Can I Get This Rare Japan-Only Honda Motorcycle Running?

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I went to TN to say hi to Sean and his bikes.
Everybody Needs A Craig shirts still available!
thebeardedmech...

[@The_Bearded_Mechanic]

Special offer: Get 4 months extra on a 2 year plan at nordvpn.com/thebeardedmechanic. It's risk free with Nord's 30-day money back guarantee!

[@plotholedetective4166]

Japanese companies use American lettering because its fancy kinda like every hyabusa has kanji on it to make it look cooler... While we as Americans are used to people from our culture idolizing Japanese culture its actually also super common for Japanese people to idolize our western culture especially our music and movies.

[@memedogmemeaccount2163]

So they use the clutch for kick start and trans adjust the clutch on the kick start side there a lock nut and flat head screw

[@drinkmorecocacola]

that chinese and japanese comment that got left in was WILDY dumb. considering how the facist woke runs the youtube-sphere you guys dropped the ball with that objectively ignorant horseshit. and im saying ignorant based on pre 2019 virture signaling.

[@JJ--CAR]

I didn't realize how much I missed you two together.

[@jessebracamontes2845]

Same here.

[@mathieulachance151]

@@jessebracamontes2845I was gonna say that 😂

[@TheCrowsClaw]

Yah they really shine together

[@theurbanway10]

Word

[@Sean-John]

It's awesome having a couple video of them together again.

[@danw1955]

LOL!! The clutch is released! It won't turn the engine unless you back the adjusting screw out on the right side cover until the clutch is engaged. To adjust it properly, loosen the locknut, and back the screw out completely. Then keep a little pressure on the shifter, while turning the screw in, until you feel some resistance on the shifter. There should be about 1/4 - 1/2" of play before it hits the internal clutch linkage to release the clutch between gears. Hope this helps!😉

[@ilogicg]

14:30 😂

[@MarcChagall1990]

Guess we found the Guy yelling at the Screen

[@danw1955]

@@MarcChagall1990 Heh heh, I had a 1966 C50? (step-through frame). They had the same setup, and it hasn't changed much in 50+ years! Mine was old enough to still have the old pushrod engine.. and they STILL revved to 10,000 and beyond.😄All of 3.3 hp. on a good day!

[@MarkoftheMouse]

They also said that it had no oil in it so I wonder if they clutch is dry when it should be wet. The plates need to soak in oil for a bit

[@smoothmove7566]

they need to turn it in, it's out too far. don't tell people how to do things when you don't know yourself. It has a left hand thread on it.

[@toddwrenn7741]

Watching Craig fix these bikes, almost makes me believe that I could do it myself! But then I realize that I don’t quite have the skill. Or the time. So I live vicariously through my favorite bike mechanic

[@fitzstermoto]

Don't you mean "mechanicing" ... LOL!

[@michaelb.42112]

Totally agree !

[@jimamizzi1]

You can Todd, give it a shot.

[@smoothmove7566]

I wouldn't let that moron fix me a ham sandwich.

[@tsoliot5913]

I'm sure he banged his knuckles more than a few times when starting out

[@NeoVsSmith1]

It's a good day when a new video from Craig is on my feed

[@surfinairwaves9284]

Cheers to that buddy

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

I'd be willing to bet that model uses a similar kick start system that the old Trail 90 does, which doesn't connect directly to the engine but rather goes through the clutch. You need to adjust the clutch (should be a screw with a lock nut on the right engine side cover, under a rubber cover) in order for the kick starter to engage the engine properly.

[@1997cr80r]

It definitely does it's a horizontal Honda. But I doubt it's a adjustment issue since the shifter was sticking up or down and they mentioned the clutch cover and stuff have been replaced somebody was in there messing with stuff and it has a broken spring or something not put back together right. The shifter releases the clutch for shifting that being said on any horizontal Honda if you hold the shifter up or down the kickstart will do absolutely nothing

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@1997cr80r good assessment, you likely hit the nail on the head. I had forgotten that the shift lever is what releases the clutch. I'm working on a CT90 right now that had been sitting for several years and the kicker was barely engaging, very slight adjustment brought it back.

