Honda Elite CH250 won't restart when warm?

Question

1986 Honda Elite CH250 w/15,800 miles. Sometimes it fires right up in the morning, other times takes 4 - 8 licks on the start button.

Once it starts it runs fine. After running for 3 miles or so at 30-40 mph, it often won't restart for 25 or more minutes. No pattern detected.

Plug is clean and fairly new. Gas fine. It's getting so I don't trust it.

Something I can troubleshoot?

Answer 1

Of course you can troubleshoot!
What these guys are trying to say is that
90% of the time, a problem like this is electrical. Pull the plug when it wont start and then check for spark.
no spark follow the problem back. if you have 12 volts at the coil and no output... check the coil resistance. should be no more than a couple of ohms on the primary coil and 10k or so on the secondary, could be 11-20Kohms whatever but won't be a couple of hundred kohms or open when hot. you can take the coil out and use a hair dryer to warm it up.
if your battery is old, it could run the engine around slow, but not have enough current to keep the voltage above the 10 volts or so req to make a spark. if you have a nice fat spark and a clean plug then move on to fuel or air. check the choke, fuel / filter, diaphragm on the tank valve, etc.
your alternator might not have enough current to charge a dead or dying battery. It is easier to start a cold engine (room temp, not freezing) than a hot one.
if it starts up when you pull your finger off the button it's most likely insufficient current (battery or connections dirty, loose etc.)

Answer 2

I remember that some old Lambretta scooters from the late sixties had exactly the same problem. Starts OK when cold but when warm, needed to be towed at 40 mph to start. The problem was the coil. We changed the coil and the problem was solved

Answer 3

When was the last time the valves were adjusted?
Tight valves will leak more when the engine warms up.
Check the valve adjustment.
The automatic choke will not affect starting, when the engine is warmed up.

Answer 4

most scooters have an automatic choke system on them. get a shop manual and check it out. sounds like the choke may be staying open. try a carb clean/rebuild.

Answer 5

I suggest checking the stater *(kinda like a alternator)

Answer 6

You NEED a new battery.

Answer 7

check the point gap,