Honda305.com Forum

I got my CA 160 started last week , ran like crud , barely made it around the block sputtered etc found a leak behind the points case so pulled the points cleaned up the case and tightened the screws , put the points back in attempted to start and now nothing , turns over freely , but will not fire , started troubleshooting the basics , here is what I found , drained the carb ( was rebuilt before starting , no sediment , drained the tank , no sediment , refilled with fresh premium , checked the spark , it seemed that one side was sparking more frequently than the other ( should be the same right?) checked the coil resistance ,reverified the timing , point gap , plug gap , replaced the plugs , it appears that the plug wire had a break halfway up the wire where it was inserted into the groove in the fins but as the coil and wires are 1 unit is there a way to repair?

I next checked the compression , both cylinders were the same but the compression was only 90PSI (the gauge was inexpensive so not sure if I trust it ) what should the pressure be on a bike with 18000 miles that has never been bored ? I saw somewhere that if the tappets are too tight they can lower compression, I thought I had them all close to spec , I plan on rechecking this .

am I missing something obivious? simple common sense? Any suggestions?

This is my first attempt and resurecting an old bike , these pages have a wealth of knowledge , but my searches do not always answer the questions , perhaps I ask the wrong questions ...


I don't want My Baby Dream to become a nightmare .

Thanks (<>..<>)

hey where did you find the vin number on the ca160 Ive looked all over?

mine is located on the left hand side right beneath the tool box cover and above the swing arm.

I have learned some things the Hard way about the CA160 , first off the jets in cheap carb kits can vary greatly and a 98 jet (ordered) is actually 86 (shipped)when you turn it upside down ;(

converting a 6 volt system to 12 volt is easy with the right parts , a CB 175 stator is a good start , a voltage regulator from same bike ,then a Radio Shack rectifier ($3) and coil the only issue I had was a 12 volt battery ... how to fit in space provided under the side cover ... since i had a sealed battery already and saddlebags , off to Wally world for battery cables for a lawnmower , when I hit the starter button for thew forst time sparks jumped 2 inches from the new coil ;) the battery has enough power to drive home if i run out of gas ( but I wouldn't) I converted the headlamp to a 35watt halogen H4 and swapped the bulbs for 12 volt .. I know it is not a "concourse restoration " but it sure feels good to ride daily and havbe strangers give you the "thumbs up" instead of the Bird

Now if I only had a left muffler without rust and a left mirror that didn't move .

I have a bunch of parts on EBay right now if you need anything let me know (<>..<>) NOMAD

mine is located on the left hand side right beneath the tool box cover and above the swing arm.

I have learned some things the Hard way about the CA160 , first off the jets in cheap carb kits can vary greatly and a 98 jet (ordered) is actually 86 (shipped)when you turn it upside down ;(

converting a 6 volt system to 12 volt is easy with the right parts , a CB 175 stator is a good start , a voltage regulator from same bike ,then a Radio Shack rectifier ($3) and coil the only issue I had was a 12 volt battery ... how to fit in space provided under the side cover ... since i had a sealed battery already and saddlebags , off to Wally world for battery cables for a lawnmower , when I hit the starter button for thew forst time sparks jumped 2 inches from the new coil ;) the battery has enough power to drive home if i run out of gas ( but I wouldn't) I converted the headlamp to a 35watt halogen H4 and swapped the bulbs for 12 volt .. I know it is not a "concourse restoration " but it sure feels good to ride daily and havbe strangers give you the "thumbs up" instead of the Bird

Now if I only had a left muffler without rust and a left mirror that didn't move .

I have a bunch of parts on EBay right now if you need anything let me know (<>..<>) NOMAD