1981 Honda CM 400 E will not Idle

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wtlf101 · #1 Unread post by **wtlf101** » Sun May 20, 2007 5:33 pm

I have a 1981 Honda CM 400 E that will not idle. It was running fine otherwise until I took it out the beginning of this year. It stopped while I was taking a U-turn, which I thought was my fault for not holding onto the clutch. However after a few days of riding it stopped and I got stranded a total of nearly 10 times up to the point where it would not even start up anymore unless I put the gas on res. I was told after taking it to a mechanic who does simple work and not engine work that the timing and ignition is off? What do you think could be the problem. Is it the engine? Is it the carb? Would it be an expensive fix. I just bought it not so long ago and don't really feel like putting that much more money in it. Thanks for any help!

Sev · #2 Unread post by **Sev** » Sun May 20, 2007 6:01 pm

If you hold the throttle open can you get it to work?

wtlf101 · #3 Unread post by **wtlf101** » Mon May 21, 2007 4:06 pm

No, if I hold the throttle open it won't idle. It used to start with holding the throttle open with more gas, but now it won't. I was told by my mechanic to choke it, I don't have it back yet as he doesn't fix engines and things its bad pistons or something like that. He also told me someone tore the bike apart once at least...

BugCountry · Fri Jun 01, 2007 3:39 pm

Yank the carb(s) and clean them out real good with solvents, brushes and compressed air. Check all the orifices especially the main jets. Also another biggie is to check the needle and seat. The fuel inlet needle functions the same way fundamentally as a toilet. When the fuel level drops down, there is a hollow float that sinks down and a "needle" that rides on the arm and will allow fuel to flow into it, then close as it rises back up. If the needle sticks it may not allow gas to flow into the float bowl, starving the engine. If the needle is stuck try and break it free with some penetrating solvent or if that fails, try old bike barn and get some new ones, they shouldn't be too bad. When gas sits too long and even from normal use it will break down and build up varnish deposits in the carbs not to mention all the trash like rust scale that may end up in there from the fuel tank. Check the fuel filter also.