Motor bike.

[Digit]

Some time ago I posted that I was attempting to get a Honda CB 400N motor bike road worthy again.
Now bear in mind that I have had dozens of bikes in my time and a wide variety of problems to solve.
But never one like this!
Twin cylinders machine, won't start! remove R/H spark plug, recoconect to coil and place on cylinder head.
Starts straight away on the L/H pot!!!
Grrrrr!

Roy.

 

[matt]

My dad had one of these.

The plug for the right-hand pot is sparking whilst sitting on top of the cylinder?

 

[Digit]

Yes indeed. I couldn't believe it, especially as the previous owner never suggested that starting was a problem. (Oh silly me!)
I eventually got it sorted but I wouldn't describe it as fun.

Roy.

 

[OLD]

Removing plug reduces load on starter motor so it spins faster reduces volt drop and helps it to start thats my suggestion.
It may then start normally once slighty warm on the one cylinder.

 

[Dave S]

Yes indeed. I couldn't believe it, especially as the previous owner never suggested that starting was a problem. (Oh silly me!)
I eventually got it sorted but I wouldn't describe it as fun.

Roy.

Many moons ago when still at school, a mate bought Kawasak KH250 - 3 cylinder 2-stroke. When he bought it, it wasn't firing on the middle pot. The seller said it needed a new coil.

So my mate replaced the coil - still no joy. He removed and stripped the carbs - still no joy.

Eventually he removed the middle cylinder head, peered into the barrel to inspect the piston, and found just the con-rod with a tennis ball on top!! :lol:

Dave

 

[matt]

This was my dream bike when I was old enough for my mum to say "No!"

Memories...

 

[Digit]

My mum said the same so I was 19 before I got my first bike and 20 before I was nearly killed on it.
Like you said, memories!

Roy.

 

[Jenx]

Hi Roy ... Post this onto one of the many Owners Club's forums for the
Big 'Dream' ... someone will have come across this more than once for sure... always the best place for a quick solution. :wink:


http://hoc.atfreeforum.com/forum.html


And this is interesting ... check this out !!
http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl053i.htm


Another thought .... you spoken do David Silver's ? ... what those guys don't know about 'Onda's, ain't worth knowing .. :wink:
here they are... http://www.davidsilverspares.co.uk/
Great for bit for yours too... if you don't know them already. :0)

 

[Digit]

Hi Jenx. I know Silvers, dealt with them before.
I cracked it eventually, it turned out to be a hole in the air cut off valve diaphragm on the R/H carb, which of course meant stripping the two apart.
If you've never removed/replaced the carbs on a Dream I can assure you that it's a task to be approached with a mixture of fear and loathing.
Half the damn bike has to come apart.
I wouldn't have minded but I had only just completed a rebuild from the frame upwards.
The previous owner seems to have attempted to solve the problem by unscrewing the pilot screw, but I was completely led astray by the damn thing starting only with the one plug removed.
I've been a biker for fifty years and alway done my own maintenance and repairs and I've never seen this before.
I thought I'd seen everything but I still have a lot to learn it seems.
Starts on the button and no signs of wear, good compressions etc, not bad for 39000 miles I reckon.
Now all I've got to do is thread my way through the legalities and I am lift off!! Yay!!

Roy.

 

[matt]

Is it black or blue?

 

[Digit]

Blue, but I might yet respray it. The snag is I used to have a big workshop, half a dozen bikes at a time, all sorts of special tools and was well known amognst the local biker's fraternity, (plus the police!):lol: and I thought that was all behind me, now I'm starting to check the Bay for rebuilds again.
They say biking is terminal!
I rode a bike yesterday for the first time in some years, and all the excitement was still there, and I'm 69!
They say it is the most fun you can have with your clothes on and I'm not arguing.

Roy.

 

[Jenx]

The thrill never goes eh, Roy ... never. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I'm sure you'll be the same.. I've pals , the oldest at 73,.. who get as big a buzz each time they flick up the sidestand and push the button, as they ever did.... it's either in your blood or it isn't 8)

I guess its not very 'wood related'.. and at the risk of incurring the wrath of the purists... any danger of a few piccies of the old CB ? ...
I had a lot of happy days on the 250 version, as many lads my age would have done... it was THE natural progression after your FS1E for a whole genration... then typically onto an LC350 ... then a 'proper' big bike, which for me was a Zed.
Be great to see your 400, especially when finished !

Great that you got her running !
8) 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

 

[Digit]

As my PC went kaput some time back I'm still trying to find the software for my camera so that I can post pics Jenx. As soon as I will do the honours.
At this moment it's purgatory having a working bike AND I CAN'T RIDE IT!!!!

Roy.

 

[Jenx]

ah.. but you will ..... and that thought alone makes 'tomorrow' a wonderful thing 8)

Recently Oldsoke ( Graham ), was here.. and he threw the leg over the Xjr ... and I'm sure I saw the 'temptation bulb' glinting in his eye :wink: ... ( he was telling me he'd had a GTR last... another fine big lump that can embarrass a sportsbike or two in the right hands )

Not looking forward to the winter lay-off, and its coming closer ... but then again, so's spring !

 

[Digit]

Round here Jenx most winters are so mild there's no winter lay off.
What's holding me up at the momernt is a leaky kitchen roof and damaged ceiling which the wife says is more important than a motor bike!
My wife doesn't understand me! :lol:

Roy.

 

[Jenx]

Buy her an Arai, a good old Belstaff Coat, and 'baptise' her in the way of the open road :wink:

And the roof can wait till next week :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Digit]

My wife dislikes pillion riding Jenx, and to honest she would say the same about the roof as you, in fact she bought the bike for me!
But the roof must be done first, I'll see what cash I've got later in the week and see what deals there are available for insurance.
As you say, it's in the blood. The accident I had at twenty nearly killed me and left me a physical and mental wreck! It was three years before I stopped having epileptic fits, then I was back on a bike!! :lol:

Roy.

 

[matt]

Despite a strong interest I've never owned a bike (ridden a few though and a frequent pillion passenger on my dad's many bikes). He used to build bikes with his brother when he was young and then continued to use them to commute later in life, but also toured Europe a couple of times too. The first was on a 50cc when he was in college. The frame snapped in two in Italy! He was lucky enough when some locals picked him and the bike up and welded it together again - free of charge. The second time he toured on a BMW R100S - a very different experience I suspect

 

[Jenx]

:lol: :lol: :lol: Ok Roy.. the Roof wins, reluctantly, I bet !

E-bike Insure is as good as I get get, pricewise ....
but the usual searches will reveal the usual conundrums, I'm sure !!
Carol Nash are usually good on the 'classic' stuff...
You know the drill better than me... let's know when you get 'legal' !

and 'enjoy' :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Jenx]

Despite a strong interest I've never owned a bike (ridden a few though and a frequent pillion passenger on my dad's many bikes). He used to build bikes with his brother when he was young and then continued to use them to commute later in life, but also toured Europe a couple of times too. The first was on a 50cc when he was in college. The frame snapped in two in Italy! He was lucky enough when some locals picked him and the bike up and welded it together again - free of charge. The second time he toured on a BMW R100S - a very different experience I suspect

never too late Matt ... :wink: