advice on slipping kick starter

 

Hi, all. I'm having an issue with a Honda cb350 motor I picked up and am
going to install. Supposed to be low mileage (under 10k), but it is
having an issue:

The kick start is not engaging properly. Sometimes it pushes down about
4 inches and engages properly (as it should) but most of the time it is
slipping past the 4 inch mark to about double that before engaging,
almost like it's slipping the timing chain (though seller said chain and
tensioner had been replaced). Inspected the tensioner, and it does look
like a new roller, so I believe the tensioner (and obviously the chain
if the guy went THAT far) was indeed replaced as claimed. Could the
tensioner just need to be re-adjusted? Or can this be caused by some
other issue? I'd rather do what I need to do now, with the motor out,
than wait until it's installed

Any advice would be appreciated

 



This problem has NOTHING whatever to do with the timing chain or
timing chain tension!

If your timing chain is slipping, you're in deep doo doo, risking
bending valves when the rising piston hits a valve that's open.

You didn't specify what year CB350 you have, so I'm assuming that
you're talking about a CB350 TWIN, not the much rarer CB350 FOUR.

http://www.powersportspro.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/7/Honda.aspx

http://webservices.motorsportdealers.com/parts/partImages/HOM/2/133440/ILLU=
ST/E1334/4017.Gif

There are several pages of CB350 kick starters, you'll need to know
your engine serial number to find the right page.


The kick starter ratchet has to engage and drive the kickstarter
pinion gear which
will crank the engine THROUGH the clutch.

If you're lucky, the clutch is slipping and you'll need a set of
friction plates or just tightening of the bolts holding the clutch
pressure plate on.

If you're unlucky, you'll be splitting the crankcases to get at the
kick starter ratchet...

 

? wrote:

http://webservices.motorsportdealers.com/parts/partImages/HOM/2/133440/ILLUST/E1334/4017.Gif

Thx for the helpful comments. Yes it is a 71 350 twin.  I can actually
replicate this problem just by lightly pushing on the kick starter
WITHOUT actually kicking the engine through, but just pressing down a
few inches and releasing it, then repeating the process until the slip
occurs. My local Honda shop  speculated the problem is in the kick start
pinion gear, or something in the kick start area. They seem to think
they can simply pull off the right side cover and access the kick start
parts WITHOUT removing the engine and splitting the cases.

i hope it's true, but I thought you had to split the case to get to the
kick start shaft and pinion...

 


Some of the parts are inside the cases, but others can be accessed
under the right side cover.

The ratchet has to slide sideways on the kickstarter spindle when you
try to kickstart the engine.

The rachet has to engage the kickstart pinion gear and the pinion gear
turns the
transmission mainshaft.

The clutch is bolted to the mainshaft and the clutch outer gear turns
the crankshaft.

 

? wrote:

Thanks again. Based on what I've written, what do you think the problem
most likely is? Broken tooth on the pinion gear, maybe?  If so, can that
be replaced without a tear down?