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CB550 K3 First thoughts - First Ride - Carb Issue?

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matthewmosse:
I ended up falling out with my k3 carb and engine combo with K&N filters on, the starting issues drove me nuts - worse in sub zero and snow so might not be such an issue for most users. Redex in the fuel inproves the overflow issue most of the time. tapping the float bowl with the handle of a srewdriver also often helps and can be quicker than pulling the carbs. As has been said, k3's are jetted to run on the lean side and give better economy but mine were never good at starting compared to my 500/4 which always fired up if you even looked at the starter button. I'd go with the easy carb fixes, take a ride then look at those plugs again. Always worth giving a service and new plugs and possibly plug caps - the plug caps have been the issue on about 7 breakdowns on my bikes (all 3 of the bikes in regular use have had the caps fail) in the last 5 years and I now carry wd40 in my toolkit to drive damp out and keep the bike running until nee plug caps arrive.

hunterso:
Hi

Just thought i would add a little update about this.

I decided to pull the carbs in the end and have a look around.

Initial findings where

3 x 90 main jets and 1 x 95  ::)
Different Float levels for each carb
Idle mixture screw tips - 2 ok, 1 bent and 1 that looked like it had been ground down from a larger screw
Found 2 of the mixture screw holes also each had one extra o-ring in there where some eejyt had failed to remove them before installing the  dodgy screws.

One of the float valves appears to be a little shorter than the others
One of the float hinges appears to be the wrong size as it is a really tight fit in the  mount - luckily managed to remove it without damage.

Good news is all the passages appear clear and unmarked

The slow jet has already been changed to a 42 but i also have 40's as spares

I have ordered new 110 and 115 mains as i am running pods and a 4-1 pipe
New float valves ordered too

I have also bought a complete new (used) set of carbs - so hopefully a will be able to make up one good set from the 2
and have plenty of spares for any future mishaps

I recall the chap i bought it from telling how he had spent hours setting up the carbs -

Yes it must have taken ages to bodge them so much - d**khead  ::)

Not getting a lot of time to look at this but i'm in no rush and i'm enjoying the tinkering

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