Topic: Quick Carb Installation on 550

[psykod]

I don't know if this is already known or not, but I wanted to pass it on as I've always dreaded removing and installing the carbs on my CB550 using the factory air cleaner.

The battery housing is held in place by only 2 bolts.  If you remove the battery and the housing, you can install the carbs onto the engine without having to worry about the cleaner, then install the cleaner thru the big hole where the battery was, then just re-install the battery. Reverse that if you are removing the carbs.  It almost looks like that's the way they did it at the factory when they assembled the bike (or course, for them, the battery box was not even on yet). 

It took me all of about 5 minutes to get the carbs on using this method (plus a few minutes to remove and re-install the battery) and I didn't use a single curse word.  Normally I'm fighting that carb install for 30 minutes.

[HAIRHEAD]

Awesome..I and my knuckles Thank You !!

[psykod]

I would like to add something to this.  When removing the carbs, I had to remove the outer rubber boots from the air box so they wouldn't get damaged.

[clive *]

anybody know if this applies to the CB500/4

[vintage_mpg]

I'm wondering the exact same thing...

I'm going to try it, anyhow!

[ScottCB550]

cool thanks for the tip... I am redoing a 77 550 F myself

Scotty

[becken]

I just put the carbs back on my 1976 CB550F. Removing the battery box made removal easier. I bought a K&N filter assembly back in the 70's that eliminated the rear half of the air cleaner system, the box that holds the filter element, while keeping the box that holds the rubber velocity stacks that connect to the carbs. When reinstalling, I bungeed the air box back as far as I could and then placed one of those plastic advertisement cards that car dealers put in place of a license plate, in front of the air box rubbers. The plate is very thin and tough, and slippery enough to allow the carbs to slide in with a minimum of difficulty. Greatly shortened installation time and no cuss words or bloody fingers.