Honda C90

[BLu3HaZe]

Hey guys,

I need some help on tuning a C90 properly, any recommendations for people who are good for that in Kandy? Searched the forum but nothing on C90 The last two guys pretty much messed up the whole thing, and this is a 1978 model. Usually kept in the garage and rarely taken out. Very difficult to accelerate even after it heats up as it just sputters and dies, a problem if stuck in traffic or stopped at a yellow crossing. Think a problem with the jets, the last guy must have changed it to 'improve economy' Don't want that really, as it rarely runs, just a good running engine would do. At the Eco test, had to half way close the carb to pass it.

Also I've heard that as the engines were designed for low quality fuel, it might help to advance the ignition timing? Is there any way to do that here without going for a CDI conversion or welding stuff onto the flywheel? This has a contact breaker point system.

Thanks!

[BLu3HaZe]

Anybody?

[lokulamaya]

Anybody?

machan..did u tried the gampaha motors(near pilimatalawa town).this shop is run by a former military personal and heard he is goods at it..and about the c90, well did u recently changed the air filter and the plug? and how about the exhaust system..did u ever flush the engine before? if u haven't i think it's a good option..cause ur bike is almost 33years old.

so go there and see..........

[BLu3HaZe]

Ah yes we took there once and think some parts have been changed by workers or so for non genuine ones, but if they have good parts, I'll check it out. Need the white fairing cuz it cracked, and not the Thailand one, original Jap one, any idea where to find?

Yes the filter was changed recently cuz there was only the metal parts remaining, it doesn't run much, only 30k on the clock.

Plug was re gapped, flush no I don't think so. Will do that and see, thanks for the suggestions!

Oh and there is a slight oil squeezing out problem when running for more than 15 mins, not big but it comes out of the left side cover. What should be replaced?

Thanks!

[lokulamaya]

Oh and there is a slight oil squeezing out problem when running for more than 15 mins, not big but it comes out of the left side cover. What should be replaced?

//well..what's the condition of the oil seal?should replace it if it has openings/crack points//

Ah yes we took there once and think some parts have been changed by workers or so for non genuine ones

//yes this guy is purchasing items from colombo when he has plenty of orders to fulfill.

and since genuine items are bit pricey it's natural to go for thailand ones..or may be he has used some previously purchased spare parts..who knows ..may be u should directly ask from the owner.(he is a disabled guy..so easy to spot..)and tell him ur part of the story//

Need the white fairing cuz it cracked, and not the Thailand one, original Jap one, any idea where to find?

//machan i dont think that u can purchase those in the kandy city..defineatly u should come to panchikawatta...spare parts are every where for honda c90 there(brand new & used ones.)janaka motors is a famous pot for brand new japaneese bike spares.. also there is a pot in ja-ela area called "wasantha motors"..they also got plenty of japaneese spare parts for honda bikes..contact no is 011-2233782,011-2232188, fax 011-2233782..give them a buzz and see //

PS:- any ways i suggest u to replace ur plug with Ngk and see the diffrence..and if are decided to change the carb please dont use thailand or chineese..those are craps..In 2002 i replaced the carbulator of my father's old honda c70 with an original one..it was around 10,500 those days..(because it had same issue like ur's c90..lot of misses and pain..serviced the carb,changed the needle set..but the problem was not solved.so with fury i replaced the damn carb..and the problem solved..no more charas baras :D )

[BLu3HaZe]

well..what's the condition of the oil seal?should replace it if it has openings/crack points

Not really sure about the condition as the engine has been opened only once due to a kick starter problem and none of the internal parts replaced. And last time I took it to fix an electrical issue to another place in Hindagala, with headlights being too dim and battery going flat after being out of use for a few days, the guy had spliced most of the wires everywhere, put in some Bajaj 12V part and converted the whole thing with 12V bulbs etc., now it's a mess with wires of all colours everywhere And also had replaced the oil which we had done a few weeks before without even asking, so you reckon it'd be worth opening up the whole engine and replacing gaskets and seals?

yes this guy is purchasing items from colombo when he has plenty of orders to fulfill.

