The 360T Saga...

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Fargo360 · #1 Unread post by **Fargo360** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 12:45 pm

So I think I finally figured out my bike. I had it at a shop that would work on old bikes about a year or so ago and the guy working on it said he did a compression test and the compression was good. Having exhausted all other possibilities as to what is wrong with the bike i picked up my own compression tester and gave it a shot. The compression (according to my manual) should be between 170 and 175 psi, according to my tester I am getting about 120 on each side, thats a pretty big drop. I put some gear oil in the spark plug hole and tested again, and it came up to where it is supposed to be. So now I'm trying to decide on if I should do an overhaul of the bike, or just try to dump it. Its a nice bike and if it just ran a little better I'd be really happy with it. I'm going to try some yamaha "ring free" or something like that...apparently its supposed to help with this issue. We'll see what happens.

Johnj · #2 Unread post by **Johnj** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:30 pm

Have you tried a "leak down test"?

Fargo360 · #3 Unread post by **Fargo360** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 10:20 am

Not yet, I went to the honda dealer and asked them if they would do one, but they said no because my bike is too old, and I don't want to take it to the guy that did the "compression test" because he didn't and said he did, and I don't have the $$$ to but a leakdown tester and an air compressor, so I'll probably just try this first and see what happens.

Caminokid · #4 Unread post by **Caminokid** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 9:58 pm

I have a 75 360T. I have the same compression. 120 both sides. I thought 120 was good. Found out a week later it should be at least 170. I rerigned it and I have about 172 now. Dont kick the mechanic too bad. He may not have known that 120 was bad.

Far as the Honda dealers...just like cars...if they cant plug a scanner or computer into your bike....they wouldnt know what to do with it. Points and condensers isnt in their vocabulary.

coffee_brake · Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:45 am

+1, new rings. Just get someone to look at your cylinders and pistons (or just to look at pics of them on this site) to confirm that they are good. Then new rings should do the trick.

It's not that hard and it is very rewarding to do it yourself, but you need a torque wrench and read the Clymers CAREFULLY over and over before you start, so you know what to do.

Rings have an up side and a down side, and you need to at least ball hone the cylinders to prep them for the new rings. This is not hard, either. In fact I didn't even buy the ball hone for mine, I did it (laboriously) by hand with a Scotch-brite pad. If I had it to do over again, I would have just bought the ball hone tool, available cheap from Harbor Freight.

This should be a simple job on your little classic twin, and it shouldn't cost a whole bunch either. Definately worth the time and trouble if you like the bike.

Fargo360 · #6 Unread post by **Fargo360** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:01 am

The rebuild soundsl like what i'm going to do. I got a gasket kit for $40 from the honda dealer. Nice kit, it has all the gaskets and seals that I need to do that whole job top to bottom. I'm debating on having the engine bored to .75+. I found a set of pistons and rings and have a shop that is set up to do motorcycles and does them for the two dealers in town, and I have all the specs from my Official Honda Manual, so I'm thinking of doing that, and extra $200 for all the parts might be worth it. What do you think? This riding season is probably shot, but I might actually have a bike to ride for next season!