Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

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budanddar
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Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by budanddar »

Hello to all,
I am a proud owner of a 1981 CBX. Purchased it 2 years ago and finally getting a chance to ride. Had several CB 750s in the past but this bike......wow.
I remember when my older brother purchased the first year Kawasaki 900 Z-1. What a great bike but this one takes the cake.
Will be leaning on you more experienced riders as I discover the need to know more about my bike.

Thanks in advance.

Bud from Palm Desert

daves79x
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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by daves79x »

Welcome Bud! Lots to learn about your CBX and you came to a good place to do it. Our associated Facebook page is great too.

Dave

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NobleHops
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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by NobleHops »

Welcome! :text-welcomewave:
Nils Menten
Tucson, Arizona, USA '80 CBX, sort-of restored :-)

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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by Mouse »

:text-welcomewave: to the group Bud
Canadian Amateur Radio Call sign VE6 VES

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cross
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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by cross »

:text-welcomewave:

I ride my CBX to the dessert often, i'll look you up next time
Sasha
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'82 Honda CBX
'99 Triumph TBS
'01 Honda Valkyrie

:auto-sportbike:

Mouse
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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by Mouse »

:text-welcomewave: To the group Bud.
Canadian Amateur Radio Call sign VE6 VES

budanddar
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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by budanddar »

Thanks for the welcoming!
Got my 1981 CBX back on the road and it was great.
Thought I would change the spark plugs so I did.
Went to start it and there was a click and very little movement of the starter.
Battery is new and fully charged.
The click came out of the starter relay switch.
Historically I have had to push the starter button a couple of times to get the starter to work.

Any ideas on a fix? Did purchase another starter relay switch just waiting for delivery.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Bud

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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by daves79x »

Glad to hear from you again after a year and a half! You need to start with the basic stuff first - are battery connections and ground clean and tight. Are the connections on the solenoid the same? Starter connection tight? Then, is your battery in good shape? Then jump the two terminals on the solenoid with a screwdriver. If the starter turns normally, then you either have a bad solenoid or dirty starter button contacts. Take the right switch apart carefully and clean the 40 year-old grease out and shine up the contacts. Grease lightly with dielectric grease. Be careful - there are very small parts in there. Somewhere during all this you will find the problem.

Dave

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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by budanddar »

Thanks Dave!
Did all of that. Jumped across the starter relay and the sound is the same, the starter won't turn.
Think it is in the starter motor?

Bud

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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by daves79x »

OK First, how did you tell if your battery is good? You must do a load test to be sure. That is the most likely culprit. Then - hate to say this, but pull the right crank cover and try to turn the engine by hand. Just making sure it's free and not locked up - surely not. Most likely then is the starter, a bit fiddly to pull out, but doable. They can be rebuilt or you can buy a rebuilt/aftermarket one.

Dave

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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by budanddar »

Thanks so far. Quick update, my 1981 CBX had a clicking starter relay, replaced it, still clicking, took the starter motor out, it was super clean and bench tested well, put it back in, then the neutral light stays on even in gear. The starter still clicks and the starter does not seem to move.
Any ideas and thanks again.

Bud

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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by daves79x »

Again - does your engine turn over by hand? Next, did you load test the battery? Those basics must be verified before pronouncing any other component bad. A starter will usually turn over on the bench, even a bad one. The thing should almost jump off the bench with 12v applied.

Dave

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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by NobleHops »

budanddar wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 1:52 am
Thanks so far. Quick update, my 1981 CBX had a clicking starter relay, replaced it, still clicking, took the starter motor out, it was super clean and bench tested well, put it back in, then the neutral light stays on even in gear. The starter still clicks and the starter does not seem to move.
Any ideas and thanks again.

Bud
Did you open the starter up and clean the commutator and renew the internal connections? Or just pronounce it clean externally? The commutator should look like a new penny after service and the grooves between the segments should be cleaned out of all the conductive brush debris with a toothpick. Brushes and springs should be checked, and all the electrical connections in and on the starter should be cleaned and renewed, and lastly, the power lead from the solenoid should be closely inspected at both ends and on its length for corrosion, cuts and breaks in the insulation, and that both terminals are clean and making perfect contact. That's also the right time to renew the battery ground cable on both ends in similar fashion, as it mounts to one of the starter bolts as you now know.
Nils Menten
Tucson, Arizona, USA '80 CBX, sort-of restored :-)

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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by budanddar »

Thanks Nils,

I have done everything that you have mentioned. Took the starter apart, cleaned and shined everything. The cables are in beautiful shape with no contact issues at all. I will give the cables another look.
What is up with the neutral light coming on when it is in gear. Did not used to happen like that. Neutral safety switch keeping things from moving?

Thanks,

Bud in Palm Desert California

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Re: Bud with a 1981 CBX in Palm Desert California

Post by budanddar »

daves79x wrote:
Sat Jun 13, 2020 7:43 am
Again - does your engine turn over by hand? Next, did you load test the battery? Those basics must be verified before pronouncing any other component bad. A starter will usually turn over on the bench, even a bad one. The thing should almost jump off the bench with 12v applied.

Dave
Thanks Dave,

The battery is new and not sure how to load test it. I did make sure it has a full charge.
Not sure how to turn the engine over by hand.

Bud

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