1974 Honda CL200

i.holmes

New Member
So I have been a long time lurker on this section of this website. I have always loved the looks of the old Japanese and British bikes no matter how much people made fun of me for it. Thus the reason I come on here.

Anyway, today I picked up my first bike and I want to know what you guys think of it. I am very happy with the state it is in. I found it on CL and it has 98% original parts... and runs!!!
Here are some of the pics the seller had posted.
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All of the chrome is in great shape. I am really having a hard time with all the plans I had for my first project since this bike is in such amazing condition. A few questions I do have: the tank had previously been lined and started to come off so the PO tried to strip it all out unsuccessfully. Would it be easier for me to buy a new tank or finish cleaning this one? Also if I were to get a new tank what are some options that would keep this bike looking somewhat stock if I decide to leave it the way it is?

I'd love to hear what you guys think of the bike. Also a little background info on myself. I'm a mechanical engineering student here in Orlando at UCF, graduating in December. I've always had a passion for bikes, and rode some when I was a kid but have never had a project for myself.
So here goes nothing!
 
So I've been messing with the gas tank today and have come to the conclusion that the petcock is trash. As far as I can tell the part #16950-292-000 should work. Could anyone confirm this for me?

-Ian
 
Beautiful looking survivor!

I recommend draining the tank, googling some remedies to fix your current situation, getting a petcock rebuild kit from partsnmore.com, z1enterprises.com, or elsewhere AND after doing that, installing a small gas filter after your petcock and before your carbs (might need two if you have two fuel lines). This will stop that gunk and an future rust/etc. from entering your carbs and causing a whole lot of issues.

Also, check your oil for metal shavings and give it a fresh change when you've got the time, put in a new oil filter too (if it takes one). Most of the replacement parts can be sourced from the above sites and bikebandit.com. That's where I go anyways. Looks like it was kept indoors, check your chain, and your speedo looks like it needs gasket/reworked.

Lastly, check the brakes to make sure they are within the safe limits of use (the rear should have a little pointer that shows when you step on it). ANNNND if you haven't done so already pick up a Clymer's manual for your bike, helps lots.
 
Great looking bike. Looks to be in excellent condition. I'm with you. It's easier for me to in envision a project that's in boxes than one that's in excellent condition like that one.
I'm from down your way originally. My grandparents live in Apopka. Just about year around riding.
 
Quick question, hopefully someone has some experience with a CL200 or something similar. Does anyone know what the path the fuel lines should take to the carbs? I'm starting to think this may not be the original tank because my fuel lines that I placed on there today are getting pinched a little and if they run under the port between the carb and engine they are working against gravity and I don't think they will feed the carbs.

Anyway, if anyone has any ideas please let me know. I was able to ride the bike today! Shifted great and felt awesome to be riding something 17 years older than I am.
 
So long as the carb is below the tank, gravity will find a way.
 
I thought the same thing of my 65 CL77 but that's how it is, if they are getting pinched you may want to cut the lines longer so they're not being pulled so tight.
 
I ended up using some longer lines and they now run under the port from the carb to the engine. This seems to be working for now. A guy that lives down the street from me was saying I really should be using fuel line that is made to withstand the high temps being that close to the engine. Does this really matter. I saw that one DCC they sell the same fuel line that I am using (clear plastic), just curious if it will end up causing a problem or if I don't need to worry about it.

Side note I rode the bike all weekend. I really love being back on a motorcycle. It shifts through all the gears smoothly and besides my kinked fuel lines I had no other issues.
 
If it's running close to the engine, I'd look into upgrading to some heat-rated line. With the cooler weather on us it might not be an issue, but come Summer, you sitting in traffic, the hot engine...

It's just not something you want to risk, if the line melts or breaks and you have gas spilling out over a hot engine, phew scary. At the very least you'd now have no fuel lines and thus be stranded. If money is a factor, just get creative in re-routing them OR search the net for pictures of the same bike and how they're routed there.
 
Any progress?

I bought a CL200 in very similar condition to yours last fall that was found on craiglist, and it was also my first cycle as well. And I had all the same problems you had! Too many coincidences man, freaky...
 
Guess I haven't posted here in quite some time... Well I made a big move to central AL, started a new job and have the bike finally running the way it should.

Just in the past couple of weeks a bunch of people have asked if I'd be interested in either selling or trading the bike so I guess thats a compliment.

Was able to go with a buddy of mine to a spot just down the street from where I now live and we snapped a couple quick pictures. Let me know what you guys think.
 

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Obviously I have the thank sreter for taking the pics

Here's the link to his build,
http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=61769.new#new
 
Weldangrind said:
Lovely bike. I'm quite envious of you because of those scrambler pipes.

Thanks, I've been getting a lot more compliments lately (maybe since I actually ride the bike now) and it's nice to see that people like the way it looks. The entire bike is 100% OEM and aside from the gas cap all the parts are original from 1974
 
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