Rescuing a Seized 1970 Honda CL100: Will It Run Again?

Rescuing a Seized 1970 Honda CL100: Will It Run Again?
#motorcyclerewind #vintagemotorcycle #cl100
In this episode of Motorcycle Rewind, we take on the challenge of bringing a dusty, rusty, crusty 1970 Honda CL100 with a seized engine back to life. This little scrambler has seen better days, but we’re determined to see if we can get it running again.
We roll up our sleeves and tackle the seized engine, fighting years of neglect to free it up. But we don’t stop there-this isn’t just about making noise. We give the CL100 a mild cosmetic refresh, including a thorough cleaning, de-rusting key components, polishing up the tank to bring back some shine, and even giving the frame a fresh coat of paint.
Will this vintage Honda roar back to life, or will it fight us every step of the way? Tune in to find out as we mix a little elbow grease with a lot of determination to rescue this classic from the clutches of time.
🛠️ Subscribe to Motorcycle Rewind for more revivals, adventures, tips, and stories from the garage. Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below-we love hearing from our community of motorcycle enthusiasts and DIY heroes.
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[@BugeyeBob-zt6ne]

I rode a 1972 CL 175 From Tucson AZ to Oakland California in February 1973 during the gas crisis. Took me damn near an hour to stand up straight each night.

[@motorcyclerewind]

You must have been pretty sore! Those are great little bikes. Thanks for watching.

[@donzimmer63]

Love it, not letting the perfect get in the way of the better (way, way better). Way to go saving another one.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I agree! Better is on the road to perfect. Thanks for watching.

[@larryborn1082]

A CL 175 was my first bike in 1986. I rode that bike all around Indianapolis as a HS student. Moved to a bigger bike my senior year and sold it to a buddy. He had destroyed in 6 months. Broke my heart. Such a great, simple bike. Topped out about 60 mph.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Those 175s were great bikes. You should try to find one now. Thanks for watching.

[@alanspring8462]

I owned several of these one hundreds back in the late 70s. They were my primary transportation. Now I've got a 1800 VTX. That was fine in my 20s, but now that I'm over 60, I'll keep my 1800.

[@motorcyclerewind]

These were great little bikes! Thanks for watching.

[@gregorymcnear6474]

Fantastic another bike saved from dump

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks for watching! This one was fun.

[@garyr5430]

You are the King of Frugal My Friend! You do have a DREAM JOB

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said about me. 🤣😂🤣 Why spend the money if you don’t have to. It’s also a weird challenge to get it running without buying parts. Thanks for watching.

[@garyr5430]

@@motorcyclerewind Wait for every new video. Your 700 mile trip home from BJs was one of the coolest / craziest things I've ever seen. Keep it up Pal

[@nickq204]

I’ve only encountered one stuck engine, an aluminum Cadillac V8. The method I used to free it up, in fact, the only method that could be used on that engine, was complete disassembly. The oil was the color of coffee with creamer in it. I found large pieces of pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft bearings in the bottom of the oil pan. Found lots of ground metal in the oil filter too! Catastrophic failure. Yeah….there was no saving that engine.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I have gotten pretty lucky freeing up these old motorcycle engines. My 1983 Kawasaki GPZ1100 had been left outside for 10 years without spark plugs. Long story short, shockingly I was able to free it up, then rode it to Colorado about 3,000 miles round trip. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWrJgXVoj9R7hcUsi=bz63uJAkC3T4uSNf That wasn’t the goal when I got the bike. Thought it would make a good can I free up this engine video. Thanks for watching.

[@104ducati]

Good video, thks. Rode a UK version 40 yrs ago, beautiful engine, revved out c.10,000rpm. Great little bike, green with envy!

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s awesome. These are fun little bikes. Thanks for watching.

[@alanspring8462]

You always know a really good mechanic when they can get CL 100 run off of water😂❤

[@motorcyclerewind]

😂🤣😂

[@rc648]

I have struggled with trying to find spark on a few old Honda bikes. Your video is great! With no high dollar tools and struggling to read internet instructions from everyone and their brother lol Thanks! I really wasn't tempted to watch another 'can we get it running?' yt video lol So glad I clicked on this one. Subscribed.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Glad it helped. Thanks for watching.

[@1950specialdeluxe]

Cleans up super nice. I have used ATF/Acetone to free up a couple of small engines. Never thought about using heat, makes sense.

[@motorcyclerewind]

The heat really helped get it loosened up. Thanks for watching.

