Rare 1964 Honda E40 Generator - Has Not Run in Decades - Will it Run Again?

[@rackets001]

I just watched 90 minutes of a generator repair on a nearly pointless machine I have never owned and will never own, and it was fantastic!!

[@Syrax117]

and now i wanna own it

[@aerotro]

These small engines are a great learning experience it demonstrate the need for precision and skill.

[@TheWelder624]

all engines work the same, they just look different

[@OcRefrig]

Same Here & i may have learned a thing or two. the BB's for cleaning the tank was a memory jog for me.

[@KevinMaxwell-o3t]

@@TheWelder624 That's like saying a Duesenberg and a Beetle are the same thing.

[@FliesLikeABrick]

Thanks James for the opportunity to participate in saving this machine, I look forward to future challenges you have for me!

[@laserbait]

And thank you for helping! It's always satisfying to see a project completed.

[@drunkingsailor2359]

Your efforts are well noted and appreciated, This is a fine example of America Exceptionalizm.

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

Awesome machine work partner! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[@robertcochran7103]

Thank you so much for helping James.

[@johncourtneidge]

@@robertcochran7103 yes!

[@johanslabbert2869]

I never thought I would call a generator cute but here we are 😅

[@davehite4590]

I said it was cute to myself also

[@courtneykensington8190]

That little genny is pretty cute. He might be able to charge maybe one or two phones off of it.

[@mikep.5517]

Cute as a button, to be precise. 😬

[@AMSabuncu]

​@@courtneykensington8190 two would be pushing it 😅

[@BOB12349307]

all generators are beautiful if you've been in a power outage. but that one is elegant

[@jesterr7133]

I hope this thing ends up in a museum where it belongs. It should be preserved forever.

[@HoopaZero]

Indiana Jones has entered the chat

[@johncourtneidge]

Yes!

[@emilschw8924]

​@@HoopaZeroIndiana Jones and the Generator Cult 😂

[@Aquafbody]

A man that knows the difference between Phillips and JIS. My man!

[@billhenry7833]

Everybody knows that

[@JACKHARRINGTON]

I very quickly learnt when I stripped the motherboard screw of a ps2 controller

[@somerandomguy3868]

Remember this was designed and built long before CAD CAM simply beautiful

[@reneberthold334]

CAD and CAM still existed in the late sixties. Not that fancy stuff we had today but they had calculated long colums of numbers.

[@johncourtneidge]

Yes!

[@Ammoniummetavanadate]

I am sure they had cardboard aided design

[@mrelo007]

whats cad cam?

[@reneberthold334]

@@mrelo007 computer aided design, computer aided manufactorying. You create a part with a computer (like models for 3d printers today) and use machines that are programable with a computer.

[@FirstSuiGeneris]

When that Honda started real quick, it put a massive smile on my face! I'm always amazed by older machines and how they work! Thanks, James!

[@ThePlayerToBeNamedLater]

On this day one of the things I am thankful for is James videos. I have learned so much from these videos. They have given me the confidence to do things I never would have attempted. I adjusted valve clearance on my snow blower. I replaced a coil and flywheel key on a mower, I adjusted a carb on a trimmer. I rebuilt a carb for the first time. I adjusted flathead valve clearance. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of James sharing his skills here on YT. Thank you so much!!

[@prizedcoffeecup]

It's awesome seeing another regular fella take a crack at fixing something and actually managing to do it, especially getting it right with continued efforts! I wish you well with your adventures continuing to wrench on stuff or even just keep what you already have maintained!

[@thomasszilagyi7445]

Yes. Very thankful. I resurrected an old generator I got for free. It now runs great. I have a 1997 Tecumseh 8HP snowblower i bought new in 1997.... It always ran almost-good. I bought an adjustable carb for it and it ran good....but not ideal. From the channel, I learned the right way to clean it and set the pilot and main jets. I put it on the snowblower today, and it started first pull and ran phenomenal...way past excellent. Black Friday every year is "Snowblower Day" for me here in New England. I bring it out for its full service and it is ready for winter. Thank you James for all I learned from your videos. Your videos have helped this someone....many times.

[@wildefox1478]

That is the tiniest little generator I've ever seen, very nice work bringing it back to life James, a big thank you to the subscribers who stepped in to help on this project!

