Honda Twinstar

[gene79]

I have a 1979 twinstar no fire across plug gap; but plug tester shows fire at plug but want jump gap! Was running fine last year. Any ideas? The points and plugs were replaced last year! Any help would be greatfully appreciated. Thanks Gene.

[DaveH]

Have you tried fresh plugs? I personally haven't had a spark plug just not work (sure burnt, excessive gap, fouled etc...), but most engines call for regular replacement as routine maintenance (I did see you replaced them last year). So maybe that's worth a shot ?

[gene79]

Originally Posted by DaveH

Have you tried fresh plugs? I personally haven't had a spark plug just not work (sure burnt, excessive gap, fouled etc...), but most engines call for regular replacement as routine maintenance (I did see you replaced them last year). So maybe that's worth a shot ?

I did but same thing! Have had same problem before so I'm thinking maybe coil pack! Someone told me it could be the condenser!

[DaveH]

Hey Gene79... maybe this might be yet another possibility, I was worried about my weak battery. You could read the real posts located near the bottom of the 2nd page of this thread.

Originally Posted by point

You will need the full 6 volts. But onceyouget the thing turning over, try pulling the plug, grounding it out and see what you get for a spark when you kick it over. It's best to have a buddy kick it for you while you get a close look at the spark.
As for adding oil to the cylinder, Once you have squirted some in you shouldn't have to add any. You could try a good dose of penetrating oil too.
Good luck

Indeed a weak battery may produce voltage too weak to jump the gap and I would think an improper point gap adjustment. You may also have trouble with wiring or grounds as well as the coil or condenser.

I'm new to this bike (or any bike) so I don't know what's common for the model.

[gene79]

Originally Posted by DaveH

Hey Gene79... maybe this might be yet another possibility, I was worried about my weak battery. You could read the real posts located near the bottom of the 2nd page of this thread.



Indeed a weak battery may produce voltage too weak to jump the gap and I would think an improper point gap adjustment. You may also have trouble with wiring or grounds as well as the coil or condenser.

I'm new to this bike (or any bike) so I don't know what's common for the model.

The battery was ok when all this started and it would turn motor over, but its gone bad over the winter and won't charge up; so I don't think that is the problem, only my thinking. Or am I incorrect? I thought the generator would put out enough voltage to start the motor! Thanks for all help. Gene

[Kingshead]

Originally Posted by gene79

The battery was ok when all this started and it would turn motor over, but its gone bad over the winter and won't charge up; so I don't think that is the problem, only my thinking. Or am I incorrect? I thought the generator would put out enough voltage to start the motor! Thanks for all help. Gene

Are you talking about the charger? If so then no. Try a new battery. Maybe try jumping it with a 6V car battery, got any friends with an old VW?

[koolchris]

Hi all:

The tail light on my bike is not always staying on. Traced problem back to the key switch (the barrel is cracked and contact is sometimes lost).

But I now find out that the OEM part has been discontinued (checked BikeBandit, CheapCycleParts etc.).

Does anyone know where I can find one? OEM or aftermarket (either bike specific OR universal) or do any of you folks have a used one for sale???

The aftermarket (universal) ones I found on various sites had poor descriptions, so I am not real sure whether they would work and I don't feel like shelling out $ only to ship them back if they won't work.

Thanks,

Chris

[rainman97015]

Originally Posted by koolchris

Hi all:

The tail light on my bike is not always staying on. Traced problem back to the key switch (the barrel is cracked and contact is sometimes lost).

But I now find out that the OEM part has been discontinued (checked BikeBandit, CheapCycleParts etc.).

Does anyone know where I can find one? OEM or aftermarket (either bike specific OR universal) or do any of you folks have a used one for sale???

The aftermarket (universal) ones I found on various sites had poor descriptions, so I am not real sure whether they would work and I don't feel like shelling out $ only to ship them back if they won't work.

Thanks,

Chris

dang, i don't remember the site or company but there is a British firm with lots of stuff for Twinstars. I ordered a replacement ignition switch from them... it took a bit of adjustment on the wiring to make it work but it's a fix.
Scroll back through this thread... I bet it's here.

[rainman97015]

http://www.wemoto.com


I found this at the Yahoo Twinstar group. This is a site in the UK but they have lots of parts

[koolchris]

Thanks Rainman,

Looks like they have a key switch that will work (not exactly like one on bike but the plug end looks the same). The price is good (had to do a find a currency conversion site as they don't do it on their site).

Shipping cost didn't seem too bad, but in their TERMS it said to allow up to 40business days for shipping outside of Europe (30 in Europe). I will need to contact them and see if it really takes that long.

I'm still trying to find NOS part here in States, but if I order from WEMOTO I will let you know how it works out.

