pod air filters, re-jetting etc.

Hi group -
A newbie needing input, and hope someone can help. I have a Honda CB650
w/'79 motor, slide carbs. I'm NOT mechanical, and just want to work
commute 40 miles each day. I'm 53, and new to bikes.
I spent about 2 hours yesterday putting on the carbs, with the airbox,
boot rubber connectors, fittings, etc.
I want to go to pod individual air filters, and toss the stock setup.
NOT interested in speed, it's just that new boots cost $22 each U.S.
from Honda, and I can get pods for about $50 total.
The carbs do not even feel secure, after clamping them down, etc.
To make my story short, I'm 99% certain I want pods, but now I hear I
may have to re-jet, etc. etc.
The bike has a Kerker pipe with a rotted insert and a 4>1 exhaust.
I'd like to toss the Kerker too, amd put fiberglass hi-temp batting in
the short pipe that comes before the Kerker, or a metal baffle tube, or
keep the Kerker and add a new insert.
My altitude is about 5000' (Atlanta U.S. area), and I hear jets are
inexpensive, but a shop will charge over $100 to find the right
combination, etc. I hear good things about Dynojet (??)...
I'm so poor, cheap, I want to put a piece of air filter foam over each
filter w/clamps...
ANY ideas how the bike will run on country roads under 70 mph with just
the pod replacement? As a newbie, would I even be able to tell the
difference, and could the bike be harmed?
I had a crappy foam air cleaner on my old VW and it was fine, but this
bike has 4 carbs...
I know the ideal goes:
1.get the boots and stick with stock,
2.get pods and a dyno check ($$),
3. stay away from bikes,
4. get a new bike.

ANY experiences/ideas much appreciated
thanks, Paul

 

If the boots are just a bit perished, you can wrap them with
amalgamating tape, or coat them with rubber glue - something like the
stuff you get in puncture repair kits. Replacing them would obviously
be the best solution though.

I'd steer well clear of pod filters, given your usage. They'll kill the
low-down torque, & be a bitch to setup. It's not just a case of
swapping main jets - you'll probably need different needles, primary
jets, & maybe even a slide mod to get them running well. Even then you
may end up with more outright power, but the 'ridability' will never
match the airbox setup.

Pods are great for ultimate power & induction noise, but they don't
belong on a commuter/workhorse.

 

Thank you for an intelligent reply...asking 100 people I got
50/50...I'm sticking with the airbox...

 

I've owned a CB650 and they were jetted as standard as lean as a
cross-country runner on a starvation diet, principally for EPA
requirements.

Honda fitted accelerator pumps to the carbs to try and get round the
problem.

Given your altitude, and your intention to faff around the individual
filters, and the fact that you're using a fairly free-flowing pipe, I
think you're staring at a load of trouble. You'll need a handful of carb
jets, and a long time, in order to get the thing to run right.

Mine was running so weak at the top end I was convinced there was a
fault, but it was standard airbox, filter, exhaust and (it transpired)
carb jets. I went up two sizes on the main jets, and the transformation
was incredible. It turned into a really, really nice bike - fast, sweet,
comfy, decent handling, and economical.

 

I was going to ask if you liked the bike, but the end of your post
affirms what others say - I have read very little criticism of this
bike.
Now I want to "just go up 2 jet sizes", but nope, I'll try to get it
together as the Honda people designed it...
thanks OH! Bet you I'm older (53)... :+)

 

That's what I did, and it didn't work. It was criticised when new for
poor carburetion. I'd try it, if I were you.

Ummmmm... yes you are, you senile old gimmer.....