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Hi All,
This is my first post, and I don't have a lot of mechanical experience, so I appreciate everyone's help and forbearance in advance.
Background: I have a 1973 and it seems to run pretty solidly. Only had it about 5 - 6 months, but the only real issues I've had with it are funky turn signals (don't "catch" and blink--I need to either hold it or manually switch it off/on) and a seeping petcock (plan to deal with that this weekend). Takes a couple tries to start in the cold, and about 5 minutes or so with the throttle slightly open before she idles on her own, but other than that, she's a blast.
Problem: It's been maybe 10 - 14 days since I last started her before this morning. She didn't really seem to want to start, so I opened the throttle stop screw slightly and I could hear her trying to turn over. Wait, try, wait, try... Then, I press the starter button again and hear the "yee-yee-yee" I expect, but it was soon followed by a "snap" and then something was making a slight whirring sound. I waited and tried the button again and she started. Sounds a little different, but seems to run as normal otherwise. I did noticed that when I turned my headlight on, though, the RPMs dropped more than they normally do (there's usually a slight 50 - 100 RPM when I first turn them on, this time it was more like 200+).
Any ideas? I have to take her in to get the rear tire changed soon, so maybe I'll have them look into this as well, but I'd like to have something useful to tell the guys at the shop.
Thanks a lot!
squid
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Administrator
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Without hearing the noise, or a better description of where it came from it is hard to tell. However the starting issues are probably dirty carbs. Try cleaning the pilot jets. Also installing NGK Iridium plugs into these bikes makes a big difference in starting. Most guys who have installed them (myself included) claim that the bikes will start instantly.
TOOLS
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 reply and advice, TOOLS1. I'll definitely look into those NGK Iridium plugs, and I'll find a YouTube video/page in the Clymer's manual re: cleaning the pilot jets.
I'll try to describe the sound better. It sounds like it's coming from the left side of the bike, around the area where the shift lever is. The whirring sound seems to match the revs--when I open the throttle and rev the engine, the whirring sound doesn't get louder, but it gets higher pitched.
I'm just tripped out because when I heard the initial snap/pop, after opening the throttle a little bit to turn the engine over, I thought, "Well, that sounds pretty bad--hopefully she won't be in the shop too long!" Then, it started up after another two tries with the starter button.
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He does not have any mechanical experience.
If he takes off the carbs that will probably be the end of that bike.
Plus more broken parts or lost parts.
On a Roadstar Adventure.
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My mechanical experience is limited, not non-existent, and either way, worst case scenario I buy a new carburetor. I've watched a couple YouTube videos and read through a couple manuals--doesn't seem like rocket science.
Before I take off anything, though, I'd like to know where to start, so some advice in that area would be nice, as opposed to a discouraging reply to someone that actually tried to help me.
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Administrator
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Lucky, we are here to help, not discourage.
TOOLS
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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Administrator
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The round top carbs are very easy to work on, so do not be afraid to try. The worst that could happen is you could drop a small part, and lose it.
TOOLS
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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Awesome, Tools. I really appreciate the guidance and encouragement. Gotta learn somewhere!
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Administrator
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Lucky 1 wrote
He does not have any mechanical experience.
If he takes off the carbs that will probably be the end of that bike.
Plus more broken parts or lost parts.
Totally uncalled for.
Squid,on behalf of the rest of the forum, our apologies. :(
Welcome in and good luck on your project!
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Administrator
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Moved this from the write-up area.
Luke m
Used to have a 1979 CB750L, sold it as a parts bike, now riding a slightly modified 1984 VT700C. Network/Field Engineer. Central OH, USA, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe.
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Administrator
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Squid, everyone has to start somewhere. I had never worked on bikes before I got my cb. I still have it and it still runs good. Does need a head gasket but that is common once machines hit 30 years old!
Your signal light issue is going to be the switch. Parts for that can be hard to find but it may just need a good cleaning and some dielectric grease. At worst, a new housing.
So this sound, it only happens when the bike is running?
The ride IS the adventure. The destination is just to get gas!
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Hi Re-run, thanks!
I'll check out the switch this weekend if I get a chance, find out if it just needs a clean or new housing.
Yeah, the sound only happens when the bike is running. I talked to a friend (an HD mechanic, so not a Honda expert, but still knows his way around a bike) and he mentioned that it could be a couple things. I started the bike when it was ~36 degrees outside, and he said sometimes bikes will just make unusual noises when they're started that cold. Also said the exhaust could have blown out the carb (not sure what means or how that would work). Also said that the starter could have been off-set a little, which can lead to a loud "snap". He recommended that I kick it over once or twice before trying to start it, just to make sure everything's aligned correctly.
I'd describe the sound as sort of a light clicking or whirring sound that matches the revs of the engine (ie, gets higher pitched/whirs faster as I open the throttle).
Anyway, it seems like the bike wants to die when the choke's closed... I guess I would say that it seemed easier to start the bike with the choke was open, even though it was still only 45 - 50 degrees when I started it again that afternoon.
Thanks again for all the help and have a great weekend!
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