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Author Topic: Float height on 550?  (Read 1542 times)

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Offline Ryan66

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Float height on 550?
« on: June 14, 2011, 02:33:34 PM »
So im starting to tear into my carbs and there not looking to bad. All the orings are on the jets still. jets werent to plugged. Leaving them as four right now dont wanna seperate them and not know how to put them back together. So what is the float height and how is it checked? noob question. The float needle and spring seem to be working properly
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #1 on: June 14, 2011, 02:34:01 PM »
Are rebuild kits all that necessary if everything seems to be in good shape?
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #2 on: June 14, 2011, 02:35:34 PM »
Another noob question. How is the slide removed? where should the clip be set on the needle. stock airbox and drag pipes
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #3 on: June 14, 2011, 02:41:47 PM »
What year is your bike? Is it a K or an F. The carbs are not all the same.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2011, 02:45:22 PM »
Sorry its a 76 K model i believe. my vin is cb550124----. I know the year is correct just unsure of the K or F
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2011, 02:45:41 PM »
Download the 550 service manual from the link at the top of the topic list. It has all the details regarding the correct float height.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2011, 02:49:10 PM »
Ive got a clymer in the mail. So i guess all is needed in there.
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2011, 02:56:33 PM »
The Clymer and Haynes manuals are of mixed value. Download the factory manual from here. It is MUCH more useful.

The F model came with a 4-1 exhaust and a different tank and badges. If the tank paint is original, an F model would say Super Sport.

Measuring the float height is pretty simple. I bought a small metric metal ruler from a hardware store for about $5.

The carbs should be off the bike. You rotate them counter clockwise from vertical until the small tang on the float is resting lightly on the float valve. It should just touch it but not push it in. The hold the ruler against the bottom of the carb and measure the distance between the bottom of the carb and the bottom TOP of the float (that is to say, the top when the carb is positioned to go back on the bike).
« Last Edit: June 15, 2011, 05:57:18 AM by Bankerdanny »
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2011, 04:16:08 AM »
Was looking through those links and didnt see the factory manual. So i wasted $23 on a manual?
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2011, 05:55:32 AM »
No. I bought the Haynes manual as a supplement, although it isn't very good. It's never bad to have more than one reference source.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline c(b)hris

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2011, 06:07:04 AM »
Quote from: Ryan66 on June 14, 2011, 02:33:34 PM
So im starting to tear into my carbs and there not looking to bad. All the orings are on the jets still. jets werent to plugged. Leaving them as four right now dont wanna seperate them and not know how to put them back together. So what is the float height and how is it checked? noob question. The float needle and spring seem to be working properly

On my 75 CB550K the float height is 22mm.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=52049.0
« Last Edit: June 15, 2011, 06:13:23 AM by c(b)hris »
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75 CB550
74 CB750

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2011, 10:25:34 AM »
So inspecting my carbs my number 1 carb the slide doesnt move. The arm that pulls the slide barely moves. any ideas on that? i pull on the throttle wheel and the slides go halfway up. Arent the slides supposed to go all the way up?
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2011, 10:50:36 AM »
If you have a stuck slide, take a heat gun to the the carb body, while applying pressure to move the slide.  That should free it up for removal.  Then clean the slide and the bore with carb cleaner.

You will have to vacuum sync the carbs if you remove slides.

Float height is 22mm. That's in the Carb FAQ.

The Clymer effectively mixes good info with bad info and no info, generally confusing/frustrating new mechanics.  I much prefer the Honda Shop manual.

Cheers,
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #13 on: June 15, 2011, 11:29:32 AM »
Ya it doesnt say how to get the slides out. i see the two 7mm nuts on top. i took one out to free the slide up. im assuming by taking both out the slide comes out? but i dont see how with that arm in there. I got it unstuck. But now the number 1 slide sits a little higher then the rest. If i push down on i think its the big 12mm with the spring inside it pushes the slide down where it should be. The other three i cant push down like that
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2011, 11:36:44 AM »
See the difference?

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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2011, 11:50:45 AM »
Quote from: Ryan66 on June 15, 2011, 11:29:32 AM
but i dont see how with that arm in there. I got it unstuck. But now the number 1 slide sits a little higher then the rest.

The top caps of the carbs (cross head screws) must be removed.  You will find another arm inside, and the cap covers the exit point for the slides.
Almost certainly, the 7mm bolt that binds the arm to the shaft has been bent if you simply forced the slide to move with the main bellcrank.  So, you are now looking for a new bolt from a sacrificial carb set.  It is never good to force things on precision bits like carburetors.

The slide is attached to the lifer plates with two screws deep in the well.  The screws are easily damaged with the wrong driver type.  Stripping the screw heads WILL give you a headache, and another need to find a sacrificial carb set.
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline haill

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2011, 11:53:11 AM »
get a  wrench and a flat screw driver and the lock nut with yellow paint on it, loosen, then adjust the slide height with the straight screwdriver slotted into the threaded adjuster, which is inside the nut section, which is also painted yellow in your picture posted. that  is how all the slides are adjusted when you sync'd the carbs to achieve a balanced carb rack.
Dude you really need to read the manual as well... for they're many steps shown that will lead you through all this.
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Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2011, 12:02:50 PM »
My manual says nothing about slide adjustment or i wouldnt have asked. So how do i make them all the same or in sync? i know after its together you do a vacuum sync.
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline haill

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #18 on: June 15, 2011, 12:10:48 PM »
did you download the factory manual? also it is well documented in the faq sections or search for carb sync'd.
some use light coming through the carb body until it just disappears as the slides are adjusted looking through the body from the engine side, others a 1/8" drill bit tuck under the slide as a gauge.
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Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #19 on: June 15, 2011, 12:12:37 PM »
No i have a clymer manual. And ill have to try the drill bit trick. So what is the correct way no light coming through or an 1/8in?
« Last Edit: June 15, 2011, 12:15:30 PM by Ryan66 »
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline haill

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #20 on: June 15, 2011, 12:15:28 PM »
"The Clymer effectively mixes good info with bad info and no info, generally confusing/frustrating new mechanics.  I much prefer the Honda Shop manual."
Advice is cheap but when one of the best guys on here tells you to get the shop manual and you stick with the clymer your hitting yourself over the head.

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Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #21 on: June 15, 2011, 12:16:05 PM »
Def have to get it but i searched for the link and could not locate it
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)

Offline haill

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #22 on: June 15, 2011, 12:23:55 PM »
look way up, it's located just above the first question on the page your clicking on to read answers to your questions your posting in the tech forums. highlighted, click on that and a whole world of enjoyment is waiting to be had.
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #23 on: June 15, 2011, 01:49:25 PM »
Quote from: Ryan66 on June 14, 2011, 02:34:01 PM
Are rebuild kits all that necessary if everything seems to be in good shape?

Rubber orings/seals must be soft so they will, well, seal.

If they get hard or crack, they need replacement.  Metal bits, unless corroded/damaged, are all reused.
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.

Offline Ryan66

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Re: Float height on 550?
« Reply #24 on: June 15, 2011, 02:48:27 PM »
Quote from: TwoTired on June 15, 2011, 01:49:25 PM
Quote from: Ryan66 on June 14, 2011, 02:34:01 PM
Are rebuild kits all that necessary if everything seems to be in good shape?

Rubber orings/seals must be soft so they will, well, seal.

If they get hard or crack, they need replacement.  Metal bits, unless corroded/damaged, are all reused.
Ya 2 of main jet orings ripped and one of the float needle jet ripped.
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1976 CB550k (cafe project)
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