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Honda Upgrade

Started by Mr442, March 19, 2008, 10:03:50 AM

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Mr442

March 19, 2008, 10:03:50 AM
I just finished the installation of a Transistorized Capacitive Discharge Ignition box to my old Hondamatic.  The points and condenser are still there in case the box should fail, so I have some back up.  For now the points will act as a simple trigger to activate the capacitive discharge unit.  They will no longer carry the high voltage they used to, and should last forever.  I'm interested to see if my mileage picks up any, since Hondamatics are not the most fuel efficient motorcycles in the world.

My main reason for the upgrade was the installation of new coils and plug wires.  Then one thing led to another and my wallet is $250+ lighter.  But if it will keep it running in the wet, I am happy.  The original 32 year old plug wires were acting as sponges, so I had to do something.  It wasn't fun riding in the rain when the bike would start cutting out.  It made for some hazardous riding.

Now I just need to test ride it in the rain, but it's gonna have to warm up a tad first.
Mr442

Mr442

#1
April 04, 2008, 08:28:08 AM
The initial wet weather test was a failure.  But it was not ignition related, it was carburation.  More preciely, it was a vaccuum leak between the cabs and the intake spigots.  Bikes use rubber intake boots (aka manifolds) and they were not sealing as they should.

After searching all over town, I wento online to McMaster/Carr and ordered new narrow screw type hose clamps, to replace the originals that didn't have enough clamping force. 

This morning we had a little drizzle, which was usually enough to make the engine cut out, and it ran just fine.  I really need to ride it in a serious rain, in traffic, but for now it looks promising. 

I'm not afraid of much (well maybe I am) but riding that bike in the rain had me spooked.  It's very dangerous when the engine quits in traffic, that can make for some uncomfortable moments.
Mr442

Mr442

#2
April 11, 2008, 09:36:36 AM
Well, the SS Minnow didn't sink or land on the beach, but it still sucked in a small amount of water. :rant:

Looks like another round of carb removal and replacement is in the works.  Maybe I'll Superglue the SOB's :rolleyes:
Mr442

Mr442

#3
April 14, 2008, 09:50:14 AM
I left work early Friday afternoon and did a little riding in the gale force winds.  During hard gusts the bike would cut out.  These gusts were also hard enough to make me have trouble keeping the bike on the road. :eek:  Anyway, once I got back to the house, I sprayed about 1/2 a can of carb cleaner on the intake boots and carbs, while the bike was running.  I never did get it stumble. 

Eventually I gave up tyring to make it miss out, and went ahead and re-tightened the hose clamps again.  I was surprised to find them easy to tighten.  I don't think they were actually loose, as much as the boots would compress more when warm.  After snugging them all down again, I went for a test ride in the wind.   Regardless of how hard the wind blew, the bike didn't miss out. 

Now I need to ride it in the wet again, and see  how it does.  I didn't try it Saturday since we were busy, or Sunday in the snow/rain mix, but I am sure it will get damp again as it warms up.  It did start a little easier this morning in the cold, which is promising.
Mr442

Y

#4
April 17, 2008, 02:54:35 AM
I haven't looked in a while, but J. C. Whitney used to carry all sorts of Honda parts and accessories in their motorcycle catalog and their regular catalog.

Used to have an old 72 750 modded out, a 500 twin hardtail chopper, and an old 550 4 in shit brown... :biggrin:

I currently still own two 86 CN 250's - the Helix- which I need to get ready for this season's riding...especially as there doesn't appear to be any lowering of gas prices in sight.

I haven't decided if I'm going to keep my 97 Kaw Vulcan 1500 Classic and ride it, or just sell it.  I've had half an eye on a Ural w/sidecar for a couple of years or so.

