1970 Honda CB350 Cafe - My first bike and build.

[Archer]

Ah, the breather hose. Good thought. Yeah, mine "clicks" into the 3 positions. I think thats correct.

 

[Archer]

Whatcha think of those coils?

 

[HerrDeacon]

I think the choke linkage is on correct (at least from my memory). It has to wrap around the center frame post.

 

[Sonreir]

Whatcha think of those coils?

Pretty dirty. They could use a bit of cleanup. MikesXS sells some cheap universal coils if you'd rather just buy new. They take some minor fabrication to get them to fit the stock Honda coil mounts though.

 

[Archer]

I'm going to clean them up and see what they do. Any way to test these with a volt meter?

 

[Sonreir]

Yup. Get +12V into the black/white wire and you should see +12V coming out the blue or the yellow (depending on which coil you're testing). I can't remember the exact resistance, but it should be something in the neighborhood of 3 ohms or so...

The secondary coil should be seeing +12V as well. Resistance between the black/white and the plug cap should be high. 30K-60K ohms, I think?

 

[Archer]

Thank you Sir

 

[Archer]

Guys, this might be hard to follow without a picture, but bear with me.

I feel I'm very close to firing the engine up on the bench, but the coils are confusing me a little. I have the blue and yellow wires leading from the points going into the coils 2 position plug. I have the condenser yellow and blue leading to the remaining plug. That leaves me with 2 black whites coming off of the coils.

If I want to fire this thing up can I take a 12v battery that I have on hand and ground the engine with the black, and red + connect to those 2 black wires? Will that get my coils fired up ready to produce a spark?

 

[Archer]

I found this video on YouTube. I want to do the same thing to test mine once I figure out the wiring.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISojdEVv8-U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[adriannarnold]

Hope this helps

 

[Archer]

Thanks Johnny. I'm still trying to figure out the most basic wiring just to get it running on the bench. I'm pretty mechanically minded, but not electrically...

I've got the points hooked up to the coils, plugs are in and coils hooked up. I can ground the engine, but not sure about running the + positive into the black wires coming off the coils. Do I need to hook up the rectifier and regulator for a bench test?

 

[Sonreir]

Regulator and rectifier are for charging. You can run off of a battery (without them) for a while. Black/white wires from coils can go directly to +12V, but don't keep it hooked up too long unless the engine is running. Coils don't like constant power. Engine, like you said, goes to ground.

 

[axeugene27]

yeah man i think you can just ground the motor get a hot wire to the coils. Then you just need to put a hot lead off the battery and you touch the starter motor wire(sans solenoid) direct to the hot wire. I think it would prob be easier to put the damn thing in the bike though.

 

[Archer]

Hey guys,

Think I owe ya'll an update.... Last night was my first real attempt at starting the thing. I went to my local hardware store and bought some clear nylon tubing and a couple fittings. a T connection and a spout that I glued into the cap of a water bottle. Filled the water bottle with gas and I had a quick gas tank.

I poked a small hole in the bottom of the bottle so it wouldn't create a vacuum. Gas fed easily into the carbs. No leaks.

I hooked the battery to motor and to the coils. Thought everything was in place. I tried for 20 minutes turning the engine over with a 14mm wrench and it would not fire. Not even a hint of firing. The only conclusion i've come to is that my coils or plug wires are bad. Maybe, a problem with the points though I dont think so.

My plan, i guess..... is to buy some new universal coils, new plug wires, and maybe even a Pamco electronic ignition system. My inexperience is really shining right now.

I can't think of what I can't think of.... There has to be a reason this thing wont fire.

 

[Archer]

Also,....

Does anyone know where I can find coils that will work with the existing coil bracket? I don't want to do any unnecessary fabrication.

Oh, i forgot to thank you guys for the earlier tips. And Axeugene, I dont have a starter sprocket or chain. Never came with my bike so I can't turn it over with the starter.

 

[axeugene27]

I have an extra if you are interested..... I had to make a makeshift bracket for my replacement coils it actually worked pretty well though. I'll take close up pics if your interested.

 

[axeugene27]

Sorry I mean an extra chain and sprocket for the starter that is. ..

 

[Archer]

Thanks for the offer man. Appreciate it bro. Since I wasent going to keep a starter on the bike, ( im making it kick only) id rather not buy any parts to one. Although, it would be easier to test for sure. I'll think on this.

 

[muskywhisperr]

Make sure the battery is fully charged. I had the same problem with my cl360. It would fire by the starter or by kick. Charged the battery overnight and after about 10 min of hittin the start button she fired. My two cents.

 

[Archer]

Good call.