CL125 Scrambler just won't start!

[henrybayuzick]

Over the past month I've been converting my old Honda CL125 scrambler into a cafe racer for fun. The only problem: it won't run.

We've adjusted the points and I think the timing is correct. I have not tested the compression but it "feels" good. It's got spark. And gas is going into the carb and getting to the plug. I'm not sure how well it is flowing to the plug though. We've torn it apart and let it soak in carb cleaner and replaced the slow jet.

The other night after a billion kicks, it started running at REALLY high idle so we took choke off and it stalled. Since then, it has not started. Occasionally it'll pop and spit, but it just won't keep running. Something is wrong or needs adjusted, but I really don't know what.

Any suggestions? Advice on how to make sure the timing is correct, and points are correct, and that it isn't something major with the carb. I'm fairly new to engines, but something this small should be simple, right?

Thanks!

 

[SONICJK]

Why color is your spark?
How is your mixture screw set?
Are your plugs new? Gapped correctly?
Whats your float height?


Get a manual for setting the timing I'm unsure of the procedure on that bike.

You need to check compression and
Make sure your valves are adjusted correctly

 

[teddpage]

If it started and "idled" high, then with choke off it died, it sounds to me like you have a vacuum leak somewhere. Is the carb tightened on the rubber intake boot? Is there a tear in the boot somewhere? Sometimes just glancing at it you wont be able to tell, you might have to pull the boot off the bike and inspect it closely.

 

[surffly]

What are you running as an air filter? If pod or none then they HATE to start, even if everything is perfect
Where did you get the brass for the carb? Again if not 100% OEM then they HATE to run, the aftermarket stuff is junk
Get a OEM manual and set the float hight. Also make sure that you are using a good/new NGK plug of the correct number
Is the exhaust stock? If plugged or a cut off exhaust then again they HATE to run/start

Just soaking the carb will do nothing, the passages have to be checked and cleaned.
Air leaks could cause and issue
If spitting then its more then likely timming.

 

[henrybayuzick]

What are you running as an air filter? If pod or none then they HATE to start, even if everything is perfect
Where did you get the brass for the carb? Again if not 100% OEM then they HATE to run, the aftermarket stuff is junk
Get a OEM manual and set the float hight. Also make sure that you are using a good/new NGK plug of the correct number
Is the exhaust stock? If plugged or a cut off exhaust then again they HATE to run/start

Just soaking the carb will do nothing, the passages have to be checked and cleaned.
Air leaks could cause and issue
If spitting then its more then likely timming.

There is no air filter currently, just wide open. The exhaust is also cut. Correct hot plugs. And we replaced the slow jet with an OEM replacement. Pretty sure it's not the timing. Would a video help you diagnose the problem? I think we've narrowed it down to the carb. Would you be willing to help me troubleshoot this? I noticed you have the same exact bike. The only problem is, we don't really have a functional throttle. Should we replace that first? How many kicks does it take to get yours started? We've been trying to get this thing started for a few months now to no avail. All of the help is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[henrybayuzick]

Why color is your spark?
How is your mixture screw set?
Are your plugs new? Gapped correctly?
Whats your float height?


Get a manual for setting the timing I'm unsure of the procedure on that bike.

You need to check compression and
Make sure your valves are adjusted correctly

Spark is blue
Currently set at what the manual said. I think 1 3/4.
Plug is new, but we didn't gap them at all.
Float is at 24mm whatever it says in the manual.

Almost positive the timing is correct.
Haven't touched the valves.

Any ideas? Just won't start.

 

[SONICJK]

henrybayuzick quoted your post in thread "Re: CL125 Scrambler just won't start!" - DO THE TON

Check the valves it won't run if they aren't right.

Check compression.

And toss on an air filter.

 

[surffly]

With nothing on the carb and a cut exhaust it will not start. Well you can some times get them to run, but not without a tone of tinkering.
These dont have that much power and the losses from both these "mods" dont help.

What do you mean you dont have a functional throttle?
Cant have everything broken and modded and expect it just to work

 

[surffly]

Emgo or other Pods are about as useless as pouring sand in the oil, so one will not help get you running.
Even if you get it to "run" with a pod and a cut exhaust it will have massive dead spots, not idle well and just generally run like poop.
Some times style has to suffer to make things work....