Carburetor Tuning For Pod Filters and Exhaust : CB550

►► Join my FREE maintenance course to achieve quality service and maintenance practices for your motorcycle → www.themotorcyclemd.com/free-...
Carburetor tuning can be an endlessly confusing and tricky topic to conquer. Especially when you modify your bike to fit your style.
If you are into the custom side of motorcycles. Where cutting, chopping, and deleting what the bike came with to make it your own.
Knowing what you will need to do to the carburetors to help the bike perform like it should needs to be your TOP PRIORITY.
Otherwise, you have done nothing but make a bike that is completely un-rideable.
AKA "the craigslist bike".
Check out this weeks video as we nail down the huge topic of pod filter carb tuning and bolt on exhaust upgrades and what you need to do to the carburetor's ability to keep up with the changes.
If you are looking for jets and orher various carb part needs check out JetsRus.com
Need some more help with your bike?
Check out the INNER CIRCLE and join the community
www.themotorcyclemd.com/mcmd-...
Is your bike running like crap? Need Carburetor teardown and cleaning videos?
www.themotorcyclemd.com/premi...
Support Motorcycle MD and pick up the NEWEST Shirt design and patches. Artwork and printing all locally done!
themotorcyclemd.com/shop/

[@caseyhanas3311]

Possibly one of the best diagrams I've seen, with a solid explanation to back it! Well done sir! I've seen a lot of videos, but this one really helped solidify my understanding. A MUST WATCH FOR ANY BEGINNER!

[@charleswheeler9895]

Dude... that was life altering..! Seriously, well done. If a little is good and more is better, then too much has just gotta be enuff. You've reminded me of why I'm uncorking my 1400 Intruder in the first place. Peace...

[@patrickbeuckels3860]

My friend, you're a lifesaver. This is the best explanation I've ever found on the internet. Thank you !

[@michaelanderson3771]

Cody, this is brilliant. Best explained I have seen for a long time.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Thank you for that compliment man!

[@adamsoehner5977]

I can work with that. Big jumps idea is a mind blower

[@eastcoastzoomie1952]

Great topic, really like the throttle chart! Totally makes sense!

[@JamesMBaima]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, I've been able to keep my bike and my girls bike running with minor and major repairs. Really like what your doing with teaching to teach one's self riteon bro

[@canadianclassics]

Thanks for this video very informative building my cafe racer (81 cb750) and this has saved me hours

[@fitzstermoto]

This was absolute GOLD!!! Thank you so much for putting all this excellent information together. I will say I definitely have a good understanding of the various mixture settings and how they interact across the spectrum but I didn't realize it was that drastic as well as how big you went with the new jets but it all definitely makes sense! Thank you again and this was a phenomenal video!!!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Thanks man! Glad it made sense! 👌🏻👌🏻

[@quinnadamarczuk2525]

You make great videos.. Mr M.D ... always appreciate your true and detailed information...!. Your awenisty is the best!. Thanks man!

[@jeffwest6691]

Thanks Cody. I've spent hours and hours trying to wrap my head around this topic and this is the best and easiest to understand explanation I've seen.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Glad it helped!!!

[@JEC606]

Thanks a lot man!!! I’ve been trying to get my Honda vt500 to run with pods ( and I’ve turbocharged it ) the big steps thing really helped me out. As I was screwing around with jets a couple sizes bigger and never got any result, now I got a new jet 25 sizes up and it immediately started to rev like crazy and then the fine tuning becomes easy. Again thanks 🙏🏻

[@josiahdyrud1016]

Quality content, great video. Thanks Cody.

[@PatrickBMusic-sf2hu]

Thank you Very much for an awesome, easy to understand video on a tricky topic!

[@mikegermain7033]

Great video Cody!

[@robertadams4415]

Thanks for the info can't wait for the next video

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

👌🏻👌🏻

[@jspencer442]

This is a great straight forward layout. I have always had an idea how the carb system works but this put it in layman's words. GOOD JOB!

