Dear Gene, I love you. In a Nighthawk kind of way only of course!!! This is exaclty what I was looking for. Sure I went to my Clymers book and read up on troubleshooting. But it does not have the anecdotal information that helps me like your email does. I am headed to Harbor Freight at lunch if I can sneak away. Below I've inserted comments based on what I have done to date.
Thanks so much!!! Susan On Tue, Oct 21, 2008 at 11:25 AM, Gene Henry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > ''85 CB450SC? Full parts breakdown at: > http://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb450sc-nighthawk-450-85-us_model457/partslist/ > > You might try to narrow the problem down to fuel or ignition/spark. With > the choke fully on, throttle closed, crank it for 15 to 30 seconds. Remove > a sparkplug (or two), and see if they are wet or dry. If dry, your problem > is probably fuel. If wet, probably ignition, or too much choke. To clear > engine with too much fuel, crank with throttle fully open for 5+ seconds. > (Sorry, probably is the best I can do!) I've tried choke in all different > positions on different tires/different dates same temp conditions. We are > talking cold start here. > > Harbor Freight tools has spark checkers for $2.99, at > http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?keyword=spark+checker > For a store near you, > http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/retail_stores.taf There is one in > Richland, at 305 Wellsian Way. > The 90 degree one fits my cycle best. > > > > <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4424><http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4424> > Inline > Ignition Spark > Checker<http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4424> > > *4424-2VGA* > $2.99 > > <http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4445><http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4445> > 90° > Inline Ignition Spark > Checker<http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=4445> > > *4445-2VGA* > $2.99 > Simply pull off the plug wire and insert the checker between the wire and > the sparkplug. A small bulb will light inside the checker if spark is > present. > > My 84' CB650SC wants full choke to start when "cool", no choke only when > at full engine temperature. If my battery is not fully charged, it may > not start, even though it cranks/turns over well. It usually will not start > if the throttle is even partially open. > > Your description seems to indicate that it will fire and run briefly, > repeatedly, even if not well, before it quits running, and once running > well, will continue to run well until you turn it off. Fires and starts > briefly when I get to tries number 13-15. > > Thoughts: Is this problem worse with cooler temperatures? If so, probably > fuel. Ambient temp makes no difference. > Can you observe the choke operation at the carb(s) to insure that the choke > is pulling the mechanism on the carb to its full on position? I;ve watched > and the rocker mechanism does move, but to full on? I'm not sure. May need > adjusting! If unsure, try to adjust the mechanism to operate it fully. > Have you replaced the spark plugs recently? I'll give that a try next. If > not, good place to start, and will remove a problem possibility. > Have you tried Sea Foam in your gas? This too, I can stop by auto parts > store at lunch too. I would suggest a large amount in a partial tank of > gas. Mix is not critical, but keep it "strong". > When experiencing the problem, do not try a variety of solutions quickly to > keep it running, such as choke position, throttle position, invoking or > cursing a variety of gods, etc.This might be my problem , I don't know how > to cuss in Japanese. I know the rule, you must curse in the same language as > the origin of manufacture. I am ok cussing in Italian (had Fiats and my Dad > had Moto Guzzi's and Alfa's) Try (and hold) a choke and throttle position > until you are sure it will not work, then change only *one* or the other > until you are sure that is not going to work, then try another. You may be > able to find the one "that aligns the stars". Your cycle has a right to be > as idiosyncratic as you are. Or is that "unique"? > If you have a battery charger/maintainer, I would strongly suggest you have > it hooked up and the batter fully charged before you experiment. OK so > this will sound lame too, I have't removed any body panels yet. I can see > the positive terminal (or something that is decorated as one) under the > seat, and I know where the battery is because I can see it. Remove/isolate > another possible problem. > > I would suggest you be as specific as possible if your report further on > your problems: I will!! > > "With the temp at 56 degrees, and the batter fully charged, the choke fully > on, and the throttle fully closed, it cranked for 10 seconds before firing > at all, then ran roughly for 5 seconds before quitting. I waited 2 seconds > and tried again, with the same throttle/choke settings, and it cranked for 5 > seconds before firing, and then ran 15 seconds before quitting. etc. etc. > etc. Or you could send us an audio recording, complete with profanity! * > ;~}* You need to know that profanity directed to the Gods voids prayers > to them! > ** > (And if you're putting it up for sale, notify only me!) (I will, are you > close enough to come pick it up? There is a toy in Seattle calling my > name...) > > Gene > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > *From:* Susan Sande <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > *To:* [email protected] > *Sent:* Tuesday, October 21, 2008 11:47 AM > *Subject:* [Nighthawk Lovers] Please advise!!!! > > Ok I am about to put my little ol' 450 up for sale cause I can't spend any > more time waiting for it to start in the morning (or afternoon or evening > for that matter). Once it starts and holds she runs like a champ. Please any > suggetions on how to get it to start/what I can change out etc/look at. If I > am lucky and the stars are aligned it takes me 13-15 tries to get the > combustion to hold and keep the motor running. I want to try what I can > before I have to haul it down to the local Honda place - that is, if I can > get it started!! > > I use the choke (I've tried without and in different positions), I've tried > the 15-30 seconds between attempts suggestion, I've changed out the air > filter. What more should I be trying? Seems to have a nice strong battery. > > New spark plugs? > Choke cable adjustment? > Send me a picture of where to spray some ether? > Send me a picture of where I can easily access the carb intakes without > tearing apart the whole thing (and having to spend time putting it back > together before I can ride) so I can maybe ungunk something? > Bueller? Bueller? > > Anyone else have this problem??? > > Thanks in advance, > Susan > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Nighthawk Motorcycle Lovers!" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nighthawk_lovers?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
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