@@OldBarnWorkshop one thing i found in something you said about having bigger bikes etc, you must be around the same age as me, ive owned an xjr1200 for 26 years, riding it is still ok but pushing that big heavy bike around is getting harder every year, and only sentiment is keeping it with me, nowadays its something lighter and easier and just as much fun in a different way, so mostly ride an xt600 nowadays, only thing with that is getting the leg over it, and that is an occupational hazard with us old gits anyway, look at doing up your honda for the future you may find out that you will enjoy it more than you think you will.
Check the valve clearances, the torsion bars operate in opposite directions either side so it's fiddly. They are complicated engines, although it sounds like it's got decent compression.
Kudos for trying to get this old bike back on the road. It is an addictive hobby and you are handling it well in spite of your protests. For the lack of useable spark, it could be the points gaps are off, the timing isn't set right (although it looks ok) or the spark plugs are duff. The first is fairly easy to check - there is a TH-cam video on it here: th-cam.com/video/nDvghJiJGFc/w-d-xo.html The starter seems underpowered for the engine but that is probably just Honda using a 250cc engine starter in an engine twice the size to save money. I suspect they used the same starter made for the 205/360K & T engines For the slow cranking, I would clean all the contacts on the cables to the starter if you can - reduce the chance of high resistance losing amps. Good luck with the project. It takes patience and perseverence which you seem to have.
I bet when they looked at the drawings and engineering that went in to this engine, they must have thought how refined the whole thing was. So heavily over engineered, what could go wrong/ Sad that such a nice looking bike made little power and died with little love.
Have a bit of a soft spot for the 500T. Good luck with getting it sorted
good project, its all there, worth saving
It looks more viable as each day goes by. The real saveing grace is that most parts are available.
@@OldBarnWorkshop one thing i found in something you said about having bigger bikes etc, you must be around the same age as me, ive owned an xjr1200 for 26 years, riding it is still ok but pushing that big heavy bike around is getting harder every year, and only sentiment is keeping it with me, nowadays its something lighter and easier and just as much fun in a different way, so mostly ride an xt600 nowadays, only thing with that is getting the leg over it, and that is an occupational hazard with us old gits anyway, look at doing up your honda for the future you may find out that you will enjoy it more than you think you will.
Check the valve clearances, the torsion bars operate in opposite directions either side so it's fiddly.
They are complicated engines, although it sounds like it's got decent compression.
The compression is good, valve clearances are now all set up.
Won't fire when the spark plug cap is off....
Well spotted, dont worry, did'nt fire with it on either :-)
@@OldBarnWorkshop 👍
Kudos for trying to get this old bike back on the road. It is an addictive hobby and you are handling it well in spite of your protests.
For the lack of useable spark, it could be the points gaps are off, the timing isn't set right (although it looks ok) or the spark plugs are duff. The first is fairly easy to check - there is a TH-cam video on it here: th-cam.com/video/nDvghJiJGFc/w-d-xo.html
The starter seems underpowered for the engine but that is probably just Honda using a 250cc engine starter in an engine twice the size to save money. I suspect they used the same starter made for the 205/360K & T engines
For the slow cranking, I would clean all the contacts on the cables to the starter if you can - reduce the chance of high resistance losing amps.
Good luck with the project. It takes patience and perseverence which you seem to have.
Thanks for the link. I have just recorded setting the mechanical valve clearence, I will go through the points gap and timing in a later video.
Possibly the worst Honda model l’ve ever ridden. What were they thinking?
I bet when they looked at the drawings and engineering that went in to this engine, they must have thought how refined the whole thing was. So heavily over engineered, what could go wrong/ Sad that such a nice looking bike made little power and died with little love.
Of cause it will start it's honda
I have every faith, just not sure when :-)