Mikuni Flat Slides on a GT550

[prfry]

Howdy all,
I finally am getting around to pulling the engine out of my new/old project - a 1974 GT550L. It will be a couple of months before the engine work is done, so I thought I'd start doing some research on external bits - like the carbs and such. I looked in the old posts, and only found flat slides mentioned a couple of times, and not on GT550s. I know that Chris has had good luck w/rejetting the stock carbs on his RED wonder. But I'm thinking that for the money required to get boots and bellows and kits, etc. I will be a nice chunk of the way towards a set of the 28mm TM Mikunis. Oh, I have a set of J&R chambers I want to use, there is no airbox - so K&N's or Uni's. Maybe a Boyer or Newtronic ignition as funds permit.
What are your thoughts - any experiences either way? Thanks, Paul

[tz375]

How about 28mm OKO which are a Taiwanese copy of keihin flatslides are are generally available for about $70 each.

[prfry]

Well - as I have never heard of them I will have to google them to see what I find. $70 each does sound good, though - as the Mikuni's are running about $140 each. I toyed with the idea of Keihin's or Lectron's until I did the math - ouch. Okay, noe off to search-up OKO carb! Thanks, Paul

[prfry]

Well, I did some research, and as most you probably know the OKO carbs are Taiwanese copies of the Keihin PWK. Except that they're substantially less expensive, and come in some different bore sizes. Apparently the OKO carbs can use PWK jets & needles, and are quite popular in Asia on mopeds & scooters. I called Sudco to get their opinion of the PWK vs the TM Mikuni. Their opinion was mixed, but substantially in favor of the PWK. In order to better evaluate the OKO I have bid and one on an auction for a 30mm OKO on ebay, and should have it soon. I'll post some pics then. I am still interested in other advice/opinions on different carb options. Thanks again.