[@rizingsonmotorcycles1240]

Good job getting it running. The only thing I'd be careful with, is not to run it with a battery charger on it, get a battery to start it. I check my lighting systems including ignition system with a battery charger but when its time to run it I use a battery or you could fry your wiring harness. Ask me how I know. Most chargers cannot except current backfed into them from the bikes charging system so you either damage the charger or the harness. Just an FYI but do as you like.

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s a great tip. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching.

[@kickingitwithkeri]

Great job! Looking forward to seeing this one on the road.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Me too! Thanks for watching.

[@DerrickHall-i8d]

Hey buddy finally got to sit down and watch It. That was awesome. I'd like to see a bike. Come back to life from being seized.

[@motorcyclerewind]

It is so much fun. I have several other ones on the channel. Check out the one featuring the Kawasaki GPZ kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWrJgXVoj9R7hcUsi=05wCZIOiff9LGYL8 Thanks for watching.

[@thehamlinwoodshop]

I just got a 1972 CL100K started and running. Rebuilt the clutch and have a long way to go still. Your bike looks pristine compared to the rusty one I have. Last inspection sticker shows 1985. Lol. Thanks for the video.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Awesome. I love crusty, rusty motorcycles. Thanks for watching.

[@ACECafeBikes]

This was awesome Eric - great job!

[@motorcyclerewind]

This little bike was a fun one to work on! Thanks for watching.

[@alanspring8462]

I really enjoy your video. Keep up the good work, my friend.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks so much for watching. I really appreciate it.

[@cainbeeping8480]

Nice job brother

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks for watching.

[@GPgundude]

You have to realize that over 10,000 miles on one of these high reving little single cylinder engines is a pretty good amount of miles. They’ve usually been neglected and have had the crap run out of them!!!

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s for sure. Looking forward to giving it some more much needed love. Thanks for watching.

[@GPgundude]

Whatever you put on the Aluminum cases acted like Simple Green cleaner. It actually dissolves some of the aluminum and turns the remaining aluminum dark.

[@jetvalmonte6574]

Great job! I'd like to have of these old simple contact point carbureted bikes. You can always get them to run decently. Some years ago, when I returned to riding, a buddy with a CBR400 with 4 carbs didn't want to idle. Since we were going on a road trip the next morning, we removed the carbs, cleared all the jets, including the air mixture jets, with copper wire strands. So much white residue. It ran beautifully after. I retired from daily riding in the mid to late 80s, my last bikes being a genuine Moto Guzzi V7 Police bike and a Kawasaki Z2, the Japanese homeland 750 version of the Z1 903cc. But all the bikes I've had or ridden, the 1074 Honda CD175 single carb twin, would be the one I'd want to have now. Firstly it was my first ever motorcycle, and it was given to me by my mother in college, it was slow, but then followed a slew of really nicer, bigger and bigger bikes. But none I would love to have more than my simple to maintain Honda CD175.

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s awesome. I also had a CD175. They are harder to come by than it’s CB/CL brothers. Although I saw two for sale at Barber Vintage Festival last year. Thanks for watching.

[@daveypenn211]

I use the sandpaper turned inside out to clean the points after sanding them 👍

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s a $100 tip. It’s already in your hand. Thanks for sharing and watching.

[@MaryK4242]

🎆 KAAAATAAAYY! 🎆 Cleaned up nice!

[@motorcyclerewind]

Always great when Katy makes an appearance. Thanks for watching.

[@JoeFowler-xs4su]

Now I miss my cb 450

[@motorcyclerewind]

I love a CB450. Thanks for watching.

[@fishinmusician-h3i]

use an automatic center punch to remove float pin.I saw it done on a couple other channels

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s what I used to use until I broke the pedestal trying to get a stuck in out. Thanks for watching.

[@daveco1270]

That clip of your bike catching fire while you blow on the flames always cracks me up. I noticed you used PB Blaster in the cylinder. If you get that stuff on your hands it lingers for ever and is hard to wash off. It's one of the few garage smells I don't like. Stale gear oil is another bad one...that stuff will stink up your garage for a couple days. On the flip side, there's plenty of good garage smells. Marvel Mystery Oil and Maxima Chain Wax. Both pleasant. Most cable lubes smell ok, even though they get messy real quick. I kind of like the smell of aresol cleaners like carb cleaner, brake cleaner, electrronics cleaner.

