Some More CB200 Idle Issues (vintage bike show tomorrow, help!)

[904cafe]

Note last reply for most up to date problems (haha):

So I have the CB200 running again... and fairly well for the most part. It does however run pretty rich at low RPM/Idle which doen't make sense because it has straight pipes and UNI filters on it. I have yet to really perfect the idle problem, however I'm thinking I just need to lean it out a bit. My main concern is that it tops out a 60mph. It will hit 9,000rpms all day in all my low gears but it will not go past 60mph (which puts it at around 6k in 5th gear). I have also noticed, which I'm no expert but believe this may relate, that my clutch seems to slip at times. Only at low rpm and full throttle will it rev inconsistantly and sometime up to around 7-8k really fast. I'm thinking it may just be that my clutch slips in 5th gear at 6k, preventing it from going faster than 60mph. Any input would be great. I have already adjusted the clutch numerous times according to the manual, for all I know this may be the original clutch and components.

 

[904cafe]

Re: Some More CB200 Issues

Any input will help. Im pretty set on my idea of the clutch slipping but I would like to hear other peoples thoughts, as I am new to this whole bike thing. I would hate to go out and get new discs and springs and find out it does nothing. Thanks!

 

[OneWorden]

Re: Some More CB200 Issues

My late CB200 had a similar problem and at the time i was riding year round, so i got the idea from a buddy of mine to remove one clutch spring at a time and shim it with a spark plug washer. gave me just the clearance i needed and a little more grunt out of the hole.

 

[SammoT120]

Re: Some More CB200 Issues

that's a good tip. my 2oo was really sensitive to carb tuning tho..

i don't know how much time or energy you've spent researching carb tuning (so excuse me if I say something you already know) but taking an hour to really dial in a carb will drastically improve performance on the little machine. Remember, she only had 18 thundering horses from the factory so reeling them in takes some finesse... I was only ever able to top out my CB at maybe 70-73mph so i think you're really getting into the short strokes of tuning here..

I'm no expert on tuning carbs, but I did look up some tips for the 200 once, and have used it ever since. If I had the link I would pass it on tho.. sorry.

Sammo

 

[904cafe]

Re: Some More CB200 Issues

Thanks guys, I know for a fact it needs some more carb attention, specially at idle. Im gonna mess with it this weekend a bit and look into some new discs and springs for the clutch.

What is everyones experience with aftermarket clutch kits etc. Suprisingly all Ive heard about Barnett is BAD and I have yet to hear anything about EBC. These are my only two options really, EBC being the cheaper of the two.

 

[Maritime]

Re: Some More CB200 Issues (clutch and idle)

So I have the CB200 running again... and fairly well for the most part. It does however run pretty rich at low RPM/Idle which doen't make sense because it has straight pipes and UNI filters on it. I have yet to really perfect the idle problem, however I'm thinking I just need to lean it out a bit. My main concern is that it tops out a 60mph. It will hit 9,000rpms all day in all my low gears but it will not go past 60mph (which puts it at around 6k in 5th gear). I have also noticed, which I'm no expert but believe this may relate, that my clutch seems to slip at times. Only at low rpm and full throttle will it rev inconsistantly and sometime up to around 7-8k really fast.

I had similar problems, I could not get past 60 with a headwind, the bike would rev to 5500 and if I gave it more throttle, even gently it would rev up and not go any faster. Sometime jump right to 8-9 K. I opened up my cluthc cover and the discs were cooked. Black and shiny and slipping like crazy. $100 for Honda OEM later and it is like a new bike. At 5500 RPM I am doing 60 in 6th, twist the throttle and I am doing 80 at 7500. No more slip, eccelerates awsome. Best $100 I spent. When I called around for prices on clutch plates/springs everyone, even non honda dealers told me if I was just doing fricton plates and springs to go OEM and pay the difference. EBC would have cost 85.00 so fro 15 I got OEM honda. They were great, One secret, the shop I got them from told me that clymers soak time isn't enough, you need 8-10 hours minimum in the oil before install or they will wear prematurely. It took about 1 hour to do including the oil and filter change.

