This is starting to become a love hate with my CB1

[thetraveler58]

Thanks 91-Cb1

I like your advice and will do exactly as you said.
I do well with videos.  Reading a Manuel is more of a challenge
for me but I will take it slow page by page.

If I do not see the leak can it just evaporate over time?
It is very hot and humid her in Thailand.  Which comes to my next question.
When it comes time to store the bike for 4 months.  Would you drain the gas and oil?
In CA. I have a Kawasaki concourse 14 which I have been storing for 8 months and I just put stabile in the tank which was full ..............I just bought that bike 1 month before I left the country.

Here the mechanic says drain the gas and oil because of the humidity.  This is the same mechanic who lied when I asked him if he checked the water level when he was doing another job.

Thanks again
Robert

[91cb-1]

If your laying up a bike for a long time, empty the tank of petrol, and empty the carbs, if you have a paddock stand or centre stand try and get both wheels off the ground and release about half the air from each tyre, as to the oil i honestly don't know, i can understand that it would become stagnant, maybe someone else on here can answer that, as to your evaporation question no, it doesn't matter how hot or humid it gets, you will lose water from your coolant system but not so much that you'd notice. your system should be completely sealed and if you are loosing water then it has to be going somewhere.

[guntherrex]

actually, it's better to keep the tank topped up and put some fuel stabilizer in there (if you want to be sure, don't think it's nessecary for 4 months), put the tap on off and drain the carbs via the screws in the float bowls. Your tank might rust on the inside if there's no fuel in there

[thetraveler58]

about filling up the bike with water.
Do I use antifreeze like I would in a car?
50% antifreeze - 50% water?  Does anyone
know much water the system holds?

When I was told to keep an eye on it do you mean take of the seat and look in the reservoir tank or is there another way?  I've been watching the gauge and it's where is should be.  The fan goes on and it seems to be fine now.

The only thing that is annoying.................it take2  to 4 clicks to start the engine.
all the lights come on but nothing....... after I have ridden it for a short time it starts on the first click!  I had this discussion with another member the other day.

Riding weather has been fantastic for the next month or so and then it gets real hot. Come June the monsoon season starts and that's when I com back to NV and ride my Concourse 14 until it gets cold again.

So I have my foot in 2 countries and there are days I wake up not knowing where I am............LOL

Robert

[yhet43]

Most coolants indicate the proper proportioning...often it's a 50-50 mix...and yet there are some that need not be mixed with water. I suggest you get one that is mixed on a 50-50 proportion..and also the type that is good for tropical countires and has only wet and dry seasons.

It's always good to read ur service manual and your owner's manual. Don't be afraid to ifx your bike up yourself, you'll find it very rewarding on yourself , believe me.

Best place to check your water level is at your radiator. If it's losing water, then you know you've got a leak somewhere. The reservoir basically serves as a spill-out when the engine gets hot, and the contents are sucked back into the radiator when engine cools down.

check your regulator rectifier,,,it may not be chrging well. If you have a multimeter,,,simply attach the terminals to the battery (properly), if your battery is below 12volts, then you have a weak bat. Start your engine (with the meter still attached), and you should see the rising of your battery charge. If the charging of your battery doesn't go up to atleast 14volts...then you may have a weak rec reg... A weak battery will explain why you have problems starting her up. When you've ridden her, it's normal that she will start up quick coz there's still enough juice to fire her up...but when she sits for awhile, battery charge drops.

I'm no mechanic...i hope i managed to help out.

[thetraveler58]

Yhet43,
Say you have been most helpful!
The battery is new so perhaps it is the rectifier you've mentioned.
I'm going to purchase a multimeter.  I have one in Nevada and I had a battery issue with my Connie.  The dealer was all set to just sell me a new battery but as I was coached along from a friend over the phone...............I charged it up completely and it was fine!
Yes it was very satisfying!

I do have the pdf of the service  and the owners Manuel I think.  I'm going to force myself to read and try to digest and understand what they are saying.

Thanks again
Robert

[rigwit]

Most alloy engines need de-ionised water/antifreeze fit for alloy engine's I would go 50%/50% even though you are in a country that is mainly hot, you can also add specialised additives like runcooler-etc.

One trick to trace a small leak or a coolant fault that comes and goes is to drain system also barrel drains then add ONLY water and red food colouring (cochnnele) only a few drops needed if  any red shows trace it back and you have your fault, fix it-flush system and then fill as first paragraph.

[guntherrex]

about filling up the bike with water.
Do I use antifreeze like I would in a car?
50% antifreeze - 50% water?  Does anyone
know much water the system holds?

When I was told to keep an eye on it do you mean take of the seat and look in the reservoir tank or is there another way?  I've been watching the gauge and it's where is should be.  The fan goes on and it seems to be fine now.

The only thing that is annoying.................it take2  to 4 clicks to start the engine.
all the lights come on but nothing....... after I have ridden it for a short time it starts on the first click!  I had this discussion with another member the other day.

Riding weather has been fantastic for the next month or so and then it gets real hot. Come June the monsoon season starts and that's when I com back to NV and ride my Concourse 14 until it gets cold again.

So I have my foot in 2 countries and there are days I wake up not knowing where I am............LOL

Robert

I assume you keep the button pushed until the engine runs right?

[thetraveler58]

No I click it and let go and click it again.
Sometimes the first try it starts and often 3 to 5 tries it will start.
Something is not right.

Robert

[91cb-1]

Keep your thumb on the starter until it starts in should only take 2-3 seconds longer if cold

[a_morti]

Keep your thumb on the starter until it starts in should only take 2-3 seconds longer if cold

This.

Fuel injected bikes will start quicker but any (older) carbed bike will take a little starting.

Won't hurt if you open all the mixture screws a quarter turn each it'll richer the slow mixture slightly.

[thetraveler58]

Ok I will try both suggestions.

Robert

[rigwit]

when you come to start it from cold, you have mentioned in one of your posts that lights work etc.  When starting cold make sure No lights are on while cranking, (except ignition idiot lights).
If testing battery voltage just before starting and reads anywhere between 12.3 11.8 then start and check charging it is not uncommon to see 14V+ any more than 15 and your rectifier is suspect as mentioned in many posts and reply's on the plug that goes into reg unplug it and  on ohm setting of multimeter,(if it isn't auto sensing) then any yellow to yellow should be 5 ohm that checks your stator isn't fried,and you need a new reg/rectifier loads of honda models use the same one as the cb-1.