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Good Morning everyone !
New member here, also new to tinkering with bikes. I've ridden before, but never taken on a project of this magnitude.
Just picked up a '80 CB750, as-is, unknown when it last ran. Visibly has a 4-1 exhaust, appears stock otherwise. Bike did have fresh gas and oil.
Attempted to start it last night, and here is what happened. I did make mistakes - please forgive my lack of experience.
1) Hooked up to battery, (one it came with was toast, so pulled a car battery and used that) electrics came on.
2) Turned kill switch, pulled choke, attempted to start - turned over a few times but did not fire
3) Opened airbox cover - removed dead mice, and their lint abode. [I realize I should have checked this first]
4) Left cover open, filter out and attempted to start - would not turn. Just a click from the solenoid.
Tried various combinations of choke position/throttle etc, and bike only produced click from solenoid (until battery stopped working and I gave up for the night).
How would you guys recommend I proceed at this point ?
1) Is there a specific starting procedure that I failed to research?
2) Where should I start diagnosis at this point ? I would like to get the bike running, or in the least firing before I continue with a build.
Cheers !
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Administrator
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You did not really do anything wrong, it sounds like the battery connections were not very good. They would let enough juice flow to trip the solenoid, but not enough to crank the starter. Try a new motorcycle battery, or better jumper cables.
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Life is not about the number of breaths, you take, but the moments that take your breath away.
I don't have an anger problem. I have an idiot problem. Hank Hill
Never confuse education for intelligence.
Happiness is a belt fed weapon.
I just can't imagine what could go wrong.
No fire? No explosions? So whats the point of your story?
Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato
It couldn't be done, but the darn fool didn't know it, and did it anyway.
We all got problems. Ksharp
I like vintage bikes because they take me away from the clutter of technology that I work with everyday and back to a simpler time of mechanical elegance and simplicity.. "ninadm"
Darkwing Duck: The worst part of public transportation is the Public.
"That is awesome shit there" Re-Run
"Fear nothing, attack everything" Eric Berry
" Oh, you read that on the internet? Clearly it IS a massive problem. Of course it CAN’t be normal operation."
1976 CB 750-A X 2
1977 CB 750-A X 4
1977 CB 750-K
1976 CB 750 F
1981 CB 750
1966 Kawasaki SG 250
1981 KZ 750 LTD
1973 CB 350
1979 CM 185 Twinstar
1982 Honda XL 80
South of Eden (Kansas City MO)
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Thanks for the quick response :D
I shall purchase a new motorcycle battery tonight. Would you say there's a chance the starter or solenoid could have died, (from sitting for so long and my start attempt last night) or are they more robust than that ?
I got super excited when she turned over, it sounded very close to firing.
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Administrator
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They are pretty robust but can die. Easy way to tell is if it keeps clicking, jump the screws on top of it with a screwdriver. If the engine turns over, then the solenoid should be replaced.
I would also check the park plugs to make sure they are good. Also open up the compartment for the ignition and make sure the wiring and other things look ok. Check plug wires too for any cracking.
The ride IS the adventure. The destination is just to get gas!
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Thank you,
Will make a checklist and go over everything tonight, and attempt to start with a new bike battery !
Will post update.
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Administrator
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BTW, when you get a battery, an agm is best for these old bikes. Some have tried lithium based, but with these old regulators, I am not sure lithium is the best choice.
Either way, make sure the battery is fully charged as they usually aren't.
The ride IS the adventure. The destination is just to get gas!
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Funny, my original plan was to get it running with a car battery, and buy a lithium for the build !
Shall purchase an agm. They offer filling + full charge with purchase so that should save me some time.
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Administrator
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Yeah, make sure it is not a pre-filled battery. Battery life starts when the electrolyte is added.
Also, agm absorbs voltage spikes better than lithium. Lithium likes a nice smooth flow.
Also, some lithiums do no automatically balance the cells and the charging system on these bikes sure isn't going to do it. Newer bikes dont either, but the regulators seem to provide a smoother voltage flow.
I suppose if you put in a new, good quality regulator, a lithium would probably be ok.
The ride IS the adventure. The destination is just to get gas!
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I've been using a glass gel battery in mine for 2 1/2 years and love it. I even let it sit long periods without charging and have had no problems.
It's only illegal if you get caught.
If at first you don't succeed, use more lighter fluid
95% of Harley Davidsons ever made are still on the road... The other 5% made it home.
New Baltimore, Va '82 CB900c, 1980 CB985F/K 'Mutt"
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Huge update.
New battery, rebuilt carbs. Bike fired up like a champ. Low compression on cylinder 3 which I will diagnose further. Some valve noise as well which could be related.
Been researching valve lash adjustment. I did pull the motor after I got it running, so may have an easier time working on it.
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