SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB500/550
CB550 PD46A carbs
K2-K6:
--- Quote from: badger_eng on September 06, 2026, 01:37:22 PM ---Thanks for the feedback.
I'm just a happy bunny as I wanted to make sure the bike was running, at tickover and low revs in the garage, at least somewhere near or something like you'd expect. i.e. It starts, idles, revs when you turn the throttle and returns to idle when you close the throttle.
It now does that now and that gives me a lot of confidence going into the 'big strip' towards the end of next month. The last thing I wanted was to put a lot of effort into making the bike sparkle then having the carbs on and off ten times ruining paint, screw heads, clips etc etc
Pilot air screws were all set to 1.5 turns open so could possibly need a tweak as you mention.
Like I said previously, Keihin carbs are new to me. I've never needed to strip the few previous bikes Ive had with them so its been a good learning curve.
I'm still going to replace them with Ian's 627's using the manifolds from Mick as visually, they look very clean compared to the 46's I have. As long as they behave the same, it'll offset the cost of me vapour blasting, ultrasonic cleaning and zinc'ing the ones I already have.
They'll get the same fit and check test once Ian is back off his hols and finds the time to send them to me.
--- End quote ---
I think it's worthwhile pointing out the value in not carrying out a "gauge carb sync here.
That can get the bike into a doom loop because the vacuum gauge method needs a verified vacuum source from the engine and hardware to avoid sending the carbs off into unneeded offset that just builds in a fault, inappropriately.
Completing a accurate and diligent bench sync avoids falling down that false rabbit hole.
For anyone trying to get out stuck jets, or frazzled jis screws when working on carbs, Knipex make both a "Cobra" type waterpump plier in ES (extra slim) model and "Twin-grip" in small size. Both of these have a "fluted" arrangement in their jaws to accept cylindrical objects, making them particularly useful for compromised components that are difficult to extract.
They are a very good on the spring fuel pipe clips that are used on more current bikes too.
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