[@1997cr80r]

@@TomsTinkeringandAdventures I have a 69 K1 ct90 it was all sorts of screwed up when I got it I rebuilt the engine the clutch and a bunch of stuff now it's got that honda reliability again. I ride it to work most days unless I'm late then I take my Africa twin

[@TomsTinkeringandAdventures]

@@1997cr80r fun little machines, I have a mutt version built up from a 70 CT90 frame with some CT110 parts, XL100 forks and a 125M ATC engine so it has electric start, CDI and a 12 volt system.

[@MarcChagall1990]

Did you yell at the Screen? :)

[@Djrsoccaplaya44]

Craig! Your videos are some of the most well made videos on KZbin. You've helped me feel more confident working on my bike, and understanding the mechanics of how just about everything works on a bike. I look forward to every video Thanks man!

[@GoatednSauce]

I put a video of yours on while I was outta town visiting a buddy and the way he lit up watching your humor and expertise, reminded me of why I also am a huge fan of the channel. A Good guy being authentic, educating and entertaining me along the way.

[@gavinbooth8131]

The kick start is connected to the clutch and its slipping occasionally you can tighten the clutch on the right hand cover helps engage the kick-start

[@gavinbooth8131]

From what I remember undo the 13 millimetre and tighten the screw in

[@danielhayton9438]

In 1964 my elder brother had one of the early Honda C90s in the UK. The user manual was an interesting translation into English but the captions to the pictures were in Japanese. Fortunately my Father was able, courtesy of the Royal Navy in World War II, to explain the vital ones to get my brother started moving.

[@jasperdemann5936]

The reason some parts contain English, I think, is because when they make a new product, they may have no plans to sell it at that time in an English-speaking market, but that could change in the future. So, the very expensive tooling for the clocks, etc, is made with English wording, as producing it in Japanese then changing everything to English if they decided to export the product would be prohibitively expensive. The stickers are in Japanese because it's easy and cheap to slap on an English sticker instead of a Japanese one on the production line!

[@roflTiMeX]

Could also just be parts that they also use on other bikes that are sold in english speaking countries.

[@alickjasper1252]

pretty sure the controls and guage cluster are the same as the ct70 and ct90 which we got 1000's of in australia

[@DoctorKamino]

Also the Japanese are SUPER SMART. You'd be shocked how many ACTUALLY CAN speak or read english at a level that exceeds your average Texan.

[@frankdesbaux]

Nah. All Japanese vehicles have the writing in English, always have.

[@overlandpup4507]

My guess is it has to do with the US helping Japan rebuild after WWII and that being the start of their manufacturing prowess.

[@DIYwithUncleCy]

So while serving in the Marine Corps, I lived in Japan (Okinawa) for 2 years. Rode many motorcycles while there. They all have English markings on the Gauges and controls. The VIN Plates and tech info stickers were in Kangi (Japanese letters).

[@jankoevoet4042]

Actually, kanji is representing whole words, while kana represents letters (alphabet).

[@lennartengel1971]

You guys are so nice to see working together again. Like friends who haven’t seen each other for a long time and pick up again where they left. Keep doing more interactions

[@Onewheelordeal]

I've got a 3 speed auto clutch 60s Cub that I rode for a year before figuring out the shift pattern, Honda gets bonus points for having both a heel and toe shifter so you can mix up which one goes up or down. Finally realized it's meant to be normally ridden like a 2 speed with high and low and that 1st gear you shift into the opposite direction is basically a granny gear for pulling away uphill with a passenger

[@kenm8162]

This episode reminds me of the stories of my grandfather cussing out his Datsun truck every winter for how hard it was to start. Turned out there was little lever on the carb that said summer/winter in Japanese. Was told he only found out after 2-3 years of owning it because an old army buddy that new Japanese was there one day when he was complaining.

