will not start (non-kawi)

Alright this is a tricky one. In my title it says it is not about a kawi, but this is about a 1980 honda cm400t. i bought this for a motor to put into a four-wheeler project i have.

i love my kawi, and i absolutely hate this honda.

the honda was free so im dealing with it, since i could never dismantle a kawasaki. anywho, the bikes history is fairly unknown. i cleaned the two carbs and have plenty of fuel. i have great spark. the motor turns great and has plenty of juice, but just will not fire. it sputters just a little bit, but also backfires through the carb and into the airbox very frequently. any ideas on what is wrong with this thing? besides that its a honda? also the clutch is not working. when i push in the clutch with the bike in gear, it wont move, but rolls freely wen in neutral.

sorry for the lengthy questions about this. this is the best forum i have ever come across and cannot find a honda one.

I feel you pain. I've been looking for a Honda too. I've been working on a 71 2 cylinder CB350 for a friend. He has a manual, but I think it's for every Honda ever made.

Hopefully, someone will but up a link.
Ride safe.

Post edited by: The Milkman, at: 2007/08/05 20:32

Post edited by: The Milkman, at: 2007/08/05 20:33

One ignition coil or two ?

If two separate coils then perhaps check that you have the correct coil wired to fire at the correct time.

I wired the 2 separate coils on a CB250 ass backwards once and it did exactly as you describe.

very interesting. i was trusting that the owner before me wouldnt have touched that but i will take a look at that tomorrow, thank you. Any other ideas?

Sounds like a timing problem, either ignition or valve. What is the compression? chris3

Check your valve clearances.A tight intake
valve will backfire into the airbox.Then
check the timing.

UPDATE

valve clearances have been checked and corrected. valves are now exactly where they need to be. The problem persists. Now when the bike backfires through the carb, the starter studders and makes a loud clap. only when it backfires through the carb. im still getting sputters and pops inconsistently out of the exhaust though. the ignition system is in correct order and working. the timing is not adjustable and the manual claims it will never need to do touched. it says to check the alternator and the cdi box only for that. also i have excellent spark. any other ideas? thanks for the responses thus far.

Post edited by: freebyrd24, at: 2007/08/09 20:46