Cleaning the Honda CX500, GL500, CX650 and GL650 carburetors

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This is a work in progress and the order of things will be changing around quite a bit in 2017. Some of the done articles will be split up into smaller articles to keep load times down so don't be surprised if links move around while it's under development. An incomplete list of steps to come:

Overview of the process
Which bits are which on the carbs?
Equipment you will need
Carb removal process
Identifying your careburetor
Assessing the carburetor prior to disassembly
Removing the jet needle
Removing the accelerator pump (on some models)
Removing the float bowl, no accelerator pump
Removing the jets, idle screw and emulsion tubes
Removing the press-in idle jet (optional)
Removing the air cut off valve
Separating the Honda CX500 carbs
Separating the Honda GL500, CX400E, CX500E carbs
Separating the Honda CX650E, GL650, CX400C ('83) carbs
Further disassembly of the carb body
Assessing the carbs
Cleaning the jets and emulsion tubes
Cleaning the vacuum piston
Soaking the carbs in lemon juice
Soaking the carbs in carb dip
Clearing the carb passageways
Using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean the carbs
Reassembling the carbs - an overview
Installing the ACVs
Bypassing the ACVs
Re-joining the carbs
Reinstalling the jets, emulsion tubes and screws
Reinstalling the idle passage plugs
Setting the float height
Installing the float bowl gaskets
Reassembling the upper carbs
Where are the vacuum ports and where is the sync screw?
Bench syncing
Reinstalling the carbs
Reinstalling the cables
Adjusting the cable slack
Syncing or balancing the carbs