Topic: first timer needs help getting started

[cbfivefitty]

Hey guys I'm new here and just bought my first bike a 76 cb 550f this past weekend. I'm real excited to get it running like new again. I already have the carbs off and was looking on the internet for a rebuild kit for this thing but I'm finding it hard to find one that explicitly says for the 550f. Any recommendations on where to go?

[flybox1]

you may not really need full rebuild "kits"  just new soft parts.
4into1.com is a good seller.

only buy OEM honda jets.
aftermarket brass you would soon learn to hate.
siriusconinc.com
jetsrus.com
both of these provide good parts.


welcome to the forum.

[ekpent]

Yep I would start out just looking for a set of bowl gaskets if needed and clean up what is in there first. Not really much that wears out per say.

[Stev-o]

Welcome, the fivefitty is a fine bike. Congrats...

[MiGhost]

Gasket kits still available through honda.
16010-323-315
16010-323-305
16010-323-004
74-76 550K
75-77 550F

[cbfivefitty]

Thanks for the welcome! I'm looking at these sites but the pictures of the kits dont seem to match up with what I have . I keep seeing a big round o ring and I can't figure where it goes on this carb. Yea the metal looks good for the most part although the needle on the one I've already started disassembling  looks ever so slightly pitted. But the rubber is all rock hard that's what I definitely want to replace for now just to get this thing running right.
Thanks mighost but I'm still seeing that big o ring I'm assuming its for a differently shaped float bowl than mine but Idk.

[cbfivefitty]

At work right now so I can't look for sure till I get home but I have some pics on my phone that might help. Hopefully it uploads right. I threw in a pic of my bike too in case that helps.

[riverfever]

Can't make out the number on that first pic but it will be stamped (627B, 022A, etc.) on that slanted portion of the carb right where the carb attaches to the stay plate (the aluminum plate that holds all four carbs). Like the others have said, you probably won't need new stuff other than gaskets unless you find something unusual. You just have to make sure that everything is surgically clean. Nice looking bike.

[Flyin900]

The large round O ring is your bowl gasket that you see in the online kits. It needs to be formed to the bowl shape, or some sellers have a preformed shape that is a little easier to work with.

+1 on the 4 into 1 seller, I have had great service and quality/reasonable parts prices from them.

Very new here to this forum too and second the great looking bike and welcome.

[cbfivefitty]

069A I believe. Thanks for clearing that up flyin!

[cbfivefitty]

Ok I got this thing apart the slow jet is totally clogged but everything else looks ok. The needle looks a llittle pitted and feels slightly rough in certain spot Idk if that would effect anything though I'll depend on you guys for that. I can't really see the "needle jet" , i think it's called , should I try getting it out to take a look or clean it properly? I'll try to throw up some pics

[dave500]

you need to lose them dumb pod filters,at least you have the better eary type one carbs,find a full stock air box induction set up for it.

[cbfivefitty]

Here's a pic of the needle the part I feel slight roughness.
then I have a pic of the main jet that looks a little chewed up. Lemme know what you guys think.

[dave500]

I think them non filtering pod filters have let crud through,clogging the emusion tubes in your primary and pitting those needles,fine grit will pass those pods so easily and via the air bleeds do exactly that.

pods will let water and road salt through,those needles need replacing,they look corroded/etched,all the jet orifices cant be trusted either I think,probably have minute pitting aswell.

[cbfivefitty]

Figures, I'm taking the others apart too and seeing similar stuff.

[dave500]

dump them pods man,itll run so much better all over with the correct factory airbox in place!you wont gain anything from pods except a #$%* fight like you have now,let alone running issues,who ever invented pods needs a right royal rodgering,along with the guy who invented straight through short exhausts,if your new gasket kits come with large o rings for the bowl simply use a dab of instant super glue in the corners to hold them in place.

[cbfivefitty]

Thanks for the tip, I'm sure I would have spent hours fighting that thing.
I gotta do something else anyway only came with three filters one of which looked broken. I'll do a little a research after I get these guys finished up.

[dave500]

look close if corrosion hasn't attacked the carb bodies alloy passages?we don't have salt on our roads here,look where the main jet o ring seals,if its pitted itll never seal and will run rich no matter what,fuel will bypass the jet,hopefully not pitted/corroded,how do the leaf springs look that hold the jet in place?those carbs look great on the outside?

[jaguar]

I would only use OEM parts in the carbs.
Aftermarket kits all suck.  Parts don't hold up well and many are wrong or don't fit.
99% of service stuff is still made by Honda for these old bikes.

Service the hell out of it and ride it for a long time STOCK.
A newbie needs to develop a base line.  Also the added aid the manual gives you will be helpful.

Pods are a sure sign of ignorance.  I will not buy a used bike that has pods.  I assume the owner was dumb and worry about what else they messed up.

To rant a bike about "Customs" or "café racers" for a second.
Many are just playing a game of dress up, they should be more evolution then build.  Ride the bike stock, then over time you figure out what the weak links are.  You then upgrade them and go faster.  This goes on for a while.  That BS look that so many are after then just kinda happens.

[martin99]

Pods???
Who the fecken hell put fecken pods on your bike. They're fecken sh1t and he must have been some dumb-ass fecken retard or somethin to put them fecken things on your fecken bike.
No-body who knows fecken anythin about fecken bikes would put fecken pods on, they make it run like fecken sh1t and everyone who sees it will think you're a fecken poser.
Get rid of them fecken pods or better still scrap the whole fecken bike in case the PO fecked anythin else up.

+1 on using genuine Honda parts where possible

[cbfivefitty]

How can I tell oem from aftermarket?

[jaguar]

The baggie that it come in....

[martin99]

On a serious-ish note, you may find that the PO 'tuned' the carbs to suit the pods. Check the jet sizes and clip position against the manual whilst you have the carbs apart, otherwise when you go with the stock airbox you may find it is running too rich due to larger jets

[Chad]

Pods???
Who the fecken hell put fecken pods on your bike. They're fecken sh1t and he must have been some dumb-ass fecken retard or somethin to put them fecken things on your fecken bike.
No-body who knows fecken anythin about fecken bikes would put fecken pods on, they make it run like fecken sh1t and everyone who sees it will think you're a fecken poser.
Get rid of them fecken pods or better still scrap the whole fecken bike in case the PO fecked anythin else up.

+1 on using genuine Honda parts where possible

 

[cbfivefitty]

Gasket kits still available through honda.
16010-323-315
16010-323-305
16010-323-004
74-76 550K
75-77 550F

Ok so I'm gonna order a kit now. Any idea which one of these I should grab?

Old school, the main jet had a 100 on it. I'll check for the clip position when I get back home.