[@ABLABLABLA100]

I really love your channel :D I myself do like repairing my bikes since childhood. I'm from Poland so brands were different like Simson or Jawa, but seeing same problems and solving them on the other side of the planet feels very exciting, additionaly learning new stuff. I'm just a hobbyist, but I bought myself this winter a Chechoslovakias Jawa 50 Mustang from 1976, that wasn't running at least for last 10-15 years to rebuild it. Now after 2 months I started it up and I'm getting ready to repaint it. Thank you again Craig, keep it up.

[@scottthomson3575]

You guys make the absolute perfect team. Your approach/knowledge varies extremely, but at the same time it meets in the middle to get the task completed. Awesome stuff.

[@PixelChonk]

Just when I thought I was spared the Sean cringe when you got your own channel, here he is lol. It's Japanese, Sean, not some magical nonsense language, and certainly not Chinese like you said at one point either.

[@scrapingfamily818]

These guys are the best bike dues ever. Wish we can get more of these was sad when he moved because i knew all the videos together was going to be cut. Bring more of these.

[@Paint_Can]

Awesome to see the team back together. You have great chemistry.

[@leslieaustin151]

Of all the Honda bikes, the Motra is the one I most wanted to see (and ride..). I doubt that there is even one in the UK, although perhaps one in a museum. A fascinating bike. Hope we can see this one put right and ridden again. Les in UK 🇬🇧

[@sys-administrator]

Four Stroke Barn in The Netherlands has eight of them for sale. Expensive though. If you give them a ring you might be able to ride one around the block.

[@thechampagneroom1]

I love these little bikes from Japan. I like the ads they had for them. Great video guys!

[@johnhislopjr.7487]

Great video! Its good to see you and Sean working together again. This bike was made from 1982 to 83. Its engine has 4.5 hp and needs 1 quart of oil to fill it.

[@TribalGuitars]

I'm only halfway through as I write this but my brain's just screaming, "It's a magneto ignition"! Hence the lack of battery. It was a popular thing back in the 1970's with minibikes from Europe and Japan, even the street-legal ones. I had a Benelli Dynamo (65cc) and it didn't have the signals for street legality but it had everything else. The neighbors hated when I rode past their houses because the magneto would screw up TV reception from 50' away.

[@dave1135]

All the Honda ATCs from the 90 up to the 185s never used a battery, it had 2 mag coils under the flywheel, one for the ignition and the other for the head and tail light. They would brighten or dim depending on engine speed. The Honda 200s and big red had a battery as they were electric start

[@arminr.5174]

Nothing to do with the magneto, you should have used a suppressed spark plug.

[@TribalGuitars]

Electricity just doesn't magically happen for spark and lights.

[@TribalGuitars]

@@dave1135 The magneto on my Benelli was the size of a tall Red Bull can.

[@muskokamike127]

yeah my honda mr50 didn't have a battery either.......

[@tylercarlson1659]

Gotta say how much fun your guys videos are to watch. The guess and check method is somthing I can relate to working in my garage also.

[@Rooster1172T]

I love that Australia is a part of Asia, we get all the good bikes!!

[@mayalopes87]

I'm from Brasil and I'm jelous now.

[@antonioquesada-castro4925]

Australia aint in Asia, boy...

[@Rooster1172T]

@@antonioquesada-castro4925 Ahh yeah it is? Hence Australasia..

[@ddt0889]

​@@Rooster1172T That's not a thing. The rest of the world refers to Australia as being Austronesian, part of the Polynesian islands.

[@antonioquesada-castro4925]

Im hispanic, we call it Oceanía, the fifth continent...

[@moresupervivenciaespanol1369]

I own a 1974 Honda PC50 that belonged to my father, those 50cc 4 stroke motors are amazing!

[@pleasedontwatchthese9593]

In japan they have 3 alphabets, one of them uses the roman alphabet. They also use a lot of English in Japan because they think it looks cool, kinda like we think Katakana looks cool. English is also taught in schools so they often know a little bit of it.