Or something like this, only an enclosed cargo carrier like the ones formerly used to deliver mail:

http://cqlianyi.manufacturer.globalsources.com/si/6008825060646/pdtl/Street-bike/1004328354/Motorcycle.htm
©  Whamma-Jamma - all rights reserved

Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.  ;)

"You've probably noticed that opinion pollsters go out of their way to include as many morons as possible in surveys ... I think it's dangerous to inform morons about what their fellow morons are thinking. It only reinforces their opinions. And the one thing worse than a moron with an opinion is lots of them." -- Scott Adams

In other words: Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.  ;)

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." -- Upton Sinclair

"Hitler is gone, but if the majority of our fellow citizens are more susceptible to the slogans of fear and race hatred than to those of peaceful accommodation and mutual respect among human beings, our political liberties remain at the mercy of any eloquent and unscrupulous demagogue." -- S. I. Hayakawa

Mr442

#5
April 17, 2008, 08:54:46 AM
Whitney has parts, but not much for the Hondamatic.  If I don't get these intake boots to seal, I'm going to upgrade to regular 750 carbs and new boots.  750A's use smaller 550 carbs, and used an intake boot with two different opening sizes.  One end was small to fit the 550 carbs, and the other was larger to fit the 750 size spigots.  I can still get new 750 boots, but not the 750A boots.

I'd hang on to the Vulcan.  Those Urals are not very good for the open road.  Remember, those are a Russian copy of a late 40's BMW to begin with, and they have some limitations.  Of course that wouldn't stop me from owning one in addition to my daily ride, but I wouldn't make it my only ride.

That Chinese scooter looks interesting.  Was is a two stroke or four?
Mr442

Y

#6
May 02, 2008, 03:19:44 AM
IIRC, they have those scoots in both.  If you follow the link you can back onto the main page and find that and all sorts of other interesting vehicles.  ; )
©  Whamma-Jamma - all rights reserved

Law of Logical Argument - Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about.  ;)

"You've probably noticed that opinion pollsters go out of their way to include as many morons as possible in surveys ... I think it's dangerous to inform morons about what their fellow morons are thinking. It only reinforces their opinions. And the one thing worse than a moron with an opinion is lots of them." -- Scott Adams

In other words: Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.  ;)

"It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." -- Upton Sinclair

"Hitler is gone, but if the majority of our fellow citizens are more susceptible to the slogans of fear and race hatred than to those of peaceful accommodation and mutual respect among human beings, our political liberties remain at the mercy of any eloquent and unscrupulous demagogue." -- S. I. Hayakawa

Mr442

#7
March 05, 2009, 10:50:01 AM
Well, it's time for the annual spring upgrade again.  This time I will be pulling the engine down and replacing the cam chain rollers, and installing heavy duty cylinder studs.  I should have done both last year, but funds were tight and I needed to get it rolling ASAP, so now I get to pull it out of the frame and do it all again.  At least I have experience, plus I can revisit the water inductions problem once again while I'm at it.

Got to get me a new bike one of these days, so I put the old Hondamatic on limited use duty.
Mr442

Palehorse

#8
March 05, 2009, 10:56:17 AM
Quote from: Mr442 on March 05, 2009, 10:50:01 AM
. . .Got to get me a new bike one of these days, so I put the old Hondamatic on limited use duty.

Hold on for one more summer and I just may have a nice 2008 road king I could give you a real sweet deal on. . . (If I don't get another job by the end of this summer).  :smile:
R.I.P. - followsthewolf - You are MISSED! 4/17/2013

That which fails to kill me. . .should run!

Any "point" made by one that lacks credibility, is only as useful as toilet paper; and serves the same purpose. ~ Palehorse 4/22/2017

May you find charity when it is needed, and the ability to extend it when it is not. ~Palehorse 7/4/2012

To the last, I grapple with thee; From Hell's heart, I stab at thee; For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.~Herman Melville

Mr442

#9
March 09, 2009, 08:55:53 AM
Quote from: Palehorse on March 05, 2009, 10:56:17 AM
Hold on for one more summer and I just may have a nice 2008 road king I could give you a real sweet deal on. . . (If I don't get another job by the end of this summer).  :smile:

Now don't go talkin' all crazy.  You will find another job and be able to hang on to your ride.  Better times are ahead, hell they have to be, it can't get much worse can it?
Mr442

Mr442

#10
April 22, 2009, 08:03:49 AM
I have the Honda back together.  While it was apart, we decided to go ahead and paint the tank and side covers.  My son took them to work and used the spray booth while things were slow.  When he finished the paint, he got out his brush and laid down some pin striping.



Mr442
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