It has arrived!

[JustcallmeMrT]

If you rush, it will cost you more. Take your time

*sigh*  Seems to be true.  Picking your brain seems to help too!  Why does that kit from Japan have so many different jets in it for each carb?  No indication of what they are in the description.  Any ideas?

[Trigger]

A lot of members use Cruzinmage but, you must keep the value of the order down to avoid custom charges. They are only showing a picture. You will get a full carb repair kit from them.

[JamesH]

A lot of members use Cruzinmage but, you must keep the value of the order down to avoid custom charges. They are only showing a picture. You will get a full carb repair kit from them.

I've used 5+ sets of the cruzinimage carb kits for my 750's - generally good but be very careful about using the pilot jets supplied in the kits. I've had several fail (ie shear) on installation - and trust me that wasn't  down to me being heavy handed. I always buy new keihin pilot jets to supplement the kit. James.

[AshimotoK0]

If you rush, it will cost you more. Take your time

*sigh*  Seems to be true.  Picking your brain seems to help too!  Why does that kit from Japan have so many different jets in it for each carb?  No indication of what they are in the description.  Any ideas?

It's great that you have come on here MrT asking loads of sensible questions. Just what these forums are all about. You will soak it all up and then become one of the knowledgeable guys on your model of bike and pass it onto to Newbie's. It perpetuates so that there is always going to be somebody on here with the 'knowledge' . I  knew F all about the CB750 in 2008 but loads about the 400/4. You soak up all of the info from various sites/individuals  then feel that if you ever went on Mastermind your specialist subject would be "................"  . You guessed it! Keep em coming!

Cheers .. Ash

[Trigger]

James, i have found that a little Vaseline helps the parts to fit a lot better. I always used tap2 until the day i ran out. Found a old jar of vaseline as a replacement for tap2 worked a treat.

[JustcallmeMrT]

A lot of members use Cruzinmage but, you must keep the value of the order down to avoid custom charges. They are only showing a picture. You will get a full carb repair kit from them.

Ok, just need a confirmation here - the eBay ad says up to 1976, so I asked Cruzinmage if this would fit a 77 cb550f2 and he says no, and that he doesn't yet have a kit that fits this year/model.  Is he playing it safe and you know the kit will work, or will I have to stick with that DSS kit I bought?

[Trigger]

He is playing safe because the carb for the 1976 CB550 F1 is the same carb for the F2. It is only the CB550K3 that is different. It is always better to give Cruzinmage the carb number.
DSS is a member of this forum, so i do not think he will give you a refund because you have found them cheaper You only have some 0'rings needed so just order the Viton 0'rings. There are many company's selling Viton on ebay.

[Trigger]

Just been looking at the pictures of you bike you posted and it is a bit of a bitsa. It has a F2 tank but, K3 side panels. Are you sure that this is a F2 or is it just the frame is stamped F2?

[JustcallmeMrT]

Not entirely sure, I know it has had an engine swap - I'll post the numbers later and hopefully we can figure it out. 

[Trigger]

The F1 and F2 engines are the same unit. It will be only the numbers that will be different. Unless it is a 500 unit.
Here is a model guide, but this is USA>>> http://www.sohc4.net/cb550-model-guide/

[JamesH]

James, i have found that a little Vaseline helps the parts to fit a lot better. I always used tap2 until the day i ran out. Found a old jar of vaseline as a replacement for tap2 worked a treat.

Same here Graham - vaseline is the way forward. I think it was a QC issue with the pilot jets in the kits i was shipped. Basically the thread pitch seemed to be very slightly off and resulted in too much shear stress on effectively a hollow tube. Anyway, just my experience - given the incredibly tight tolerances on the pj's in particular i've always felt more comfortable with oem keihin parts. James

[JustcallmeMrT]

Just been looking at the pictures of you bike you posted and it is a bit of a bitsa. It has a F2 tank but, K3 side panels. Are you sure that this is a F2 or is it just the frame is stamped F2?

So what does it all mean? 

[JustcallmeMrT]

If I'm reading that website right, it's a 1977 frame with a 1976 engine?

[Trigger]

Is this bike listed as a import on the V5?
The frame is a F2 but, i have been looking at the engine number which could be a late 1975 to 1976. Can't pinpoint the number to a country.
All his doesn't really matter as the F1 & F2 are the same engine.

[JustcallmeMrT]

Nope, not an import.  Glad to know that it's still a 550.

More progress today.  I used electrolysis to de - rust my tank last week, and today chemically etched and lined it.  I'm hoping that I'll finish rebuilding the carbs thus week, then on with the new bits and ready for the first test start next weekend.

Here's my rundown prior to first start:
Carb rebuild.
Oil change and new oil filter
New air filter
Replaced perished connectors between air box and carb
New fuel strainer (old one was broken off)
New plugs
Tank de - rusted and lined.

Anything else you guys would recommend before I try to press the starter button?