft lengths and is precision ground heat treatable shafting. They may ask or only have 01 or A1.. basically air or oil hardening. I think you can leave it as is. Its not real cheap per foot , but at least you dont have to buy 20 feet. Metal Supermarket or Acklands may have it.

[fastbroshi]

That's kinda half assed if you ask me.  Looks like they mixed up the shafts from another setup.

[kos]

Where did you purchase these?

kos

[lordmoonpie]

Well I think you pinpointed the problems pretty much! Those seals are as good as useless and the short shafts will lead to instability in the lifting action of the carb slider. It doesn't take much bad setup to upset Keihin CRs so a sloppy shaft left dangling at one end wouldn't be on my list of things to have in there.

754's right though - buy a longer shaft and do it yourself - it'll work just fine...

[Tim2005]

I had something similar with my CR26s when I converted them and moved the cable connection/linkage from the centre to the end. Ended up modifying the shaft by cutting & welding an extra bit into it.

[FunJimmy]

Well I think you pinpointed the problems pretty much! Those seals are as good as useless and the short shafts will lead to instability in the lifting action of the carb slider. It doesn't take much bad setup to upset Keihin CRs so a sloppy shaft left dangling at one end wouldn't be on my list of things to have in there.

754's right though - buy a longer shaft and do it yourself - it'll work just fine...

Already have a precision bearing grade shaft on order.
Just need to drill a roll pin hole and swap it out.

Still bothered that Sudco insists that this is acceptable.
For the huge dough that these cost, you would expect a bit higher quality assembly.

Have a fantastic Christmas

[lordmoonpie]

Still bothered that Sudco insists that this is acceptable.
For the huge dough that these cost, you would expect a bit higher quality assembly.

Have a fantastic Christmas

You're dead right there - very poor customer service from SudCo. However, that's all behind you now - have a superb Christmas 

[turboguzzi]

jimmy, have similar situation in mine as i am running the same spacing (with 29's though). the shaft has enough support without the two external bearings (there are another six...) so that's not a problem. if it wasnt allowed, kehin wouldnt do the last two threads on the shaft's ends. CR's where made to fit a variety of spacings so they had to make some compromises in terms of "neatness"

Agree that a hole sitting mid seal is not exactly nice, but its not like the top of the carb has to be air tight or something. carbs will work fine. would just bondo that hole, file it smooth, though taking the shaft out and then refitting will take some time and patience. 

TG

[fastbroshi]

Jimmy, what ended up happening here?

[FunJimmy]

Jimmy, what ended up happening here?

Been running the carbs as delivered with no problems at all.
I'm not impressed with the response from Sudco or the short shaft, but it's working.