What is the link for the Yahoo Twinstar group? I have never checked that out. THANKS AGAIN.

Chris

[rainman97015]

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/HondaTwinstar/

The Yahoo format isn't the greatest but the members there (like here, too) are real helpful.

[koolchris]

Thanks Rainman:

Mine is a 1980 (6v). Will check that out now. I only have 8 posts so can't msg back.

C.

[buckfever]

first bike 79 honda cm 185t love it but to small 4 my fat as$ ha ha ha now my sister has it and it needs a new coil? if anyone has one let me know. back on toopic, would never sell one again

[rainman97015]

Check Ebay... lots of parts there. Compare prices though... some charge more for the same part.

[gene79]

Originally Posted by buckfever

first bike 79 honda cm 185t love it but to small 4 my fat as$ ha ha ha now my sister has it and it needs a new coil? if anyone has one let me know. back on toopic, would never sell one again

My coil maybe my problem also! Spark to plug but will not jump the plug gap; could that be the coil or maybe the condensor??? Thanks Gene

[DaveH]

Originally Posted by gene79

My coil maybe my problem also! Spark to plug but will not jump the plug gap; could that be the coil or maybe the condensor??? Thanks Gene

I saw another post where weak spark as well as other issues were thought to be caused by tarnished (or corroded) contacts in the ignition switch. This could cause a voltage drop in the primary side of the ignition, thus weak spark from the secondary? I believe that post 's topic was directionals that stayed on or wouldn't light....Maybe your problem?

[prepster01]

Vinsanity, Any suggestions re adjusting carb on Twinstar. JUst pulled one out of a barn, cleaned out tank and it will run... but not good. The carb drain works OK. am changing battery this week. maybe that'll help a bit. Thanks

[rainman97015]

There's not much adjustment to em. If it was running well last season but runs crappy now, almost certain is crud built up inside the carb. May well have to take it off the bike and give it a cleaning.

For storing over the winter, pour some Seafoam or Stabil into the tank, run it for a good bit so the treated fuel gets into the carb. Then shut off the fuel and run the engine til it dies.

Too late for that now but will save you future grief.

[prepster01]

Actually it was in the barn for decades before I got it. I don't know when it last ran well, but is certainly ragged now. It'll start and run with choke out.

[rainman97015]

OK.... still sounds like a good cleaning of the carb would take care of the bulk of your problems. If it will consistantly run on the choke, that's a very positive sign.
You starting with good fresh gas? Flushed the petcock, filter and lines?
You could pull the carb and using an aerosol spray (Brake cleaner?) hose it down, inside n out.
Taken a step further, working over a bench or table, take the float bowl off. Remove the needle and float, then clean all you can easily get at.
Once that it's all back together, put it back on the bike and see if it does any better.

A rebuilt kit after a soak in a tank of carb cleaner would be the thorough fix but there are halfway measures that are sometimes effective.

FWIW... a carb off another bike of the same size is an option. My CM200T is running the carb off a Honda Big Red 200. Has been going strong for two years now.
I drug my bike out of a barn too. The throttle cable had to be replaced but I found it easier to just find a working carb rather than try to clear out the corruption that had the slide frozen up and who.knows what clogging internal ports.

[gamer0451]

Well, in trying to find a part for my old '79 CM185T Twinstar, I found this forum and see that I may not be the only one looking for a part. The part I need is definitely the coil! At first I thought battery even though I have had mine on a trickle charger when no starting it for longer than a couple days. I went through the fuel system, draining, rinsing (with gas), and refilling the tank, & replaced the carb. The jets on the new carb were not precisely the same, so I cleaned the old jets to near-new and installed them in the new carb. I also checked and regaped the plugs, cleaned and gaped the points, changed the fuel lines and a new filter. I was also obligated to replace the ignition switch, as it went bad on one of many failed attempts to start the bike. I had gone the fuel system route as the engine was still turning over, though it was a bit slow.

None of that worked, so I thought battery again and replaced it. Same results, had the battery tested, it was fine, so back to square one. Through researching the manual, I then thought to test the coil. The coil tested at 2-3 times the spec resistance and later failed a spark test at the dealership. The coil is definitely the problem, so the new problem is finding a replacement!

I found a 2 coil 6Volt set-up, meant to run a c-cylinder bike (a single-cylinder pair) in England, but I'm not too keen on paying international shipping, so does anyone know where I can find a good 6Volt coil (or single-cylinder pair) in the US? I hope so because I am having trouble remembering what site that was, lol.

[rainman97015]

Seems those 6v coils are a common problem. Someone needs to find a work around or a part from another bike that will substitute. Being a Twin rather than a single cylinder narrows the options.


