Motorcycle Repair: 1974 Honda 175cc Enduro, speed pop, kickstarter


Question
I just got this bike and my question pertains to the kickstarter.  The bike will roll in neutral however, the kickstarter will not move.  Is there any way to tell if the engine is seized, and if it is are there any little tricks to try to free it up without disassembling everything?

Answer
Dan,
  You can try this:  Remove the plug and drip in some motor oil.  Wheel the bike up an incline steep enough to get a little bit of speed.  Ride the bike down hill, coasting of course with shifter in second gear and the clutch disengauged (lever in).  At speed, pop the clutch closed and see if you've got enough friction between the tire and road to get the engine turning.  If you have no luck you will have to remove the top end to try and asess the damage.  If the piston was siezed and the crank turns freely you may be ok with a rebore and new set rings and piston.  If the crank is stuck.......look elsewhere for transportation.

Mike