Motorcycle Repair: Honda Drivetrain, honda cm400t, piston rings

Question
I just inherited a 1980 CM400T.  Should the rear wheel move at all when the bike is in gear?  It does not move.  I was trying to see if the engine would turn to see if it turns free or if it is locked up.  How can the engine be turned over with out hooking up the electrical?  I don't want to spend much cash on this bike if the engine is no good.

Answer
Matt, take the spark plugs out first.

Look here to see illustration of the left side cover and alternator flywheel beneath the cover.

http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cm400t-80-us_model7286/partslist/E++10.html

Remove the bolts from the outer cover and then you can access the central bolt in the crankshaft mounted flywheel. This will allow you to turn the motor over with a socket wrench.

With the plugs out, you should be able to turn the engine over, in gear, using the rear wheel/drive chain for leverage.

If you see water/rust on the spark plug, then it is probably seized due to either moisture buildup inside the cylinder or in some cases, the carburetors will overflow, sending gasoline into a cylinder with an open intake valve, which eventually evaporates, leaving sticky gummy residues behind which glue the piston/rings to the cylinder walls.

Bill Silver