Topic: 550 runs too good, mistake?

[kerryb]

So I got this '76 550k, was sitting for 3 years.  Gas in float bowls hadn't dried up yet!  So I gave it oil, used plugs, new gas, a carb cleaning, (stock jets), many hours of timing work....the points are pitted and low quality.
I just wanted to see if it would run so I didn't wrestle the airbox back on (tore one of the boots getting it off)

Vuh AH Lah! (tee hee) it runs good, real good, starts easy with choke, idles smooth, good power roll-on in first gear.

I thought they were supposed to run crummy without the airbox and filter.  What gives?  does this mean I can put the dreaded PODS on it for that cool look.  I already ordered a new airfilter for $37.95 but I don't look forward to wrestling with the boots and box parts.

WHERE DID i SCREW UP?  Are the tuning fairies teasing me?  I haven't ridden around the block yet.

signed...mystified in buffalo

[dave500]

ride it further to guage how it really behaves.

[kerryb]

I don't have plates on it, I'll have to keep my forays short and nearby.  What am I looking for?  I worry about sucking some crap into it, but I am curious about the expected performance levels.  Will it run lean?, or will the stock exhaust help keep the breathing in check?

I'll be putting the airbox back on soon, but there are cracks that will leak.  If it runs good, I won't be in a hurry to get new boots.

[Scott S]

 Cracks that will leak where?

 If you have good boots on the manifolds and the air box, it's really not THAT hard to install the carbs.

[dave500]

riding it around with no air filter will quickly ruin the bores,fine silica dust from the road surface will be ingested,its ok to say run it in the drivway like that but as soon as you ride it theres dust going into it.

[phil71]

I think you're hoping someone will just say "oh yeah, put pods on it, and everything will totally be fine. Don't ask questions you don't actually want the answer to.
The answer is, you have been very lucky so far...pods would be a little akin to having a stent successfully put in your heart, and celebrating with a bacon/egg&cheese sandwich. Tasty, but maybe not smart.

[kerryb]

Ok...I have to get this discussion back on track.
1. I have no intention of putting pods on.  I believe all the posts that describe the difficulties that pods bring with them, and I don't wish to start playing with jet sizes and unnecessary compromises

2.  I am surprised that this engine appears to run well without the airbox on yet.  To get a better understanding of a proper "tune", I thought I would ask what to look for so I would recognize the performance losses when they appear. 

3.  I ran the bike for 5 minutes up and down a rather long driveway (clean blacktop) and it is now back on the lift awaiting the installation of the stock airbox system and a new air filter.  I thought it would run poorly under load and was surprised that it seemed to behave nicely.  Up until this bike engine tuning has been a struggle, with each  step closer to being streetable as a perplexing endeavor.  Maybe I'm getting better!

4.  I like the "anti-pod" filter system that someone is making and might try one of those when I can justify the expenditure for a project bike

5.  The airbox boot on carb number 4 is damaged and will leak into the intake of carb 4.  Of course I'll try to bandage it up while trying to purchase a replacement.

just for fun...kerry

[Tews19]

Ok...I have to get this discussion back on track.
1. I have no intention of putting pods on.  I believe all the posts that describe the difficulties that pods bring with them, and I don't wish to start playing with jet sizes and unnecessary compromises

2.  I am surprised that this engine appears to run well without the airbox on yet.  To get a better understanding of a proper "tune", I thought I would ask what to look for so I would recognize the performance losses when they appear. 

3.  I ran the bike for 5 minutes up and down a rather long driveway (clean blacktop) and it is now back on the lift awaiting the installation of the stock airbox system and a new air filter.  I thought it would run poorly under load and was surprised that it seemed to behave nicely.  Up until this bike engine tuning has been a struggle, with each  step closer to being streetable as a perplexing endeavor.  Maybe I'm getting better!

4.  I like the "anti-pod" filter system that someone is making and might try one of those when I can justify the expenditure for a project bike

5.  The airbox boot on carb number 4 is damaged and will leak into the intake of carb 4.  Of course I'll try to bandage it up while trying to purchase a replacement.

just for fun...kerry

In regard to my 75' 550F, when I bought her and got her home I changed out the plugs, oil and filter. Fitler was missing when I opneded the airbox. I emailed the previous owner and he apologized several times about the airbox missing. He stated he drove it like that for years... No damage. At least from what I can tell... She does have an air filter now though