Honda CL360 1974 engine tune up questions "pinging"?

Question

I have an old Honda CL360 that I inherited from my grandma and would like to start driving. Last year I had it running for a short amount of time and remember that the engine made a "pinging" sound. I have read that this means that something needs to be adjusted and it isn't good for your bike to run it like this.
I also remember that it ran kinda rough and backfired every so often.
What do you think?

Answer 1

A classic. I wonder if it's green and black.
I believe the noise you're referring to is coming from the cam chain. Your valves may need adjusting as well. Rough running and backfiring may be because the carbs are dirty. Or it could be the points. My first bike was a '74 CL360, and it was the hardest to find a manual for. I never found one. All my work was by trial & error, guided by a manual for "Honda Twins", different year and model. I can tell you that when running right, they are sweet go-anywhere machines. Love those high side pipes.

Answer 2

Hi, the backfiring could be cause by bad gas, off timing, valves out of adjustment or dirty carbs. If the bike has been sitting for a long time there are a few things that need to be done. Flush the tank out with kerosene or gasoline and check it for rust. If the rust is bad you may need to coat the inside of the tank with some kind of tank sealent. Remove the pet cock and clean the screen. Check/adjust the valves and take a look at the points. I believe the 360 had points. Look for pitting on the contacts. If they are smooth run a piece of paper between them when closed like a business card to clean them. You'll probably need a new battery but if not charge it with a low amp charger like a 1 to 1 1/2 amp. The carbs will probably need removed and the jets cleaned at the least but if you can find new jets cheap replace them. But just to see if the bike will run remove the drain screw out of the bottom of each float bowl and drain the gunk that's probably there then put the plug back in. Put in some fresh high test gas and see what happens.
Honda's run forever. Get yourself a Clymer or Haynes repair manual for the 360. You may have to order it from your book store but they may just have it on the shelf everyone is digging up these old Honda's and riding them again.
If the bike was running when it was parked and it has been parked for a long time it will NEED 1. gas tank at least cleaned if not also sealed 2. Petcock cleaned 3. carbs cleaned and 4. battery. Once you do this and get her started then you'll want to install new plugs, points and set timing , adjust valves. Or do it ALL now. But if you want to ride this bike it's worth the minor hassle. You'll learn something and this is a great bike especially a first bike. Good Luck and have fun.

Answer 3

--Everyone gave some good answers.
--Before doing any work, I'd buy a shop manual before they go out of print. Heed what Firecracker said "I never found one".
http://www.motocom.com/motorcycles/
--The pinging sound could be pre-ignition due to carbon build up on the piston dome & cylinder head, or simply the points & timing out of adjustment.
--The rough running and backfiring could be points & timing, or carburetors.
--Do a complete tune-up -
--Adjust the valves & timing chain (the manual will explain the procedure)..
--Adjust the points and timing (if the points are pitted, either replace 'em, or file them with "flex stone" - available at auto parts stores).
--Change or clean the air filters (clean with commpressed air and a blow gun).
--Change the spark plugs - If the plugs are carbon fouled (dry, fluffy, black deposits) de-carbinize the top end - Remove the air cleaners and spray water (use a pump spray bottle like windex) into the air box (towards the carbs) while reving the engine. - When the exhaust smoke clears, you're finished.
--Drain the fuel tank and add fresh gas - If you see any rust in the fuel tank, install an in-line fuel filter.
--Clean and adjust (mixture screw & syncronise) the carbs - If there is any junk stuck to the float bowls, they should be professionaly soaked in carb cleaner (any bike shop can do it).
--I know there's a lot of stuff here. Take it one step at a time. The most inportant - Points & timing, carbs and fuel.

Answer 4

I realize this is a very old feed but I have a couple of things to add in case anyone else comes across this looking for information as I have. My son has a '74 CL360 and after rebuilding the air filters on it a backfire developed. After checking a few different things we found it was a simple exhaust leak. Once we put new exhaust rings on it (3 on one side and 2 on the other) the backfire stopped. Here is a link to the tutorial I found which shows how to rebuild/modernize the air filters instead of paying the price to replace the entire assembly: http://jeffrey.thedunsters.net/projects/mechanics/honda-cb-360-motorcycle/rebuilding-air-filter This is a helpful one as well: http://winggirlkim.hubpages.com/hub/oil-change-Honda-CL360

Answer 5

Sound like timing if the carbs are clean. If you can`t find a workshop Manuel for the CL360 you can use the CB Manuel , CB 350 motor are the same specs. Fist check the points and plugs and use high octane
Good luck and enjoy the ride

Answer 6

i would say you need to clean the carbs
and gas tank
adjust the valves
clean and adjust both sets of points
they are under the left cover on top of the head
make sure the advance behind them is free if you need to take out the advance to free it up don,t lose the small line up pin behind it
also
make sure you adjust the cam chain
when the timing chain on those got loose they would
wear a hole completely through the cylinder on the front of it

the cb350 timing and valve adjustment specs are the same internally the engines are totally different

Answer 7

No never. This metal is an alloy which cannot withstand welding. Please buy a new cylinder block from Honda. I am sorry to say that. After that your bike will be ALL RIGHT!

Answer 8

give it a service & tune up..

run high octane fuel..

should be fine...