and since genuine items are bit pricey it's natural to go for thailand ones..or may be he has used some previously purchased spare parts..who knows ..may be u should directly ask from the owner.(he is a disabled guy..so easy to spot..)and tell him ur part of the story

Maybe then but this was some external parts, will take again sometime and see.

machan i dont think that u can purchase those in the kandy city..defineatly u should come to panchikawatta...spare parts are every where for honda c90 there(brand new & used ones.)janaka motors is a famous pot for brand new japaneese bike spares.. also there is a pot in ja-ela area called "wasantha motors"..they also got plenty of japaneese spare parts for honda bikes..contact no is 011-2233782,011-2232188, fax 011-2233782..give them a buzz and see

Thanks for the info! I'll check with them and let you guys know how it comes. And post some pics after everything is complete.

PS:- any ways i suggest u to replace ur plug with Ngk and see the diffrence..and if are decided to change the carb please dont use thailand or chineese..those are craps..In 2002 i replaced the carbulator of my father's old honda c70 with an original one..it was around 10,500 those days..(because it had same issue like ur's c90..lot of misses and pain..serviced the carb,changed the needle set..but the problem was not solved.so with fury i replaced the damn carb..and the problem solved..no more charas baras

Yes this too misses a lot and nearly dies for around 5 mins after starting, then after it heats up, goes onto overheat and die completely after sometime. Throttle is very hesitant and even a mild sudden turn kills the engine

Is it ok like some say to replace the carb with a 22mm one? Is there anyone who's good at tuning these?

The spark plugs and everything is original afaik, the NGK D-6 HW came with the bike, only the silencer has been replaced after rusting completely.

Also there's another small problem with the GB, when moving from a stop, the throttle has to be kept slightly open by hand to not kill the engine, and when engaging the gear, it slips and goes 'kraaass', so have to put to neutral and back. Any idea why?

Edited January 14, 2011 by BLu3HaZe

[Kavvz]

Anybody?

Well haven't been there for a while but there was a good mechanic who had a spot behind the Wijewardene Fuel station on Katugastota road, just after the Mahi-ya-wa tunnel / bokku-wa. It was located behind the fuel station and access was via the road leading to the private hospital (right after CF Finance and just before the Keells Super that has sprung up there. Ask the chaps at the fuel station if you get lost, they'll guide you.

There's also a mechanic who's a brilliant tuner in the houses alongside the madda-alla (the dirty black canal that runs along the road) on the New Peradeniya road near the Kandy General Hospital before you get to the Emsees car stereo joint. I'm sure Emsees would be able to direct you to him if you want. I'd be cautious when getting him to work on your bike though, as the place is a bit shady. I wouldn't recommend him to any one who doesn't know that they are doing for he would rip you off in a heart-beat if he could. However the bugger certainly does know his way around a bike engine. Use him at your own risk.

Edited January 14, 2011 by Kavvz

[BLu3HaZe]

You mean the road to KPH? Have heard, I'll check it out after I get all these other issues sorted out and find a bigger carb. Would first check Katugastota and then the other person.

Any remarks about the guy who's there in front of Gr**m*ngs? Some have said he's good but I wasn't able to check.

[lokulamaya]

Not really sure about the condition as the engine has been opened only once due to a kick starter problem and none of the internal parts replaced

//i think there should be crack or breaking point in the oil seal(specially areas near the screws putin..cause if the seal is not properly placed when turning the screw the seal might get torned..)

Is it ok like some say to replace the carb with a 22mm one? Is there anyone who's good at tuning these?

//machan..i'm not recommending to use a different carb..try to replace with original parts..because 33 years old bike need a good treatment with respect(not uncompatible parts around her) :) ..

Also there's another small problem with the GB, when moving from a stop, the throttle has to be kept slightly open by hand to not kill the engine, and when engaging the gear, it slips and goes 'kraaass', so have to put to neutral and back. Any idea why?

