Ebay Carb Rebuild Kits?

[Alan H]

There are several types of carbs on the 550. Hi Top and Low top separate carbs and either 3 or 4 different linked types (depending on which parts catalogue you read.
So make sure you get the correct carb/s for the year as there are jetting differences. You didn't expect this to be easy did you?

[avc8130]

There are several types of carbs on the 550. Hi Top and Low top separate carbs and either 3 or 4 different linked types (depending on which parts catalogue you read.
So make sure you get the correct carb/s for the year as there are jetting differences. You didn't expect this to be easy did you?

Oh great. LOL

How about instead I just hope the jet comes out? Haha

Then I need to figure out what jets to put in. The config will be Higgspeeds and pod filters...

ac

[Alan H]

Are the carbs linked or separate? If separate, is the threaded top about a half inch high or about an inch high?
Look on the flat near the carb top on the side facing the engine and there should be a number, 340 or 341, 11, 12 or 13 and a letter. (L=left, M=middle and R= (you guessed it) right.
If it's the outer carb, the jets will be the same as the other outer carb. The centre carb has slightly different jet sizes as it runs cooler.
Look at the jets that you have in the other carbs (don't get them mixed up FFS!) and post what info (numbers etc - not the little double square sign, that's Mikuni's ident) there is on them, and someone should be able to help.

[avc8130]

Are the carbs linked or separate? If separate, is the threaded top about a half inch high or about an inch high?
Look on the flat near the carb top on the side facing the engine and there should be a number, 340 or 341, 11, 12 or 13 and a letter. (L=left, M=middle and R= (you guessed it) right.
If it's the outer carb, the jets will be the same as the other outer carb. The centre carb has slightly different jet sizes as it runs cooler.
Look at the jets that you have in the other carbs (don't get them mixed up FFS!) and post what info (numbers etc - not the little double square sign, that's Mikuni's ident) there is on them, and someone should be able to help.

I'll take a look in the box o parts and post some pics tonight or tomorrow.

My understanding is I would be moving away from the cylinder-dependent jetting when I put the expansion chambers on...

Thanks for all of the help!

[pearljam724]

Left hand drill bits may work on occasion. But, they are more likely to spin. I've tried them. With an extractor bit you have a better chance of it biting. But both can spin because of the soft brass. Drilling and retaping doesnt seem to work often because its very difficult to drill the tips of the pilots out at the perfect depth. To remove it completely and not boring the surface beyond the tip. Sometimes you get lucky backing them out. Often not. Depending on how seized it is or getting something to bit well enough. Sometimes the threads are butchered also.

[Alan H]

Swearing loudly may or may not help but you definitely won't feel better when (not if) it breaks.

[avc8130]

I've been soaking with Kroil for 2 days now. I squirt some in when I leave in the morning and when I come back from work. I plan to tackle this at work Monday where I have a decent selection of left hand drills and extractors.

Here are some pics of the carbs:



The offending carb:



The boogered jet:



The project as a "whole":





Is she worth saving?

ac

[pearljam724]

They're always worth saving. The question should be. How much is it worth to you ? That bike is easily restorable. Depends how much you want to open your wallet, put a lot of love and time into. There's a lot of guys on here that have started with far less and the results are amazing. I feel I'm one of them. The carbs are pretty rough looking. Get to work ! Lol ! A lot of guys on here that specialize in different aspects of these bikes. We can walk you through it. I've gotten good at knowing who is good, at what. That's the person I often go to depending on what I need. Good group of guys on here. Everyone is knowledgeable in different ways and enjoy helping one another.

[Alan H]

Try 5 minutes in an ultrasonic cleaner, that might loosen the little blighter.
If you drill other than dead centre and more than about 1/8" you'll knack the carb.
Which one is it and if you look at the numbers on the carbs and quote the first 3 engine numbers we can ID the type of thing you need?

[avc8130]

Try 5 minutes in an ultrasonic cleaner, that might loosen the little blighter.
If you drill other than dead centre and more than about 1/8" you'll knack the carb.
Which one is it and if you look at the numbers on the carbs and quote the first 3 engine numbers we can ID the type of thing you need?

Boy wouldn't that be nice! LOL

Yeah, I know how critical the drilling operation has to be. I can see from looking at the other carbs there isn't much room for oops.

It is the right most carb in the pic of all of them.

ac

[pearljam724]

Properly, clean all jets and carbs. Gently clear all passages in the carb body and removed jets. Soak everything that is dismantled with the exception of rubber parts for roughly 24-48 hrs. Soak your troubled pilot still installed in the carb. It may not cause problems. If it does, you'll know that you have to take other removal measures or buy that cylinders carb.

[Coyote]

I got mine out with a #0 ez-out. Measure the extractor about 1/8" from the tip and drill it that size. Drill it as shallow as possible and still get a bite. Don't buy a chinese made extractor. They are too brittle and will snap off - leaving you with an impossible to fix mess. Carb is then scrap unless you know a shop that does EDM machining.

[avc8130]

Properly, clean all jets and carbs. Gently clear all passages in the carb body and removed jets. Soak everything that is dismantled with the exception of rubber parts for roughly 24-48 hrs. Soak your troubled pilot still installed in the carb. It may not cause problems. If it does, you'll know that you have to take other removal measures or buy that cylinders carb.

This pilot can't live in there. It's way too messed up. It's gotta come out.

I'm going to try to use a reverse drill bit. Worst case it makes the hole for the extractor which is the next step.

ac

[pearljam724]

How can an extractor be any more brittle than an EZ out or left handed bit ? All three would require the same diameter. Im talking about an extractor bit that has 2 blades at the tip that allows a good bite. All 3 can and have worked, all 3 can and have failed. What ever you choose. If it spins once you're screwed. Because when you up the next size. It starts creating too much pressure between the next size diameter bit and the little distance left to meet the threads. Damn, I knew I should have taken a picture with my pilot removed at the tip of my extractor bit.

[avc8130]

. All 3 can and have worked, all 3 can and have failed. What ever you choose. If it spins once you're screwed.

Ain't that the truth! Once the straight blade screwdriver failed as the original engineer intended all bets are off.

ac