550 only runs with spray bottle into carbs

[Guest]

Hello-

I'm working on a new to me 82 550L. I bought it non running, and can only get it to start using a plastic spray bottle into each carb. I took the rack off, disassembled and cleaned them all. Cleaned in an ultrasonic machine. I put them back together, new orings and a bench synch. I did have to change pilot, main, air and needle valves back to factory #'s. Any idea what to look at as to why it won't fire up? I do have gas in float bowls.

Thanks
Chuck

[Nessism]

Did you follow the carb rebuild tutorial to the letter? (linked in my signature)

Is the airbox installed and is the bike stock?

[Chuck Fryer]

I didn't follow the tutorial, but I will read it. As far as I know it is stock, with airbox still on bench.

[hillsy]

Maybe it's because you dont have the airbox connected.

[Chuck Fryer]

I think it should start without the airbox.

[hillsy]

Put your hand over the backs of one or two of the carbs and see if it fires up. If it does, then it needs the airbox installed.

[Cipher]

hahahahahahahahahah
install the airbox
you are in an uber lean condition without it

[Chuck Fryer]

I'm not sure I understand your laugh. I had a 79 Yamaha xs750 that used 3 of these cv carbs. It would start run & idle without airbox

[Cipher]

im sure it did. Just think refusal to consider a valid opinion offered as a result of a question you asked is hillarious.
Try the airbox how painful could it be.

[Chuck Fryer]

I was not trying to be and don't think I was being disrespectful. I am just trying to get it running before I spend more money. I am here because I don't know all there is to know about these machines. Now, the airbox....the reason it is not in is simple, it does not fit my carb rack. The spacing between #2 & #$ carb s is wider on my carbs than the spacing on the airbox. So, I will need a different box or build a custom plate to mate the two. Thanks for the hand over the inlet suggestion, that was helpful.

[Cipher]

not sure how vacuum impacts the airbox and filter and metering of fuel. Theres a few articles and posts on here admonishing folks and insisting on box and filter. I know mune wont run without it.

A 750 is 250 ccs volume per jug a 550 far less.

Youve already proven it runs with a spray

[hillsy]

I had an FZ250 (4 cyl) that would not want to start without the airbox. The thing was, you had to have the airbox off to get to the carbs to sync them.

I had to cover up the inlets to coax fuel into the cylinders. It would run after that but would not start with the airbox off.

[Nessism]

I was not trying to be and don't think I was being disrespectful. I am just trying to get it running before I spend more money. I am here because I don't know all there is to know about these machines. Now, the airbox....the reason it is not in is simple, it does not fit my carb rack. The spacing between #2 & #$ carb s is wider on my carbs than the spacing on the airbox. So, I will need a different box or build a custom plate to mate the two. Thanks for the hand over the inlet suggestion, that was helpful.

Are you using non stock carbs? Why doesn't the airbox fit?

[Chuck Fryer]

Well.... I'm trying. It came with a set that had frozen pilot jets. I bought a nice set off eBay, but they are spaced slightly wider, only about 1/4", and they were jetted way fat.

[Nessism]

No such thing as 550 carbs with different spacing. You got something else. That's likely part of the problem. Getting out stripped jets is doable.