[@paulgambill8833]

Japanese uses a Sillabubs not alphabet each sound has a representative symbol. And technically it’s 4. Kanji original Chinese symbols. Hiragana represents words that don’t have Kanji symbols ie foreign words or newer words like computer. Katakana I think is for very young children who are just learning Kanji. Romaji or Roman symbols that are used in our Alphabet.

[@pleasedontwatchthese9593]

@@paulgambill8833 your not wrong, I was trying to make it as simple as i could :P

[@chaseychaseum5366]

One time, when I was 12 or 13, I got an old Honda Twinstar 200 that nearly killed my dad from trying to get it push started when the kick start wouldn't engage. It wasn't until after what seemed like 12 miles of pushing, that I realised the kick starter wouldn't engage with the clutch pulled in. The bike had to be in neutral, then you could kick it with ease.... Live and learn.

[@Rooster1172T]

As much fun as I'm having watching you two trying to solve this bikes starting problem I'm also yelling at my screen JUST READ THE DAMN BOOK!!!!! haha

[@jangles1839]

As I stated on Sean's video... The Dynamic Duo.... Back In Action!!! Awesome seeing you guys back together for not only one... but, TWO great videos in one day! 💙👊🏼

[@gravityisnotmyfriend]

It was the mid 80's BMS K75 flying brick. Pulling the clutch would retract the side stand.

[@rogerradcliff5030]

You guys were killing me with that siphon pump. You squeeze the bulb with the hose open and when you release the bulb you hold your thumb over the end of the hose. LOL

[@brandonkrapes]

You used Google to translate Japanese into English, but didn't Google, "Where is the battery on a Honda Motra?"

[@davidmack8813]

Great to see you two together again more of this guys!

[@DuggleBogey]

Sean needs a cycle lift in his new spot.

[@buffalodebill7986]

Seeing the two of you together once again was sweet 👍

[@psyched91]

Ah, the Honda Super Cub. That's a lot of happy memories :)

[@HarryCrabb-j9q]

This video restores my faith in humanity. Two grown men spending hours trying to get a mystery 50cc bike running, because it's fun, because they can. It's the ultimate demonstration of the human fascination with learning and never giving up .

[@volvogt21]

You guys love any bike. Brilliant attitude.

[@murdoc6501]

Great stuff! Informative and just damn fun to watch! Go Bearded Mechanic and Bikes and Beards, keep moving forward!

[@paulwaldrop2262]

This is an SSA video.....Saving Sean Again. :D

[@bobbyagee3796]

The reverse shifting where it's 1 up 4 down are racing clutch systems. They're designed not to back shift when taking left corners.

[@derek17005]

My condolences for having to fly Frontier.

[@CaptainNero]

Great to see you guys together.

[@ConciseDharmata]

No unwarranted bible verses what a great channel

[@ChillPillDyl]

Much better lol

[@junglebiker2363]

if you hold the shift lever down on any of those little Hondas it will disengage the clutch (if it is working properly). The shift shaft on this one was stiff for some reason, so when you guys were shifting gears, it was sticking in the disengaged position.the kick starter works through the clutch on these, so if the clutch is disenagaged, the kickstarter freewheels.

[@linkinarmory]

The fixed forward headlight leaves an err of mystery at every turn

[@jonbeargenx]

The reason it's English (not exclusively American) is due to cost. They already have all the parts on export bikes and labelling everything would add an additional cost.

[@secondhandbikers]

You guys are great together man.. Much love to both of you..

[@Surfingfornewandaveragesurfers]

It's a Japanese bike but you say "I don't know any Chinese", I think this is suppose to be funny but it is also offensive.

[@myopicthunder]

It's all greek to me. Also pull the stick out.

[@mikem889]

Yup, the extremely religious guy is the most bigoted. Not surprised.

[@Daddycan1517]

Some one probably said it, but that siphon you have to put your thumb over the out end.. squeeze the pump place thumb over the end and let pump go. Fuel sucks up, if not all the way the repeat process until it's running on its own

[@TheColemanOutdoors]

I usually learn a lot about fixing motorcycles when watching you Craig. Today's lesson "JIGGLE IT"

[@ryanmarmite9689]

Just finished the other video. Good timing craig haha ❤

[@oldgreybeard2507]

You must have serendipitously engaged the doofer to the thingy. That allows the whatsit to engage the dooda. That allows the thingamabob to engage the clutch.

