Topic: Cant keep 550 running

[timmangan]

I bought a 1972 CB550 a little while ago, then discovered that it was actually a 1972 Cb500 frame, with a bored out CB550 engine, with CB750 carbs!!!

What in the world was going on there?? who knows.

But, it now has CB550 carbs, fresh oil, new plugs, new air filters (Crappy Jap pods), and some fresh gas.

But I just cant keep this thing running. THe battery is dead, so I hook it up to the car for juice, then have to spray some starter fluid on the filters to get it going, but when I do that it starts right up.

It will run until the fluid is gone and then dies. If I keep revs up over 6000rpm it stays on for a bit longer but eventually dies out.

I put some seafoam in the tank to see if that would help and it didn't seem to do a lot.

The carbs were rebuild roughly 12months ago and ten just sat on a shelf untouched.

Any ideas on what to do here?

Cheers

[Tews19]

Get a new battery to start. Jumping a bike from a car is a no no from what I've read.

[flybox1]

Get a new battery to start. Jumping a bike from a car is a no no from what I've read.

+1

what jets do you have in there?
what is your mixture screw set at?
what needle clip setting do you have?
what exhaust do you have?
are your crappy pods oiled, overoiled, or dry?
what plugs are you running.?
what color do they look after you get it to run for a short time?

[Tews19]

Btw I have a new set of K&N pods new for a 550 if you are interested.

[timmangan]

Flybox - lots of good questions, let me find some answers and update.

Tews - I was hoping you would say that about the battery, I love spending money
Also, how much for the filters? Although I not 100% sure they can compare to the $10 hong kong specials!

[TwoTired]

You can jump from a car battery safely, so long as you NEVER ever reverse the lead polarity.

The bike's alternator will not make enough juice near idle speed to keep the bike's voltage high enough to make spark without a good battery  connected.

Make sure there is ample fuel in the tank and the fuel valve is switched to reserve if at a low level.

Make sure your carbs are filling with gas.  Seafoam is a cleaner and will reduce the volatility of your new, fresh gas.  It is NOT a miracle cleaner or fix all.
By rights, you should never need it unless you are clutching for band aids.

If the carbs saw gas before being stored, they are likely varnished up again from sitting.  Easily possible the float valves are sticking closed and gas isn't filling the carb bowls.

[Tews19]

Flybox - lots of good questions, let me find some answers and update.

Tews - I was hoping you would say that about the battery, I love spending money
Also, how much for the filters? Although I not 100% sure they can compare to the $10 hong kong specials!

They sell for 170-218 on the internet. Yours 110 plus shipping. .. let's say 10 bucks to ship if US... or throw me an offer. They are taking up space.

[goldarrow]

if you're in the market for new battery, go with sealed type - no acid to deal with.  about $60

[timmangan]

Tews, appreciate the offer mate, but K&N's are out my budget at the moment, even at that price.

I will most likely be buying a 8cell antigravity or equivalent for the battery. The engine and carbs are for another bike/build im working on.

[timmangan]

Calj, just checked them out, good call mate, thanks for the input