CB200

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

Just seen an add locally wanting 200 quid for a CB200, says the usual "nothing major wrong"... apart from seized kickstart that is Laughing

Will have a bit of spare cash coming up so would it be worth getting just for tinkering with? Of do they have a bad rep as a bike, its a 1976 model.

I understand you'll never make any money on such a thing I was more thinking of it as a project than anything else. (Better than drinking away 200 quid in a few nights out IMO)

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

They were surprisingly nice little bikes to ride. Check the exhausts as they were prone to serious corrosion from the insides and they would burn a bit of oil if not maintained properly, like most Honda twins of the time.
Nice examples are quite collectable now.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

As I remember, those have a pressed steel frame. Have a careful poke about because they can rot from the inside.
____________________
“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.

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

Any ideas as to why the kickstart is seized? Whole engine buggered or perhaps the oil is like chocolate inside the engine hence nothing moving?

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

Haven't even seen it yet! But considering calling him and popping by tomorrow on my way home. Would just prefer to be armed with a good bit of knowledge so I know what I'am looking at.

Learnt a fair bit of basics from my CG as regards the fuel system, carb, brakes n electrics but as far as Engines are concerned its still all greek to me!

I know when I bought my cg the engine oil was like chocolate so she wouldn't go up the gears but a swift oil change sorted it out.

Frost · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 May 2004 Karma :

As said above a stuck kick start might just be a corroded or damaged mechanism, or it might be an engine locked solid. I'd assume the worst unless they'll let you push it in gear.

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

I'd check the tank isn't rotten underneath too, and the seat pan. I would imagine they're not the easiest of bikes to find used spares for now.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Sure it's a CB200 and not a CD200? The former may be worth a punt if you're happy the engine isn't seized.

I have on old copy of Used Motorcycle Guide from 2001:

CB200
74-78, 194cc ohc twin, 18hp, 80mph, 80mpg, 300lb
Almost classic; reasonable speed, frugality and ride quality. Front disc brake a bit of a nightmare. High miles kill clutches, camshafts, tensioners and small end bearings. C1 £600, C2 £475, C3 £100.

CD200
80-85, 194cc ohc twin, 16hp, 70mph, 100mpg, 290lb
Early versions aflicted with camchainh problems, later benlys were tougher but slow. Weak handler, flimsy back wheel, soft shocks, lacks ground clearance, etc. 12v version preferrable. Check state of the spark plugs as cheap engine alloy strips threads. Avoid bikes with excessive vibes. Poor running may be rusted tank. Easy to upgrade with better suspension. C1 £700, C2 £450, C3 £75
____________________
“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.

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

Aye as far as I've looked up its a cable operated front disk brake, well unless the seller is lying its a CB200 as he says its a 1976 model!

oddly enough there is a CD being sold near belfast but its up for 475 quid

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

Called the seller, tells me the kickstart will go half way and thats it. However the gears will go up and down? Also the exhausts are riddled by all accounts.

Will be having a look tomorrow morning at it to see if its worth the bother. What work exactly would I have to do with the kickstart if thats the problem?

Told me he bought it for 300 quid and could never get it started, sounds fairly clueless although he may be just trying to sell a piece of junk to me lol

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Most common cause for a stick kickstart would be a seized engine or cam.

Moving halfway... Thinking

My number one suspect would be a dropped valve or a camchain that's jumped position to allow the piston to hit a valve.

I'd want to see if the engine will turn over and I'd want to whip the rocker cover off and inspect the cams and theiur seats before touching it with a barge-pole.

Kickstart mechanisms are not known for seizing themselves, more likely the problem is something it's attached to.

EDIT: To be honest. For a non-running 1970's UJB that's not particularly rare or special in what sounds like a fairly shoddy state of repair. I'd be offering what UBG recommended 10 years ago for a C3 example IF (and only if) the engine turns over and it has compression. If it's seized or has no compression. I'd suggest weighing it in for scrap or breaking it and flogging it on ebay.

So £75 if the engine turns.
____________________
“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.

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

What exactly should I be looking for If I take the rocker cover off? I'll come armed with a toolkit but any pics would be greatly appreciated for what should be right/wrong.

Engine wise I have bugger all knowledge

Hes just sent me a pic of said bike

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Do you know what the cam lobes look like?

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

Pear shaped type things? at the top of the engine? I just remember Cams from 3rd year technology woodwork when we were making a toy crane Laughing

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :

Finding a replacement exhaust might be tricky, have you checked to see if Motad do one?

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

From pic, looks pretty complete. Possibly restorable. Plenty of bits punted on e bay, but probably not the ones you need! Might be worth a 'punt' but I wouldn't pay £200 for it.

Teflon-Mike · tl;dr Joined: 01 Jun 2010 Karma :

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

How can make her turn over without the kickstart though? (ps sorry for tard questions but I'd rather it now than buying and then asking)

Compression is the sound of the engine turning over when you kickstart (least I've gotten used to that with the cg)

Or can I do that with the plug out and doing the start half way like the seller says it'll go?

Thanks mike & stinkwheel for the advice n pics, not arselicking here but without the forum and guys like yerselves I wouldn't know what I was walking into and buying into Thumbs Up

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

And I should be able to hear that plop sorta sound as the cams etc rotate around n do their shizzle? With the spark plug out that is aye?

Shaft · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :

Vincent · Banned Joined: 16 Oct 2006 Karma :