Motorcycle Repair: 1974 Honda CB250, plug caps, plug gap

Question
I recently washed my 1974 Honda and on the way home it was bogging out like it was out of gas. Thoughts?

Answer
Andrew, I am trying to figure out what kind of CB250 you own built in 1974. There were CB350 twins and fours, but nothing sold in the US as a CB250, unless it was a domestic model that snuck into the country.

If you power washed your bike, you may have gotten moisture inside the spark plug caps, which causes the spark to short circuit down the side of the cap, instead of jumping the plug gap.

You may have gotten moisture inside the area where the ignition points are, which can also cause arcing internally.

If any water was forced into the fuel system, that would be a problem. Drain the petcock bowl and float bowls to see if moisture collected inside.

Water forced inside of electrical connections can cause corrosion and unreliable contacts.

Bill Silver