About(Sidecar) Bob Kingsmill Expertise I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE WITH HARELYS.
ATVs ARE NOT MOTORCYCLES. DO NOT ASK ME ABOUT THEM.
DON'T ASK UNLESS YOU HAVE LOOKED IN THE SHOP MANUAL FIRST - IT ONLY ROBS SOMEONE WITH A REAL QUESTION OF THE OPPORTUNITY.
You can ask me electrical questions about 1975-85 HONDAS.
You can ask me about driving sidecars in the winter, or sidecars in general.
You can ask me general motorcycle repair questions, but my main experience is with Honda CX500, GL500, CX650, GL650, GL1000 and GL1100 models. I also know a bit about the Suzuki GS400 and 1980s Dneprs, but I haven't touched either in years. If you ask about a model I am not familiar with I will do my best to find your answer.
Experience I have been operating and maintaining Honda motorcycles since 1991 and other types since 1985.
I have access to several online usergroups that specialize in keeping these types of bikes roadworthy and am considered an expert in some areas, particularly electrical/wiring matters.
I have been using sidecars for everyday winter transportation in Southern Ontario since 1987 except for 2 winters on a trike. I have learned how to make this a relatively comfortable activity and how to prepare the machine so that it survives the road salt.
Organizations Naked Gold Wings;
Honda Transverse Twins of America
Education/Credentials Electronics & acoustics technician.
Correspondence courses in motorcycle repair & small engines.
Question I just dug my dads old cl450 out of the shed and am trying to get her running again. The bike has not been started in about 10 years. I have the carbs/petcock/tank cleaned up real well, new plugs and new battery. She turns over and has good compression, but the old girl is not throwing any spark. I have no experience with electrical issues and don't really know where to start. Any help you could provide as far as trouble shooting would be greatly appreciated.
Answer OK. To start with, I will assume you know that the kill switch should be turned on. Don't ask why I know to mention this ;-)
The first thing to check is whether the points are making contact. Connect one wire of a 12V test light to the wire that connects one points breaker to it's coil and the other wire to ground, turn the key and the kill switch on and turn the engine over manually (your shop manual should explain how).
- If the light comes on when the points open and goes off when the points close it is working properly.
- If the light doesn't go off the points aren't making contact and you will need to clean them. A piece of thin card (a strip cut from a business card will do) sprayed with contact cleaner and placed between the closed contacts, then pulled out slowly will usually do the job. If you don't have contact cleaner you can try alcohol (isopropyl or methanol) but don't use WD40 or anything else that is oily.
If that won't clean them well enough or if they are pitted you may need to dress them with a points file. Do not use sandpaper because the grit may become imbedded in the contacts and cause more problems.
- If the light does not come on either there is no power to the points, the points are not opening or something is shorting them.
- You can test for power by disconnecting the wire from the points and connecting the test light to it. If there is no power make sure the kill switch is working and none of the wires in the ignition circuit are disconnected. You can find a wiring drawing for your bike here: http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/WiringDiagrams/MCwiring.php
If the points are not opening you may be able to adjust them.
If something is shorting the points I recommend replacing them. If it has been sitting for that long they probably should be replaced anyway.
- From the info I was able to find your bike should have 2 points breakers. Once one is working you should check the other too.
Another possibility is that one or both of the condensers has failed. They are usually easier to replace than to test without special equipment. I am not sure where the condensers are on your bike, but if there is room I recommend using generic automotive ignition condensers (capacitors) instead of paying much more for dealer parts. The condensers should always be replaced when the points are replaced.
If the points are working and have power and it still has no spark let me know and I'll try again.