[@slameri164]

Hey Cody you hit the nail right on the head when you say don't call me and ask me what kind of jets I would put in your bike figured out for yourself that's the way to learn that you said that a couple days ago to me and light bulb went off and I just said you know f it I'm going to get out my drill bits I'm going to bore out my jets in my carbs so I remembered what you said about and I'm aware that you could slaughter your jets if you go to big so I bumped them up the main and the starter Jets I bumped them up around 4 mm a piece from the their original size now keep in mind I ordered parts and he sent me the wrong parts when I clean my carbs out and redid them I discovered when I took him out for the third time that the seat for the needle in the float was 1.2 mm my original one that I took out was 2.2 mm so they sent me another set of 4 grass seed valves or whatever you call him for the floats but they sent me once it would pour out the 2.5 so I'm like shit I put them back on the bike in the bike was running way too rich anyway long story longer I took your advice and I put pods just use my head and watch a lot of videos and after watching your show a couple times at since you know what he's right you just got to do drastic changes well it turns out my my pilot screws were way out of whack I went in Injustice him again and I think my carburetors I got to sync it and now I got the bike run in Tip-Top I took off all the pollution and now I'm in the process of removing the canister and all that bullshit underneath the seat is this pipe was from California 2002 Suzuki bandit 1200 and I think I got her also change the petcock and did the vows and all that shit and so far so goodjust wanted to say thanks for your help I've been watching you for about 6 months now think I watched every video you've made on carburetors LOL sorry about this long went to text I'm dyslexic so I can't even go in and proofread this I'm just talking into my phone and he who had they not sent me the wrong parts of it and never learned about carburetors I learned so much and a lot of us from you in a lot of us from making mistakes and that kind of stuff and that's how you learn because I am a mechanical engineer and kind of anal about stuff but lesson learned tell anybody out there that they they're doing carburetor work and they're ordering parts make sure they look at their model number of their bike very carefully and the words from is it the emissions and all that shit because it all matters especially on a bandit 1200s gsf1200s bandit and it's totally different carb set up from my 2000 bandit totally totally different and mines from California they keep saying oh yeah that work on your bike and had to send them pictures of the parts from the needle seat valve in the float and you can see the difference with the naked eye in it measured it perfectly with the micrometer and all that bullshit when they finally sent me those pieces they were wrong I'm like you know what I'm not going to deal with this I'll make my own all drove my own or whatever I got to do and that's what I did for the Jets cuz I was going to go through that with the Jets buying 100 pairs of jets I'm very grateful to your shows I know you know exactly what you're talkin about another guy watch I just want to say that I appreciate your knowledge in your directness you don't put up with any bulshit just get out there and do it yourself listen to what I'm telling you and do it yourself cuz everybody's carb so different and everybody listen a different area and everybody rides a different way may I drive like an idiot so I got to have everything a lot of juice LOL alright man if you read this I feel sorry for you sorry it's so long but like I said I'm dyslexic and I'm retired now so I'm working on my sports cards and I got two bandits into Kawasaki 1400 the 2000 I think I'm going to make it to I know it's a little big but those bandits remind me of giant dirt bikes on the street by the way they handled it just I don't know I liked I love the way they anyway if you read this I feel sorry for you if anybody out there has any banded issues with carby's feel free to forward this information thanks man have a nice Fourth of July my name is Sam from Pennsylvania

[@slameri164]

Show that long Brigham enroll at there was just to let you know that you taught me to analyze my own carts and I figured out what the problem was that there's knuckleheads sent me the wrong size needle seat valve for my float I tried everything everything finally I finally looked at never looked at the whole but you can see but had discovered that in the beginning I never would have learned about cars so I'm like I said I got three more bikes and motorbikes and 22 of them need carburetor works right up my alley now thanks again man

[@chadsmith2530]

You're amazing I've been fighting this for year. Cb650sc perfect advice

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Your welcome!!

[@davidfletcher4016]

What year? I have an 82 cb650 that is missing an air box. I know it runs I’ve heard it fire up for a bit lol.

[@desertroad4378]

What a great video, sure put me on the right track to sort my old Suzuki Goose after I put a pod filter on. It had a very lazy mid range, but Idle and flat out was ok.. If someone else hasn't pointed it out though, I did do a double look at your spelling of Height on the whiteboard, very amusing. Keep up the great helpful tips, awesome.

