Honda Benly 125T ( CD125T ) Choke doesnt work!?

[djsalt]

Update 31st May 2009:

Thanks for all your help so far, great advice. I have another issue now that I didn't notice before: the Choke doesnt seem to do anything! The cable moves freely and externally everything seems perfect. Below is a photo of the carb with the wire on display being the choke cable.
Any ideas most welcome, I've searched through the haynes manual and google...Am I correct in thinking I will have to dismantle the carb? (never done this before).

Many thanks!
https://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4407/img3344f.jpg

Also: removed the rear box, looks a lot better.
https://img190.imageshack.us/img190/431/img3341b.jpg
By djsalt, shot with Canon DIGITAL IXUS 60 at 2009-05-31
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Hi, ok, my first post here.
I've been out of biking for a couple of years and recently picked up an imported (man. 1995, imported 1999) Honda Benly 125T, the engine code is CD125TE.
I'm just preparing it for an MOT at the moment and was wondering if it would be possible to change the single carb for the twin carbs of an old CB125T ? - and would this be of benefit? Other than that I guess the only easy change is a K&N or similar.

Basically I realise that the bike is never going to be fast, but an extra 5mph top speed would make all the difference, I've just finished giving the bike a decent service and am probably going to pop a small givi screen on the bike to help with aerodynamics.

If its of any interest i'm going to be stripping the bodywork down after the MOT and treating/ respraying where necessary.

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated, I'm really struggling to find out much information about this bike. I do know its very similar to a CM125T but as its an import i'm not sure if there are further differences.

Ah before I forget... THE BOX IS COMING OFF... the bolts are so rusted I'm going to have to get the drill out though.

Thanks,
Dave

[gavcarter]

If the inlet ports are "siamese" (two ports blended into one before exiting the head) then there is no point of fitting twin carbs.

If the joining of the two ports takes place outside the head i.e a "Y" shaped carb manifold then there may be a possible gain in putting twin carbs on it.


As for treating get it done before MOT if its badly rusted or you may not even get an MOT.....

[djsalt]

Thanks for the info, i'll check the carbs after work. I never considered they could be blended before exiting the head!
As for the rust, valid point. The frame looks fine, from what I can tell theres nothing more than a little surface rust in places (and I do mean a little).
Its the front mudguard that's looking worse for wear in places, its still very strong though and has no flex or holes. I wouldn't want to run my hand along it though so perhaps that would fail it?

My idea was to sort out the mechanics, give the bike a service myself and then MOT it before spending a lot of time tidying up the bodywork and respraying.

In MOT terms what do I need to look out for when considering rust?
thanks

[stinkwheel]

From having done this job the other way round (converting a twin carb CB125TDC to single carb), I can say it is technically possible.

The 2-1 inlet manifold actually bolts on. The hole centres for the studs line up exactly to attach the manifold stubs from a CB125.

HOWEVER. they would now not line up with your airbox and those Honda twins really do like their airboxes.

Also any CB125 carbs you are likely to get hold of will be pretty worn and almost impossable to balance properly and so could well result in a LOSS of power. That's why I converted my CB the other way and it ran a lot better afterwards.

I think the Benly also has a CV type carburettor which is better all round than the slide type carbs used on the CB models.

What I'm saying is it's certainly possible but will probably gain you nothing.

Regarding rust. If it's weakening or affecting function of a structural part of the bike, it'll fail. If not, it wont.

If the mudguard is holed, it could well fail. I have however MOTed bikes with gaffa tape along the top of the front mudguard. They are known to rot quickly. Not sure if it would fit but a pattern CG125 front mudguard comes in at £15 brand new. From the picture, I've seen much worse than your one.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[djsalt]

thanks for that carb info, a lot I didn't know about. I'll just stick with the one I have, you say they 'like airboxes'? Is that to say that a K&N is a bad move?

As for the rust, personally I dont think its bad at all. Theres certainly no holes... oh and I dont think you could make any with a pencil either! yes theres plenty of metal left! were only talking about the front mudguard too, the chassis is fine.

The mudguard on the Benly is very different in looks from the CG / CB so I'm just going to fix it up as I haven't been able to find any replacements. After my last bodywork task repairing the arches of a MK1 Toyota MR2 this should be easy.

[stinkwheel]

[djsalt]

Checked and confirmed that the two ports are blended outside the head and have a 2into1 inlet manifold bolted on. As stickwheel says its not really worth trying to change it so i'll leave it as is.

Out of interest, does anyone know what other engines fit this bike? I gathered a CD200 uses the same mounts. Know of any others?

Many thanks

[hmmmnz]

you should be able to get any of the honda twins in there cb250 ect,
but to be fair you'd get more resale if it was a 125,
if i was you id just get it tidied up ect do your test and sell it and buy a larger bike,
____________________
the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[.Chris.]

I had an old CD200 Benly that I regret getting rid of now. The engine looked exactly the same as the one in your bike, so I'm presuming it'd fit straight in. That should give you a useful hike in power, although don't expect it to be fast. Probably easier than faffing around trying to tune the 125 though.
____________________
Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[djsalt]

Cheers again for the info people, I'm certainly not going to go down the 'how do I make my 125 really fast route' especially with this bike! (I use 4 wheels for distance tbh)

Hmmmmz, good point about resale as a 125 - I have noticed that 125s hold there price quite well. I guess they will always be required for new riders! I think the bikes good to go in for its MOT now, I've sorted out everything I think was wrong. Then I'll strip the bodywork off and tidy up/spray parts.

I dont think I'll struggle to get what I paid for it, its a bit of an unusual model too. Years ago I owned a Suzuki GP100 (2 stroke smoker), I can't believe how different this machine is. Yes I know its still a 125 but i've riden a few larger bikes abroad and this actually feels 'normal'.

MOT QUESTION: this is an import but has been on UK roads for a while, my headlight doesnt seem to have a sidelight/parking bulb in it - only the main bulb that does full & dipped beam (dipped is always on). Is a sidelight/parking light required for MOT?

thanks again all!

[djsalt]

new pic added 31.05.09 - the box has gone + cleaned up chrome. My Choke isn't functioning though, any idea why that might be? The cable moves fine and visually everything down at the carb looks fine, doesnt have any affect on the engine though.

https://img194.imageshack.us/img194/5092/img3349j.jpg
https://img190.imageshack.us/img190/431/img3341b.jpg