Restoring a 1971 Honda SL175

ray liotta · 04-30-2012, 08:23 PM

Hey everyone,

I need some help restoring my 1971 Honda SL175. So far i have replaced the battery and spark plugs and cleaned the carburetors, i need help figuring out my next step. I have compression in the kick start but no spark from the plugs, i know i need to clean my points but im not exactly sure where they are or what they are (bare with me im a n00b). What should i do next, my friend told me to clean the points on the distributor but i wasn't exactly sure where that was or how to do it, Also i have no key for the ignition so for the time being i have to hot wire it or something. As of now the bike is in great shape but is completely dead and wont give me the slightest bit of life. Please help

Dodsfall · 05-01-2012, 08:52 AM

The next step would be to buy a service manual to show you where everything is at and how it should be tested or replaced. Actually that should always be the first step for anyone doing their own mechanical work.

I'd also recommend getting a key made or a new ignition switch, since cutting into your wiring without a good reason is always a bad idea.

The points are basically a switch that turns the electricity for the spark on and off in the proper timing to allow the spark plug to light the fuel mixture.

If you do not have the ignition switch on, you won't get spark at the plugs. That's normal and helps keep random people from starting your motorcycle and riding away with it.

ray liotta · 05-03-2012, 12:20 AM

thanks dodsfall, hopefully i can get a key made this week and update you with my progress. Im sure i will have more questions in the future

ray liotta · 05-06-2012, 10:42 PM

UPDATE

The bike finally runs and pretty decent i might add. I was surprised it only took 2 kicks to get it goin. I replaced the battery and the plugs and hot wired the ignition with a copper wire, the reason i had to hot wire it was because to have a key made was going to cost me about 250$ and i wasn't about to pay that. So now i need a new ignition with a key and new filters. I rode it up and down the driveway a few times but it wont idle so im a little stumped what could be causing it to just shut down?

04-30-2012, 08:23 PM	#1
ray liotta Motorcyclist Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 7	Restoring a 1971 Honda SL175 Hey everyone, I need some help restoring my 1971 Honda SL175. So far i have replaced the battery and spark plugs and cleaned the carburetors, i need help figuring out my next step. I have compression in the kick start but no spark from the plugs, i know i need to clean my points but im not exactly sure where they are or what they are (bare with me im a n00b). What should i do next, my friend told me to clean the points on the distributor but i wasn't exactly sure where that was or how to do it, Also i have no key for the ignition so for the time being i have to hot wire it or something. As of now the bike is in great shape but is completely dead and wont give me the slightest bit of life. Please help

05-01-2012, 08:52 AM	#2
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,910	The next step would be to buy a service manual to show you where everything is at and how it should be tested or replaced. Actually that should always be the first step for anyone doing their own mechanical work. I'd also recommend getting a key made or a new ignition switch, since cutting into your wiring without a good reason is always a bad idea. The points are basically a switch that turns the electricity for the spark on and off in the proper timing to allow the spark plug to light the fuel mixture. If you do not have the ignition switch on, you won't get spark at the plugs. That's normal and helps keep random people from starting your motorcycle and riding away with it. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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05-03-2012, 12:20 AM	#3
ray liotta Motorcyclist Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 7	thanks dodsfall, hopefully i can get a key made this week and update you with my progress. Im sure i will have more questions in the future

05-06-2012, 10:42 PM	#4
ray liotta Motorcyclist Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Boston Posts: 7	UPDATE The bike finally runs and pretty decent i might add. I was surprised it only took 2 kicks to get it goin. I replaced the battery and the plugs and hot wired the ignition with a copper wire, the reason i had to hot wire it was because to have a key made was going to cost me about 250$ and i wasn't about to pay that. So now i need a new ignition with a key and new filters. I rode it up and down the driveway a few times but it wont idle so im a little stumped what could be causing it to just shut down?