Motorcycle Repair: Honda C70 wont start with kick start but will start with electric start, honda c70 passport, stator coils

Question
Hi,
Im having a problem with starting my 1982 Honda C70 Passport (CDI not points).  The bike starts reliably with the electric start and once it starts it runs perfectly fine.  However, if I try to start the bike using the kick start or by rolling it down a hill and popping it into first gear the bike won't start.  I've replaced the stator coils and the spark plug with no success fixing the problem.  When I did replace the coils the bike wouldn't kick start but it did roll start a couple times, but now it has gone back to only starting with the electric start.

I've tried checking just about everything.  The ignition coils are within the specs specified by honda and the wires all seem to be in good shape.  The only thing I can't figure out is that the CDI unit has some strange readings when I test it with a multimeter that are different from the service manual, but they are very strange (like having less than infinite resistance when there should be infinite resistance).  Should I replace the CDI unit or does this sound like some other problem?

My email is johngoetzinger at gmail.com

Answer
Hi John,

Variations in test meters and other variables can result with meter readings out of specs.

I need to inspect the C70 to accurately diagnose this problem.

Visit the following resources and try contacting the contact persons or webmasters for additional assistance.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively


http://www.oldhonda.com/trail702.htm

http://www.hondatrail70.com/

http://www.hondatrail70.com/miniBikeBoy.htm