550 LTD TK Carb pilot screw difference?

Here is a photo of my pilot screws from my tk 22's on my 82 550. The other screw is from a rebuild kit. Is the difference between the heads not an issue, or do I have the wrong screw? The rest of the rebuild kit was ok....

So that is the only screw that doesn't look normal? And by the way how do you know how to set those screws?

No, all 4 from my rebuild kits look like the shiny one. The others look like the dull one. I think the manual says 1 3/8 turns to start or something like that.

Hm I can't say for sure if they are right or not but I would assume that they should be almost identical. I don't know if it is just from the angle or what but it seems like the new screw is a little longer too so that seems questionable. And my screws were all set a little more or less than 2 1/2. I don't know how to adjust them though.

I'd have to look in my book... 1 3/8 might be for my 750.

to adjust... you can do lots of searching on this forum for it. In a nutshell, set the float height and screws at the stock positions. Some guys say you tune these screws by ear. Just tighten/loosen the screw in one carb until you hear a slight increase in RPMs. (should be pretty close to the stock setting if everything else is up to snuff). You can also leave them at stock setting and check your plugs after you ride some to see what they look like.

I tried one of those clear spark plugs (colortune) to tune it by color of the flame. Didn't work well in my 750 though because the eletrode on the plug is so recessed. Never got a chance to try it on my 550.

I just noticed you have a 550 spectra... not sure what kind of carbs those had... the technique I mentioned is the same, but the # of turns may be different.

Okay thank you. Yep I'll be sure to get more info on it. Maybe you should confront the shop that you bought the carb kit from with the two screws and see what they think. Unless you ordered them online. Good luck though!

yeah, I got them off ebay a few years back. Never put the new ones in cuz the old ones were also fine. I was just curious what (if any) the difference was.

Hm well maybe just try them out to see if they work properly and if they do, I don't see a problem with it.

by the way..what is that screw for? I keep reading stuff and I don't know really if it has to do with idle or sync or something else

both kinda. Synching the carbs is just balancing each carb for it's own individual cylinder. This screw adjusts the amount of fuel fed at idle and partial open throttle. Back it off, more air. Screw is down, less air. (on my model, if your screw is on the engine side, then its the opposite).

oh I see. well mine is on the engine side also. I'm thinking my screws are out too far because I keep seeing they should be somewhere around 1 3/8 turns out but my bike runs well at idle, just not when its given about 1/3 throttle or higher. I guess I should just play around with them to see if it helps?