Topic: What is the purpose of this piece? Carb related

[jneuf]

022a carbs off cb550. There is a little piece of flimsy metal in between the lock nuts and adjusting screws at the top of the carbs, in between carbs 1 & 2, and 3 & 4....the piece is in tact on my 1 & 2 carbs, but is broken between the 3 & 4 carbs...I've posted a picture to show what the part is....those aren't my carbs though.

What is the purpose of that piece of metal? How is it affecting my carbs if the piece between 3 & 4 is broken?

[apex_seeking]

As far as I know, it's just a holder plate to aid in keeping the carbs in line and in place.

[westondc]

It's been a while since I've gone through my CB500 carbs, but I'm thinking that plate helps to keep the carbs that are paired together in sync with each other. without that piece there is a little play in the linkage. so without it your carbs are not going to stay in sync and you will have power and idle issues. you could fabricate something to replace it or order a new one.

[jneuf]

Interesting...thanks. I may just fabricate something if that is the case. That piece seems really fragile. I haven't synced my carb yet, but It seems like that piece really twists if you attempt to loosen the lock nuts...?

[Nortstudio]

That piece definitely effected my carb sync.  While sync'ing I accidentally pushed down on the screw too hard, which flexed that piece.  And the reading on the the adjoining carb definitely moved when I did this.

Best to fab/replace it.

[jneuf]

Weird. I suppose I'll fab it with something a little more sturdy. I didn't even notice it was broken. Is there a trick to loosening up the locknut without putting stress on that piece?

[Nortstudio]

I was able to loosen it without any trouble.  Loosening should be moving away from the piece anyway, so even a new, thin piece of sheet metal should work.

[dave500]

ive deleted them with no worries.

[jneuf]

Hmmmm...good to know! I've gone through the full tuneup on my bike now and was going to sync the carbs tomorrow. I looked and saw that and got worried! I suppose I'll see how much it will affect the carbs during the sync!

[TwoTired]

I believe the piece is multi function.
1 - is to help keep the adjustment nuts from loosening up
2-  is to keep the ball links centered in the sockets, and their holders straight.  If they angle, the distance changes, which results in out of balance condition at some throttle positions.

Cheers,

[MoMo]

ive deleted them with no worries.

Ditto on that, none of my bikes have the two pieces...Larry

[SanDogDewey]

I was able to loosen it without any trouble.  Loosening should be moving away from the piece anyway, so even a new, thin piece of sheet metal should work.

If you are going to replace it, it needs to be flexible enough to allow each carb to be adjusted independently.

[westondc]

the bike will run without it I'm sure. it might not be noticeable but it can effect the bikes performance. the part was put there for a reason, might as well spend a few minutes fabricating one IMO