[@P_RO_]

The most time, the most effort, the most care, and the most viewer assistance for the least wattage of any generator ever done on this channel. Nobody like James Condon, a true artist on these machines 👍👍

[@Zeus-wl2pl]

Great job by Scott and Ryan, lending a hand in this repair. You guys made it possible to bring this little gem back to life.

[@zonie70]

Thanks for the acknowledgment . Scott 🌵

[@FliesLikeABrick]

​@@zonie70thank you, I look forward to future opportunities and challenges for involvement in James' and others' projects

[@micklipscombe8614]

I love Honda engines, I rescued a cement mixer from a scrap yard 30 years ago and I’m still using it now 😊

[@helicart]

THis vid just arrived at sleep time for an Aussie in Vietnam. I love lulling myself to sleep with these vids. This was a pearler. Great work on getting points sorted, and working around the carb.

[@raydzi]

Same here. James has a very relaxing voice and manner about him

[@MartinStockel]

Always fun to watch you working on a very rare little Honda generator. If it runs or not, the generator should be preserved in a museum, etc.

[@myrandabrown]

Bravo to James and the subscribers who helped resurrect this little gem.

[@BruceBoschek]

That was an amazing rescue! You made all the right decisions in the end, even if the carb "jet" screw worked differently than anyone would have expected it to. Thanks for sharing this, Jim and thanks too, to the subscribers that helped out.

[@o0Hotiron0o]

James, this generator couldn’t have gotten into better hands for an outstanding presentation of “How to”, “DIY” and Community support. Hats off to Scott and Ryan. Thank you for all your efforts.

[@oldguysoldbikes]

I love seeing old things come back to life.

[@CritterFritter]

Stop by where I work at 5:00pm!

[@dustin9035]

New subscriber here for about a week. Totally addicted to these videos. Thanksgiving morning I wake up to the KZbin notification of this video. What a treat!

[@joshuafunk9438]

By far one of the coolest obscure engine videos and channels I’ve stumbled across. My inner engineer was puzzled right along with you and loved this journey. Definitely made me realize my electronics knowledge is lacking 😂

[@ElQuesoGuapo]

Great job on saving this unique old generator. Years ago my shop teacher taught us how to tell the difference between a fuel mixture screw and an air screw. If the screw is between the venturi and the engine, it's probably a fuel screw. If the screw is between the venturi and the air intake, it's probably an air screw. I think that the lack of an o-ring is the other sign of an air screw.

[@DustyGamma]

0:10 Now THAT is how you pack something, impressive.

[@rancelynch6514]

Rance here…you are a genius….you are blessed with viewers who love you and your videos…….what a blessing to have one to supply the pic and specifications and then someone to make the part….I am truly humbled at their caring attitude!

[@mdood9299]

Im blown away by the quality of the engineering in this little machine. From what I can see of the casting, its downright beautiful. No wonder Honda went on to dominate the compact car market in the following decades!

[@steveosshenanigans]

And motorcycles at the TT in mid 60‘s ….let’s not forget them

[@Oksobasically2]

A commitment to first time quality is inherently japanese. There are just some cultures where pride in ones work is the first priority. Japan produced quality products and only after that was done did they think about volume. And never did they let volume dilute quality. I truly wish US domestic held quality in the same esteem. Volume of sale is like a drug. You can mainline it straight into the blood and get great returns for a little while but soon the returns diminish. Once the word spreads that your product is of poor quality your competitor will win out slowly but surely. This is why if Honda, toyota etc. were allowed to import from japan instead of building factories in the US to avoid tariffs and without such tariffs they would crush the USDM market. A sad reality.

[@kaseylexus9929]

James, FYI if the pilot screw is on the air filter side of the carb it meters air. If on the engine side of the carb it meters fuel.

[@richardchayer6597]

Been working on Honda power equipment for 40+ years and I see a ton of influences in modern equipment in this 60+ year old machine. Love hondas

[@robsteinhaur1103]

Brilliant job, James. It was also very kind that Ryan made the needle for you three times. Thanks for sharing. 🇨🇦

[@boatbeard7767]

Love the plug spanner/tool kit hiding under the carby... Honda always had a great set of tools for their small engines and bikes.

