Author Topic: Pods: I surrender! (Read 5032 times)

db22 · « **on:** June 08, 2011, 09:41:36 PM »

Through all the difficulties I have had with my 550, I have resisted reinstalling the original airbox, filter and plenum because it's such a pain in the patoot. I had re-jetted and re-jetted, and finally got the bike to run reasonable well, perhaps a bit hot, with pods. Last weekend I had the carbs off yet again for some thing or another, and all those mentions of burned-through pistons and perpetual poor performance began to replay in my little BB-sized brain. . . .

I dug out the box that contained a nearly-complete 550 airbox and a raggedy old filter, probably the original one. Located the original 90 main jets. Two hours of struggling later, I had the carbs and airbox back in factory configuration, with a cardboard cover that approximates the one illustrated in the manual. I had installed a brand-new set of size 38 slow jets earlier, and idling was already a bit better. But when I started the bike, it just seemed to feel better -- smooth idle, clean throttle response with no lag.

So -- to Two Tired, Duanob, Dave500 and all the others who talked me through the first months of SOHC4 ownership, I offer my sincere thanks, and declare that you were right, I was a dummy, pods mess things up. A more experienced tinkerer can surely make a SOHC4 engine run like heck with pods, but noobs should avoid changing too many things at once. Stick to the basics and learn from the old hands.

dave500 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2011, 09:51:32 PM »

you can now hold your head high,at least you tried.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2011, 10:22:05 PM »

Hallelujah......

scunny · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2011, 10:30:00 PM »

another one lost from the fold.

pod owners unite against this horrible news.

Kinch · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2011, 10:38:04 PM »

"Two hours of struggling later, I had the carbs and airbox back in factory configuration"

Have you replaced all of the boots? It isn't cheap but is well worth it. I was about to get pods and ditch my airbox when I first started working on my CB because it was impossible to re-install but once I got all new boots it was no problem.

TwoTired · « **Reply #5 on:** June 08, 2011, 10:46:30 PM »

Hey, tinkering with the bike is a hobby unto itself. But, it is also a lot of fun to just ride it.

I have a feeling that even those who have declared victory with pods, may not know how well the bike works as designed using the stock air box, and are just ignoring (or unaware of) the foibles that pods can bring. Then again, there are different brands of pods and design variances among them. Could be, some of them do work better than others. There are just too many variables involved for a reliable prediction.

Some pods are cheap for a reason. But, there is no denying they change the parameters/environment that the carbs were originally adjusted to live with.

Anyway, I'm glad you are happy with how the bike runs. You may just learn that the "pain in the butt" air box just sits happily where it was born without any further disturbance.

Cheers,

db22 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 09, 2011, 04:01:12 AM »

Quote from: Kinch on June 08, 2011, 10:38:04 PM

"Two hours of struggling later, I had the carbs and airbox back in factory configuration"

Have you replaced all of the boots? It isn't cheap but is well worth it. I was about to get pods and ditch my airbox when I first started working on my CB because it was impossible to re-install but once I got all new boots it was no problem.

Yup -- boots are all present, in good condition, with new clamps in place. The next temptation is a Dyna ignition. Geez, those dang points are so complicated . . .

Bankerdanny · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2011, 06:21:44 AM »

I had to take the carbs off on my 550 3 times in one week. The last 2 I used a hair dryer to heat up the rubber, a small amount of lithium grease on the manifolds and they popped right on.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2011, 07:38:01 AM »

Oh prodigal pod son, welcome back to the airbox flock.

bikerbart · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2011, 01:04:48 PM »

I made the move,not looking back,fresh rubber is key.Although,after tuning,rejetting,needle height,I finally came to this conclusion,It ended up working great,but it was F%^$#ng ugly.Sorry TT,I know this hurts your eyes.

Cipher · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2011, 01:14:39 PM »

Quote from: bikerbart on June 10, 2011, 01:04:48 PM

I made the move,not looking back,fresh rubber is key.Although,after tuning,rejetting,needle height,I finally came to this conclusion,It ended up working great,but it was F%^$#ng ugly.Sorry TT,I know this hurts your eyes.

Are those old tin cans!?

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2011, 01:18:33 PM »

Yeah man, those look like soup cans.

TwoTired · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2011, 02:39:16 PM »

Quote from: bikerbart on June 10, 2011, 01:04:48 PM

I made the move,not looking back,fresh rubber is key.Although,after tuning,rejetting,needle height,I finally came to this conclusion,It ended up working great,but it was F%^$#ng ugly.Sorry TT,I know this hurts your eyes.

