Hello all! I’m creating a project thread to document the work I’m doing on my 1975 Honda CB200T.
The bike was running well when I got it in 2018. The previous owner had been racing it. It started having problems after a few months (fuel leak, unsolved shutdown while riding), and it was stored from about December 2018–September 2020 (tank was full + STA-BIL winterizer, battery left in bike, kept in climate-controlled storage). Now I'm in Boston and finally able to work on it, really hoping I haven’t done too much damage by letting it sit.
Issues that need addressing (big and small):
I have no idea what I’m doing! I’m open to any and all advice, and it’s impossible to explain things to me too simply...
The only tools I have are the bike’s toolkit—will acquire more as needed. I do have several manuals (the original OM, Haynes, Clymer, a digital copy of the factory manual) and a few random books on bike maintenance that aren’t geared toward vintage bikes.
back in 2018 (she doesn't have that bellypan anymore)
now looking dustier and rustier
missing side covers
tires from 2008! I rode on them for a while in 2018 with no problems though
rust that wasn't there before
old gas gotta go
The bike was running well when I got it in 2018. The previous owner had been racing it. It started having problems after a few months (fuel leak, unsolved shutdown while riding), and it was stored from about December 2018–September 2020 (tank was full + STA-BIL winterizer, battery left in bike, kept in climate-controlled storage). Now I'm in Boston and finally able to work on it, really hoping I haven’t done too much damage by letting it sit.
Issues that need addressing (big and small):
- Old gasoline in the tank
- Dead battery (sealed AGM)
- Gas leaking from petcock area (might just be a crack in the fuel line)
- Last time I rode it before storing, the bike shut off completely (engine, electrical) as I shifted from 2nd gear to 3rd. It wouldn’t kickstart or give any signs of life afterward (can’t remember if the engine cranked over or not). A few days later I was able to start it just fine, but didn't ride so not sure if it continued. Maybe related to the leak, as both surfaced the same day?
- Tires are old (2008) and have dry cracks
- Minor rust/cosmetic stuff (big scrape on the starboard side of the tank)
I have no idea what I’m doing! I’m open to any and all advice, and it’s impossible to explain things to me too simply...
The only tools I have are the bike’s toolkit—will acquire more as needed. I do have several manuals (the original OM, Haynes, Clymer, a digital copy of the factory manual) and a few random books on bike maintenance that aren’t geared toward vintage bikes.
back in 2018 (she doesn't have that bellypan anymore)
now looking dustier and rustier
missing side covers
tires from 2008! I rode on them for a while in 2018 with no problems though
rust that wasn't there before
old gas gotta go
