Question My husband just talked me into a 1978 Honda 550. The bike looks good and supposly ran last year. It kicks over but it does not stay running. My husband assures me that it is just because it has been sitting. He says tommorow he will get new plugs and that should do it. He says Bikes are not like cars.
The bike as I mentioned does start, but it does not stay running.
My question is, are Bikes much different than cars? Is it likely it will run. My husband is very good with working on things, I just don't want it to be a MAJOR chore!
AnswerR... when bikes sit, the fuel inside the float bowls evaporates and leaves varnish and goo inside the bowls, which plugs up the small idle jets. They are sized about .014"-.016" and plug up easily. Try some Yamaha brand carb cleaner solution to clean the carbs w/o removing them (it is a pain). IF that doesn't work then you will have to have the carbs cleaned/overhauled, which could run $300 or more at a shop.
If you have been trying to start the bike and it stalls, probably you will need a fresh set of plugs, but only after you know that the fuel tank, petcock (fuel valve), fuel lines and carburetors are all clean inside.
After that, clean and gap the points to about .012-.014". The set the timing on each side so the points just open at the 1-4 and 2-3 timing mark alignments.
Dyna makes a good electronic ignition system that will remove the maintenance of the points and condenser permanently.
Bikes are really not much different than cars, just everything is smaller and more compact. I suggest a good shop manual to help guide you along in the maintenance process. Try www.helminc.com, www.motorcyclebooks.com, www.motorcyclememories.com. There is a site for SOHC Hondas from 350-750cc... www.sohc4.org, I believe.
Bill Silver