//well seems to me a wear down clutch plate..and btw can u made the engine running without a knock in the neutral (without turning the air/fuel adjusters in the carb)for at least 1-2 minutes..if u cant i think u need needle replacements or worse entire carb replacement(cause IMHO 33+ years of functioning is a way too much expecting from a carb if the original odo reading reading is in the range of 100000kms..honestly i cant belive ur odo meter reading of 30k's..surely some one has altered it.unless u purchased it as a brand new one

Edited January 15, 2011 by lokulamaya

[BLu3HaZe]

Well the original carb seems to be in good shape as it was barely used, this was a brand new bike, not recon from Japan so it's got the original odo and just past 30000km in 33 years Different carb as some have told me it's restricting the engine, but I'll check on whether there is any dirt in it as the fuel filter and main line was a bit clogged up with dirt. Cleaning them helped but not enough yet, tried taking out today to check the condition and battery was dead in less than a week without use, even though it's a new one. There's a small issue when using lights or indicators when started too, sounds like misfiring and a 'poof' sound in between normal strokes. And it hesitated a lot when starting, I'll post a sound clip to show properly later. After around 10 mins it seemed ok but wouldn't idle properly.

Will need to open the whole right side of the engine to replace the plates right? As it's a multi plate type, any idea how much they cost?

Edit - Didn't see the last part before posting, yes it was bought brand new from a person we know and then sold at around 20k km, then we didn't run it a lot as we normally used the car. Not even transferred yet, so single owner for 33 years

Edited January 15, 2011 by BLu3HaZe

[Kavvz]

You mean the road to KPH?

Yeap, he has a repair shop on the first bend. Pretty decent guy (if he's still around that is).

Any remarks about the guy who's there in front of Gr**m*ngs? Some have said he's good but I wasn't able to check.

No idea, sorry.

[lokulamaya]

sounds like misfiring and a 'poof' sound in between normal strokes...//

//how about the petrol condition?did u put petrol purchased from a local mudalali's kade?

normaly "poof" sound comes when water is mixed with petrol..first remove the petrol line from the tank empty the petrol tank..then race the engine until the petrol in the carb burns out..

then fill some trusty petrol in to the tank and do the test i mentioned in the previous comment..if the problem exist then we should worry about the contact points and the carb.....//

Will need to open the whole right side of the engine to replace the plates right? As it's a multi plate type, any idea how much they cost?

u can do it with using original seal set under 1k..(depends on the mechanics fees..)

[BLu3HaZe]

Hey guys, thanks for the comments and info

Nothing wrong with the petrol, it's the normal stuff at sheds> Anyway, I tried to cleaned the whole thing too and tuning the carb a bit and now it semms to be better, and went for a ride and though idle and start up wasn't very good, after around 5 mins gear changes and response was quite ok. The contact points were cleaned last time, but I think there's an electrical leak in the system which kills the battery quicker than usual. The Honda Workshop manual at http://www.carlsalter.com/honda-c90-manual/index.html was pretty helpful and hope it'd be of use to anyone working on a C90 or a CD90 later. Love Honda's and how they love to rev

(That's a leaf under the bike, not oil)

Btw, anyone looking for bike manuals may find http://www.carlsalter.com/motorcycle-manuals.asp pretty helpful

[lokulamaya]

Hey guys, thanks for the comments and info

Nothing wrong with the petrol, it's the normal stuff at sheds> Anyway, I tried to cleaned the whole thing too and tuning the carb a bit and now it semms to be better, and went for a ride and though idle and start up wasn't very good, after around 5 mins gear changes and response was quite ok. The contact points were cleaned last time, but I think there's an electrical leak in the system which kills the battery quicker than usual. The Honda Workshop manual at http://www.carlsalter.com/honda-c90-manual/index.html was pretty helpful and hope it'd be of use to anyone working on a C90 or a CD90 later. Love Honda's and how they love to rev

(That's a leaf under the bike, not oil)

Btw, anyone looking for bike manuals may find http://www.carlsalter.com/motorcycle-manuals.asp pretty helpful

wow...it seems bike is in super condition..Btw did u paint it or just the original paint?and good to hear your problem is solved..

[BLu3HaZe]

It's original paint, only problem is the cracked fairing, it's got very brittle now and missing the two side covers near the cam. Any idea of the cost?

Kind of solved, but need to visit one of them mechanics to get the gear problem resolved, couldn't do anything with a messy schedule