Need Opinions on Vintage Honda SL175

bit torrent? Clymers? What are these terms you car referring to?

In reply to Zomby Woof:

Thanks. I didn't know that.

Clymers is a publishing company that makes manuals. Including one that covered your bike Which to my astonishment, is still in print.

http://www.amazon.com/Clymer-Honda-Twins-125-200cc-Manual/dp/B000GTZMTE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373555769&sr=8-1&keywords=clymer+honda+twin+manual

It's a good manual.

As for bit torrents and such, they are places where you can download things, with questionable legality. Google the above manual and you'll likely find "free pdf" versions of it. Is it worthwhile? Probably not compared to the cost of just buying it from Amazon.

In reply to Zomby Woof:

Just use bike specific oil. These engines don't take that much oil anyway, the quart or two these take are unlikely to bankrupt the OP .

Hondas of that vintage pretty much all take 10W40, I wouldn't even consider putting 20W50 in it. Valves should be adjustable via screw and locknut on the rocker arms so it's probably a bit fiddly but as long as you can find out what the specs are, it should be a pretty easy job.

So do you guys think that changing the oil might help with the crankcase noise? I guess I'll try, and see what happens. I'll have to wait to get a manual before I can do the valves. For some reason the noise (thinking car engines here) doesn't sound like excessive valve clatter, but it also doesn't sound like a rod knock, or piston slap, or something like that. It almost sounds like something clattering around in the crankcase, but it's not quite random enough to be that. Otherwise, the engine runs smooth and strong, without even a wiff of smoke.

Maybe. Only maybe.

I suggested oil because I wasn't sure the bike had any (noise and damage) and because of the shifting problems. Hondas are notorious for being hard to shift as the oil breaks down. They also do become overall noisier (clattery) as the oil breaks down.

Will an oil change magically fix everything? Doubt it. But it's a very good variable to take out of the equation.

Admire the oil as it drains. Watch for interesting chunks. If any fall out, take a picture of it and post it here.

Two common non-car type noises motorcycles make are timing chain rattle and clutch basket clatter.

I had one of those many years ago, right down to the color. Traded it for an SL100 after I rode it like twice, hey I was a 13 y/o kid.

Many moons of Honda ownership: Rattly = timing chain noise, generally. Here's the tensioner setup:

The adjuster bolt points straight forward at the rear of the cylinders. Loosen the locknut and let the spring pop the tensioner out then retorque the bolt. Those old Honda valves MUST make noise (clearance) or they will burn!

bravenrace wrote: Okay, there are a couple issues. 1 - The engine sounds loud mechanically, if that makes any sense. Kind of rattly, but not anything that sounds like a major mechanical problem. Is this normal for these? Could it need a valve adjustment? Are the valves even adjustable on these? I don't really know a lot about this bike.

Being familiar with the XL125, this sounds like it could be the valve timing chain tensioner as mentioned. They can be adjusted, but eventually they will run out of adjustment and need to be replaced. Another possibility, hopefully not, is the cam bearings in the head are worn, allowing the cam to rattle.

Those caps on the head are what give you access to adjust the valves. Should be an 8mm an a small screwdriver (like an aircooled VW). The intake valve can be a pain to get to.

Aircooled is close it will be a 8mm nut with a tiny square on the top of the adjuster screw. Just do yourself a favor and buy the Motion pro tool as it comes with both types (screw drive and the square) and with two wrenches one 10mm and one 8mm they make it so easy to adjust. Hum they come with three now and chromed too....mine are black oxide or should I say were..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/2218-6-PC-VALVE-TAPPET-ADJUSTING-TOOL-SET-SMALL-ENGINES-AND-MOTORCYCLES-/140719416168#vi-content

Here's a nice introduction to Honda valve adjustments. He's doing it on a newer Rebel, but the idea is the same. I relied on this vid heavily when I did the TwinStar's valves.

ZEP's valve adjustment.

If you do attempt to get a title for this bike from the DMV please regale us with the story.

Motorcycles are so easy to steal that the DMV will not give out titles for them, at least here in Oregon. With a car you can get the state police to inspect it and sign off or use receipts to get an "assembled" title for custom or hotrod stuff but none of this is allowed with motorcycles. It took me 14 months to get a title for my vespa going though all the proper legal chanels, were I to do it again I would use motorecyclenow.com and hope for the best.

In reply to ditchdigger:

I won't be attempting to get a title for this one. It would cost too much to add the stuff the PO stripped off of it. It's pretty much a dirt bike now. If I want something street legal I'll just buy another bike.

Those cam chain tensioner adjustment bolts are easy to strip. Proceed cautiously.

In reply to Woody:

I thought someone said the adjustment bolt was off the back of the cylinders, but it seems to be on the front side on this bike. Is that correct?

Later units like the xr100 do not use the roller wheel on a pivot arm instead use a flexable shoe on the slack (back side of the cyl.) the pivot arm type have the adjusted bolt in the front.

Okay, next question. My bike has aftermarket air filters on it and they don't fit very well. I'd like to put stock filters back on it. I can find all the parts except the rubber tubes (lower left in the pic) that connect the filter to the carb. Anyone know where I can get these?

Look here for downloadable manuals:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=17788.0

Look under the seat. Hondas of that era came equipped with an owner's manual and a tool kit. The owner's manual should explain how to adjust the valves and the tool kit should have everything needed to do it.

In reply to Woody:

I have a manual on the way, so that problem is solved.

The stock rubber tubes got hard quickly and most people drank the Kool-Aid and tossed the OEM units for a sock filter...then bitched about jetting...

You might try DC plastics I know he make's them for Yamahas

What model What year? the original add is gone.

In reply to 44Dwarf:

I haven't run the VIN numbers, but it appears to be a '70. I think the filters are the same for all years though.

found'em cheap to. $59 for the pair. (see below) used Ronnie's to find oem part number. http://www.ronnies.com/micro.htm (good trusted dealer been around for years...)

http://www.claussstudios.com/id45.html about 4 rows up from the bottom on right side. WARNING: Never heard nor seen bought from etc. Just googled the part number to find them

In reply to 44Dwarf:

Hey, thanks!