So, I got my hands on this old ’68 Honda 90. Thing was a mess, covered in dust and rust, hadn’t run in years. I’ve always loved these little bikes, though, so I figured, why not try to bring it back to life?
Getting Started
First things first, I dragged it into my garage and gave it a good wash. Just hosed it down to get all the grime off. Then I started taking things apart. I pulled the carburetor off, and man, was it gunked up. I mean, seriously, this thing was full of varnish and old gas. It looked like a science project gone wrong.
Cleaning the Carburetor
- I soaked all the carburetor parts in cleaner overnight.
- Next day, I scrubbed everything with a toothbrush and some tiny brushes.
- I made sure all those little jets and passages were clear. You wouldn’t believe the crud that came out of there.
Checking the Spark
Next up, I checked for spark. I pulled the spark plug, grounded it against the engine, and kicked the starter. Nothing. Not even a tiny spark. So, I knew I had some electrical issues to sort out.
Electrical Troubleshooting
- I grabbed my multimeter and started tracing wires.
- Found a couple of broken connections and fixed those up with some solder and heat shrink.
- I cleaned the points, which were pretty corroded, and reset the gap. It’s an old bike thing.
Rechecked the spark after all that, and boom! We had a nice, fat blue spark. Progress!
Fuel and Air
With spark sorted, I checked the fuel tank. It was rusty inside, so I gave it a good clean with some rust remover and rinsed it out thoroughly. I also put in a new fuel filter, just to be safe. Then, I checked the air filter, it was all clogged and nasty. Throwed it away and put a new air filter.
Putting it All Back Together
With the carburetor cleaned, the electrical system working, and the fuel and air systems checked, I put everything back together. I poured in some fresh gas, held my breath, and kicked the starter.
The Moment of Truth
It took a few kicks, but then it sputtered to life! It was running rough at first, but after some adjustments to the carburetor, it started to smooth out. I let it run for a while, tweaking the idle and mixture screws until it was purring like a kitten. Okay, maybe not a kitten, more like a slightly angry lawnmower, but still, it was running!
Taking it for a Spin
I couldn’t resist taking it for a spin around the block. It was a little shaky at first, but after a few minutes, I got the hang of it. Man, it felt good to be riding that little Honda again. It’s not the fastest bike in the world, but it’s got a certain charm to it.
It’s still a work in progress, but I am real happy with the results. I already replaced the old tires and fixed the broken tail light.
It’s a fun project, and it’s really satisfying to take something old and broken and bring it back to life.