[@Studio23Media]

My 2002 Honda Recon 250 still has the original tool kit in the tool box.

[@bills6093]

That is a work of art. Created so you could watch your Sony portable TV.

[@donwilson6617]

I am always amazed by your patience...

[@Rein_Ciarfella]

It’s a tiny 6-pound baby boy! Congrats, Jim!

[@ddblairco]

This Thanksgiving, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you. Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or simply enjoying a day of rest, I hope your day is filled with joy and thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@xcalibre222]

Hey Jim, Happy Thanksgiving! I had one of these many,many years ago. I traded a fishing hut I had built for it. When I opened the carb, one of the posts that hold the float was broke. I fixed it with a touch of JB Weld and it worked. Be very careful when trying to remove that pin,LOL. This was the smallest 4 cycle motor I had ever seen back in the day and the auto choke worked flawlessly. Kept it for a few years then sold it to a guy at work for $25.

[@spudgun4286]

Still got my 1984 Yamaha EF1200 it never fails to start and runs smoother than anything else I’ve used. Gotta love the old stuff 😊

[@davidgilpin5200]

I'm thankful for James Condon's expertise and KZbin community to help keep mechanical museum pieces like this well-engineered Honda functional! Happy Thanksgiving to the entire Condon family.

[@jcondon1]

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving to yours.

[@amundsen575]

Honda Quality never lets you down, cap still good, replacement in order soo cool!

[@warwicks2780]

I love your videos. I have a chronic illness and I find your videos somehow very calming and interesting at the same time. Thank you so much for the work you do. And for your prolific output!

[@mikechiodetti4482]

You stayed with it and now it runs again! Very good fix.

[@Amy_McFarland]

Now THAT was a fun and interesting restoration!

[@TheSeanUhTron]

It's a good demonstration of just how far small engines have come in terms of power.

[@nononsenseBennett]

Remarkable Honda reliability and rugged construction. You're a very patient man! Very informative.

[@daveshepherd8970]

I’m really surprised it was a 4 stroke. Very cool piece of history and what amazing shape it’s in. Would love to have one but I would be amazed if I ever got an opportunity to see one in person let alone purchase it

[@brianparker6811]

What you do for Our history goes unnoticed. Thank you for your efforts on this machine.

[@motorcoachtech7615]

James, I have a Honda E300C ‘suit case’ generator. Not sure what year it is. I bought it from its original owner and I used to use it when I was on service calls for my electric1/2" impact gun and trouble light before rechargeable battery lights. Then I would take it camping to charge the battery on my camper trailer. Always started fast, and reliable. Good to see there are still some ‘vintage’ units out there still running.

[@jonminer9891]

Like heart surgery. Thanks for the machinist! And Ryan! Thanks for sharing! Stay Healthy!

[@howestimothy7820]

My word! What a truly fantastic bloke Ryan is! Talk about dogged persistence. Well done all of you. I learnt a lot! 🇬🇧

[@larrrs3]

Wonderful video takes me back to sitting on the side of road in the rain trying to dry out and clean the points on my 1954 Harley. Of course this was when I was much younger 40 years ago or so. If you ever need I do have several OEM points and condenser sets in the original boxes in case you ever decide to restore a little larger air pump/Harley.

[@DrDre-ir4gu]

This ancient Japanese / Honda way of developing and building machinery is to love, just like the fact, James was almost a Swiss Watchmaker on this one 😂.

[@lpconserv6074]

WOW!! Only man I would let do that to a rare machine like that!! Kudos for the constant effort to keep it as original as is possible. Very glad to know there are folks that preserve. I am an old antique guy, not for mechanical stuff, but glass things. But this one I watched end to end through the tropical storm going where I live now, waiting on Starlink to reconnect between clouds. Many thanks for your efforts here. I always learn a good dose of patience from your work... As to the chemistry side, there I could have helped as that is my field. Choosing vinegar vs Citric, try the Citric first next time. It has a better limit to the removal of metallic iron than the vinegar. Yes citric has 3 ions per mole, but the iron citrate formed buffers the whole solution, giving a milder response to iron while keeping the iron citrate soluble more efficiently so a bit easier on the metallic base. Always waiting here for your next content. Many thanks!!

