Thanks for that.
The popping happens either when starting the bike with a little throttle on or whilst accelerating at slow speed.
The battery problem. The connections are fine, but it might just be that a better more powerful battery is needed possibly?
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What other things could be affecting these please?
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Probably should be in the Tech Forum?
These are bomb-proof little engines which tend to go on for a long time without much attention, but ultimately things do catch with them.
I'm hearing 2 problems here which may or may not be related - one with the "popping" and one with the difficulty of starting via the starter vs. the kickstart. I assume there no other symptoms such as a smoky exhaust for example.
Is the popping something you get on the over-run but otherwise the bike runs fine? If so, take it for a run, pull the spark plug and check the colour. If it's white your mixture is too lean. It should be a nice coffee colour. Reasons could be simply an adjustment of the slow-running screw needed, or as mentioned a leak in the exhaust or inlet system (I think those are unlikely in this day and age), or fuel starvation of some sort.
If the popping is accompanied by a jerking motion then you have a misfire, most likely an electrical problem. May or may not also have a bearing on the starting issue, whereby (I've just had this on a Kawasaki!!) the battery is pulling so much power off of the CDI that there isn't enough for a fat spark, whereas on the kickstart that isn't an issue.
If you feel up to it you can do some of the work yourself before spending out a a mechanic.
Actions: check the plug, check the pipe connections. Have a look at the spark plug lead to see it's probably connected and not perished. Drain the tank, take out the petcock and see whether that's blocked by rubbish in the tank, or even if there's water in there. You'll be surprised what can accumulate after a few years of filling up what you assume to be nice clean fuel from your loc al station. You can get the latter from filling up where tanks are low at the gas station. Add rust flakes as time goes by and you'll get the idea. One oddball thing I've come across as well is poor air venting to the fuel tank. I can't remember on that your whether there's a vent in the gas cap or not check the tank is venting as it should. There will be some method for it to do so. If air can't get into the tank, fuel can't get out.
Then if you feel up to it, pull the carb, drop the float chamber and see if it's full of gunge. If it is you can use carb cleaner on it or as I do (being a cheap Charlie), good old rubbing alcohol.
If not the carb can be starved of fuel intermittently. Take the bike for a run and see if there is any improvement. If not it's time to go see Mike the Mechanic. He will check the CDI, the coil, the alternator output current and the battery voltage.
It has to be something simple, these are simple bikes. A new bigger battery isn't the answer, although replacing the existing
one may end up part of what has to be done.
Hope the above doesn't sound too daunting. It's actually simpler in the doing than in the telling.
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Check the exhaust pipe connection to the cylinder head. I had a CG125 that made the odd popping sound. Found that the two chrome plated nuts holding the exhaust pipe to the head were loose letting gasses escape. The pipe comes off and there is a round sealing ring underneath. Check this and refit it properly and it may cure the problem. Might come loose due to vibration from the single cylinder engine. These engines are bomb proof so long as you change the oil regularly - think it only holds a litre for the engine and gearbox combined.
They like fresh petrol, leave it standing a few weeks and they are fussy to start.
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Thanks for all the detail in your answer.
I will try the following.
1. Start the bike with jump leads. If it starts 1st time, then I will need to get a better battery.
2. Popping. Try to tighten the exhaust.
I will keep this forum noted.
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Still a mystery.
Battery is fine. Tried even drop testing it, and all ok. Charging system ok. No problem with electrics.
It is funny that it starts with the kick start first time, and very badly using the electric motor. I have even tried a new plug, no joy, so know it can't be engine related.
What else could it be?
Thanks again>
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Perhaps the ignition system, coil or capacitor (whichever it has), the sytem maybe demanding more than normal current to generate a spark thus when the starter motor is operated there is not enough current to generate a spark though when the kick start is used there is no additional drain so there is enough current to make a spark.
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How could I check this / rectify this issue?
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A Honda dealer might be best or an auto electrical specialist.
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When you're trying to start it, does it seem to spin over quickly (ie. the engine just isn't catching), or slowly (possibly a bad earth or some other connection)?
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It is spinning over normally and it just isn't catching as you say. Kick starting is easy though...one kick and it starts hot or cold.
And also note it is hard to start using the electric motor hot or cold.
I am beginning to think it is something starter motor related or something along those lines.
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I have tried the above. My mechanic has changed the plug, changed the lead to the plug, cleaned the air filter and checked the battery and it still has this starting issue.
I have heard if a battery has volts, it may not have the amps. Is it worth getting a battery if the volts are fine and the battery is ok.
What would my next step be? Take into account the bike is on warranty.
Is the ignition coil easily checked?
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bear with me i may be wrong but i think you have all fallen into the trap that this is a honda when in fact its a
KYMCO
this says to me its a chinese lookalike and as such is not of the quality of a honda,i may be wrong and do apologise if i am but it sounds like a valve not seating to me
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Kymco's are in fact copies, but very good copies and of a very good quality. In Taiwan for example, most people run around on them and they are no doubt very good bikes. Some of the chineese copies can be a different story however.
Valve seating sounds unlikely because then it wouldn't kick start easily either?
And it runs fine. Just the starting. No smoking, uses no oil etc.
Thanks anyway.
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If your battery is OK, as you say it is, then if you put a lamp on and press the starter, the lamp should dim only slightly. If the lamp goes yellow, during the starting process, your battery is not up to it.
If you can't see the lamp while sitting on the bike, use a mirror.
If the lamp does go yellow, take the leads off the battery and connect them to a bigger (better) battery such that the lamp does not go yellow (must be the same voltage, i.e. 12 volts if the bike uses 12 volts and connected the same way) and then see if it starts using the starter?
Of course, if you can use a test meter, you can measure the volts during starting, as well as looking at the lamp.
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It seems there is a problem which the garage now acknowledges.
They will be changing the electrics, so I assume it was a faulty coil which is a know fault with all Honda CG125's.
Lets hope this sorts it out!
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Have a look at www.umgweb.com
Lots of fun stuff about all sorts of bikes including your Honda. Won't answer your problem but should raise a smile.
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Quite so, seeing as it's under warranty.
BTW is the 'garage' you're using a decent Honda or bike specialist, or one of those ubiquitous chains? makes a colossal difference.
Do let us know what the final culprit was.
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And for the best biking forum there is (IMHO)go to
www.visordown.com
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The garage has changed the electrics, and my mechanic says the engine note has changed so he is optimistic. So am I.,
I will try the bike out and see if it was that. As it is under warranty, new electrics isn't bad as it should last now.
Out of interest, how can I make the electrics last longer on my bike?
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Welcome back.
Long time no "Letter from the Colonies".
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Welcome back.
Not quite. If you look at the time stamp of Growlers post, you'll see it's Oct 2005.
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>> Welcome back. Not quite. If you look at the time stamp of Growlers post, you'll see it's Oct 2005.
Oh. damn and blast.
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Oh. damn and blast.
Not wishing to hijack this thread, but last time I 'spoke' to HJ, he had recently emailed Growler, but had heard nothing back.
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