Motorcycle Repair: 1975 Honda CB200t--not starting, clutch cable, cable check

Question
Hi Jim,

I purchased a 1975 Honda CB200t about two weeks ago.  Since, I've ridden it just about every day.  From the get-go, it hasn't shifted right: it gets stuck in 1st, N, and 2nd quite a bit.  When I get going in 1st, it's often takes a couple tries to get it to click up to 2nd, and even more to get it up to 3rd and 4th.  Sometimes it's the same problem going down...

More recently (last night and today), I am unable to start the bike.  The electric start wasn't working when I got it.  But I (and the previous owner, according to him) was always able to start it within one or two kicks of the kick-start.  Not anymore.  It's been covered at night, hasn't been exposed to water, and the temperature here (Bloomington, IN) hasn't changed much in the last week. Prior to not being able to start it, I hadn't noticed any signs of stalling, sputtering or anything.  These seems (to my untrained ear and lack of experience) to have come out of no where.

I don't know if these two problems or at all related or completely separate.  I'm not even sure if I'm giving you enough info, but any help you might be able to offer on either or both problems would be much appreciated.

Thanks.


Answer
Hard shifting is often due to the oil in the crankcase being too thick or sludgy. Also possible due to stretched out clutch cable.

Check the condition of the battery. It sounds like the battery doesn't have enough juice to run the ignition anymore. There might be a problem with your charging system. Use a voltmeter to check the battery and charging system (once the bike is running).

It's also possible the clutch is dragging and making it harder for the bike to start.