david2520

Hello TMB Forum, I have a 1952 BSA B33 that been off the road for about 40 years. I have been told the engine will run on unleaded with no valve modifications, but which unleaded fuel E5 or E10? Also do I need to change the main jet (currently size 200) or any other part of the carb? The bike will be ridden in the UK. Thank you, David Jones

Hello Ian, Thanks for the reply, the switching was a bit confusing. I have bought a UK headlight and will fit ASAP. I will keep an eye on the chain. The chain is new from David Silver Honda, It was tricky to adjust but maybe it's me being out of practice and the chain was running in. Regards David

Hello Ridewithstyles and Bianco2464, Thank you both for the replies. My current engine oil is Motul 5100 10W40 (standard issue) what grade do you suggest I could change it to? Regards, David

Hello, I have recently bought a Honda FT500 single cylinder 1982 from the USA. My experience with motorcycles is mostly twins and 4 cylinder machines during the 80's and not singles. I'm a little out of date with DIY motorcycle mechanics so any help would be appreciated. It's an electric start with no kick start option available. The bike is on the road here in the UK and very runs well when started and ridden. However I'm havening some issue with getting the bike to start from cold. Cold is when the outside weather temperature is between 10-20 deg C here in the UK summer time. When I electric start the bike from cold it might take 3 to 7 seconds before the engine bursts into life. I have tried various choke and throttle positions during the cold start to find a best start position but with little change. I have been using the bike 1 to 3 times a week for about 20-30 mile journeys and travelled about 700 miles to date. When the engine is warm it starts straight away no issue. Tick over when warm is about 800 RPM according the the rev counter. The carb has been cleaned a few times, the petrol tank is clean, the bike has no modifications other than a new non vacuumed petrol tap, new E5 fuel that flows freely to the carburettor, Battery OK (correct type, charging, holding charge and cold start loading), valve/rocket gaps are correct, new ignition plug, new air filter and new engine oil and filter have been fitted. I estimate the bike has not done no more than 25K miles from new and the engine has never been opened. The carburettor butterfly choke valve opens and closes fully. When I turn the fuel on I leave on for about 5 to 10 seconds before I press the electric start button. I cut the original HT lead both ends to get a better connections in the original coil and original ignition cap (both screw type connection). The carb has been setup as the Honda Factory Service manual. My question is does anyone know if the USA model had a different fuel jetting or carburettor to the UK model? and if so do you know the type/specification? I seem to remember USA were particular to environmental emissions in the 80's and/or is the environment/air is different in the USA (hotter, drier?). Any other related thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you, David Jones.

Hello TMBF, I'm returning to motorcycling after 28 years and recently bought a Honda FT500 1982 that was originally supplied to the USA. The FT500 is original and on the road running with no major issues. However I'm a bit rusty on the legal side of things. Can anyone please help me on the following : 1 - Is the headlamp set up different between the FT 500 UK and USA models? My bike the (USA model) has a headlight with low and high beam switching only (head light/s and tail lights is always on) there is no lights on/off switch on the handlebars. That means the headlight low or full beam and rear light are always on when the ignition is switched on and when I ride the bike. I'm sure on the Japanese bikes I rode in the 80's there was small bulb (parking?) light in the headlight and a headlight light on/off switch on the handlebars. That means I had the option of riding with the headlights lights on or off and put the parking light on when the bike was parked. My question is - Do I need to change the lighting to the UK type to be legal or is the USA setup OK? 2 - Is the USA headlight lens legal in the UK? 3 - I have noticed when I turn the ignition on the head lights will come on but when I crank the FT500 on the electric start (no kick start on this model) the headlight will switch off and once the engine starts the headlight will come back on, some times taking up to 5 seconds to do so. Is this usual? Thank you, David