Honda CM200T questions:

[TheOtherBart]

Originally Posted by 51D7H3K1D

Are the high bars on this bike comfortable? they seem way high. Im not sure how it would look with low bars though... hmmmm,

I'm pretty sure that the bars on mine aren't stock, they're fairly low, and I think they look fine. "Fine" is relative on this rat, but still...

I need to update my thread in Builds about the cafe project. I had some time to tinker a couple of weeks ago and ended up removing a bunch of unnecessary weight...exhaust megaphones, passenger pegs and brackets, starter and solenoid...

[jcmcc]

Hey bumping this thread again for more advice. I'm wondering if anybody has played with gearing at all. Motorcycle superstore has 3 sizes of front sprockets (13,14, and 15 tooth). I know changing the front alters the gearing more than the back. The goal I have is to lower the revs a little on the highway if possible without losing around town drivability. I'm not sure how it would affect top speed- my guess is that it would remain about the same?

[TheOtherBart]

Originally Posted by jcmcc

Hey bumping this thread again for more advice. I'm wondering if anybody has played with gearing at all. Motorcycle superstore has 3 sizes of front sprockets (13,14, and 15 tooth). I know changing the front alters the gearing more than the back. The goal I have is to lower the revs a little on the highway if possible without losing around town drivability. I'm not sure how it would affect top speed- my guess is that it would remain about the same?

I haven't messed with the gearing on mine (I mean what's the point, it just sits there on a dolly in the garage ) but the general rule of thumb is that one tooth on the countershaft gives the same effect as a three-tooth change on the rear sprocket.

And something to be careful of on a little bike like that, it's pretty easy to gear it higher than the engine can pull. You end up losing any drive at speed and basically just bogging around.

[FuriousGeorge]

I haven't changed the gearing on mine, but I'd listen to what Bart said. These bikes barely have the power to pull stock gearing. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you lost a little top speed with a larger front sprocket. At least they're pretty cheap. Doesn't cost too much to experiment.

[Meter Man]

[QUOTE=TheOtherBart;20592753]I haven't messed with the gearing on mine (I mean what's the point, it just sits there on a dolly in the garage ) but the general rule of thumb is that one tooth on the countershaft gives the same effect as a three-tooth change on the rear sprocket.

And something to be careful of on a little bike like that, it's pretty easy to gear it higher than the engine can pull. You end up losing any drive at speed and basically just bogging around.[/QUOTE]


This.

I went down one in the rear of my Nighthawk 250 (1/3 of the change your proposing) and it is almost too high of gearing to hold speed on the road. Leave it stock

[JerryH]

The TwinStar was a great bike (in it's day) A new one would still be a great bike. But a bike that old is going to have issues, and there are very few parts available for it. That is true for most older Japanese bikes. They are high quality, but the Japanese don't support what they sell for very long, they want you to buy a new bike rather than keep fixing an older one.

These bikes were also designed to make them unfeasible to do major repairs on. The cam runs directly in the head, and when things wear out, both the cam and head have to be replaced. The crank and connecting rods are a one piece pressed together unit, and have to be replaced as one piece. Bearings are not replaceable.

I used to own an '04 Honda Rebel 250, and belonged to a Rebel forum. While Rebel parts are still available, and the 250 is still in production, many people showed up with CM185s, CM200s, CM250s, CB250s, and even CM450 Rebels, looking for parts. Other than eBay, you are pretty much out of luck. I almost bought a 450 Rebel, until I found out about the parts problem. You can't even get a cylinder base gasket for one. Go to cheapcycleparts.com or bikebandit.com and see what they have for parts for these bikes. Almost nothing. Even if it runs great now, it will need parts at some point, and you will have a lawn ornament on wheels. The later model Nighrhawk 250 or Rebel 250 would be a much better deal

A vintage Vespa is also a really fun toy. I have a Genuine Stella, it is the same as a Vespa, only made in India, with a different name. There are tons of mechanical parts for most vintage Vespas. They are like the Harley of scooters.

I have seen so many vintage Japanese bikes on Craigslist that I really wanted, and always found the same thing. No parts available.

[jcmcc]

Originally Posted by TheOtherBart

And something to be careful of on a little bike like that, it's pretty easy to gear it higher than the engine can pull. You end up losing any drive at speed and basically just bogging around.

Thats pretty much what I figured would happen.. The question was driven more by curiosity than anything. I would think uphill starts would probably suffer a good deal with a bigger sprocket in front.