Motorcycle Repair: 79 Honda CX 500 Deluxe, honda cx 500, motorcycle salvage yard

Question
Chris,

I just bought my first bike, a 1979 Honda CX 500 Deluxe.  When I bought the bike it only ran on one cylinder at low rpm.  The previous owner runs a motorcycle salvage yard and seemed to be very knowledgable.  He told me that cleaning the carbs should take care of this problem.  I have some experience with cars but none with motorcycles. After cleaning the carbs as described in the Clymer manual I'm not sure if I'm running on both cylinders.  I get about the same exhaust pressure and tempurature coming out of the tailpipes (just feeling by hand) but the left side exhuast pipe at the motor gets hot while the right side stays cool. I also have good spark on both plugs.  It does still cough on the right side once in a while.  I have no idea what all this might mean, any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Warren C Squires IV

Answer
Hi Warren.
 Check the compression in both cylinders against what the manual calls for.

 You could have an issue with the valves and/or the rings or pistons.

 Remember that the bike ended up in the salvage yard for a reason.  You need to look for every possibility.

Good luck.
FALCON