Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB750 => Topic started by: Dazza215 on April 04, 2017, 12:38:03 PM

Title: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 04, 2017, 12:38:03 PM
Been struggling to start my 750 K5, refurbed the carbs, changed leads, plugs, points, timing is spot on, etc etc. Thought I would check the compression. only 65 PSI per cylinder.
I suppose thats what you get for buying a bike that hasnt turned a wheel since the 80's. (USA Import)
So engine out, valve relap, stem seals, piston rings and honing I suppose.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: hairygit on April 04, 2017, 12:46:23 PM
Don't drag the engine out yet! Try a a teaspoon or so of oil down each cylinder, then re test. I assume you tested correctly, with the chokes OFF and the throttle held WIDE OPEN? If it shows any improvement, pour a little "Plus Gas", diesel or a good squirt of WD40 down each cylinder, and walk away for a couple of days, then test again, the rings may be gummed in the grooves giving low compression. Got to be worth a try, as it may improve it enough to get it started, and if it does start, run loads of Redex or similar through the system and the rings may free off, saving an awful lot of hassle! Good luck.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 04, 2017, 12:54:37 PM
Thanks Graham,
Ive done most of that.
I cant do the redex thing as it wont start, or it only runs on one cylinder. it flattens two batterys trying to start it sometimes and still wont start.
Judging by the rest of the seals in the oil pump and all around the rest of the bike it would benefit from valve stem seals etc so I think I'm just going to go for it.
If i'm honest, I am sort of looking forward to getting into it.
Thanks for the advice though buddy.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: hairygit on April 04, 2017, 01:14:08 PM
I'm not Graham, you're confusing me with Trigger! You could try Redex straight down the bores and leave for a couple of days. You say it sometimes starts on one cylinder, is it always the same cylinder? What are the compressions like on each individual cylinder, as if they were all as low as 65psi I doubt even one would run!
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Trigger on April 04, 2017, 01:23:06 PM
Did someone mention my name  ;D
If it is as low as 65psi and from the states, don't be surprised to find it looking like this.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 04, 2017, 03:41:45 PM
Sorry Hairy Git. lol.
All of the cylinders are between 65 and 85psi. with the choke off and the throttle open.
The bike has run on all four briefly a couple of weeks ago, then only three then maybe one, then two, its all over the place.
Last night i tried starting it and only one cylinder was running, so i thought thats it!!! I cant keep blaming the carbs or the timing so its a complete strip down and rebuild.
I have already bought a gasket set and new valve stem seals, some lapping paste etc.
Plus with the engine out It will allow me to restore the rest of the bike.

Just need to see the size of the pistons to get new rings etc. 
Oh well, just adds some time to the restoration.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 11, 2017, 07:09:33 PM
So, decided to strip the engine down. Found a number of issues.
The odd thing is the clocks say its only done 18.5K miles. (yeah right).
Ill put the pics on when i work out how to resize them.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 11, 2017, 07:29:51 PM
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 11, 2017, 07:30:32 PM
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 11, 2017, 07:31:06 PM
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 11, 2017, 07:31:59 PM
[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 11, 2017, 07:32:51 PM
As you can see, nothing is sealing. no wonder there was no compression.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 11, 2017, 09:14:37 PM
Barrels seem ok but i will change the rings.[attachimg=2]
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: royhall on April 12, 2017, 08:03:51 AM
So, decided to strip the engine down. Found a number of issues.
The odd thing is the clocks say its only done 18.5K miles. (yeah right).
Ill put the pics on when i work out how to resize them.
When they are imported from the states they are all clocked to way lower mileage. This was my 350F that has only done 4300 miles from new. I knew it was crap but it was so cheap it made a good resto.


[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Niko on April 12, 2017, 10:15:37 PM
So, decided to strip the engine down. Found a number of issues.
The odd thing is the clocks say its only done 18.5K miles. (yeah right).
Ill put the pics on when i work out how to resize them.
When they are imported from the states they are all clocked to way lower mileage. This was my 350F that has only done 4300 miles from new. I knew it was crap but it was so cheap it made a good resto.


(Attachment Link)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170412/4c8c6eee1e29003e47bd20cf83e70305.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170412/c1adf91729fe18b66d0f2744fb8bd640.jpg)

This was my 76 USA import....where the air is thin and the climate much kinder...


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Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 13, 2017, 08:36:30 AM
I feel your pain Niko.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Niko on April 13, 2017, 08:44:29 AM
I feel your pain Niko.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170413/e37db99e788f85c3ff35ee9ab102c1c4.jpg)


It's all good now though


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Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: kevski on April 13, 2017, 10:15:52 AM
.where the air is thin, the water is deep and the Bullsh*t is king, any thing from DK has a good chance of being a money-pit, my own 350 cost a fair bit for a runner.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Dazza215 on April 13, 2017, 10:19:13 AM
In fairness to them, I didnt get mine from DK. But it does seem to be the norm for bikes imported from the USA to be clocked and in a real sorry state internally.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Seabeowner on April 13, 2017, 01:48:29 PM
I've had three bikes from DK and all were as expected. One or two smallish surprises, but nothing awful. One very low miles, one about 20k and one about 32k. Poor external condition usually means worse inside. Check for original clocks, (check the year/model) as Honda were always tinkering with the colour/style, same degree of fade etc. US fuel seems to attack carbs which can be a problem. Most of these bikes were dumped a fair time ago, and run into the ground before then. Think of it as a sort of Dai Woodhams steam scrap yard.
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Bryanj on April 13, 2017, 06:35:03 PM
It's not easy to "clock" a bike as those bands are a pain but it is easy to change clocks which is why I sent Trading Standards away with a flee in there ear over a bike that had had at least 3 rebuilds with new clocks and the numpty wanted exact mileage!!
Title: Re: Low Compression
Post by: Niko on April 14, 2017, 12:50:25 PM
It does make for lots of entertaining evenings though.....I'm planning my next build


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