Topic: Sitting long time (Read 2137 times)

kctee · « **on:** March 26, 2009, 10:11:09 pm »

Hello everyone,
wanted some opinions, if you dont mind. Father has a 1975 CB400F SS. Really nice little bike, used to scream on it when I wasw 16. Anyway it died and refused to start and we let it sit, then I moved out and now 25 years later its still sitting. Would like to get it running again. Anyone have any experience with this. Local shop wants about $500 to clean it up and make it run again. I figure I might be able to do it myself. I know the kill switch went bad and thats why it wouldn't start. I have fixed that, new brakes and master cylinder. Waiting on tires until I see how the motor turns out. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Dave · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2009, 12:21:44 am »

well you will need to clean the carbs. out.. flush the gas tank clean & add fresh gasoline.. a new battery will be needed.. the old one is now worthless.. charging it WILL NOT HELP.. no reason it shouldnt run.. blackjack can probably direct you on chopping it.. he's great with those type frames..

kctee · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2009, 04:29:36 am »

Yeah should have mentioned that I have cleaned and creamed the tank, and cleaned the carbs, new petcock(sp?) also. My and dad's concern is if I fire it up, it could damage the valves or break timing chain? Anything else like this or is the bike shop feeding us bull for the repair job. What about using the kick to turn it over a few times to make sure nothing is frozen? I do ok with polder cars, but never really tore into a bike motor before. Thanbks again.

kctee · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2009, 09:00:28 pm »

Hey all, looking for a little help with my 1975 CB400F SS. Not getting any fire at the plugs. Same problem since it quit running back in 1984. Good power, gas, known fuses are all good. Has dual coils, and have checked all 4 cylinders and no fire. Any and all sugestions are appreaciated.
Thanks KCTee

LA_Dave · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2009, 08:28:01 pm »

Need to find out why you're not getting fire from the coils.

You may have a bad wire from the ignition switch or kill switch.

Have you tried to hot-wire it and start it that way? ( Run a "Hot-Wire" from the battery to the coils)

kctee · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2009, 02:01:17 am »

Havent tried running wire straight to the coils. I have no power at the points. Points are good and condenser is new. Might give the hotwire a try, could eliminate bad coils, though I doubt they are bad. Checked the resistance per local mechanic, both coils came in within specs. Anyother suggestions I'm open and greatful.

xylene61 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2009, 02:08:59 am »

too bad you used kreem in the tank. Redkote works better. i've seem some disappointing results with kreem.

kctee · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2009, 05:01:14 pm »

Next step in getting it started. I checked and made sure the points are good, and put on a new condenser I had. Still nothing. Not getting any voltage at the points. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Dave · « **Reply #8 on:** April 10, 2009, 09:44:42 am »

could your ign. switch be bad.. try a hot wire from the battery to the coils & try it for fire.. pull your plugs & drop in some marvel mystery oil to help free up any stuck parts.. if its turning over at all its not froze.. wiring somrewhere is your no spark issue.. could be the coils.. not sure what the rectifiers on those bikes do..

kctee · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2009, 10:18:59 pm »

Ok, heres where I am at with the electrical. Bike just died while riding several years ago. As it sits now: new points and condenser, no volts at the points. Coils appear to be bad. Ran wire from battery to coils, no spark at the plugs, tried on both coils. Temporarily bypassed the kill switch. Have a new one ready to install. Motor turns over and appears to have good compression. Starter button works and engages the starter and turns the motor over. Turn on the key and all the lights work. My question is, will the coils being bad prevent and electricity to the points? Obviously I dont know much about the electrical system. I am open for an education if someone wishes. Not sure that replacing the coils is going to fix the whole problem. Is there something else in there I am missing? Voltage regulator? Rectifier, which I am not sure what it does? Solinoid, I was told was good because the engine will turn over with the start button, just doesnt start. Thanks again everyone.

Dave · « **Reply #10 on:** April 15, 2009, 09:23:49 am »

if the coils are bad you will get no fire to the points.. regulator & rectifier have to do with charging not starting or getting fire to points or coils.. if you used a jumper from the batt. to coils & you got no spark.. the coils are shot, thus no fire at points.. common on old bikes..

kctee · « **Reply #11 on:** April 16, 2009, 12:44:06 am »

Thank you very much, will try a new coil and let you know.

Dave · « **Reply #12 on:** April 17, 2009, 09:43:37 am »

often times a bad battery will throw things off.. even though its charged or seems to be.. it may not really put out.. about a year to 18 months is max. life on a battery thats kept up well ..

Puzzled · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2009, 01:47:09 am »

Dam Dave you almost sound like a mech-a-nic.

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Author Topic: Sitting long time (Read 2137 times)

kctee

Sitting long time

Dave

Re: Sitting long time

kctee

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kctee

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LA_Dave

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kctee

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xylene61

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kctee

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Dave

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kctee

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Dave

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kctee

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Dave

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Puzzled

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