Leonard: CB200 Project Log

donnieheeler

donnieheeler

New Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2025
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Location
Long Beach, CA

Project Log - 001 - July 14, 2025​


I’d been looking for a CB200 for half a year. Finally found one and struck a deal for a thousand bucks. I ran the VIN through NCIS and confirmed with the DMV that it was out of the system. No red flags.

When I showed up, the seller didn’t have the correct title documentation, so we wrote up a bill of sale on the spot and called it a day. Luckily, I had already cleared the VIN, and after confirming the frame numbers, I negotiated it down to $500 and got a bunch of extra parts thrown in. I know I’ll need to do a VIN verification and go through the new title process, but I’m hoping it all checks out. If anyone has advice about handling title issues in California, I’d seriously appreciate it. For me this part of the project is easily the most stressful.

Anyway, got it home. After months of fantasizing, Leonard was finally sitting in my parking spot. It was exhausting getting him there, so I didn’t touch anything until the next day.

The next morning I grabbed breakfast, then took some “before” photos.

IMG_4150.jpeg

Then I finally started.

First off: Leonard doesn’t start. No neutral light. I pulled the battery and tested it with a tender/charger. It was completely dead. So I ordered a new one, a BikeMaster - AGM Platinum II. I swapped in fresh NGK Iridium plugs (DR8EIX), and seeing the old ones was kind of shocking.

IMG_4151.jpeg

Changed the oil. Didn’t see any major silver flecks or sludge. I used Motul 7100 10W-40, which I know is overkill and some people steer away from full synthetic, but honestly I think high-quality oil can only help.

Checked the tank, half-expecting rust or sludge. To my surprise, it was clean. That gave me a little hope.

IMG_4152.jpeg

After that I spent about an hour just washing and inspecting everything more deeply. Degreased what I could, foiled some of the chrome, and tried to get a better look at what’s ahead.

Here are the known issues so far:

• Left control housing (horn/signal) is cracked near the mirror mount

• Battery compartment is missing bolts

• Front brake lever is stiff and not engaging

• Wheels are slashed and unsafe

• Wiring is sloppy and aged

• A lot of loose or questionable bolts throughout

Even with all that, I’m loving it. This is my first time ever tackling a project like this. I’m especially anxious about the title/VIN stuff, but I’m just taking it one thing at a time. I can’t wait for the battery to arrive so I can start chasing electrical gremlins. Planning to keep up with general maintenance throughout the week. Still can’t believe I get to own and work on something like this. Feeling really grateful and lucky. If you’ve got any advice, tips, or general words of wisdom, I’m all ears.
 
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To register you go to DMV first and start the paperwork, then it's CHP by appointment only setup by DMV for VIN confirmation, then back to DMV to finish. Some DMV locations have an on-site VIN inspector so CHP may not be involved.
 
Here's some info you may find useful:

Basic Checklist for the New to you Old Bike

Note: this was originally written for the SOHC 400/450's so some information may not apply. Congratulations, you are the proud owner of a Vintage Honda Twin. One that may or not may have been maintained properly. Of course, the previous owner told you that everything is absolutely perfect and...
www.vintagehondatwins.com www.vintagehondatwins.com

I'm not familiar with that particular oil but if it is not a motorcycle-specific (wet clutch compatible) it could be a problem Folks more familiar will likely be along.

Depending on the title process you have a lot of jealous folks looking on. Nice score.
 
Very nice.
The OEM plugs were non resistor type, so you may want non resistor plug caps with those new plugs.
 
Every state is a little different but I had to go thru the getting a title in PA and wasn’t too bad. Not my CB200 but a MT250. I’m sure Cali is harder. The front brake on this bike is a little unique in that it’s a cable operated disc. Water seems to get into the housing and creates problems along with old grease that has hardened. I took mine completely apart and cleaned everything very well and re-greased the brake mechanism. Works great now. Be careful there is a plastic disk and small metal tabs and a retaining ring that you can damage if not careful when you take it apart. Nice bike.
 
LongDistanceRider said:
To register you go to DMV first and start the paperwork, then it's CHP by appointment only setup by DMV for VIN confirmation, then back to DMV to finish. Some DMV locations have an on-site VIN inspector so CHP may not be involved.
Click to expand...
Thank you, yes, I did some calling and unfortunately my local DMV does not do the in-house VIN inspection. Oh well, I'm sure it'll be fine even if it does cost me an extra afternoon.
 
J-T said:
Here's some info you may find useful:

Basic Checklist for the New to you Old Bike

Note: this was originally written for the SOHC 400/450's so some information may not apply. Congratulations, you are the proud owner of a Vintage Honda Twin. One that may or not may have been maintained properly. Of course, the previous owner told you that everything is absolutely perfect and...
www.vintagehondatwins.com www.vintagehondatwins.com

I'm not familiar with that particular oil but if it is not a motorcycle-specific (wet clutch compatible) it could be a problem Folks more familiar will likely be along.

