Topic: Should I buy new jets or simply clean the old ones?

[singedebile]

'75 CB550f with about 45k, going to take the carbs apart for the first time since owning the bike for the past 4 years (and who knows when they were last cleaned) as the idle has started to get a bit rough (carb sync)and the bike is running pretty rich (clogged emulsifier tubes?).

Just ordered genuine Honda rebuild kits, but should I be considering buying jets as well? could mine have worn out? My friends shop is well outfitted with a ultrasonic cleaner etc.. so they would be well cleaned one way or the other.

I am asking mainly because money is tight (as it is with most people), but when I take the carbs off I don't want to be stuck waiting to get jets if they do in fact wear out (space in my friends shop is very limited).

Thanks!

(I did a couple searches but had trouble finding a relevant thread)

[lucky]

You can just clean them.  Unless you think someone drilled them.
Use a #10 electric guitar string and then carb cleaner and compressed air.
Hold them up to the light to look through them.

If you are tight on money I would not have ordered rebuild kits.
I would have just installed new float needles and seats if they were metal tipped and just new needles if they were rubber tipped. Thats it.

[singedebile]

Thank you,
lesson learned, at $50 for the rebuild kits for all four carbs it didnt seem like too bad a deal, and saving the $70 on jets will make up for that.

I'll figure out weather or not they are metal tipped and order the float needles.

[bjbuchanan]

If you ordered genuine honda kits then they will probably have new jets in the size you need anyway. If you have them just slap them in instead of bothering with the old stuff. Honda will have the true size, not like how some rebuild kits can have off sized holes or lengths

I clean the stock brass bits up unless they look like a ham fist got a hold of them

[harisuluv]

Thank you,
lesson learned, at $50 for the rebuild kits for all four carbs it didnt seem like too bad a deal, and saving the $70 on jets will make up for that.

OEM "rebuild kits" are just gaskets and orings, were you aware of that?  You won't get any brass or jets.

[singedebile]

yes I was, figured it would be good to refresh all the gaskets and O-rings. Was waiting to see what jets/needles I should think about replacing.

[Deltarider]

I've seen the suggestion of a guitar string many times. I have no experience myself. Is the material of the guitar string really softer than the jets?