My first resource for parts is Ebay. I did a quick search for a CM185 coil and came up empty but parts come and go there... I'd keep checking it.

There are online parts vendors, too.
http://www.cyclepartsnation.com
This site lists the coil for a '79 CM185 for $89.


www.wemoto.com
This site is in the UK but I've ordered from them with good results, and others on the Yahoo Twinstar group have as well. I see they do have a coil for a CB185; another twin cylinder 6v bike. Dunno if that coil would work but look at the pic and see if it looks like the same part. 47 British pounds is nearly $100, so it's hard to jump at that.



After that, I'd suggest a Honda dealer, though I don't know what they offer for the old 6v bikes.

[gamer0451]

Hey Rainman, thanks for the tips...I checked with the dealer here, the coil is discontinued, but they can get it for over $150, or maybe it was nearer to $200, I don't wuite recall!! I only paid $400 for the bike, not counting all the work and parts I put into it, lol.

I searched the heck out of cyclepartsnation and didn't find the 79 CM185, and I put in every combination of request info that I could think of. I finally got some results when I searched for ignition coil, but the CM185 coil didn't show up...I did find a universal coil: IGNITION COIL, 6-12V
For both 6V and 12V points or CDI. This is only $12.71, so I'm not sure if its the same thing that I'm looking for, but I am sending an email for more info!

It is possible to run 2 single cyl. coils together, it just has to be "train" wired properly, but it will work! In fact, the place I found in England sells single cyl. coils as a pair, and they have a double mounting bracket, which cost more than the pair of coils, lol!

I never even thought of looking into Yahoo groups for Twinstars, though I use several Yahoo groups! Thanks for that tip too!! I have used eBay several times for parts for my bike, nearly new speedo cluster, brand new ignition, new carb, even new screws for the shift lever housing, but no coils yet! the guy I got the speedo from offered me his coil for $80 I think it was, but I gave him the specs, he tested it, and its just like mine, lol!

I'm going to keep checking eBay and check the other sites/group you suggested. THANKS! I have been missing the road, hopefully I can get back out there sometime soon! I resolved that I would have to wait until I could afford a bigger bike, but it was hard for me to turn in the license plate last week...still haven't cancelled the insurance yet, lol! Well, thanks man!!

[rainman97015]

Dunno how you're not finding the listing at Cyclepartsnation.
Go back there... I just checked again and they have 1978 and 1979.
Click Honda on top banner, then pick Motorcycle on the drop down menu... then u get another drop down with ALL the models. Scroll down, it's there.

But thanks... glad to help. And yeah, check out the yahoo group. Sort of a small group but really a helpfull site.

[rainman97015]

And yes, there's lots of parts on Ebay. So far my Ebay parts include a new Right side exhaust pipe, speedo, ignition switch (NIB, aftermarket from Taiwan), a seat and a rear fender. And none of them was high priced. I'm cheap and refuse to pay premium prices for twenty year old parts.

And for all the hassle folks have with old grungy carbs, the new replacements on Ebay are so cheap, I don't know why they bother with their old ones.

[ElsMotor]

Hello! I have been reading through much of the threads and saw alot of positive things about the Honda Twinstar. I have come across a running one for 400$ and would like to know if there is anything specifically I should look for when I go to look at it. I had a 49cc scooter so this will be a comfortable step up, and hopefully I will be able to go to a 750 in a year or so. (If I feel the need!)

Also, any negative things I should know about? Would I be able to take this on a highway? How will they do hills? I am 5'8 and about 140.

[rainman97015]

$400 for a running bike is pretty good. Check all the lights, turn signals, brakes etc. You'll need those working to be street legal. If the bike was stored outside, the tires will show sun damage.

It can be hard to know about the charging system without some hands on runtime... that is sometimes an issue.

If it's running well enough for a test ride, you're pretty much gtg. They're durable simple bikes that will keep ticking with simple maintenance.

You didn't say what year you're looking at. I dunno when they were introduced. '78? '79? And the early models were 185cc with a 6volt system. They upped the engines to a 200 in 1980 or so, but didn't go to 12 volts until 1981.
If you've got a 12 volt, they're a bit more desirable just because the bulbs are easier to find. Those 6 volt headlights in particular are a nuisance.
The mechanical stuff is easy on these bikes. If the turn signals seem to come on but don't flash, it's probably the flasher unit or a ground. Again, not a big deal.

Again, if it's rideable and the lighting works, you're probably golden.


Just FYI-

If the carb gets gummed up, search "Honda atc 200 carb" on Ebay and you'll find bolt up replacements for cheap.
Buying the actual Twinstar carbs on Ebay is a poor choice. They're old and over priced. The brand new replacements are so affordable, if you need one.

