Topic: 1976 CB550f Makeover

[PheNam]

I am going to preface this thread with that I am a beginner when it comes to motorcycles and this is my first bike as well so what may seem blindingly obvious to you will probably be something that I am still learning.

I am cleaning this bike piece by piece so I can learn the ins and outs. I went ahead and cleaned the gas tank with removing the rust and sealing it. Now what I thought should have been an easy time taking the carburetors has me stuck scratching my head. I am following the manual fyi - I took out the battery case, unhooked the throttle cable and loosened the screw holding the boots down. Now the manual says remove the carb at this point but mine doesn't come off. I figured it's just old age so I have been forcing it quite a bit and trying to loosen it but still it doesn't come off. Am I missing something?

Here is a picture

[Restoration Fan]

It'll be much easier for you if you remove the airbox (the plastic box on the left side of the carbs in the photo).

Then, you also need to loosen the screws holding the boots to the engine (the ones on the right side of the carbs in that photo.  At that point, straddle the bike like you're riding it and you should be able to wiggle the carbs up & down while pulling towards the rear of the bike and they'll come out of those carb boots and the entire carb rack will come out.

[PheNam]

I will remove the air box to give it more space, but even with it in there, there is still enough clearance for me to be able to wiggle it off. The screws are all loosened even if they look like they are. I will give it more of a wiggle, but so far, I have even had a friend to help wiggle it off, still no luck.

[PheNam]

I finally managed to take it off. Any pointers for taking apart carbs for the first time anybody?

[mrfish2]

Bag and label everything like your life depended on it! There are A LOT of small tiny bits that can get lost depending on how far you plan on tearing the carbs apart.

[Restoration Fan]

I finally managed to take it off. Any pointers for taking apart carbs for the first time anybody?

The 500 & 550 manual has very detailed instructions on taking carbs apart and putting them back together.  You can download it from this site or you can get it from my Google Drive site.  This is the 500 manual but the carbs are the same.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B4nqeBb662mZMlMzb29PaGxoaFk

[calj737]

keep the individual carb pieces separated by their original location. Try not to mix up the components! Record the stamped numbers on the jets and needles, and take notice of the location of the needle clip. This will be instrumental later when you begin tuning and someone asks "How are you carbs set up?".