Author Topic: Something I Can Check Myself (Read 5084 times)

rrecroc · « **on:** February 10, 2016, 02:14:16 PM »

Greetings,

I have posted here a few times here in the past and received a lot of useful advice.

I bought a Honda 1974 CB 350 last October. It was shipped from Colarado.

I've had a few minor problems with it but have yet to get the bike on the road. If a bike is over 35 years old in N.C., the bike has to be inspected by a member of the DMV before a title will be issued.

I paid for a title transfer last October ...... I received a registration slip. I had the bike inspected 6 weeks ago ceived (had been working on some minor problems up till then) and still have not received a title. Once they have your money, they just don't apparently care.

The bike started and ran well when I first got it. Then it developed an electrical problem that I solved.

Meanwhile, my brother thought I should have the bike checked out head to tail and routine maintenance done.
I took it to a shop that was willing to work on old bikes (not all will).

When I picked the bike up it was doing fine. They cranked it up (a warm day) and drove it out to the trailer where we hand loaded it (one of the low to the ground types from UHAUL.

I have been keeping the bike in the back yard under a motorcycle cover.

It hasn't been right since I got it home (a nice slow bump free ride home).

I try to crank it every few days for 5 to 10 minutes.

The first time I cranked it, it took 6 or 7 tries. Once it started it seemed to do alright (acted as it had since I took receipt of the bike). It idled at around 1400 RPM and then a rapid rise to around 2200 RPM when the engine got warm.
It has gotten worse each few days ......... requiring 12 to 14 tries. When the engine gets warm, the idle still remains at around 1400 RPM with the choke in closed position (instead of moving up quickly to around 2200 RPM.)
Last week, the engine started stumbling and cutting off while idling even when the engine was warm. With the choke open (running position), giving it any type of throttle increase would cause the engine to stumble and shut off.
I know its a fuel problem ......... not electrical (although they adjusted the valve clearance, timing, etc) ...... at least that is my gut feeling about it.

They of course want me to bring the bike in which is a major hassle for me as I no longer have a tow vehicle or trailer. The cheapest option is borrowing a pickup truck and renting a trailer.
People are a little wary these days of loaning their trucks and I feel a little uneasy about borrowing one.
None of my close associates have pickups .......
Anyway, I was wondering if someone might have an idea about what I could checkout myself ....... something that could cause such a drastic quick deterioration in a previously good running bike.
Oh, forgot to mention, It wouldn't start today (a cold day) even after almost draining the battery.
Thanks and Best Wishes
Rick

Gene · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:23:40 PM »

This forum is all about checking everything yourself so you don't HAVE to take it to a mechanic. If you haven't already, start here

http://manuals.sohc4.net/cb350/

And read all about your bike. You will find troubleshooting tips, symptoms and their cure. It'll be a good place to start.

Personally I think it's electrical. I read somewhere that 99% of all carb problems are electrical. In particular I would say check your points and your timing. I have - in the past - taken my bike to a professional shop only to get home and find that they forgot to put a few things back together properly.

flybox1 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:27:41 PM »

I will agree that most shops fail to do the RIGHT things to our bikes.
better read up on the shop manual, and learn to do all of this maintenance stuff yourself.
only by learning to and doing it yourself can you have any confidence it is done correctly.

I will agree this is most likely a carb/fuel/sync issue.

Give us a list of all that was done by this shop

Gene · « **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:34:11 PM »

^^^ Sync - yeah, probably, now that you mention it. I rescind my electrical assessment (check your points anyway

)

And a good, strong battery charge. These bikes are old and crotchety.

mrfish2 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2016, 02:50:23 PM »

Quote from: rrecroc on February 10, 2016, 02:14:16 PM

I've had a few minor problems with it but have yet to get the bike on the road. If a bike is over 35 years old in N.C., the bike has to be inspected by a member of the DMV before a title will be issued.

I paid for a title transfer last October ...... I received a registration slip. I had the bike inspected 6 weeks ago ceived (had been working on some minor problems up till then) and still have not received a title. Once they have your money, they just don't apparently care.

Others will chime in about your carb/electrical problem, but I can comment on this. In NC if you try to transfer an out of state title into NC on a vehicle more than 35 years old you have to have it inspected by their License & Theft office. I just went through this process with an old Yamaha and it only took maybe a month from beginning to end. The dmv inspector came to my house the day I called them, looked the bike over, checked out the VIN, and left. Had my title about 4 weeks later.

So my question Rick is what exactly did you do to get your title transferred? You should have gotten it by now.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2016, 03:53:36 PM »

If you have had the same tank of gas sitting in it for that long, the gas has probably gone bad. Modern, 10% ethanol gasoline can go bad in as little as three weeks. Also, these bikes need to be used regularly. Starting your bike for a few minutes everyday does more harm than good. If it is 50 degrees out, it would probably take 30 minutes of running to reach full operating temperature.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 10, 2016, 04:46:59 PM »

Another thing is that the bike won't charge it's battery very much (at all) at idle speeds, you really need to go drive it for at least 10 or 15 minutes in order to offset the drain from starting it (unless you are kick starting it

but even then at idle speeds you're draining the battery, not charging it).

Do you have a Battery Tender or equivalent trickle charger?

mystic_1

Garage_guy_chris · « **Reply #7 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:08:49 PM »

Quote from: seanbarney41 on February 10, 2016, 03:53:36 PM

If you have had the same tank of gas sitting in it for that long, the gas has probably gone bad. Modern, 10% ethanol gasoline can go bad in as little as three weeks.

^^^ Im with this, I would bet its either bad gas or water in the gas.

