Motorcycle Repair: honda twinstar 185 1978, honda twinstar, hash marks

Question
Hey Chris,  I'm back about the Honda Twinstar,  Heres where we are.  We replaced the ignition coil, condenser, points and battery.  Motorcycle would finally start but not stay running if you closed the choke.  So we cleaned the carb, and replaced all the o-rings and gaskets.  It would run and idle better, but still not let you completely close the choke.  we fooled with the idle screw, idled better, but would not stay running unless we keep a very light pressure on the throttle.  tried adjusting the throttle cable, can't really go any tighter.  so now when we got up this am, the bike will not start at all.  when we open the little door to the points, we cannot find any type of hash marks for the timing.  we have a clymer manual, Do you have any suggestions.  we are getting very frustrated.  thanks again.  Beth

Answer
Hi Beth.

I can completely understand your frustration.  Unless the previous owner put in some kind of strange aftermarket timing  plate, then the timing marks must be there.  They could be hashmarks on the plate or they could be actual notches where the timing mark can be seen through (like using a gunsight).

Keep adjusting the idle screw a little bit at a time til it idles and stays that way.  If it will not run without the choke, then there is some kind of partial blockage that is preventing sufficient fuel to the engine.

Let me know what you find again.

Good luck.
FALCON