Topic: 1974 CB200 - Running SUPER rough, NEED HELP (Done everything I can)

[jakec]

Hey max, sounds good. Sounds like you are doing good. Have you tried A. full gas tank and B. direct (no filter), new fuel lines that are plenty long to ensure fuel flow? I struggled with fuel flow on my first CL175 for weeks.

You could get a petcock rebuild kit and flush your tank as well to ensure you're getting good flow to both carbs.

Also, make sure you're using OEM brass parts in the carbs. Not the crappy stuff you get in a rebuild kit from 4into1.

[Scott S]

 And you are 100% sure the slides aren't in backwards? I had a CL175 that was like this. I got it cheap because the guy couldn't get it to run right. I struggled with similar sounding issues and discovered that he had accidentally swapped the slides and installed them backwards.

[HondaMan]

And you are 100% sure the slides aren't in backwards? I had a CL175 that was like this. I got it cheap because the guy couldn't get it to run right. I struggled with similar sounding issues and discovered that he had accidentally swapped the slides and installed them backwards.

...and I won't even mention how many times I have seen this, even in the SuperHawk, the CB750K0, the CB160/175/200...

#1, #2, and #3: go get new sparkplugs. Then pull out the slides and make sure they have the high cutaway side pointed back toward the air filters. Then set the air screws where they below, about 1 to 1.5 turns out. Remove the paper air filters for now. These are the first 3 things I would do if it were in my garage...these engines tend to be self-healing in the compression, if they are tuned to load the cylinders equally. This takes about 500-1000 miles, but works unless there is a broken ring or scratched bore, or bad valve (VERY rare). The CB160/175/200 engine is one that can literally be run at redline all day long in 4th or 5th gear and it won't even break a sweat.

[Joewago]

Make sure the floats, float... Lol

Glad you're here on this forum man, the folks here are super knowledgeable and real helpful. Your plugs were *reeaally* black. I've never seen them get that dirty up on the threads... It sounds like it's stupid rich. I hate to beat a dead horse but yeah you oughtta take a look at those slides again. And go out and buy a handful of sparkplugs, not only to replace those but for the just in case.

I would also like to add: did you rebuild that carb with new jets or are the original ones still in there? Could the ones on the right have been cleaned with a needle brush or something and been damaged?

I'm intrigued with it dying when you tilt it, by the way. Next time you run it, sit on it and lean it hard left and right and see what happens, I'm curious. I have a 650 and not a lot of carb experience, I'm sorry I can't offer much but I like learning from reading these threads.

Oh, and do you other 200 owners ever replace the paper filter with a different media altogether? I think y'all mentioned it. Don't do pods by the way. Are the 200 filters like, a flat sheet of pleated paper? Anyone ever butcher a modern air filter and shape the media for this application? Might be nice. Foam or something, idk.

[Joewago]

Did you fix it??? I'm on pins and needles!

[Maxaye]

Hello everyone, I forgot about this thread until now.

Did you fix it??? I'm on pins and needles!

To answer your questions in one sentence, it's running like it should and I am happy with this little thing! Read the updated original post for the reason why it was running so bad! There are some quirks I would like to know more about them if anyone has the answer.

I have noticed that my gas mileage has gone down even more. Before all the issues (back in June/July) I was getting around 60 miles to a normal tank of gas before turning it onto the reserve. Now, I get about 50-55 miles. Not the worst. I know my speedometer/tachometer need new cables as they are worn, have holes, and are all mechanical so it could just be a reading error (also I have thicker/wider dual sport tires than the originals so for every mile I actually go the bike thinks I've gone less; if my math is right). I also believe I may have a "High Reserve" petcock but I wouldn't know. The main pipe is about 3 1/2 to 4 inches above the reserve so if that helps at all.

A few months after I originally got the bike it's leaked a little oil or gas out of the engine breather tube. I did research and I can't find a way to fix it or stop it without an engine rebuild and it never seemed to be super detrimental to the bike and so I left it alone and let it mark is spot; I've never been low on oil from this and so I just chucked it up to be a "45 year old motorcycle" thing. The reason I say all this is because recently its been a different color sometimes having a bit of greyish-yellow substance in the puddle (picture: https://imgur.com/a/0r591aO). I don't know what this is. Is it gas? Oil? Just random goo from inside the tube? Is it bad that it looks this way? Also is it okay if it smells like burnt gasoline? I know my oil is good cause I just gave it an oil change not 50 miles ago. Also, the oil didn't have any bits of metal or anything when I changed it so I don't think my engine is falling apart. It looked like a normal used oil color too so I don't think it had a bunch of gas in it (could be wrong). If anyone knows what this is and if it's bad or not please let me know.

If anyone has any questions please let me know and I will do my best to get back to them timely!

-Max

Image of whatever is coming out of engine breather tube ---> https://imgur.com/a/0r591aO