QuestionMy question is that my 1972 Honda CL350 has a brand new battery new point (gapped and cleaned) the carbs have been soaked and cleaned thoroughly, it started right up after I added gas, rode it around and would start it up every day to keep it from sitting. For some reason the starter wont turn over the starter relay switch by the battery is making a clicking sound now and the bike wont even turn over, even using the kick start?! What do I do?
AnswerArnie, Check the oil level first. Bike on centerstand, dip the stick into the hole DO NOT screw it back in to check the level.
Be sure that the kickstarter isn't jamming the engine. 350-450 twins often have damaged engine cast stops when the kickstarter arm is left to fly back up, rather than allowed to return gently to the stops with steady tension on the k/s arm. When the lever returns back too far, it will engage the engine, locking up the transmission.
Did this happen, just while sitting or did it stop when it was running?
If the k/s shaft shows signs of being free to move a little in both directions, put the bike on the centerstand and remove the dyno cover on the left side of the crankshaft. There is oil inside, so put a pan underneath before you remove the cover. When the cover is off, put a 14mm wrench on the nut that holds the rotor on and move it back and forth. If there is no movement, then the engine is seized/jammed for some reason.
If this is the case, the motor will have to come out and be inspected for damage. There is a tech bulletin about damage to clutch cover and dyno cover gaskets failing and pieces of the gasket migrating up the oil feed passages to the cylinder head. When this happens, the camshaft will seize in the cylinder head which has no replaceable cam bearings. If severely seized, the camshaft and cylinder head/cover will require replacement, which is not a cheap date.
Bill Silver
