The Tomahto!

[TominMO]

Got it today. In much better shape than The Carrot, but it's still gonna get a complete teardown. Pic2 is the literature that came with both bikes.

Edit: Linque to build thread for The Carrot. https://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=31919

Edit deux: CT90 resources
https://hondanuts.com/collections/ct90-ct110-parts

https://mytrailbuddystore.com/ct90.aspx

https://www.partsnmore.com/parts/honda/ct90/

http://dratv.com/

http://www.cttrailbikes.com/ct90parts.html

https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-ct90-tra...620/partslist/

https://store-v5z9i.mybigcommerce.co...90%20Early.pdf

https://www.nospartsnow.com/honda/ct90/

[TominMO]

Went out and boxed up/cleared away a lot of the Carrot parts that were laying around, so make room for disassembly of the Tomahto. Starting on it tmw. We are getting another five days or so of unseasonably warm weather. I'll get it mostly apart in a day or two though. This way I can order parts for both bikes at the same time. The tranny's high-low range selector is stuck on this one too, so I'll go in there and free it up like I did the Carrot's. Gonna order SS Allen head case screw sets for both bikes, and complete engine gasket/seal sets. Hope to check for spark tmw too.

[2LZ]

Wow! That one is in FAR better shape. Nice deal!

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by 2LZ

Wow! That one is in FAR better shape. Nice deal!

Yeah, actually I won't need to do a complete teardown, since the bike is mostly rust-free. Frame is fine. I'll pull the swingarm and centerstand bolts, and both engine mount bolts to make sure there is no rust or corrosion, then treat as needed and replace. Will also redo the forks, on general principles. Needs new cables and probably plenty of other little things I am not aware of yet.

[XLsior]

[TominMO]

That's a fun vid, and somewhat helpful. Saw it a few months ago. I have watched a number of videos on working on these motors. Different people show different things, explain stuff differently, and have different methods to get it done.

Didn't do anything to the bike yesterday. Ran a bunch of non-Tomahto-related errands. It was 43, not too cold, but 100% humidity so very clammy. Decided to wait a day to get started. It'll be 49 at noon, so I'll start then.

[TominMO]

Went to work on it today. Couldn't wait until noon so I started at 10ish.

Removed spark plug. Champion. Tossed in trash and connected correct new NGK plug to plug lead. Turned on key, discovered I had spark, so installed plug, removed carb and intake manifold, squirted starting fluid into head. But no joy after many kicks. Checked voltage--1.8v. Replaced battery with Carrot's battery sitting on the table. Started on first kick! But sounded really clacky.

Long story short, exhaust valve was super loose and intake valve was super tight. Adjusted to correct clearances, installed covers, squirted fluid, turned key and kicked it over, again in one kick, but much quieter this time. Declared victory, peace with honor etc and went inside for lunch.

Getting up close and personal with it shows me that it does still need a fair bit of TLC. But I bet if I installed the clean carb off The Carrot and added some gas, I could ride it right now.

Notes:
23mm (or 15/16"?) socket/wrench for valve covers
9mm socket for valve adjuster locknut
Clearances set to a snug .003" (calls for .002" but my feelers jump from .0015" to .003")
Both tires look good from a distance but are badly cracked on the sidewalls. So I need four new tires, tubes, rim strips.
Also need new air filter elements.

[franque]

It should be 22mm, which interchanges readily with 15/16. Nice project!

[cheesy]

Originally Posted by franque

It should be 22mm, which interchanges readily with 15/16. Nice project!

Close, but no cigar. 22mm=7/8. 24mm=15/16.

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by franque

It should be 22mm, which interchanges readily with 15/16. Nice project!

Tried a 22mm, but it was a hair too tight. Luckily I had a 23mm. 15/16 is 23.81mm. 7/8 is 22.225mm.

25.4 / 16 = 1.5875
1.5875 x 15 = 23.81

[franque]

Originally Posted by cheesy

Close, but no cigar. 22mm=7/8. 24mm=15/16.

Yep, brain fart, that's what I meant.


It's a bit wallowed out if a 23 fits, Honda/Japanese manufacturers don't use the 23, it's always 22 or 24.

[TominMO]

Originally Posted by franque

Yep, brain fart, that's what I meant.

It's a bit wallowed out if a 23 fits, Honda/Japanese manufacturers don't use the 23, it's always 22 or 24.

No, they look like they have never been touched, which is plausible with only 1,832 miles on the odo.

[TominMO]

More CT90 repair adventures happened today.

-- Cleaned the carb. Not too bad, some old brown gas in the float bowl, but it should be good now.
-- All cables were seized or very sticky. Got 'em all unstuck and smooth, except the throttle cable which is still a bit sticky. Have to work on it some more.
-- Verified that both beams of the headlight work. That's good because replacements ain't cheap. It's a 6V sealed beam setup.
-- Pulled the speedo. It rattles. Ruh roh. Chucked the cable in my drill and spun it. Speedo part works fine, odo does not. So the rattle is a bit of plastic gear from the odo. Oh well. I can get a new Chinese speedo unit in KM for a CT70 for about $21 on Amazon. The Carrot's speedo has a trip meter and a different shape, more oval instead of triangular.
-- There is some rust inside the frame, not too bad (no holes), so I don't need to do a full teardown. Just remove all the electrical pieces/wiring (5 minutes at most) and spray in there with Rust Reformer.
-- Sprayed The Carrot's wheels inside the rims with RR, and also the Tomahto's battery box.

[cheesy]

Let me check my stash tomorrow, I may have a 6v sealed beam I don't need.

[TominMO]

Oooohh! Thanks! Carrot's sealed beam is 5.5" diameter, Tomahto's is 4.5". If yours is wunna dose, I'll take it.

Booboo on my part, turns out the Tomahto's odo works fine. I didn't spin it long enough to register a distance change. Also checked the speedo on the Carrot. Everything works. Even the trip meter, although the reset is broken off.