Motorcycle Repair: 73 Cb350G Honda, screw out, honda riders

Question
Hi Bill!
Help, my cycle won't start!
I just put in a new battery and spark plugs. the gas did sit in the tank all winter (dummy me)
I tried to take off the air filter covers and can not get the gold- colored screw out...when I pull back on the air filter cover a little, I can see they need new filters, but I can't get the covers off on either side, and I don't want to force it.
any suggestions for that or to start it? It turns over, like it's gonna start, but just won't.
thank you, Joy

Answer
Joy... or soon to be :>)

First, you gotta get the old gas out of the fuel system. Drain the fuel tank, petcock strainer, float bowls and pray that the jets aren't plugged up. If they are, you can either pull the carbs for overhaul or try some of Yamaha's miracle carb cleaner product, mixed with gasoline to clean the bowls and jets. Today's gasolines goes off in weeks, not months, like it used to do. The whole ethanol thing may start causing a lot of headaches for vintage Honda riders. I draws water from the moisture in the air and also can cause O-rings to swell up. Stay away from mixtures greater than 10%, if possible.

Probably have to buy more plugs, as you may have fuel-fouled the last set with the old gasoline. Make sure you use fuel stabilizer next time! Check for a good spark on both plugs, laid against the cyl head, before you install them again. Weak/intermittent spark may indicate corrosion on the points. Point arcing should be minimal when cranking the motor over. Heavy arcing indicates a bad condenser or loose condenser wiring connector.

MAKE SURE THE KILL SWITCH is in the ON position! :>) Just had to throw that in... sometimes, it is overlooked!

Pull both side covers off and you will see that the brass nut/cover holder parts are just two nuts on a very long piece of threaded rod. Hold one side and unscrew the other side, then withdraw the long rod, which holds the whole works together.

Hope this reply brings joy back to Joy....  

Bill Silver www.vintagehonda.com
(working on a restoration guide/tune-up guide for 350s, coming soon!)