k3 carb cleaning and setup

[MIKE550/4]

first time doing this

had a look on this site , cant seem to find much info for k3 carbs
can someone look at pics at point out exactly what i have to take out to clean , carbs were full of manky old stale petrol but seem pretty clean, aware have to be carefull with carbs and not go in gungho

only took tops off,  side caps inside were like brand new

so questions what exactly do i clean and also need advice setting float height  some pics to alter if you wish

[MIKE550/4]

meant to mention have an air compressor if that would help

[duzatun]

g day mike
they are the same carbs as are on my 550 and yes very little info to be found on these i did find the amended section  to add to the manual i had for the bike which had these carbs in it but couldnt find the parts list took me a while to get on top of these carbs and to set the floats there are two heights given one is 12.5 and one is 14.5 i have set the 14.5 but as they are flat style floats  not round i set the 14.5 at the end tip of floats not sure if this is correct but after jetting them up bigger is running much better as for cleaning if soaking in fuel and carefully cleaning with toothbrush doesnt work there are a few cleaning products available but over there  i guess products would be different to whats we have here in aus,

[SteveD CB500K0]

I have a parts list for this model.

If there's any particular bit you'd like, I'll scan and email it.

[MIKE550/4]

plan is to take apart , put air through the holes, try and get some carb cleaner,( which seems to have dissapeared off our shelves )

reset floats and replace gaskets and o rings

yes steve parts list diagramn would be great, should help the pair of us 

[matthewmosse]

First resort, is often to drain the petrol from the carbs and re fill with neat redex and leave for at least a day, I've dodged at least a few carb stripdowns this way, the k3's carbs are a right pain to get in/out of the bike at least on mine

[OLIVER1GEORGE]

try this site it might help a little , i used a acetone it worked really well removing deposits
http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/Rcarbs.html

[matthewmosse]

Great link, carbs made simple enough for even me

[duzatun]

yes steve D
a parts list on the carbs that mike has pics of here as i said found the amended section for the manual but couldnt find the parts list
so a parts list so part numbers could be found would be very helpfull
thanks

[Bryanj]

I guarantee you the pilot jets will be blocked and the cross holes furry.

They are pressed in but if you grip carefully with mole grips and twist and pull at same time they will come out. clean thouroughly and tap into place with a soft faced BUT NOT HIDE hammer so they seal on the tapered seat.

DO NOT CLEAN OUT THE JET HOLE WITH STEEL WIRE OR A DRILL BIT!!!

Use soft copper wire or nylon fishing wire

[SteveD CB500K0]

Here you go.

Sorry about the cutoff on page 1 - the book is not loose leaf and I don't want to damage it by opening it out flat to go on the scanner!

[matthewmosse]

Looks like the carbs will be the bug bear when I finally put my 500 on the road again, either I've gotta get round to overhauling the correct 500 engine and put her back to original or the cb550k3 motor and carbs will need a cleanup and recommission. Might well be why the bikes running rough as I don't think I tinkered with the pilot jett. Just got to finish the landrover rebuild that's blocked up the workshop first............

[duzatun]

thanks steveD
just what the doctor ordered