QuestionI recently cleaned the carbs on the bike, adjusted the air/fuel mixture to specifications, and adjusted the floaters so the carbs wouldn't overflow, but I didnt adjust them to specifications. The bike was running decently before I took the carbs off and the carbs were synchronized. All the jets are clean. When I reinstalled the carburetors, the bike ran worse than ever, the bike would not turn on for quite a while and when it started, it would only stay on if I pull the throttle all the way back and have the choke on full. when I release the choke even half way the bike dies. could this be because I adjusted the floaters wrong?
AnswerJoel, 1978 CB550K specs for carbs are:
Float level 12.5mm
Main jet #90
Slow jet #42
Idle mixture 1.5 turns out
Idle speed 1000 rpm, plus/minus 100
Either you created an air leak, by not getting the carbs all the way into the intake manifolds or perhaps the manifolds are cracked and leaking. With stock carb settings, you have to have all stock air filters and exhaust system in place.
You might start by evaluating the whole engine.. do a compression check, adjust the valves and camchain tensioner if needed, then check and adjust the ignition timing so that the points are opening at the 1-4F and 2-3F marks and have a maximum gap of about .014-.016"
Lots of times when you put dry carbs back on the engine. the floats hang down and when you turn on the petcock the floats stick down and then the bowls overflow. You have to rock the bike or tap on the carbs with a screwdriver handle or something similar to get the floats and needles to readjust again. If the carbs overflow and flood the engine, then the spark plugs could be fuel fouled, so you may need a fresh set, once everything else is setup correctly.
The float levels MUST be set to specs, so all carbs are even and getting just the right amount of fuel for the idle, needle and main jet circuits.
Bill Silver