[@Lonnie-bb5ok]

Good carb man , good explanation of the whole story👍

[@vancezx11]

Would have never thought to make such large jumps, always went like 2 sizes at a time. No wonder it never worked right. Thanks for the video!

[@waynedelapeyre3994]

Thanks for a great video. HUGE HELP ON MY 1978 CB400T. REGARDS, WAYNE FROM S.A.

[@solohobomoto8061]

Good video man.

[@45calGunslinger]

Ayy, nice to hear TJBC called out! His jet kit for open pipes and velocity stacks does exactly what you recommended; small nudge in slow jet that can be tweaked with the idle mix screw, shim the needle, and a BIG step up on the main jet.

[@josephferris6936]

Love all your videos awseome... good job

[@VogterViking]

Thanks for this video. I learned a lot!

[@magdump7380]

Just did this to my V Star 1100. K&N pod filters, 20 pilots, 145 mains, added one shim under the needles, about 2.5 turns out, disabled AIS, drilled stock exhaust. Runs awesome.🤘

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Nice!!

[@1234567marks]

Here’s something I did on my Honda 750 SOHC, I converted the bike to look like a 1960’s Honda race bike, at this time I fitted cone pod filters to the original PD carbs, but it had a small flat spot and also struggled to maintain a steady cruising speed, I reasoned that Honda fitted the plastic velocity stacks in the original air box for a reason!!, so I removed them from the old air box and grafted the pod filters onto the Honda stacks, it worked like a dream, flat spot gone and no surging when trying to maintain a steady cruising speed on the road, the only issue I then had was a little too much popping when closing the throttle at low speeds, I went up a size on the primary jets and it’s now spot on, plug colour is great and the engine pulls well and smooth throughout the Rev range, I believe that pod filters in some applications can cause a turbulent airflow into the carb which messes with the Venturi effect, the velocity stacks smooth the airflow into the carb. Hope this helps someone 👍 PS here it is on the Dyno, you can see the pods/stacks for a split second 🙂 Please ignore the front mudguard I’d strapped it on temporarily to get to the Dyno on a rainy day! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqvcoWZ3ZrmEeLs

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Just wanted to jump in and say this is a really solid video. I get this question often and it's dang near impossible to answer without spending an hour talking lol. From now on I'm sending everyone to this video when they ask. Again, great video Cody!

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

That really means a lot man, thanks for sharing this when you can. I know many builders get asked just as much as me. When I get tired of answering a question. I make a video 😂 🤙🏻 cheers!

[@BikeWorkz1991]

This is super helpfull! Thank you

[@Rickd-jh7iw]

Good information. I'd add 2 comments. 1. The main jet can affect the entire throttle range. On some (most?) designs the needle slides down into the main jet, so a bigger main with the same needle/needle position will allow more fuel at all throttle positions, so you must get the main jet close as the first step. 2. Somewhat counter-intuitively, you may even have to go smaller on the pilot jets than stock. More airflow thru the system can create a lower pressure thru the venturi, which will draw more fuel thru the same pilot jet compared to stock. As you state, every bike is different, and you have to give the motor what it wants, no what you think it needs.

[@koldkustard]

Found this vid very helpful for tuning my bike jets

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@koldkustard]

Yeah on m6 sv650, I swapped the mains from 137.5, tried 150 but needed more so got 170s in now, and changed my idles from 17.5 to 40, and turned idle screw in a bit, lifted my needles 1 notch 😊

[@Colormanify]

Helps a lot

[@neophobiagarage1845]

👍brilliant tutorial 👍

[@jrich240h]

Thanks Cody! You da man!

[@nigelmarshall2139]

Brilliant! , thankyou I was nieve to how much the mixture screw carried through to half throttle ,cheers 🏁

[@louiswillemse7147]

Thank you Cody. South African petrol head here. Have been down those rabbit holes a million times over. Awesome guidance! SA does not have the resources you guys have over in the states. Very jealous. I will be checking out your course. Just moved to the UK. Hopefully my first honda build won't be to far off.