They continued the line until 1982. After that they evolve thru Customs and Nighthawks, bumping the engines to 250. Today they still make the Rebel, and the Nighthawks were available until recently. Dunno, maybe still are.
The 250 cc engines will replace the 200 and probably the 185 but the whole line is a lot better known for reliability and less reknown for power. The 250 units are 5 speeds, while the 185s and 200 are 4 speed. None are real powerful.

[kepin69]

Hi guys,
selling '79 Twinstar CM185.
Check it out, bike is in Toronto area.
email me at kepin69 at hotmail dot com for more info.

[Kingshead]

Originally Posted by kepin69

Hi guys,
selling '79 Twinstar CM185.
Check it out, bike is in Toronto area.
email me at kepin69 at hotmail dot com for more info.

Wrong thread for this,...good luck.

Post 15 times and include pics,...that would help.

Martin

[Poncho]

Just joined the Twinstar community. Now I just gotta get the darn thng running.

[karincm200t]

My cm200t (1980 or 1981 I am not sure right now) stalls on me once in a while (twice so far). And I don't know why. She runs great and all of a sudden she looses power. As she is slowing down and the engine is dying I push the starter button and she comes back to life and runs a bit further. However the same thing happens after 1 minute or so. She starts slowing down and stalls. As she is still rolling I push the starter button and she comes back. She finally does stall all the way and can nor be started via starter button or kick starter for a day or so. Then after a day of rest she starts up just fine and runs like a world champion.
Any advice?
Also, my front break locks up on me every time I pull the lever. I have to loosen it up with a screw driver at the wheel. What is causing this and how can I fix this?
Thanks a ton. And yes, surely, I live this little motorcycle. She is tons of fun.

[point]

Sounds like fun. When the engine won't start, pull a plug and see if you are getting a good spark. To do this, just remove the plug, If fouled, clean it. Put the wire back on and hold the base of the plug on the engine. Crank the engine and see if you have a good clean spark. If not, you will have to work your way up the system and see were the fault lies.
If spark is good, then it could be a carb problem. Those are very easy to take apart and clean. GET A MANUAL.
The front brake. Pull the brake apart and ensure that you have brake pad left. If you are down to the metal they will grab. If you have lots of pad left, clean the pads with medium grit sand paper (clean very thouroughly after) and clean the brake drum with fine emery cloth. If the drum is scored, find a shop that will turn the drum for you.
Hope that helps.

[Xeven]

Really nice looking bike, btw.

[Kingshead]

Originally Posted by Xeven

Really nice looking bike, btw.

???????????????? Who's??????????

Martin

[quikshift86]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum, I skimmed through the tread quickly so forgive me if I am repeating something.

So here is the run down of my situation:
I bought a 78 cm185t for $100 on kijiji (classifieds). Hadn't run since 99. Took it home and ...
got a repair manual
empty the tank and the oil
clean a mouse nest out of the air filter
cleaned the carb
bought a new battery and spark plugs
added some fresh gas and oil
cleaned the points
adjusted the gap
Started it up and it ran, quite well surprisingly to me. It seemed to take sometime the adjust the carb properly but I got decently running, seemed a bit on the rich side. Drove it around about 5 km. Then had it sitting idling and it just shut off. Would not start again. Discovered that it had no spark. Attempted to get the spark back and couldn't.Started testing the electrics.
Condenser is holding the proper capacity (0.25uF)
Primary coil has continuity (0 Ohms)
Secondary coil has resistance of 12 KOhms
To me 12KOhms seems high for the secondary coil, though I can't seem to find what the specs say it should be (Manual just say there should be continuity, which my continuity tester say there isn't). So I think I need a new ignition coil and condenser...

Any ideas? Maybe I'm missing something?

[quikshift86]

Nvm got'er go'in again. Just trying to adjust the carb now... man they put that pilot screw in a hard place to adjust!

[Kayla]

New to the forum. Picked up a 79 CM185 for $100 a couple of months ago and am working on getting it up and running. It's been a bit of a hassle finding parts but...so far, so good! Should be riding in no time.

[utahrider04]

I found this and thought that maybe some of you might be interested

ad number 12661112 at ksl . com in the classifieds

its a 79 185 twinstar under 5000 miles in amazing shape for 1200 obo

[rab71]

I have a Twinstar too. I'm making it into a cafe' racer. I hope I can ride it before the snow flies!

Here is couple pics.


Current with the cafe seat I made and CB200T tank. keep in mind work in progress.

[Lennox]

Hello, I just purchased my first bike and it is a CM185 1978 and it needs work. I did not know it would be this hard to find an exhaust system for this old of a bike. Other then ebay, does anyone know how I might find an exhaust system for my bike?