Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: florence on February 17, 2011, 08:34:20 AM

Title: Wet plug leads
Post by: florence on February 17, 2011, 08:34:20 AM

Does anyone have problems in the wet and if so has anyone come up with a good answer?

Basically, when my bike is wet it takes it about three or four miles to get running on all cylinders.  It is very frustrating. 

Is there a good route for the HT leads which helps them keep away from places where they can short circuit?

When I was keeping the bike inside there was no problem but at the moment the ground is so waterlogged I can't get round to the back to put the bike in.  I only just managed to get out last time, she's not the best off-roader!

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: Spitfire on February 17, 2011, 08:42:37 AM

Had problems with my CB750 coil leads arcing away, looked under the tank in the dark with the engine running and the arcing was from where the leads came out of the coils, sealed that and never had a problem again. Yours may not be the same but it worked for me.

Cheers

Den

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: florence on February 17, 2011, 08:57:41 AM

I like the idea about the dark.  Thank you, I will try that.

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on February 17, 2011, 09:20:10 AM

I've probably posted this before but...

Late 70's fix (proven on the 5 or 6 SOHC4s that we had outside our student residence in those days)

• Remove coils, clean thoroughly and place in warm airing cupboard overnight
• Rough up the area around the join between the HT lead and the coil body with a sharp screwdriver
• Apply RTV (Room Temperature Vulcanising) rubber compound around joint
• Back to the airing cupboard for a couple of hours

Worked for us!

(http://www.nirvana-motorcycles.com/images/York%20Avenue%20Hove%20June%201979.jpg)

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: florence on February 17, 2011, 09:48:41 AM

Thank you Steve, I certainly had not seen such a post.  I love the picture by the way.

When you say RTV, do you mean rubber solution/vulcanising fluid such as I use to repair a puncture?

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on February 17, 2011, 09:55:00 AM

It came in a small tube and looked like red hermatite when you squeezed it out. I have no idea whether it is still available (or even legal) anymore...

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: florence on February 17, 2011, 10:23:31 AM

oh well, perhaps I will substitute silicone sanitary sealant. (gosh, I hope alliteration isn't banned in this forum)

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: Spitfire on February 17, 2011, 10:54:50 AM

I used my favourite all purpose sealer/adhesive of the time, Araldite Rapid, but if I were doing it again I would probably use exterior frame sealant or something very similar.

Cheers

Den

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: totty on February 17, 2011, 09:07:48 PM

Try searching for liquid insulation tape, I think it should do the job

http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=liquid+insulation+tape&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=4Y1dTcJo07fxA_nR9PgK&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDYQrQQwAA (http://www.google.co.uk/products?q=liquid+insulation+tape&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=4Y1dTcJo07fxA_nR9PgK&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CDYQrQQwAA)

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: Bryanj on February 18, 2011, 05:44:44 AM

Purchase WD40 in bulk (or we used Castrol DWF) and coat everything liberaly and frequently

Title: Re: Wet plug leads
Post by: Yoshi823 on February 19, 2011, 09:59:11 PM

Back in 1975 I had a problem in the wet on my CB125S. Whenever I put the indicators on in the pouring rain the engine would miss. I tried everything...new spark plug...new coil...new points...new indicator relay. Then one day I was reading the latest copy of Motor Cycle Mechanics (MCM) about how NGK had brought out a new type of waterproof plastic plug cap.