[@kekerc9944]

Your sticking shifter kept your semi auto clutch disengaged as it does when you depress shifter to allow gear changes to happen.... AKA "the semi auto clutch dump" feature

[@Javy83]

"Let's read the instructions!!" said no guy ever.

[@surfinairwaves9284]

So an idea for Craig. Perhaps making a Bearded Mechanic virtual reality concept.. teaching us through the vr somehow! Nothing like that is out there, and your name is all over it!

[@JetSkiBuyFixPlaySellChannel]

If you look near where you pour the oil in, it probably tells you the capacity. Also there likely aren't two oil drain plugs one is the timing chain tensioner.

[@memorris2]

That was a fun, nostalgic video! And what a weird cool bike haha

[@MattGrant-d2x]

On the clutch case there’s a screw loosen the nut to turn screw to adjust clutch

[@michi_danksta]

Cool little bike. Hope to see it finished proper.

[@hba5417]

In Europe we have experience with 50ccm bikes. They never had a battery, they just have electrical power when the engine runs.

[@rd4k04]

If you go to Japan you will see a surprising number of things written in English from adverstisements to bus and train station directions.

[@e.l.m.7818]

Hands down one of my favorite video you guys have ever done. Just a couple of guys hanging in a garage not exactly sure what the hell you're doing, but darn it didn't work. And more time spent trying to siphon gasoline then just driving 5 minutes to go get a tank. Exactly what we would do

[@misscrabstick]

So you got 2 clutches on this, one is centrifugal and allows you to pull away smoothly from idle when in gear, the other clutch disconnects the engine from gearbox when the gearlever is moved to shift gears. Your slipping kickstart problem is probably because the adjustment is wrong on the gearshifting clutch part, the adjuster is on the clutchside casing, it's a screw and locknut, generally it's slacken until it turns freely, then screw in until it meets resistance, back it off half a turn or so then do up the locknut, you may need to experiment to get it right, my guess is that it is set too tight causing the clutch to be partially disengaged all the time. Love your show, greetings from an English car tech and sometimes bikes and quads and vintage.

[@arlochristman8668]

Thanks for all of your videos man.

[@ConConReeves]

Just watched the Bikes and Beards video earlier this morning. Always enjoy seeing the two of you together. Also, Sean had commented saying y’all do rides? I’ll have to join in on one and buy you guys a beer. Would be great to meet y’all.

[@Cut2Finish]

You wouldn't believe how high they stack cargo on those bikes in Asia. The suspension adjustment is genius.

[@EricScheck]

I admire the fact that you just lay down on the floor and just get to it.

[@pavementpariah7342]

Be very careful with those high/low gearboxes. They're like glass. Us atc guys avoid them because they break so easily and then they keep popping out of gear and grinding and just a general bad time.

[@JohnF0X]

Idk why but just the authenticity of this is somehow very entertaining. maybe the fact that its so relatable?

[@alantaylor353]

I really enjoy watching Craig & Sean working together.!! 👍 👍 👍 Stay safe out there & the very best wishes from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🙏 ❤️

[@howardt1317]

Always fun to see the two amigos hangiing out

[@jeffnewton7141]

Never doubt the bearded mechanic and well…Sean’s tinkering to get a bike started

[@jjay350]

So nice seeing Sean and Craig back together.

[@Sakratic]

Also I think there's 6 gears total - The Motra's 3-speed gearbox is coupled with a second stage to provide the same 3-speeds with a lower final ratio for low-speed off-road travel in steep terrain. Hope that helps. I just looked it all up and it's how I got the battery type used as being SN2-2A-8

[@Nitrohog2006]

The pilot at the beginning of the video SLAMMED that airplane on the runway!