Depending on the title process you have a lot of jealous folks looking on. Nice score.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the link! I read through it and checked the label on the oil, and it does mention being both motorcycle-specific and wet clutch compatible thankfully. And thank you! Honestly even if title ends up being a brick wall I wouldn't feel like I wasted $500 bucks. If anything, it'd be my introduction fee into this awesome community.
 
2wheel said:
Every state is a little different but I had to go thru the getting a title in PA and wasn’t too bad. Not my CB200 but a MT250. I’m sure Cali is harder. The front brake on this bike is a little unique in that it’s a cable operated disc. Water seems to get into the housing and creates problems along with old grease that has hardened. I took mine completely apart and cleaned everything very well and re-greased the brake mechanism. Works great now. Be careful there is a plastic disk and small metal tabs and a retaining ring that you can damage if not careful when you take it apart. Nice bike.
Click to expand...
Yeah, we'll see how it goes. Though I've heard CA is generally nonchalant about older bikes, we'll see. Thank you for the front brake information. It's honestly indispensable as I am having issues with just this. Kind of dreading taking it apart for some reason, but I can't imagine it's impossible. Any recommendations on the grease to use for re-greasing? Appreciate your help.
 
donnieheeler said:
Yeah, we'll see how it goes. Though I've heard CA is generally nonchalant about older bikes, we'll see. Thank you for the front brake information. It's honestly indispensable as I am having issues with just this. Kind of dreading taking it apart for some reason, but I can't imagine it's impossible. Any recommendations on the grease to use for re-greasing? Appreciate your help.
Click to expand...
I used red silicone grease from permatex but I think any quality lighter weight grease will work. My front brake was pretty non-existent when I bought the bike. It will lock up now with moderate pressure. I followed a YouTube video made by a guy named Garth (I think). Very helpful. I’ll see if I can find it and link it.
 
donnieheeler said:
I negotiated it down to $500
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nice seeing these back to 2019 prices. And with new replacement parts already done. Score for you.

Don't toss the old plugs. There a pneumatic spark plug cleaner, available at HF. Very useful while learning to tune the carbs correctly.

It looks like broken gas cap latch is to be added to list.

While it's reccommended to do anyway, If you update (or it's already updated) the rectifier/regulator to an all in one unit, you must add a dedicated path to ground on this bike.
 

Project Log - 002 - July 24, 2025​


My back is sore. My leg hurts from kickstarting. My hands — and the fingers on those hands — ache. My wrists feel like they need to be oiled. I’ve spent the last few days troubleshooting. And there’s been a lot of trouble.

I pulled the carbs and found that the previous owner had no ******* clue what he was doing. Jet needles hammered into place. Gaskets replaced with electrical tape. Gas build-up crystallized solid. Mechanical horrors beyond comprehension.

I’ve called off work just to keep rebuilding. Walked to AutoZone, Ace Hardware, Harbor Freight. Made calls. Bled my wallet dry. Inhaled too many fumes — gasoline, carb cleaner, degreaser. Sweat through shirts, stained pants. And once, I kicked the starter and the engine didn’t turn once — it turned twice. I thought I imagined it.

I redid the timing. Redid the throttle. My upper thigh bruised from fruitless kicking. But today, I came home from work feeling clear-headed. Focused. Diligent. I gapped and replaced the iridium plugs with copper. Charged the battery to 100%.

I kicked — and Leonard finally lives after 50 years asleep.

A 30-second idle filled me with joy, hope, pride. One rev and it roared. Finally. Finally.

Leonard lives. Leonard lives. Leonard lives.

Next is the gas tank. The petcock. The brakes. The wheels. Everything else. But today?

Today, Leonard lives. Awakened from his 50-year slumber. The most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.

I hugged my spouse and nearly cried. This means so much more than just “getting it to run.”

Massive thanks to LongDistanceRider, AncientDad, 2wheel, and J-T.

And especially to ballbearian — your one comment about resistor-type plugs made Leonard run. If you’re ever in Long Beach, I’ll buy you a beer and show you my bike — and you can tell me what I’ve done wrong.

I’ve got a lot to learn. But today, Leonard barked, idled, and revved.

Leonard lives.
 
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donnieheeler said:
And especially to ballbearian
Click to expand...
Ah shucks, just glad to have saved you from the recent plug/cap spanking I got. I've had great teachers, like the ones you mentioned.

Clean Leonard's oil filter asap, if you haven't already. 2wheel is a 30 minute ride away, so we will ride and make toast to you both.
 
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