QuestionHello. I have a 1964 Honda C200 Motorcycle. Not exactly sure on the year. It will run and drive as long as there is a charged battery on it, but it will not keep charge. The owner before me was using a 12 volt battery to run it instead of a 6 volt. Any ideas on the problem? Also, I don't know if I will keep the bike and fix it or sell it. What would be a good asking price? It is in fair shape. It's missing most of the plastic, needs carb work, and the whole charging deal. Thanks alot!
AnswerTom, probably the rectifier is toast, by now. They are battery operated bikes, so have to have a fully charged battery in the system to run. 12v will also pop the lights out, too, generally. Check for any melted wires, corroded wiring connections, bad grounds and remove the rectifier to test, using a volt ohm meter. Test diodes with ohm meter or continuity checker one direction, then reverse the polarity. Should be open in one direction and near zero in the other. You can replace the rectifier with a RADIO SHACK bridge rectifier for just a few dollars, though.
Probably not a great deal of value in what you have now. Getting the correct parts, repairing damaged, missing items costs more than they are ever worth. Good for youngsters to learn on, out in the back 40 somewhere, though...
Bill Silver
