CL350 Starter - help a girl with her first bike

[janelu]

Hi All,

I just bought my first bike. It's a Honda '73 CL350 (with some CB parts for now). Want to get it running so that I can learn to ride on it. I'm going to need a lot of help along the way.

Let's start with problem #1: Every once in a while it will actually come to life with the starter, but most of the time it just makes a really unhealthy grinding noise. Attached a video so you can hear it for yourself. Also attaching some pics of crusty white powder that seems to be coming out right underneath the starter.

Thoughts on what the problem is? Thanks!

 

[janelu]

Looks like the video attachment did not load, so here is a link to it. Thanks. - J

https://youtu.be/FGVOsbcHUBQ

 

[DrJ]

Is the starter motor just spinning? If yes, then it's the starter clutch. A rather involved repair job. Not sure what's causing the white powder. Maybe some kind of oxidation?

 

[janelu]

Not sure. How can I tell if it's just spinning?

 

[xb33bsa]

hey pretty bike ugly noise indeed
if you pull off the round 3 screw stator cover,(put down a drain pan first some oil will come out no way to avoid it.its even a good idea to have the thing lent over so that side is high
then with flashlight you should be able to see direct witness of the chain moving when making that ugly noise again
but you dont need to do all that because it all has to come apart anyway

 

[xb33bsa]

sorry i didnt finish
reason is :the starter clutch and starter motor both need major service ,but dont feel like the lone stranger they all do that,eventually

 

[janelu]

Here's a video of the starter clutch in action
http://youtu.be/9WqmA3SxbZA

 

[xb33bsa]

the video is a good thing
like i said though you need to go through everything
the one way clutch (roller sprague cluutch)behind the rotor/flywheel needs inspection and service, they ALL do
it is common for them to have the 3 staked screws come loose,you will see them when you look at the backside) the amount of wear or damage to the sprague cutch parts varies but it is not uncommon to need to replace almost all of it with good used bits
an obvious ''witness'' i call it of wear will show on the spocket journal/surface that engages the rollers .it will be rough, new it is smooth as a babies behind ,what is still usable is somewhere in between but colse to the baby
the thread on the rear axle is what you use to remove the rotor flywheel in place of a ready made puller it works a treat
while you are this far it is time to completely service the starter motor and its reduction gears
this is preventive aklthough that corrosion was a signof conbnection issues i think

looks like you are doing reel good and stuff
what kind of mech experience do you have ? novice. intermediate or expert ?

 

[xb33bsa]

oh yeah dont get to carried away with cranking over with the cover off
when so,the cam is not getting oil ,don't worry you have'nt done any harm i'm sure ,but just keep that in mind
continous relentless cranking could possibly do minor wear,thats all

 

[crazypj]

Yep, it 'should' have leaked oil all over the floor if oil level was correct.
Starter clutch is a simple repair - you usually have to change it.
If the rollers are not 'flatted' the ramp section inside clutch may be (or more usually, cracked from a backfire when cranking )
There should be dozens of good starter clutches online from people who removed them
I have at least 3 and maybe maybe 4or5? (I think I sent one to Australia several years ago ;D )

 

[runmikeyrun]

I'm not sure of your skill level, but sometimes with this stuff watching youtube videos is a good help, and sometimes getting someone to come over as a second set of eyes and hands is also a good thing. Whatever you do, don't take it to the local Honda dealer, they're gonna charge you an arm and a leg and most likely have to fudge their way through it, if they can even find parts.

 

[janelu]

I did it!!!

But now I have this problem...

http://youtu.be/KedMt1TZVPg

So it starts right up now, but whenever I give it gas, it dies. And it might still be overheating too, but its 40 degrees in Florida tonight, so I really can't tell. Here's the other stuff that I (with a little help) have worked on, rebuilt and bench synced carbs, cleaned and replaced o-rings in oil filter, changed oil,and replaced plastic throttle and throttle cable. The bike is also now officially registered so I can ride it down the road, but it stalls every time I give it gas after stopping.

Sending out another SOS to the community. Thanks for all of your help and support so far. You guys are the greatest!!

 

[xb33bsa]

very proud of you thats great work and progress for a girl haha just joking you know i am
the issue you are having now could be some kind of fuel delivery situatuin
HOWEVER if you have not gone thru the thing and done a complete ignition tune up you must do that first
if the ignition is not up to snuff it can mimic/mask whatever some problems that are then mistakenly chased after as fuel related
one thing in pertikular thar can cause something like you have is the advancer stuck

 

[alzcbz]

Can you verify, for us, that both cylinders are firing?

While it is idling, manually open the throttle butterflies (on the side of the carb where you adjust the idle screw) one at a time. There should be a smooth, noticeable, increase in rpms. This should reveal if one cylinder is having a firing problem.

 

[Sonreir]

A compression check wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

 

[coyote13]

Like already stated, check the condition of all ignition items, points and advance unit, condenser, coil, wires and caps, and don't forget spark plugs. Check for air leaks around your carb boots, make sure the carbs are synced and like Sonreir said, can't hurt to do a compression check. A full tuneup wouldn't hurt either, including valve clearances etc., but check the easy stuff first. You can find the tuneup procedure in the shop manual, which is available in a free PDF online. Oh, and be sure your battery is in good shape and fully charged!

If all else fails, you might pull the carbs and be sure they're very clean and that the jets are secured in place