Topic: Wrong carbs...?

[jneuf]

The bike in question is my 78 550k. While looking at other 550s of the same vintage, I noticed the choke right below the gauges and thought it was strange mine was on the side of the carbs. So I just trekked out into my garage to take a look at them, and I have 022A carbs, which appear to be for 74-76 cb550s....

When the bike was cold last summer I always had a hard time starting it...I'm now realizing this could be the problem. The bike always ran well, but just started hard.

If this is indeed a problem, is my best bet locating stock carbs?

At the same time it occurred to me to check my engine serial number to see if it was indeed a 78 model, however, I can't seem to find a table letting me know. Engine serial is cb550e-2012297...can anyone let me know? Thanks!

[geminimotors]

I had a 77 550 and couldn't find complete carb rebuild kits, so I rebuilt and installed a set of 74-76 carbs. The bike ran great after synchronizing. Don't you have a choke lever on the left side of the carbs?

[TwoTired]

Stock air box and exhaust?  Do all the choke plates close fully?

The Honda I/D Guide says your motor is from a 77 K model.

[jneuf]

Stock airbox and exhaust. I haven't checked the choke plates...I'll do that when it warms up outside.

Interesting that the guide says the engine is from a '77...thanks for the info.

[TwoTired]

You might also describe your starting procedure.

Sometimes you have to pat it in the right place before stroking.

Another useful point, would be a description of the spark deposits and the spark plug numbers.

Are you using regular or premium gas?   Premium is harder to light off than regular.

How old and what type is your air filter?

Lastly, you do know that the bike needs a tune up every 3000 miles/ 3 mos, right?

Cheers,

[Deltarider]

Premium is harder to light off than regular.

But that's academic. In practice nobody will ever experience a difference.

[TwoTired]

Premium is harder to light off than regular.

But that's academic. In practice nobody will ever experience a difference.

He said it was hard to start, not impossible, which is indicative of a boundary condition.  Near the boundaries, small numbers in an equation can make a difference between success and fail.

All I said is that it could be a factor.  Not necessarily a major or primary cause.  The later was just your assumption as a basis to be argumentative.  On the other hand, my goal was to help him solve the problem.