[@MrFacproductions]

Congrats on your move to the UK, I'm over Leeds, building my Honda Cg brazil 91 scrambler if your near?

[@LordNocholas]

Thank you so much for this

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@bob4bob3bob2bob]

Thank you. Again.

[@colinculverwell325]

Some great advice Cody. One of the best, change one thing at a time! Always amazes me how people want to know what others are running. My answer is you need to give it what it needs not what I have. I've seen some stupid hacks out there like putting tape on the inside of pods to restrict air flow so it runs right. If pods are fitted as a performance mod then doesn't this kind of defeat the object? I love my two strokes and have a three cylinder RD Yamaha that I built. Mild porting on aircooled 350B cylinders, compression and squish mods to the heads, pod filters, expansion exhausts. That took some carb set up. Now runs nice but have changed most of the jets including the air jet, changed the slides and put the pods on extended intakes. Was a lot of work but I learned loads getting there. I often cringe at some of the 'how to' videos on you tube but you have a great channel. Nice to see someone that knows what they are doing rather than recycling urban myths.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Thanks man!! What you described sounds like it would have been A LOT of trial and error till it ran right. 😅😅

[@colinculverwell325]

@@TheMotorcycleMD Tell me about it!

[@timkis64]

no doubt it can be tricky.i've been rebuilding holleys & carters successfully for 40 years.but rebuilding & upjetting, tuning 4 kehins on a magna & getting it right was more difficult than any auto 4 bbl i ever set up before.just getting the carbs off a magna is a pain in the ass.but i got it going better than ever.you can really tell how lean they are from the factory by just going up 1 or 2 sizes on mains & pilots & 1 shim.wakes them up nicely.setting the floats perfectly was also a pain in the ass.the whole job was time consuming.im happy i did it.

[@jimkoney4200]

Good video. I didn't know the jets overlapped.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Glad it made sense!

[@danleuca7290]

I have to said just 1 think congratulations 🎉

[@carolynndimmer7044]

Hey I’m running these carbs on my bike 😂 ....just kidding , loved the video , love your site and tech tips ,thanks gonna make my mods way easier

[@sthildas4857]

Idle 38 move to 44 Main 100 move to 125

[@calvinhamm3748]

Epic!

[@benderbender1233]

colorado here! ✌ eye gotta 73 cb350f dat eye gotta get runnin.

[@tomek860]

Great vid 👍👍One question? Have you ever used a wide band oxygen sensor to adjust air screw ?

[@davidbeaver39]

WOW CODY, I WOULD LOVE TO SIT IN A BAR HAVING A BEER AND JUST LISTEN TO YOU TALK ABOUT BIKES. ALTHOUGH YOU WOULD HAVE TO GO SLOW BECAUSE ALL THAT KNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE MIGHT MAKE MY HEAD EXPLODE, HAHAHA!!!! SERIOUSLY THOUGH AWESOME VIDEO. I GET NOW AFTER 10 PLUS YEARS OF WRENCHING ON POWERSPORTS EQUIPMENT WHY YOU KNOW SO FRIGGIN MUCH. MAN IT MUST FEEL AWESOME TO BE THAT CONFIDENT THAT NO MATTER WHAT SOMEONE PUTS IN FRONT OF YOU ITS NO PROBLEM TO WORK ON THE WHATEVER IT IS. THAT HAS TO BE A COOL FEELING. I FIRMLY BELIEVE SINCE WATCHING YOUR VIDEOS MY BIKE IQ HAS GROWN IMMENSELY, NO DOUBT. THANKS, SO MUCH FOR SHARING THAT GOLDMINE ON TOP OF YOUR SHOULDERS WITH US REGULAR WRENCHERS. BELIEVE ME IT HAS REALLY MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN MY CONFIDENCE TO JUST GO OUT TO MY GARAGE AND START TEARING THINGS APART. BECAUSE EVEN IF I GET STUCK AND SCREW THE POOCH, I KNOW YOU HAVE A VIDEO THAT WILL SAVE MY ASS. THANKS FOR ALL THE AMAZING KNOWLEDGE DROPS.