[@highrx]

Pretty darn cool that there’s folks that have the equipment and skills to machine parts like that, let alone accept the challenge to try to make you the part.

[@johnwalker4883]

This machine looks like a good candidate for running a bunch of Christmas lights out in the yard or in the woods, Keep up all the great vids, they are very much appreciated!

[@TXCherokee]

James that is incredible how you finally got this antique Honda running. I’m 70 and remember when Honda motorcycle first came to US

[@rancillinmontgomery2480]

The vintage Christmas bubbler bulb with the vintage generator was a great touch!

[@constitutionalUSA]

Nice to see you got it. And for those who made it possible, salute to you. I have admiration for a man with so much patience. The machines I repair are working machines and have to run. Experience (and age) has given me some patience

[@grahammctygue724]

Thanks for not letting the weather dampen your work happy day of giving 🎉🎉😊😊

[@Sandpipercom]

My father had one, he was an electrician and used it to run a drill to drill holes in the framing wood for the electrical wires. It was great as I used it too when as a kid helping him. No more using a hand held brace and bit. He had very strong wrist muscles and strong arms. Many folks tried to test dad strength when shaking hands and I've seen them cringe and almost cry. When tent hunting before the days of trailers, game wardens were surprised to see electric lights lighting up the campsiite around the tent. That generator was so quite that dad hid it and would joke to the wardens that the lights were plugged into a tree.😅 those christmas tree lights that heated the liquid and made them bubble brought back lots of memories on our christmas tree.

[@jg6142]

I ll admit I was a bit skeptical on this one but you made it happen!

[@wyrunuts]

I had 1 of these a few years ago. I traded it for a larger generator. Great little generator , very well made.

[@johns.4708]

Awesome cell phone charger. Well done all.

[@richcarter9476]

That is an impressive machine for something designed in the early 60's. Quality design from day one. Great save by you and the viewers!

[@jesterr7133]

I would have a heart attack from the stress of trying to work on this machine without damaging anything, lol.

[@danielcovel6236]

Wow …so great that you got the help you needed

[@keymad4]

Your subscribers are truly Awesome.

[@kennyKINSEY34]

I also watched a video on old generator repair absolutely pointless on my side but also enjoyed every minute of it .

[@jesterr7133]

Yesss! The bubble light returns!

[@tomschmidt381]

Had to smile when I saw the bubble light, near and dear to me as a kid growing up.

[@Silencer051]

I love the almost reverence you show and care you took with this little machine. Top notch everything! As a note for you whenever cleaning carburetor jets I have found that acetylene torch nib cleaners work fantastic

[@jesterr7133]

Wow. What an interesting machine. This machine would have to be valuable. I would be afraid to work on something like this, but it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

[@martyb3783]

This is a great video James. Thanks to all that contributed to this. Its great to see guys that are so good in their fields come together to get this piece of history operating. Well done!

[@jrevillug]

Oh, awesome! Such a cool little thing!

[@richardphelan8414]

Jim after looking at this tiny generator, I'll bet my 4 slice toaster is about the same size 😀 It's awesome that your subscribers are so talented and stepped up and helped you out that's just the best ,

[@jeffreyderoche4499]

I think that adjustment screw needs a spring on it, or something to hold it, because the vibration of the engine was allowing the screw to turn.

[@kcc2337]

I kept holding out my hand to get the size. Your hand was the only thing I could get real scale from. That little thing is too cool. My favorite video to date from you. Great collaboration and patience. Thank you.

[@thesilentonevictor]

This is a beautiful time piece James

[@jdudb]

As I was watching this, I was almost yelling at the video that the screw looked like an air bleed, not a fuel jet. You can see the air supply hole in the intake funnel just by the screw. Fascinate little generator, only good for low powered lighting though.

