Topic: 1975 Honda CL360 Timing?!?

[zatchalak]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Zach, I just joined this forum due to a recommendation and I am so glad that I have found a forum with some knowledgeable people in the field of SOHC specifically my Honda 360.

Anyways, I ride a 1975 Honda CL360.  I was recently riding and was winding it up pretty good (about 6-7,000 rpm...I know, not a good idea).  I soon realized I had a loss of power.  I noticed this similar loss before and before it was a diaphragm in my carburetor.  So I got home, took the carbs off, and sure enough I had two small cracks in my diaphragm.  No biggie, I had an extra, swapped it in, and fired it up only to realize that it was still running rough.  It seemed like it was firing early or late, running very rough.  It would barely idle.  So I got to troubleshooting.  I checked the spark plugs, they were OK.  Checked them for spark, they sparked great.  Checked all carb connections, they were OK.  Looked in the cylinder through the sparkplug hole, I realized some carbon deposits on the valve, nothing too bad though.  I thought well maybe the timing is too early causing early ignition with the intake valve open, thus causing me to have problems with my tore diaphragms (yes I have replaced two of them in less than a year).  So I checked my points gaps.  The gaps were a bit shy, but I gapped them and then went on to check the timing.  I followed the exact procedure provided for twin Hondas (250, 350, etc).  As I recall the contacts should be just opening as the LT mark passes the tick mark on the stator.  In my case, this was about 100 degrees off!!  This is so weird because it was running just fine and I do not know what could cause the timing to be so far off so suddenly. 

So I just took the valve cover off and checked the cam chain tension, sprocket position, mechanical advancer, etc..  It all checked out OK. 

I need help?  What could be wrong?  Is the Clymers manual timing procedure incorrect??  Could the rotor with the LT mark on it somehow slip?? 

I did find gunk in the tank, but I know the carbs got enough fuel to run, I don't think this is the issue.  Any recommendations on cleaning methods, materials, etc.  It appears that there is a coating inside the tank that is beginning to peel??

Any advice, help, questions, comments could help!  I don't spend much time on the computer but will try to keep up with responses.

Thank you so much in advance!!

[Accolay]

Hey Zach,

Welcome aboard! But isn't the CL360 a twin?

I actually know little to nothing about your problem, but I'd recommend getting the Honda manual for the CL360, vice the Clymers. I'm sure you can find one on the net.

Good luck 

[spot45]

What is the condition of your points?  I know you said you adjusted the timing.  But when the timing is off, it usually means it is time for new points.   How many miles do you have on this bike.  Because of the engine's design there is a tendency for the cam to blow up and destroy the head.   This usually happens around 20-30,000 miles.  If after checking the points and readjusting them and you are still having problems it could be that you need to check the head and possibly change the cam.   You could check out the honda twins forum, where this forum is discussed in full detail along with a bunch of solutions.

[rchrdms]

I use a timing light I rigged with a marker bulb and a few jumpers with clips. You hook up one end to the point terminal and the other to the cooling fins or other
suitable ground. In between is the marker bulb (use one that has bars that can be clipped onto). When you crank over the engine with the kill switch on, the light
should go on just as the LF mark for that cylinder comes by. I believe LF is for "left fire" and LT is for "left top". LT is used for installing the camshaft and LF for timing.

This may help with your bike; it works well on my 350 twin. It should rule out the timing anyway. Good luck. I'll send pics of this method if you want.