[@rasputinscokehabit]

facedesk* where was this video a year ago when i tore the breadbox out of a gl1200 i was streetfighter-ing.. it wouldve saved me so much time 😭

[@princeonye8388]

Hello, I just came across your channel, and I decided to subscribe, lovely videos, please my Kawasaki EX250 is having some issues. Overheating, battery not charging well, do you have any videos on that.

[@crazyDIYguy]

I thought my 82 cb750 was quick but then I switched to an 01 Yamaha yzf600 and the 750 seemed pitiful. It's crazy how super sports perform at lower displacement.

[@itfc3]

great video. what order would you do it in. idle. then main. then needle height. then fuel screw. or would you do one and play with the fuel screw after each.

[@bertrandrussell2549]

Hello , great video👍💪 . is deceleration popping can be eliminated with fuel screw/pilot/idle jet?

[@georgeszilva1223]

Measure vacuum and back pressures prior to mods,..adjust your mods to reflect those values...just thinking

[@user-rk1ol1og3z]

Hi! Great video! Where you can find this jets ? No link in description 😢

[@The9meister]

The first thing you must get right first, float level, too high of level will make carb rich, too low float level will make it lean, then needle, then calculate pods, exhaust, modifications, then pilot jet, and main jet, that would be the order I approach carbies.

[@charlie_sin_mag]

Can you forsee any problems with using 1 or 2 large air filters (think big sucker or heavy breather) across an inline 4? Either 1 filter for all 4 or 1 filter for 2 carbs and another for the other 2

[@Jaysqualityparts]

I have 7 CB550Four Cb500four and I’ve always been able to get great results with the air box.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

As you should in a stock system!

[@jamesa6272]

Thanks Cody. I just bought vm30 carbs with jetting set from the seller. I had to up the main jet from 165 to 175. Pilot from 25 to 27.5 I’m about 1-1/4 turn on the air screws. 5th position from needle from being fully raised . I finally got the bike to perform well but Judging from the spark plugs the outside threads are black/ rich. No color on the white porcelain. It’s just white and the strap is gray. I get back firing every now and then from the pod air filters when revving at idle. I don’t think I have any vacuum leaks. It’s driving me nuts because the bike performs good but judging from the plugs and backfire it may be running lean and I don’t want to burn up the engine. Not sure if I’m just overthinking it and just ride the damn bike or if I am running lean. From the smell and the smell of my clothes it’s rich but why am I backfiring through the carb and why is the spark plugs basically clean Ugh!

[@bc-mr1si]

hi .did you ever get your problem fixed🤔I had problems similar to u.i messed about with the float heights and got it right solved the backfire.

[@jamesa6272]

@@bc-mr1si no I tried everything. I put the stock carbs back on and it runs great

[@bc-mr1si]

@jamesa6272 must have been a nightmare for u 😬atleast u have it running. the bike I bought was a bloody nightmare. carbs on carbs off .but getting there now.

[@jamesa6272]

@@bc-mr1si I spent the whole damn summer jetting it. I used the ufo’s and then without them. Never got it right. Spent about $100 in pilot and main jets. Got tired of it running like garbage and stalling when stoping. I put the stock carbs back on after taking them all apart and cleaning them in a ultra sonic cleaner. Runs great now. I really think there was something wrong with one or both of the mikunis

[@bc-mr1si]

@jamesa6272 jeez .I bet u were off your head with it 😃I'm about off my head with mine. but I'm getting there and will keep going till its right .

[@jamiestanley8774]

Hi cody . What damage can a massive backfire do on a k5 750/4 . It won't start and have good spark to all cyclinders

[@edavis6077]

Thinking of doing a two-carb conversion on my '76 550 four. looking at Mikuni kits with pods. Is this a bad idea?

[@johnwdavisjr]

I watch a lot of your videos, my 75 cb550k1 has stock airbox and 4 into 2. All stock jets and settings. I was thinking of getting 4 into 1 with baffles. Would that justify any changes inside the carbs? I dont know if that is enough to affect jet sizes. Thanks!

