Expert: Rich Johnston - 12/6/2008

Question
I HAVE A 1981 CB900 HONDA,IT SAT FOR YEARS ,NOW I HAVE IT RUNNING ,WORKING THE BUGS OUT.MY CONCERN IS THIS,AFTER RUNNING FOR AWHILE 3 OF THE 4 HEADER PIPES GET HOT BUT THE #1 PIPE ONLY GETS WARM. I CHECKED FOR FIRE AND THAT PART IS OK. DO YOU THINK YOU CAN HELP?

Answer
Joey, the number one cylinder isn't firing.  It could be spark, fuel or compression. You said you have already checked for plug spark so it either compression or fuel.  Does the pipe get hot when you put a little choke on? If it does, then the problem is probably carbs.

Regards
Rich