How do you define/quantify "working great"?

How do you know if it is better/worse than the stock set up?

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2011, 03:50:16 PM »

Quote from: bikerbart on June 10, 2011, 01:04:48 PM

I made the move,not looking back,fresh rubber is key.Although,after tuning,rejetting,needle height,I finally came to this conclusion,It ended up working great,but it was F%^$#ng ugly.Sorry TT,I know this hurts your eyes.

very ingenious!...might try putting the pods on the end of the soup cans(actually, exhaust tubing comes in a wide variety of sizes and is smooth on the inside)

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #14 on:** June 11, 2011, 06:39:43 AM »

Yes! Connect the pods to the ends of the soup cans!!!

bikerbart · « **Reply #15 on:** June 11, 2011, 07:16:47 AM »

After trial and error,the cans on the pods worked,I dont have them any more,as I said I put the airbox back on and never looked back.I know its ridiculous but it did actually work,no more crosswind problem,gave it enough (less)flow,no more flat spot in the powerband,you may laugh,but it did actually perform ok.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #16 on:** June 11, 2011, 09:44:52 AM »

Quote from: bikerbart on June 11, 2011, 07:16:47 AM

you may laugh,but it did actually perform ok.

I think it had to do with the ridges in the cans. Something about them setting up resonate vibration in the laminar flow and the residual soup aroma does make your exhaust smell nice.

jorwesflow · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2011, 10:35:15 AM »

Quote from: Kinch on June 08, 2011, 10:38:04 PM

Have you replaced all of the boots? It isn't cheap but is well worth it. I was about to get pods and ditch my airbox when I first started working on my CB because it was impossible to re-install but once I got all new boots it was no problem.

Where does one buy the new boots? I mangled a few of mine a year ago when I first bought my '76 CB550F and threw pods on (not knowing the implications). I want to ditch them and go back to stock, but some of the boots are torn...

Duanob · « **Reply #18 on:** June 11, 2011, 01:51:53 PM »

Grasshopper, you .... are ... on .. the ... right. ... path. When you can install carb set in 40 minute or less with only minimal cuss word, only then will you become mastah of your bike!

xsmooth69x · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2011, 06:15:50 PM »

i also give a bit +1 to Two Tired, Duanob, Dave500!!!

burmashave · « **Reply #20 on:** June 11, 2011, 07:23:48 PM »

Errrr...um...my name is Burmashave, and I am considering giving up my CR's. The issue for me isn't boots. I'd need to lay my hands on carbs and an airbox. I sold my a while back . I may check the boneyard this week, but since I don't I have an airbox and carbs to match to, it may be a matter of identifying the right models.

New airbox boots can be had. I think cmsnl.com has them for my '77 750k. They may also be available from Honda dealers.

bikerbart · « **Reply #21 on:** June 13, 2011, 10:03:54 AM »

most of the bikes I rode with this weekend had pods,and those bikes performed.

TwoTired · « **Reply #22 on:** June 13, 2011, 10:26:30 AM »

Quote from: bikerbart on June 13, 2011, 10:03:54 AM

most of the bikes I rode with this weekend had pods,and those bikes performed.

...with no definition or quantization of "performed".

"It's not bragging if you can back it up."
- Muhammad Ali.

nilsey · « **Reply #23 on:** June 13, 2011, 02:34:34 PM »

i actually have teh same plan -- go back to stock airbox.... but for some crazy reason i was at a bike show this weekend and boutgh one size bigger main jets. i figure i'll try that once before i go back, the airbox plan is going to involve a carb rebuild anyways.

i got all the parts sitting in the garage, juts waiting for the right rainy day.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #24 on:** June 13, 2011, 05:05:27 PM »

I still don't get the big "pod debate" $:-\$

Had the original breadbox on my 78K and it ran ok, but it wuzza pain in the arse to deal with when I had to take things off.

I tuned it up, got it running good, then pulled that box and the carbs off, put 120 mains in em, put pods on, and never looked back. It runs great...and I know what it ran like BP (before pods) and.... it is unquestionably better now! The PO thought so too after a test ride when I got it done.

No flat spots, no hesitation, wind doesn't seem to bother it, and it's got GUTS!!! It's my daily transport on a 100 mile a day round trip, I got no complaints at 45 MPG, and it looks good

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Author Topic: Pods: I surrender! (Read 5032 times)