If you change out the gas its just a process of elimination following the guidelines of a 3000 mile tune up
-are you getting any gas?
-are you getting any spark?
-Will the engine bump or sputter at all?
-go through ignition setup and timing
-go through carb setup and sync

It seems all but impossible to find anyone willing to work on these old bikes. I tell people if your not planning on working on it yourself to do your research and find someone willing to work on it before you buy one

mrbreeze · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2016, 10:15:22 PM »

Things you can do yourself are looking into the gas tank to see if its clean & rust free. Check the petcock, line, & float bowls on the carbs. As mentioned it needs to be run down the road before any real battery charging will take place. I would definitely check the receipt from where you took it and see what they did and why. They may have adjusted the points but failed to clean the fuel system or any other combination of things.

rrecroc · « **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2016, 12:19:17 PM »

I wanted to thank each and every one who took the time to reply to my questions (s). I think you have a great bunch of folks in these forums. I've been looking for an excuse to get a timing light ..... I had one in my 20's when all cars had points, but it disappeared along the way. I will do a visual on the "running" parts of the electrical parts, check the static points, ...... the electrical system seems to be simple ............ 2 "double" coils and 2 sets of points to ground. I want to have this cute little thing up and running by spring. I do appreciate knowing you folks are out there ........ just having someone to "bounce" things off of can sometimes clear the mind and get one thinking straighter. I will check out the troubleshooting guides but I am pretty "lost" when it comes to carbs ...... no experience whatsoever.

rrecroc · « **Reply #10 on:** February 11, 2016, 12:21:43 PM »

Tonight I will put a list on here of what the shop did. TThanks.

rrecroc · « **Reply #11 on:** February 11, 2016, 12:26:26 PM »

I just emailed DMV to see if I can expedite matters ....... I'm one of those guys where if some #$%* can happen, it will. I think I may have got lost in the "paper shuffle". Not really concerned ..... I'll get it straight. The inspector was a nice guy and we "hit if off". Just need to get the thing running right now. LOL

rrecroc · « **Reply #12 on:** February 11, 2016, 12:30:41 PM »

No charger but will get one pronto ....... thanks for the advice ,,,,,,,, I'r read somewhere that the old alternator's were marginal at low speeds .... Anybody can recommend a good brand of charger ?

rrecroc · « **Reply #13 on:** February 11, 2016, 12:31:42 PM »

Its pure gasoline ..... have a local station ........ a bit more expensive but no ethanol .....

rrecroc · « **Reply #14 on:** February 11, 2016, 12:36:29 PM »

Thanks .......... I will change out the gas (not sure how to dispose of old gas ?) ....... no ethanol in the gas I use ........ perhaps I should check the gas screen in valve ?? Will try to use a systematic approach ............ just hope iits not the carbs .....

Gene · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2016, 12:44:16 PM »

Rest assured, even if it is the carbs, you will be fine. I'm a virtual idiot and I figured it out eventually.

Old gas - stick it in a jar to clean paintbrushes. Or, hazardous disposal center.

mrfish2 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 11, 2016, 02:00:41 PM »

Quote from: rrecroc on February 11, 2016, 12:26:26 PM

I just emailed DMV to see if I can expedite matters ....... I'm one of those guys where if some #$%* can happen, it will. I think I may have got lost in the "paper shuffle". Not really concerned ..... I'll get it straight. The inspector was a nice guy and we "hit if off". Just need to get the thing running right now. LOL

You might get a better response by calling them. I'd try calling the main office in Raleigh and get somebody to figure out where your paperwork is.

mystic_1 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 11, 2016, 03:04:08 PM »

Quote from: rrecroc on February 11, 2016, 12:30:41 PM

No charger but will get one pronto ....... thanks for the advice ,,,,,,,, I'r read somewhere that the old alternator's were marginal at low speeds .... Anybody can recommend a good brand of charger ?

I have one of these:

The "Junior" is pretty good too I hear:

Walmart sells them both, as does Amazon, and a bunch of local retailers.

mystic_1

rrecroc · « **Reply #18 on:** February 11, 2016, 06:09:48 PM »

Work performed by shop :
Oil and Filter Change (new filter and drain Plug Washer)
Changed Fork Oil
Changed Plugs (used D8EA plugs)
Points and Timing Adjust
Valves Adjusted
Cam Chain Adjust
Lubed Chain

That's All I See on the "Repair Bill"

rrecroc · « **Reply #19 on:** February 11, 2016, 06:12:54 PM »

RE : Work Performed
No mention of carburetor synch work .....

rrecroc · « **Reply #20 on:** February 11, 2016, 06:15:08 PM »

@ Sean Barney
Didn't know it took that long to warm up these bikes ...... I thought overheating might be a concern in bad traffic ........

rrecroc · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2016, 06:19:30 PM »

Acalj737

I live in Washington, NC ...... about 15 miles east of Greenville .... where the Tar and Pamlico Rivers join. Greenville Honda Shop will not work on old bikes ........ took to Cyclemax in Wilson, NC where the Service Manager's First Bike was a CB350 F Four .... so he should be familiar on them although I know he didn't personally do the work.

rrecroc · « **Reply #22 on:** February 11, 2016, 06:22:41 PM »

@mystic1
I'll order one from Amazon tonight .... I read so many books, I'm a Prime member.

jonda500 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 11, 2016, 06:57:21 PM »

I had the same dilemma re what to do with my stale gas - I drained it into a large tray and then poured it into metho bottles and used it to start the bbq fire. Then the next time I did it, I just left it in the tray outside till it all evaporated!
John

mystic_1 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 11, 2016, 07:05:35 PM »

How much bad gas do you have in there, and how nasty is it?

You could filter it, separate any water, and then add it a little at a time to full tanks of gas in your car. Half a gallon or so of old gas into 20 of fresh gas shouldn't hurt anything if you clean it first.

mystic_1

News:

Author Topic: Something I Can Check Myself (Read 5084 times)