QuestionHello Bill Silver, I bought this bike recently - it has sat quite a while. It is in pretty rough shape / no title. Today I found time to check some of the electric to try & get spark. The points I haven't accessed yet, but I'm 100% sure they are corroded. Can you tell me the gap ?
The handlebar kill switch checks as bad / does it ground the ignition to kill? or open the ign circuit?
The sparkplug broke off at top of the threads /
I figure a diamond 1/8" rotary grindstone can notch the metal until just barely into the threads / then maybe a screwdriver against the plug adj gnd tip would back the thing out. What is your suggestion? I don't want to spend a lot of money (w/no title) & effort like pulling the head.
AnswerLon, it sounds like a bike that hasn't had a lot of loving care does it?
XL350s have a spread out magneto system, so you do have to get the point cover off the cylinder head and clean the points, check the spark advancer to be sure it isn't frozen and hope that the condenser is still okay. Point gap on most all Hondas is .012-.014" at the widest gap then move the point plate until they just open at the F mark alignment on the flywheel ( just before TDC compression stroke).
Kill switch does ground the magneto to turn off the sparks.
I would try to get a large easy-out to work out the remaining threads in the cyl head. Try something that doesn't get too expansive when installed. There are some that are more like metal flutes than the usual tapered wedge shapes that may be more effective.
Using a grinder down there will fill the cylinder with metal/abrasive particles unless you are very careful. You might take it to a machine shop and get a second opinion, however.
Bill Silver
