PITA TK 22 - 1982 550 LTD

Hi everyone.
I have a TK 22 carb off my 82 550 LTD that has a plug pilot circuit. It is plugged somewhere between where it meets the throat and the jet. I have tried alot of carb cleaner, air, torch tip cleaner and many, many (trust me) many cuss words.

I gave up and brought it to a local shop that does good work. He soaked them overnight and thought he got it out. Needless to say I returned them later that day and he soaked them again for almost 2 weeks now. I just called him and he said he thinks he's got it clear. (I'm curious to see what he means by "thinks")

I asked him about alternatives to getting this thing cleared out. I have a couple ideas of trying to use some copper wire or a nylon bristle, but he said he has already drilled a small hole in the passage (from inside the carb float body part) and used that new hole to get a wire through there to unplug it. he said he then epoxy, welds or crams a ball bearing in the hole to plug it. Is this something anyone has done before? I'm thinking I might try it because I'm about ready to buy a parts set on ebay and say the heck with this one.

apbling wrote:

he said he has already drilled a small hole in the passage (from inside the carb float body part) and used that new hole to get a wire through there to unplug it. he said he then epoxy, welds or crams a ball bearing in the hole to plug it.

:woohoo: :blink:

Never heard of these:

CARB CLEANER WIRE SET

They work fantastic...

The drilling and poking thing works, but really isnt necessary. Even a bristle from a tall stainless steel brush will do the same.

GL!



PS. You'll KNOW you have it clear when you spray cleaner thru the pilot and watch it squirt out all the passages into the bore, just like the other carbs.

Thanks, and yes I have one of those. Mines actually a torch tip cleaner, but I think its the same?

AND, I would use it, but it would need to be about 6 inches longer and be able to navigate 2 90 deg turns once in there. The pilot shoots into the carb throat right smack dead center, right by the main needle and there is no way to get anything long enough down there. I will try these other methods though once I pick it up Saturday.

apbling wrote:

Thanks, and yes I have one of those. Mines actually a torch tip cleaner, but I think its the same?

AND, I would use it, but it would need to be about 6 inches longer and be able to navigate 2 90 deg turns once in there. The pilot shoots into the carb throat right smack dead center, right by the main needle and there is no way to get anything long enough down there. I will try these other methods though once I pick it up Saturday.

Ah... I see. This can be quite frustrating.

The piece of stainless bristle ahs worked for me in those cases. Use forcepts to hold the bristle and poke it in the hole, then release and grab higher and keep poking more in.

Still, very difficult.

GL.

I'll give it a shot this weekend. I figure at this rate, I got nothing to lose, so I might as well try drilling it if I can't us any other means.

Now, the guy told me that he thinks they are zinc, not aluminum... Is there any way to really tell? What kind of epoxy should I use? I was thinking JB weld might work, but if it fall off I'm kind of in trouble too.

go to ur local music store and see if u can find a used E steel string from a guitar.Very strong and flexible enough to navigate 90 degree turns and also very small.bj

Well I'm not familiar with TK type carbs, but I know that in most carbs when they drill all those passages around the throttle body they can't simply make a straight shot from point a to point b so they drill several interconnecting passages and capp off the ends of them with what looks like brass. So maybe if you just drill out the brass parts maybe you could get in there with something. Then use solder or something to close them up. I've never tried it but I've always wondered if it would work.

ULTRASONIC CLEANING is the best way to get these old carbs clean . I cleans the small airway like new. It's inexpensive and doesnt require disassembly. I take them to a local automotive carb shop that has an ultrasonic tank. They charge me $30 set. Call around where you are and ask who has one. I've had several sets of these TK22's cleaned w/great results. BTW I always thought they were pretty good carbs.

I might try that too... I think I saw one at Harbor Freight for cheap...maybe I'll check that out.

BTW, why do you think they are good carbs? Aside from good gas mileage, I'm kinda frustrated with the lack of parts and with the choke system (or in my case the lack of a choke due to missing doors!)

I feel that they are a real nice set of carbs. Yes the choke system is a little weird and parts avail etc.

The bikes do run nice and make nice power. Don't forget that they were the fastest 550's of their day AND got the best mileage AND had the most mid-range torque. OF course now they are 30 yrs old. Just be glad you don't have to relace CV diaphrams !!

Watch the size of the ultrasonic tanks.....one large enough to do a rack of carbs and also is heated will be a couple grand or so. Call a local auto carbs shop.

I do agree that it's got some pep for an old dog. I had a '73 Honda 500 and the 550 not just wiped the floor with it, but literally blew it away.

I do have a '80 750 LTD with CV 34's... So I kind of do have to deal with the diaphragms, but got lucky and got a complete parts carb set for $20! thank you craigs list!

Great news! I picked the carb up today and the passage way is clear! So, now I just have to finish lining the tank (I had some rust in there) and assemble the carbs... Hope I remember how they go back together

Thanks everyone for the help on this.
Andy