[@barcusful]

Do you have any videos on xj700 maximx?

[@offspringrocks08]

I've been told that turning the air/fuel mixture screw out more than 3 turns automatically means you need a new pilot and main jet... What's your rule of thumb? Some others suggested not much more than 2 to 2 1/2 turns to avoid it from vibrating loose and falling out.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

That is a safe mindset. Anything over 3.5 turns out you’re really pressing your luck.

[@daveco1270]

Great video. Would a 4 into 2 exhaust without baffles be considered an open exhaust? Or is an open exhaust referring to drag pipes or straight pipes?

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Without baffles, I would consider that open exhaust.

[@zimba599]

Will increasing the size of the piston after a cylinder grinding also affect the carb settings?

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Not unless it’s drastic!

[@farmerdude3578]

I know you said no questions. But I can’t help myself. Got a cb500f. Runs like a champ, but rite off idle its got a little dead spot. What is causing this?

[@jirocastillo6895]

Thanks for the advice cody! Im from the Philippines by the way. Do you have any idea what particular turns on the AFR are used on the honda hornet 250? AND THE MAIN jet used

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

I don’t sorry!

[@jirocastillo6895]

Thanks cody!

[@jaggerbare6018]

I’m not sure what’s going on but am hoping you can help. My 78 cb550 is smoking at idle but once I get on the throttle it stops smoking. It does it when cold or hot. Any ideas?

[@HexCoDesings]

Needs new piston rings ??

[@motorhead3153]

When fitting a pod wouldn't you be able to just turn up the fuel with the stock jet to make it richer? Why does it need a re jet ?

[@jazeem1351]

Can anyone tell me why deceleration pop occurs

[@zimba599]

The website where we can buy needles ??

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Look in description!

[@MastaKeahi]

I didn’t want to do pod filters but my air box is too old and rusted and for some reason with how it’s mounted it’s putting weird forces on the carb and causing the intake boots to rip and I don’t want to deal with it anymore.

[@stillben]

what was the outcome?

[@MastaKeahi]

@@stillben I basically had to put the air box back on to get the support the carb needed

[@stillben]

If I could get an airbox that's what I would do too. Best to be riding.

[@electriciantm9142]

Nobody gives any information about power jet screw on top of the carburetor coming from low pressure tube (from the fuel bowl) in pwk style carb...

[@user-iw7ry8ei6t]

👊🏽

[@jerrybigrig9475]

👍😎👍

[@bretsimpson8046]

*scrolls down to ask about what to put on my bike* *hears not to do that* *scrolls back up*

[@yveslegrand9826]

Very first step : have clean carbs and check level...

[@stillben]

i am hoping i can get away with it by lowest clipping my needle and cranking the air mix in almost all the way.

[@matthewgodfrey9025]

Hello, Thank you so so much for such an informative and in depth video, really is helping me understand the proper way to tune carbs. I just have one question/problem im running into and your incite would be amazing. Is it possible for a bike to run richer when installing a free flowing exhaust (4 into 1) and pod filters/velocity stacks? I'm trying to tune these CB400F carbs and it just seems like its always too rich and fouls plugs. Is there a direction apart from the Carbs for me to be looking in, Valve clearances, Timing , Compression/leak test , Plugs , Coils and wires all seem to be connect.

[@MaaZeus]

Installing a free flowing exhaust and better breathing intake should always shift the balance towards lean. You are introducing more air into the system, not fuel. Are the floats set correctly? Too high fuel level inside the carbs I mean, or in worst case scenario are the carbs flooding from a leaking float needle?

[@jimclarke1108]

Rocket science sounds a bit easier to me

[@stillben]

rocket scientists are not all that these days

[@robstuckey]

so in summary just play with everything until you get it right

[@Tigerfire75]

Would putting pod filters on the end of the exhaust make it pollute less? 🤔

[@niconine268]

Cool bro. Top top video.

[@garygruber1452]

the word 'height' is misspelled on your diagram.

[@michaelhayes6718]

I understood from start to finish,great job and made sense and when you said that you documented what you did and how much I knew I could trust you. WELL DONE (KZ1RULES)