Topic: 550F Float Bowl Gaskets

[Al_Aaraaf]

I'm having a fitment issue with the floatbowl gaskets I got from Z1 (75 CB550F). The packaging shows them listed for a K model, although they seem to use the same carb body anyway. I read a thread from March of this year started by a guy who had the same issue on the set he got from Z1 for his 550.

O-ring seems 1/8" to 1/4" too large for the grove in the bowl. Even going around and pressing the ring as far out to the edge of the grove, I still have this slack. Before I go through the hassle of sending these back, I thought I'd follow up on it here. The March thread died before there was a post on the outcome.

Main question is: is this problem solvable through Z1? That is, am I likely to ever get the right part number if I try to get new ones? I'm eager to ride this bastard of a bike and don't want to go back and forth trying to get the right ones.

If the answer the above is "no"... Any recommendations for sourcing them elsewhere, or recommendations on a solution without the o-rings? Has anyone used RTV or anything other than a paper gasket? I can't remember right off whether RTV is even compatible with gasoline. A couple of the bowls were using paper gaskets before and they acted like a sponge and gave my pants leg a nice dose of gasoline every time I rode.

Any comments are appreciated. Well, as long as you don't call me names.

[TwoTired]

I use gasket sets through the Honda dealer.  Oddly, they've worked every time. 

Cheers,

[ieism]

I had a set (not real Honda) that didn't want to fit either.
They were for a 550f but they were not pre-shaped like the floatchamber, they were just round. It was a real #$%* getting them in because they wanted to return to their original round shape everytime.
I ended up putting a tiny amount of superglue in each corner of the groove, and pressed it in.
You could try that before you buy new ones.

[dusterdude]

if these are 0-rings,cut the o-ring at an angle and fit them in the groove,they should work ok like that.

[rodf]

Couple of years ago I got some keyster rebuild kits and I found the o rings too big. I ended up sticking them in place with a couple of dabs of gasket sealant - maybe not a great idea but it worked.

Anyway I didn't clean all the tubes out properly on one carb and ended taking them off again.
This time I thought I would get proper Honda rings from davidsilver.
Surprise No.1 - the genuine ones aren't shaped either, just round. Maybe after they've been in place for 30 years they take on the shape of the bowl.
HOWEVER, they did fit a hell of a lot better.

Can't beat genuine spares I guess

[Al_Aaraaf]

Thanks for all of your comments guys. Okay, so here's how it all worked out:

I remembered that I had ordered an o-ring from www.motorcyclecarbs.com in March to replace a leaking one. I set the oversized ones aside and tried the one I ordered earlier. It was the perfect size. Still round, and because it was just big enough, it was pain getting it worked around the grove using adhesive sealant. Anyway, since I now knew it fit and the vender just happens to be local, I drove out to his place and picked up three more along with o-rings for the main jets and the drain screws. This guy rebuilds carbs for a living. So, while I was there I asked what adhesive he found worked best.

With my new o-rings and some contact cement at the corners, I got the chambers back together and replaced all the tubing. Reinstalled the set and it started right up-- and to my surprise, I hadn't screwed up the settings when i cleaned them. I was so thrilled, I threw on my helmet and went for a ride in the rain. Bike was down for a week and a half while I waited for parts and I was aching for a fix. Checked the new clear vinyl drain hoses for gas and nothing. No more sticking floats and no more o-ring leaks. I didn't realize how intimidated I was of these things until I finished and actually got it right the first time. Must have been all the horror stories about people screwing things up by just looking at them funny.

So, I didn't catch his name, but the guy that owns www.motorcyclecarbs.com was pretty nice and he has a huge inventory (especially for a one man operation).

[78 k550]

I had a set (not real Honda) that didn't want to fit either.
They were for a 550f but they were not pre-shaped like the floatchamber, they were just round. It was a real #$%* getting them in because they wanted to return to their original round shape everytime.
I ended up putting a tiny amount of superglue in each corner of the groove, and pressed it in.
You could try that before you buy new ones.

put some petroladem on the corner of the float bowls that should keep the gasket down.

Paul

[FunJimmy]

I remembered that I had ordered an o-ring from www.motorcyclecarbs.com in March to replace a leaking one. I set the oversized ones aside and tried the one I ordered earlier. It was the perfect size. Still round, and because it was just big enough, it was pain getting it worked around the grove using adhesive sealant. Anyway, since I now knew it fit and the vender just happens to be local, I drove out to his place and picked up three more along with o-rings for the main jets and the drain screws. This guy rebuilds carbs for a living. So, while I was there I asked what adhesive he found worked best.
 

Do you remember or know what size these o-rings are.
Thickness and ID would be helpful.

Cheers
FJ