[@truckman19771000]

I love all of your videos. I learn a lot from them. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@Jim-np9it]

I have a simulator gifting from a late friend and have been afraid to tackle it as it is a dear keep sake from him. You have given me the courage to tackle this project. I will keep it even if it does not run. It is special. Thank you and may GOD bless and keep you and yours.😀😀😀

[@WILD35]

Cute little generator and same age as my dad it was his birthday 3 days ago 😂

[@mercurymadness9005]

That is awesome I never knew that Honda built a generator that long ago.its cute great job fixing it 😊😊😊

[@craigvenard2507]

It’s nice having contacts and friends and fellow enthusiasts!! Happy Thanksgiving all!!

[@AXNJXN1]

Remarkable repair James and KUDOS to James and Ryan!! Job well done!

[@timfritz7367]

This would be great to power a set of incandescent Christmas lights. They would not care what frequency is used, given it would be a simple resistive load.

[@blendpinexus1416]

my ex1000 is such a great little guy. it doesn't directly power devices but instead charges up a 15kwhr battery inverter set and has been modified to have an electric start. just a neat little setup.

[@kellyeye7224]

Superb example of Japanese ingenuity and fabulous construction.

[@neilmorten6416]

....back in the days when employees took pride in their work!

[@edspencer7121]

I appreciated seeing your patience when working on this one of a kind piece. A steady hand and a mind that is more persevering than the job at hand goes a long way when dealing with intricacies.

[@ericvaughn1126]

Thanks to subscribers James, Scott and Ryan for making this unit available and content possible and thanks to James Condon for making it happen for us. Great save and high stakes all around!

[@jacobmeijer1211]

had one from gramps, got it running and put on ebay, about 5 yrs ago, went for 800 bucks ! to Japan, a collector... very compact tech...

[@burntle]

Good backup generator for a doll house.

[@charlieharper2880]

I just spit a Diet Coke laughing so hard. Good one!

[@togle184]

Fascinating example of tenacity to achieve a goal and the power of outside help and assistance to successfully complete the project.

[@Kiltylake]

Wow! What a great find!

[@tristanschaper281]

The engineering that went into designing and building that unit is amazing. It's like looking at a Swiss watch. And the integration of all the components all to fit, and with such high level of detail to fit and finish. Amazing. Well done.

[@helmsajr]

Very nice work James.

[@livewires8637]

That was really cool to see the throttle plate loosen up as soon as the ultrasonic started

[@rsaba]

Happy thanksgiving James !

[@WOFFY-qc9te]

What a lovely well designed machine a true marvel of engineering. I like many in the comments would love one of those. Great job James and well done Honda

[@martinleska4292]

For today, thist tiny generator can power more things than 40years ago. Small transformers in radios cant handle 200Hz but nowdays switching power supply as phone charger or notebook charger can work with 200Hz because voltage is rectified first. Lot of switching power adapters are simple and works in range 90-250V AC and this 140V generator is OK. Iam little bit sad because oscilloscope output measurement missing at the end. Iam surprised by complexity and density of components inside and by fact its 4 stroke. It is still easier and cheaper today to built small 2 stroke than 4 stroke.

[@emylrmm]

I agree. Even PFC power bricks should have no trouble with 200 Hz. Small wall warts with the low frequency transformer inside will also run just fine. The old-fashioned electric clocks would run fast however

[@alasdair4161]

@@emylrmm Your right but... I was just applying the thought of running an electric clock from a generator.... I think you'd be wanting it to run 3x as fast to account for the strangeness of simply wanting to do that.

[@RS-qp4bp]

Great job getting this antique generator going. I knew you could do it, I didn't know how you would get it repaired but you did. Thanks to the subscribers that gave you a hand with the dimensions and machine work for the needle valve. As for me on to the video detailing how the needle valve was made. Good luck in the contest.

[@smoguli]

This thing is running at 180Hz, it must be a gaming generator.

[@RichardLiebert]

CONGRATULATION! This is your reward, "TO WORK ON A MUSEUM PIECE", for your proven credentials of attention to detail and doing the job right! Thanks for all of your videos.

[@TerryLawrence001]

Perfect for running a soldering iron in the bush! Maybe even charging your phone in the apocalypse. ;-))

[@MeteorMark]

And some bigger generators to run the cell towers, switches and so on? 🤔🤣

[@AppliedCryogenics]

What an adorable and tidy little gadget! I wouldn't change a thing, but do wonder about the feasibility of upgrading the PM's to neodymium along with beefing up the current handling and cooling.