[@motorcyclerewind]

🔥🔥😂🔥🔥 You’re right, the smell of PB Blaster is hard to get rid of! Marvels Mystery Oil is my favorite. Thanks for watching

[@fredshred5194]

Those old Honda's are near on indestructible and economical to run. Gas in the tank and oil in the gearbox and she'll never let you down.

[@motorcyclerewind]

You got that right. Thanks for watching!

[@shin-pad1052]

Nice little bike, great job! From Shaun in Norwich uk 🇬🇧

[@motorcyclerewind]

It’s awesome. Thanks for watching.

[@cyclebuster]

many times I will put the bike in 2nd or 3rd gear, oil it up and set on it bouncing it back and forth. the gear train is far better suited for handling the hard bouncing then the alternator. sometimes ya just dont win. Been trying to get the jugs off my 69 h1 for many years.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I tried that on the previous video kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKinq5SBlM54f6csi=S-0CsLSFjQizuHp8. Thanks for watching.

[@danijelcar5184]

Runs that is great😎👍

[@motorcyclerewind]

Yes it is!! Thanks for watching

[@arklite360]

❤️🙏Fishburn Co Durham, EXCELLENT 👍

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@Fezzler61]

Pour 50% Acetone and 50% ATF mix and let it sit 5 - 8 days.

[@motorcyclerewind]

That’s a great concoction. This guy sat with ATF in it for several weeks. Thanks for watching.

[@alanspring8462]

On a good day, I could get my cb 100 up to 70.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Especially if you’re going downhill.

[@BugeyeBob-zt6ne]

The only way I ever unstuck an engine was on 948 CC engine from my Bugeye. Judicious use of 2X4 and a sledge hammer after disconnecting rods from the crank. "Your mileage may vary."

[@motorcyclerewind]

I have reached for a bigger hammer and a block of wood several times.

[@classiccycleconnection9334]

Please check the valve clearances as well

[@motorcyclerewind]

Yes sir. When we change the oil, we will do a full tune up. Thanks for watching.

[@davebarrowcliffe1289]

Stick it in gear then work the back wheel til it breaks loose.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Great minds think alike. I tried that in the previous video when they showed up at the court house. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKinq5SBlM54f6csi=sHKi0yaqBqkHpvf5 Thanks for watching.

[@bettybobzimmerman7450]

Low budget resto verses high $$$ resto on a bike you might not want to scratch up and not ride.Easy call for me

[@motorcyclerewind]

Me too!!! I like to focus on making them better not perfect. Thanks for watching.

[@mabarbe9545]

Heatgun is great for defreeze an engine, still curious with squirell wheel for starter...

[@motorcyclerewind]

The drill works pretty good as an electric starter for smaller cc bikes. Just make sure you’re going the right way. Thanks for watching.

[@natehart31]

I have a trash can ready for the used hundreds when everyone has used them for their one-time use.

[@motorcyclerewind]

🤣😂🤣Thanks for watching.

[@yomommaahotoo264]

Hey, I think Russia might be interested in that now that it's running.

[@motorcyclerewind]

Just need a shipping address. 😂🤣😂Thanks for watching.

[@jerryhatley5004]

Right…I always throw the $100.00 bill away after use….or give it to the wife…

[@motorcyclerewind]

LOL. Thanks for watching

[@peternielson4815]

Seems to me forcing water through your gas tank and a leaky pet cock ,into the carb and engine is a very bad idea! Water will not compress.

[@motorcyclerewind]

You’re right. The petcock WAS NOT connected to the carburetor. Thanks for watching.

[@Putt-Putt-Vroom]

walmart wants that hammer back :)

[@motorcyclerewind]

LOL Sometimes you need a smaller hammer! Thanks for watching

[@Putt-Putt-Vroom]

@@motorcyclerewind No problem and really enjoy the channel. I bought the same hammer and pickset for carbs. Looking forward to seeing it complete.

[@georg450]

Why you call them bikes "suckers" thats weird i think

[@motorcyclerewind]

Term of endearment! Thanks for watching

[@ropa4175]

Die deutsche Übersetzung ist eine Katastrophe! Einfach unerträglich.

[@motorcyclerewind]

I will report it to Google. And turn off translation.

[@jimcollins-b1m]

Watching this in uk and being a motorbike restorer I really cringe at what goes on… never try to kickstart anything that has been stood for year’s , especially a four stroke… don’t like to criticise but you really need a sequential way of working and fixing things… I think you got away with it but from restoration and engineering perspective you got lucky… 🫤

[@motorcyclerewind]

Thanks for the feedback I appreciate it. Also thanks for watching.