'81 Honda Twinstar dies when shifted into first

2859 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by RogerC60, Feb 25, 2021

StingerManB

Discussion Starter · Jul 30, 2007

I have a 1981 Honda Twinstar 200 that I have been rebuilding to teach my wife and kids how to ride. It has been running quite well for a bike that is as old as it is with very minimum work. No problems initially.

A few weeks ago, I cranked it, let it warm up some, and got on and shifted into first. It stalled immediately. It jerked and died. It will go through this process 5 - 10 times, then it will eventually run and drive. It does seem like it has lost considerable power though in 2nd and 3rd gear. Any ideas? I have not had a chance to pull it apart, mostly because I do not know where to start for sure.

Any help at all would be great.
Thanks,
B

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CB750F

· #2 · Jul 30, 2007

The shifting into first and shutting off could mean the clutch is hanging up and not working right. Might be just an adjustment. Try putting it into first real slow and see if you can here it grind going into first. Also if it has a safety switch on the kickstand it could be malfunctioning.

The loosing power in 2 and 3rd I would kinda need more info on. it's awful tough to figure out what's going on when ya can't see what it's doing and all you got is text to go on.

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StingerManB

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 30, 2007

There is definitely no grind. If there is, it is so quiet and fast I do not hear it. I did notice tonight that it seemed if I rolled it in neutral for a bit, it wouldn't die as many times as sitting still. And if I rolled it fast enough, it would stay running and I could give it gas, almost like "popping the clutch" to start it. This bike does not have a kickstand switch.

I imagine the power issue is just that it is over 25 years old, has set for the last 4 years until recently, and I have been riding around on my Suzuki M50 so the power difference is night and day. It does sputter and backfire; just a few more bugs to work out.
Thanks for the quick response. It is most appreciated.
B

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CB750F

· #4 · Jul 30, 2007

Still sounds like the clutch is sticking when you put it in gear.

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StingerManB

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 30, 2007

The clutch is the last thing I know how to mess with. I know how to adjust the tension in the cable and that is about as far as it goes. I appreciate the reply. I will look at it and see what I can figure out.

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CB750F

· #6 · Jul 31, 2007

If you got the tension right and it still isn't working then I would say it's something with the plates or actuating system.

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choppy

· #7 · Sep 9, 2007

hey Stinger... i have also just perchased a old 200 twinstar that needs lots of work... lol . ... .. anyway the first thing to check is the activation lever on the left crankcase cover does it move when you pull in the clutch??... with the motor off in neutral roll the bike back and forth to see if your BRAKES are binding.. put the bike in 2nd gear with the motor off.. pull in the clutch and pull the bike backwords.. .. this should free up the clutch....also inspect the CHAIN to see if it is binding... now ((start the bike up in neutral)) and warm it up... have a friend push you.. or coast the bike down a small hill.... when you are doing about 4mph pull UP on the shifter, it should slide right into 2nd gear with no grinding...... now put around the block shifting from 1st to 2nd and back to first and so on... this will tell you if first gear is working.. now come to a compleat stop in first gear pulling in the clutch..... the motor should keep running smoothly to a compleat stop.... if your bike dies let us know.... PS.. you may also want to check the OIL..... it is a wet clutch and it needs GOOD CLEAN OIL

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StingerManB

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 9, 2007

I will try that! Thanks. The problem seems to happen a lot less if I go start it every other day and ride it a few minutes. Thanks again.

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choppy

· #9 · Sep 12, 2007

i just got me some SYNTHETIC 10W-30 LUCAS HIGH PERFORMANCE MOTORCYCLE OIL....... it says it is formulated with clutch saving tecnology... a must for wet clutch applications..... i saw that and i had to give it a try....lol....

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sirpapawizard

· #10 · Feb 24, 2021

choppy said:
hey Stinger... i have also just perchased a old 200 twinstar that needs lots of work... lol . ... .. anyway the first thing to check is the activation lever on the left crankcase cover does it move when you pull in the clutch??... with the motor off in neutral roll the bike back and forth to see if your BRAKES are binding.. put the bike in 2nd gear with the motor off.. pull in the clutch and pull the bike backwords.. .. this should free up the clutch....also inspect the CHAIN to see if it is binding... now ((start the bike up in neutral)) and warm it up... have a friend push you.. or coast the bike down a small hill.... when you are doing about 4mph pull UP on the shifter, it should slide right into 2nd gear with no grinding...... now put around the block shifting from 1st to 2nd and back to first and so on... this will tell you if first gear is working.. now come to a compleat stop in first gear pulling in the clutch..... the motor should keep running smoothly to a compleat stop.... if your bike dies let us know.... PS.. you may also want to check the OIL..... it is a wet clutch and it needs GOOD CLEAN OIL

Dude you are amazing! Just picked up an 81 twinstar 200 that's been sitting ten years. Got her all up and running just to find the clutch wouldn't engage, tried all the adjusting in the world and found this. Rocked it back in second like ten times and she released! Heck yes just took my first trip around the block. Thanks again.

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Intruder8

· #11 · Feb 24, 2021 (Edited)

Test for stuck clutch:
1.engine off
2.put it in first gear (you will possibly have to move bike back and forth)
3.Pull clutch lever and move bike forward. If it goes easy, clutch is OK, if clutch is stuck, you will not move.
PS. Make sure your oil level is not too high

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RogerC60

· #12 · Feb 25, 2021

@sirpapawizard, glad you found some help here. We'd all appreciate it if you'd go to the New Member Introduction forum and introduce yourself.

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