Help me get this CL175 running

jwlex · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 5:59 pm Post subject: Help me get this CL175 running

Hello all. I have been lurking for a while since I picked up a 1972 CL175. Lots of good info here. Now that I am finally getting this beast up and running, it is time to ask lots of questions. Hope no one minds a lot of questions since this will be my first resurrection.

About me: I love anything with wheels. If it has an engine, I like it even more. I am one of the few people who has made it to his 30's riding a sport bike (2007 ZX6R is the current ride) but my wife claims I do my best to act about 13. My next motorcycle was going to be a Ural with sidecar but a friend was selling this CL175 for less than I paid for my last electric razor and I could not pass up the deal. Now we need to keep it running Shocked

OK, on to the bike. The bike does start and it will run. First day I got it, I was seen riding down the street in 30 degree weather with some snow flurries falling (my wife may be right). Unfortunately, it will not stay running. As of right now, my guess is a charging problem. The carbs have been rebuilt and it has a new battery. One thing I forgot to check was rust in the tank. There is a lot and I wish I had looked before I started the darn thing. Oh well. I will clean the petcock and get some evaporust started tomorrow.

Other than my charging gremlins, all I need to do is get the tail light working (brake light works but no running light) and find some air filters that will fit. If anyone knows of an easy solution for the air filters that would be great. Aside from that, I will be waiting here multimeter in hand.

Cheers.

BTW, here she is the day I picked her up.

05c50 · Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 8:40 pm Post subject:

Welcome, Glad you found us. I've never owned a 175, but I've worked on few. Nice running bikes and pretty easy to work on. As with most of these old bikes, the wire connections are a source of many electrical probems. Start all electrical diagnosis by cleaning all the connectors. Rust in the tank is another problem often seen. Many people have cleaned their carbs only to find out that they fouled the carbs with a rusty tank. Clean the tank and check the filter before you try to start the bike. Hope we can help get the bike running.

...........Paul

jwlex · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:22 am Post subject:

I pulled the tank to get the Evaporust started and found my next question. How do you get the tank logos off? It looks like the Honda logo is somehow attached through the metal.

05c50 · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:07 am Post subject:

I'm pretty sure that the "Honda" emblem is held on with 2 little screws and the Wing is held on with push clips. Use a small screw driver to gently pry off. Maybe someone else will know for sure.

........Paul

jwlex · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

Good deal. This one does not have the Honda wing badge, just the Honda name logo. I am guessing those are not held on by screws because I cannot find a screw backing anywhere.

tbpmusic · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

The tank emblems are held on with two little screw - one inside the "O", one inside the "D".
Do not lose them - they're VERY hard to find these days.

JumboJet · Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject:

Try running a piece of waxed dental floss behind it. I use that for debadging dealer logos off of cars before detailing. If its only held on by tape the floss will pull it right off without damaging the paint or the badge

edit: oops, never mind, there are screws.

jwlex · Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 3:29 pm Post subject:

No screws on this one. Just tabs and glue.

I have not been able to do much because it has been so cold. As a matter of fact, it got so cold, one of the rear shocks decided it could not seal in fluid any more and dumped it out on the floor. Oh well, I got on eBay and found a set of shocks for $20 shipped.

With that little problem solved, I now get to turn my attention to the other issues. 1) the gas tank. I tired evaporust. and it works some but the rust is really bad. I found another tank and may just get it instead of throwing money at this one. As soon as I can get the tank problem resolved, I'll address the charging issue if there is one. I did get the carbs cleaned today and it seemed to run fine as long as I could keep fuel in the lines. Hopefully the carbs were just fouled from the rust and it is charging OK.

When some above freezing weather hits I should have a list of questions Shocked

Here is how she sits now:

sandman · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:21 pm Post subject:

jwlex:
Nice little 175 Honda there- I'm currently working on the same bike, only mine's a 1971 K5 model. No major differences other than paint and graphics, and yours has chrome fenders. You've found, as I have, that corrosion and fuel system work are the biggest challenges with these babies. You just have to go through from top to bottom to get it running correctly: fuel tank, petcock, carbs- no shortcuts. If you've concluded that a fresh gas tank will save you time and trouble for now, I have a very good spare available. It's a Honda dealer take-off that sat on the shelf indoors for years, clean and dry inside, no dents, in primer. I also have a source for original Honda graphics for your bike if you go that route.

Drop me a line directly if I can help:
sandman900ss [at] hotmail [dot] com

jwlex · Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:29 pm Post subject:

I wish I had known that yesterday Crying or Very sad

I just ordered another tank yesterday afternoon!

sandman · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:17 am Post subject:

Timing's everything! That's a shame, as I would have just sent it to you. Anyway, hope it works out for you and please post up your progress and questions here. Many others can benefit, as your bike's issues apply to many, many 70's Hondas in general: CB's, CL's, and SL's of all displacements. Seems as though they're being re-discovered and brought back to running condition these days- there's a certain honesty, and enduring quality about them...plenty of Mr.Honda's DNA in them! Laughing

Bentwheel · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 7:59 am Post subject:

Here's a little inspiration for you to help you through the cold winter. It's a remarkable little bike that loves to rev. I got 72 MPH out of her as long as there are no headwind or hills. Cruising speed was 60 MPH.

sandman · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 11:29 am Post subject:

That is inspiration for my project Bentwheel- thanks for posting it. Nice to see one that has been stored correctly and was left original. I'm dealing with corrosion and neglect on my 175.

Here's a question for you that myself and jwlex will be no doubt interested in: what tires are you running? I'm not finding anything in the correct sizes for those 1.85" X 18" narrow rims, and am starting to worry. Even the lesser brands such as Cheng Shin and Kenda don't offer retro tires for those narrow rims, the closest sizes are 4.00 X 18. Too wide. What's available out there?

Bentwheel · Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 2:32 pm Post subject:

I used Kings Tire. I had to go with a 3.00 up front but they make the hard to find 3.25 rear. It has a 70's style enduro tread.

sandman · Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 1:19 am Post subject:

Wow- great find on the tires- thank you very much for sharing. They look close enough to the original trials universal tread pattern. I've never heard of that brand before- King's Tire- where are they made? Let me guess: China or Korea.

Not that we 175 owners have much other choice, but are you happy with the quality?