I'm thinking it may just be that my clutch slips in 5th gear at 6k, preventing it from going faster than 60mph. Any input would be great. I have already adjusted the clutch numerous times according to the manual, for all I know this may be the original clutch and components.

 

[904cafe]

Re: Some More CB200 Issues (clutch and idle)

Thanks man! The clutch was my first instinct... I guess I'll be looking into a new one even further.

 

[904cafe]

Re: Some More CB200 Issues (clutch and idle)

So I had a little bit of a HMMMM? moment earlier...

I've been having issues with getting my CB200 to idle (it has CL straight pipes and UNI filters on it). I was scanning through my PDF file CB/CL 200 manual earlier, checking the diagram of the carbs to make sure for any reason I hadn't overlooked something. That's when I noticed the stock jet settings for the CL are different than the CB, my guess is because of the exhaust (which I have). The CL has a smaller idle jet which would make it leaner and since mine is running rich at idle I'm thinking about trying the smaller jet. I know you generally don't change out idle jets... what do you guys think? Another note... I don't notice a differene in the idle when I back the mixture screw in or out, could it be running that rich? Ideas? Comments?

 

[Maritime]

Re: Some More CB200 Idle Issues (vintage bike show 2wks, help!)

that was my idle problem, I went up on the idle jet when I didn't need too. I couldn't get the idle below 3000rpm/ i put the stock back in and all was well. If the CL stock is smaller it might be worth a try. I don't know how easy it is on the cb200 but my 450 you can access the jsets just by draining the bowls and taking them off all with the carbs in the bike.

 

[904cafe]

Re: Some More CB200 Idle Issues (vintage bike show 2wks, help!)

Im gonna order me some smaller 35s tomorrow and get my clutch a comin! Thanks, I hope this solves my issues.

 

[Rich84vw]

Re: Some More CB200 Issues

Thanks guys, I know for a fact it needs some more carb attention, specially at idle. Im gonna mess with it this weekend a bit and look into some new discs and springs for the clutch.

What is everyones experience with aftermarket clutch kits etc. Suprisingly all Ive heard about Barnett is BAD and I have yet to hear anything about EBC. These are my only two options really, EBC being the cheaper of the two.

i bought a new clutch from my local honda shop. it was kind of pricey but since its legit honda i knew it would work. also an old harley guy i know taught me the clutch will work better if you file out the grooves that can develop from the plates in the basket. like the "gear" shaped part of the basket where all the little teeth on the plates sit are supposed to be flat obviuosly, but they develop grooves from years of pressing against the basket when you disengage the clutch. they then get hung up on the grooves and dont move as much/straight as they should. it took me like 4 hours to file all the grooves out of mine but it helped alot. i dunno if itll help your problem but if you have a file and a high tolerance for boredom its free.

oh yea and maybe this is obviuos but i didnt see it mentioned so im going to just to be safe. if you cant get up past 60 in 5th cuz of clutch slipping itll still rev past 6k, but just not go any faster. if the motor gets up to 60 and then just isnt revving any higher its probably something else thats sapping power under load.

hope any of that helps.

 

[904cafe]

Re: Some More CB200 Idle Issues (vintage bike show 2wks, help!)

hmmm... see thats why im confused... in every other gear it will gladly go to 9,000 so i cant understand why it doesn't in 5th gear? im starting to think i may just be drowning it out (rich) idk. i have a new clutch and springs on there way... only cost me around $18 + shipping form EBC!!!!

no luck finding a size 35 idle jet either... the Honda part number for the CL200 idle jet is discontinued and every shop I've tried has been no help, even the trusty vintage bike shop here in town. it running crazy rich at idle is the only thing i can think of that would keep it from idling correctly at this point, everything has been cleaned and cleaned and adjusted and adjusted.

looks like ill be throwing her in the back of my friends truck for the show (no fun at all)... :-[