Author Topic: New member looking for assistance with bike (Read 1289 times)

Jzboy7 · « **on:** October 10, 2011, 12:05:53 PM »

Hello everyone, My name is Jodi. Last night I was looking up info. on my motorcycle and came across this forum. I found a post about the same bike and was looking through and notice that this forum has a pretty active and helpful

community. I was wondering if you guys could help me out with this bike i got a few months back. Its a Honda cl90 1968 and my profile pics is it about two months ago. I bought it from a friend for 100 bucks, his dad picked it up from a junk yard probably a year back and its had just been sitting around. Thats where i came in. It took some work but i was eventually able to getting running smoothly in about a week after i bought it. I've ridden it about 3 times and found no problems. (note: not ride after ride, more of a few weeks in between each ride) Every 2 or three days i would start her up for some time to make sure she was running good and to keep the engine active. Then, a few weeks ago after a cruise up and down the neighbor hood, I took a brake for a half hour and came back and guesss what? It wouldn't start. I have an idea of the problem, i think its the spark, idk for sure but im betting its that because I've tested spark plug and its good. Now, im guessing its the ignition coil thats gone? but idk how to test it to know for sure. never had a problem like this before and i was hoping you guys could help me out, thanks

flybox1 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:08:28 PM »

nice honda. it wont start because its missing 3 cylinders.

phil71 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:29:19 PM »

I've got one of those (a '69), and It'd be a long shot to say that coil failed.
You need to check for spark, with a fresh plug in the boot, held to the engine, and kick it over.
If you're running it with no battery, expect weird things to happen. Also, because that carb is on an angle, if the float level is too high it will dump raw gas into the cylinder and flood. The electrical systems on that bike are insanely simple, and unless you see evidence of the old owner having cut stuff up, don't mess with the wiring till you eliminate other simpler things.
it's an AWESOME bike by the way. Super fun , economical and useful.

Jzboy7 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:49:47 PM »

I see, thanks for the info. I'll check it out and post pictures probably later on today. Thanks again!

coldwave007 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 10, 2011, 12:56:11 PM »

@flybox1 - Har Har

When troubleshooting you're looking for 3 things to get an engine running. Fuel - Air - and Spark (ignition). If you're seeing spark at the plug, then I'd go to fuel next, especially since it was running before

It does have gas in it, right? Petcock is on? You said this thing came from a junk yard, so it's very possible there's junk at the bottom of the tank and is blocking fuel. Is fuel making it to the Carb? Has the carb been cleaned? Tank cleaned? Any holes in the fuel line? Etc

lucky · « **Reply #5 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:53:24 PM »

Coils rarely fail.

Be more scientific in your trouble shooting as mentioned by others.
You can just clip on a timing light and see if there is consistant spark.
Turn off the gas and then remove the float bowl and see if there is a lot of junk inside.
And as mentioned at gas tank and filter may need cleaning.
Is the battery in good condition?

The idle jet could be clogged now.

Get some help.

toytuff · « **Reply #6 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:56:07 PM »

Quote from: flybox1 on October 10, 2011, 12:08:28 PM

nice honda. it wont start because its missing 3 cylinders.

tt

toytuff · « **Reply #7 on:** October 10, 2011, 01:57:35 PM »

Love that little Honda. Another one saved!

tt

Jzboy7 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 10, 2011, 07:28:04 PM »

Sorry for the late reply, but for the most part everything checks out good, battery is good and fully charged, petcock is on, it does have gas in it, the carb is clean, bowl had gas in it when i opened it, i took spark plug out put it in a weed wacker and grounded the side and it DOES have spark, i dont see any other thing that could be wrong with it. Is there a way i can test the coil? if not any other options?

Gordon · « **Reply #9 on:** October 10, 2011, 08:35:04 PM »

So you know the spark plug works in another application, but you need to check for spark when it's connected to the bike's ignition. Hold it against the head while kicking over the engine and see if there's spark.

Jzboy7 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 10, 2011, 08:39:58 PM »

Its a little late now but will do first thing in the morning

thanks. (btw when i do this does it matter if battery is connected?)

phil71 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 11, 2011, 12:12:17 AM »

don't run that bike with no battery. There's no regulator, so the battery helps keep down the voltage. With no battery it'll see spikes as high as 17 volts, which will blow out every bulb it's got, if you haven't already. It's a 6V system, and i can tell you that the lead-acid type makes a more stable charge than any sealed lithium style, which will cause some flicker in your lights. You read my spark plug test wrong, by the way.. I didn't say to test spark on something else, but rather kick the bike with the plug in it's OWN boot.
Also, It'll run pretty crappy without that airbox.

Jzboy7 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 11, 2011, 12:01:21 PM »

@phil71 I didnt know it was possible to run it without a battery?? lol but im heading out to the garage right now to test it.

Jzboy7 · « **Reply #13 on:** October 11, 2011, 12:27:37 PM »

Hey guys, I just got back in the house. Still no spark

gas flow is great, brake light; as bright as ever, what should i do next?

grcamna2 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 11, 2011, 04:59:57 PM »

Have you checked the condition of your ignition points ? They are on the left side
(as you sit on the bike) of the cylinder head.
That is a beautiful looking classic Honda;when you get it running it really likes the airbox hooked up. Do you have the title for it ?

Danno · « **Reply #15 on:** October 11, 2011, 05:44:12 PM »

wonderful little bike bud you will be happy riding it when you can thumb your nose at the gas stations mine got over a hundred miles per gallon until I modified it to go 55 mph

Jzboy7 · « **Reply #16 on:** October 11, 2011, 06:33:09 PM »

@grcamna2 Yes I have looked at them. Not to sure about what they should look like to be considered "in good condition". Any pointers? Oh, and sadly, I don't have a title $:-\$

@ Yea, it was great on gas when i had it running

grcamna2 · « **Reply #17 on:** October 11, 2011, 08:26:35 PM »

I heard in Ct. ( was living there until 1973 ) lately, that if you have an older motor vehicle & it doesn't have a title,that "all you need is a bill of sale or the last owners
registration certificate" ?? I read that from an add on CL in Ct. this summer.

I think if you can get a new set of good quality ignition points & condenser(O.E.) installed in your bike,it will really help. A good quality service manual will keep you
and your bike on "Best Friends" terms.
I hope its a "keeper" for you !

Jzboy7 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 11, 2011, 08:55:42 PM »

I'll look into getting it registered sometime this upcoming week

, dont live too far from the dmv but its the lines im worried about $:-\$
And the condenser sits on top of the coil right? What exactly does the condenser do?

phil71 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 11, 2011, 11:04:44 PM »

I'm confused, my CL 90 gets about 120 /gal and easily does just over 60 on flat turf (even with wind). What mod slows it down to 55?

Danno · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2011, 09:38:34 PM »

my engine on a similar bike was only 70cc it only did 52 mph till I modified it

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Author Topic: New member looking for assistance with bike (Read 1289 times)