[@jonnymac8925]

If it's anything like the old CT70 then it's a complete tank! I had a CT70 as my first bike. I did end up with a normal looking dirt bike after a while when I got a new Yamaha pw80. While everyone else was ripping around on z50's and XL's, pw50's and 80's, RM's and other cool little dirt bikes, I was ripping on a CT70 that had turn signals and a speedometer, and a headlight and an old license plate on it. I felt rinky dink compared to the other kids but in hindsight they ALL wanted to ride the CT70. They didn't want to ride eachothers bikes, but they all wanted to rip on that relic😂 I got to ride everyone else's bikes and they got to pretend they were riding a legitimate motorcycle for the street😂😂

[@paulcharlton2353]

When you push the lever on those engines it disengages the centrifugal clutch so if the lever is not recentering after being used it will hold the clutch partially or fully out of engagement.

[@stepnyvlk9695]

You guys have the best chemistry together and im not a bike guy 😂

[@TS50ER]

You've got to have slept all through English during junior and senior high to not be able to read left and right on a turn signal. Japanese bikes have had 'kickstart' written on the kickstart since the word go. I reckon the switchgear is outsourced and used by all manufacturers for all models, domestic of export regardless.

[@dr.goshleorio8343]

Nothing like getting the boys back together again

[@bookofrevelation4924]

Perhaps the high and low range wasn't matched properly with gears and are misaligning intermittently?

[@benbatchelor4392]

I can't say how much I like this episode and seeing these guys. I'm giving this a 100 out of 10..

[@chopracer]

they probably are in english because thats what they already had laying around (turn signals horn etc)

[@scruffycavetroll7547]

Was waiting for Craig’s video this week. That means it’s finally Friday

[@Hammerjockeyrepair]

now I hope you read this, when they put the right side case cover on (kicker side) they got the shifter rod jammed into the bearing squash plate or whatever its called, you will see it the second you pull that cover off

[@SonsOfJupiter]

I completely forgot about the uhhh... chaotic and frenetic effect that Sean's personality brings to these videos.

[@lukewalker1051]

back-from-the-dead. Lesson learned? Never quit. Congrats gents.

[@bradaltemeyer4472]

my Sanyang gears were said to be international pattern, (circular, 0,1,2,3,4,) you could shift down all day, because 4th down would go back to neutral, or if you shifted up, it would circle backwards 0,4,3,2,1,0) not sure if that's part of the way the shift pattern on that is patterned, but it does have that second set of gearing for high/low. Looks fun (Sanyang 125, Taipei 1990-1993/ Kawasaki Versys X300 now, and it is nice to have the dash read out the actual gear, instead of just the green neutral light.

[@peterk2455]

The Honda CT range covers a number of models. That includes the CT 110, which has been used by Aussie Postmen for decades. The Motra name has been used on a number of models, from a CT50, to the CT 250. A lot of interchangeable parts.

[@stevenmartinez8063]

Tell me the kicker gear was stuck without telling me the kicker gear was stuck! You guys should do more videos together!

[@alansmollen]

A humble sean, makes a better combination

[@thediddly]

I had a solution for the curly hose. I drilled out a old brake bleed screw, and pushed it onto the end of the hose. Its heavy so it drops straight to the bottom. Presto no sucking air!

[@anotherhonda9402]

I have a JDM Honda XRV650. All the controls and the model designation are in English, but the warning decals on the tank, screen, coolant bottle and inside the fairings, ect are in Japanese.

[@JudeDepue]

I love you and the Bikes and Beards channel.

[@joeybobbie1]

Hi Craig, Sean and Dan. I think you remove the Oil Cap, put it in gear, and turn the Back Tire half a Turn Forward, the front wheel half a turn backwards, and you get Compression. Hope that helps guys. Great Video.😁👍👍

[@StuckinRiyadh]

FYI The letters are not "English" they are Roman. In Japan they are known as Romajii. The Japanese writing systems are rarely if ever used for commercial products or such things as shop or company names. Even Japanese names in passports are written in Romanjii.

[@peter7624]

I've been shouting "Its automatic" at my PC. It's a centrifugal clutch...I had to laugh at Seans' "I'm pretty good at wiggling stuff.."