Tutorial: Setting Valve lash and Points Timing on honda trailbike. (ct90 and others)
84,873
Published 2013-12-23
1: A #2 Robinson wood screw (square head) bent on a 90 makes a valve wrench.
2: You may need to disconnect the ignition wire leading to the coil in order for you static timing light to operate correctly, in other words you need to isolate the points "switch"
3: Get a JIS screwdriver instead of a Philips like I named in the video, JIS screwdrivers are like Philips in shape but they are designed to fit properly not "cam out" which is what Philips is designed to do. JIS screwdrivers and bits will fit the fasteners on these bikes properly.
Full service manuals HERE: ct90-ct110.com/Shop-Manuals.html
Thank you for joining me for this short tutorial on how to set the timing and valve lash for many common Honda horizontal engines and four stroke Chinese clones. These engines were sold on pretty much any small bike you can imagine, Chinese kids quads, kids bikes, the fabled Honda passport and many many others. This specific tutorial is for a 1972 Honda CT-90 but the principles in this video should apply to pretty much every one of these single cylinder horizontal engines with points.
All Comments (21)
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@ 3:55: You can use a multimeter set to continuity instead of a timing light if you don't have or don't want to make a timing light. The multimeter will stop beeping when the F mark passes the position mark.
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A good investment for anyone working on old Japanese bikes is a set of JIS screwdrivers. All the Phillips-looking screws on a CT90 are actually JIS. You can tell by the little punch mark in the head of the screw. JIS, or Japanese Industry Standard screws are just different enough in shape that Phillips drivers will not fit well and slip/strip them. The difference is in the leading angle of the point of the driver. Phillips bits have a larger angle and therefore don't bottom out in the JIS screws, causing slippage.
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I was working and learning on these machines back in the 1960s-72 in Jack Tracey's Harley, Honda dealership and shop in Yonkers NY. I put a 1974 CT 90 back together some 5 or so years back, just to go back in time. You did an outstanding job with this tutorial and brought back memories archived in my mind for over half a century. Great job, Thank you.
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Thanks Max. I appreciate the easy to understand tutorial. I just finished making the timing light from a pocket flash light. Haven't tried it yet though, it's a bit late at night.
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Thanks for putting up this video Max. Helped me figure out how to properly set the points on my k0 ct90. Finally got it started! Now to figure out why there's no more years after riding it for a half hour or so... Cheers from Montreal Canada!
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Great video! A #2 Robison wood screws fits like a glove on that square set screw makes a quick cheap tool and easy to work around. Just put a bend it and some tape on the threads.
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Well done. You had good shots of what you were doing and everything was explained without any extra bs.
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Great video. Only 2 suggestions. 1 try to reposition so there is not a shadow and 2 clean the bike first so there is less chance of debris falling inside.
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Nice job Sir! Made it look easy, as it is. Keep it up!
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Great video so glad I found this. I am working on my 72' Man, ballsy to do that with such a dirty bike hahaha I was waiting for an avalanche of mud to fall onto your valve... Thanks for the great info!
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The proper order on most Honda’s is timing chain, valves, then points and timing. This is due to the former could affect the latter adjustments. Due to timing advance mechanisms, the best is to use a real timing light that attaches to the spark plug. Then you can ensure the timing is advancing as you increase rpm. If you follow this procedure, you will have everything perfectly adjusted.
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Thanks for the video, very helpfull, My CT90 will be happy here in Mexico.
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Thank you very much. U showed it clear👍
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Very well done. Thank you.
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Great video thanks for posting
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The dry pan 🥘 for parts is a nice touch if ur running late for lunch u can dry up some 🥓 while working lol
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I'm trying to get a late 67 CT90 running, when I try to adjust timing my light is staying on when the points are open and going off when the points close. Why would this be?
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I have a 73 st 90 starts but stalls put after a few mins then impossible to start after it stalls . But the next day starts right up and does the same what should I look at
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so if i open my engine on that side it only has a cam, i dont see a spot to clip the red cable, i dont see the ignition cable
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Hi Max....great video.......hey I was wondering do you know what this sound might be in my gearbox??...i made a video ..... The particular noise only comes about when I'm accelerating....giving it gas......when coasting it seems quiet down and be totally absent. At first I thought it might be the chain hitting the guard........Well that was not it....so then I got my head way down to listen as I was riding....trying not to run into the parked cars or curbs......I found out the noise is coming from the gear box trans area......it sounds as if a nut is flying around in there I put the bike up on a stand and sent her through the gears......once it gets up to third and is going pretty good you can hear the noise.......I'm kinda bummed since I just got her out of hibernation and up and running.....with a new battery on the way as well.....now it looks like I have a major issue within the gear box...... So any insight as to what you think it may be....clutch adjustment....timing chain...etc....I would greatly appreciate it....here's the video below.. http://youtu.be/J22_GIP1AqY Vince San Jose , CA
