1978 Honda Hobbit, Part 1 - Getting it to run

Non running 1978 Hobbit PA50 I.

I used the forums at www.mopedarmy.com, where I also downloaded the service manual -

http://www.mopedarmy.com/wiki/Honda_P...

Directions for carb cleaning and removal

http://www.mopedarmy.com/wiki/Honda_P...

The three obvious issues were flat tires (0:04), a broken pet cock (1:08) (snapped lever, stuck "off") and that it had been sitting since 1988.

I cleaned the stale gas that had turned to varnish from inside the tank and put a new petcock on

https://www.treatland.tv/honda-hobbit...

Lubricated the Variator (9:24) (plate has a lot of wear) with Malossi MRG Grease

https://www.treatland.tv/malossi-MRG-...

Checked belt and chain tension (19:19), chain is a little loose, but I left it alone and replaced the Air Filter (19:47).

https://www.treatland.tv/original-OEM...

Flushed out then filled the rear wheel gearbox (21:41) which was empty with 75cc of Valvoline 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Oil

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B...

Hoped that given the petcock was off, that the carb had been run dry so I wouldn't need to clean it. So I replaced the spark plug (25:14) and put fresh premix in the tank and attempted to start it (27:18)- nothing (but always on headlight did work when engine turned over).

I checked for spark (28:03) before removing the carb just in case, that worked fine - but the plug was dry so pretty much guaranteed a carb issue

Used "Carb Removal Method 3" from Moped Army (28:41)

http://www.mopedarmy.com/wiki/Honda_P...

Bungie cord and a stool/bench on each side of the front wheel to stop it turning and falling off the jack.

Cleaned the carb (34:09), which was full of varnish - I made mistakes cleaning the carb, forgot to remove the drain plug and bowl o-ring before putting in parts cleaner, reinstalled bowl the wrong way etc

Carb Cleaner Dip I used was the old style Gunk Brand Carb-Medic, the new version has bad reviews so this link is nearest to that

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D...

And Chlorinated spray

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002...

along with toothbrush, shop rags, metal clothes hanger and this tool from K&S Supply to clean the jet.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001...

put it back together, re installed back on the moped (59:33) using allen head bolts for the intake instead of phillips because they are easier to get to (using a ball end allen wrench) - engine fired right up (1:04:43), little bit of adjusting for the idle and air/fuel mix screw.