'74 CB550 carb 'gurgling'

Mountain Dew · October 18th, 2011, 07:27 PM

When I first got this bike, the carbs were so dirty that it wouldn't run except on full choke, and wouldn't run without constant throttle and full choke while cold. But it ran.

Over the weekend, I cleaned and rebuilt the carbs. Right now I'm running open headers until my new exhaust comes in, and pod filters. After reassembling the bike, it wouldn't start, and I could hear gurgling in the carbs. After a few tries, it ran for a second, but sounded like a bubble machine.

The carbs are on stock jets, and stock a/f screw height. I've tried with the floats at stock height, and at the height I got the bike at (about 32mm). With the stock height it just dumped the fuel on the ground after a few kicks.

The electrics work, but I think the battery might be almost dead or underfilled. Could that be a factor?

Alex · October 27th, 2011, 09:09 PM

Funny.

I looked up "carb gurgling" to try and find some good references for you, and the first hit is the same post you made on the sohc4 site. Looks like they helped out a bit, is the bike running yet?

Mountain Dew · October 28th, 2011, 11:02 AM

Well, when I tried googling it, I came up with stomach gurgling from something about carbohydrates.

While their information was helpful, it wasn't quite helpful to me. Because when I said "open headers," I really meant "no headers." After putting my exhaust on, I found that it stopped gurgling when trying to kick it.

The bike still isn't running yet. Main reason is I lost the one key for it, mere hours before I planned on getting it copied. Since I don't have the key, I can't remove the tank to replace the fuel lines or adjust the valves. So HOPEFULLY it'll be running by this weekend (ordered a set of NOS keys and they shipped Monday).

nickjpass · March 10th, 2012, 10:09 PM

Do you have pictures? Is it running yet?

leed · March 12th, 2012, 07:24 PM

Hmm.. Check your lines? When my vacuum lines are leaking they sound funny.

Klondike1020 · March 13th, 2012, 05:32 AM

I believe you have vacuum actuated carbs in that bike ? Defiantly check the vacuum lines and seals .
Also check the intake boots for leaking and seal

October 18th, 2011, 07:27 PM	#1
Mountain Dew Ambrosia. Name: Jaymie Location: Oahu, Hawaii Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1974 Honda CB550K0 W.I.P. Posts: A lot.	'74 CB550 carb 'gurgling' When I first got this bike, the carbs were so dirty that it wouldn't run except on full choke, and wouldn't run without constant throttle and full choke while cold. But it ran. Over the weekend, I cleaned and rebuilt the carbs. Right now I'm running open headers until my new exhaust comes in, and pod filters. After reassembling the bike, it wouldn't start, and I could hear gurgling in the carbs. After a few tries, it ran for a second, but sounded like a bubble machine. The carbs are on stock jets, and stock a/f screw height. I've tried with the floats at stock height, and at the height I got the bike at (about 32mm). With the stock height it just dumped the fuel on the ground after a few kicks. The electrics work, but I think the battery might be almost dead or underfilled. Could that be a factor? __________________________________________________ Life's better on the Mountain.

October 27th, 2011, 09:09 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Funny. I looked up "carb gurgling" to try and find some good references for you, and the first hit is the same post you made on the sohc4 site. Looks like they helped out a bit, is the bike running yet? __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

October 28th, 2011, 11:02 AM	#3
Mountain Dew Ambrosia. Name: Jaymie Location: Oahu, Hawaii Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1974 Honda CB550K0 W.I.P. Posts: A lot.	Well, when I tried googling it, I came up with stomach gurgling from something about carbohydrates. While their information was helpful, it wasn't quite helpful to me. Because when I said "open headers," I really meant "no headers." After putting my exhaust on, I found that it stopped gurgling when trying to kick it. The bike still isn't running yet. Main reason is I lost the one key for it, mere hours before I planned on getting it copied. Since I don't have the key, I can't remove the tank to replace the fuel lines or adjust the valves. So HOPEFULLY it'll be running by this weekend (ordered a set of NOS keys and they shipped Monday). __________________________________________________ Life's better on the Mountain.

March 10th, 2012, 10:09 PM	#4
nickjpass #squid Name: nickypoo Location: Five Guys Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Track dedicated 2008 ZX6R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jul '16	Do you have pictures? Is it running yet? __________________________________________________

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March 12th, 2012, 07:24 PM	#5
leed ninjette.org sage Name: David Location: Loves Park, IL Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): Time will tell Posts: 969	Hmm.. Check your lines? When my vacuum lines are leaking they sound funny.

March 13th, 2012, 05:32 AM	#6
Klondike1020 Intrepid Adventurer Name: Josh Location: Rochester/Buffalo NY Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 GSXR 750 , 71 cb350streettracker, 07 Polaris Predator 500 Posts: A lot.	I believe you have vacuum actuated carbs in that bike ? Defiantly check the vacuum lines and seals . Also check the intake boots for leaking and seal