Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

2 weeks, normally shouldn't be happening. I've kept my dio idle for a couple of weeks at times and never had starting issues. Only time was when it was left unused for 7 months, had to drain old fuel and clean carb and it fired up in a click. this was a 10yr old dio that had done 70k +km but regularly well maintained.

Add fresh fuel and try. Or might require a carb clean or drain old fuel from carb at the most. Don't use the starter too much or you might drain the battery.
Without knowing the state or maintenance of the scoot cant say much further.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

Forget 2 weeks, my Activa doesn't start easily if kept idle for more than 4-5 days. I had the same problem with my unicorn 160. I'm not entirely sure, but it might be related to the carb as you said.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

Pl get the valve clearances adjusted to spec, and also the carburettor cleaned properly.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

I've set the clearances at 0.13mm for both inlet and outlet. Carb cleaned using carb cleaner. AFR tuned multiple times. Still no dice.

Are the clearance values correct? I've seen 0.12-0.14mm mentioned somewhere.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

which model activa ? iirc the valve clearance specs may be in the owners manual.
get the carb opened and cleaned.
the clearances need to be adjusted when the piston is at the tdc of compression stroke.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

It's the 110cc model before the G nomenclature.

Carb opened, everything cleaned. Have set the valve clearance correctly.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

Well I got the starting issue resolved. Called up the Authorized service center and they sent mechanics over. It turned out that the spark plug had black oil deposits because of which it was not providing any spark. They replaced the spark plug and it started after 3-5 kicks. The battery had drained down completely and the mechanics said that for the next few days please do not do a cold start using the electric starter but use the kick. When I asked them that why the black oil was deposited on the spark plug they said that it is normal and happens frequently. So now I doing cold start using the kick. The total cost was about Rs 300-350. Rs 200 for the visit and the rest for the spark plug. The Honda Service center guys had told me that if they could not fix the scooter at my place and they had to take it back to the service center they will charge me extra. That seemed fair, but they were not able to give me an approximate value of this cost.

If the scooter has not started or running for 4 hours or more then I consider the starting of the scooter as cold start. Maybe the experts and give us a suggestion on what do they consider cold start or what is the definition or rule of thumb that they use.

I am going to go the Honda authorized service center for the periodic service of the scooter and going to ask them on why is the oil getting deposited on the spark plug and to please repair it.

One observation which I had and maybe it will help others too, if you do a cold start of your activa scooter, then you accelerate or give throttle it while it is still on the stand and the engine cuts off immediately as soon as the accelerator handle is twisted then please have a look at the spark plug. Check whether the spark plug is working or is there any black oil deposit around it.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

Thanks for the update on the issue. Did you manage to click some pictures of the spark plug ? That would maybe give us a better idea. Basically there can be two types of plug fouling i.e. dry and wet. Since you mentioned oil, i guess it's wet fouling.. this is mostly due to fuel or oil (overly rich mixture, oil leaking past piston rings or the valves).
Do you notice any smoke from the exhaust ?
I guess for now ride the scoot around for a couple 100km and then again get the plug condition checked. If it still is oily/wet, maybe first get the carb cleaned and tuned properly.

Coming to the 'cold start', usually it refers to early morning starts when the temp outside is usually cooler compared to the rest of the day. But hey, like you said even a 4 hr break could be a cold start, especially in colder regions.

On a cold start it is normal to use the choke, to avoid exactly what you mentioned i.e. the engine dying when you quickly open the throttle. So use the choke, fire up the bike (kick or battery) and let it just idle for around 30 seconds then push the choke lever back in and ride with gradually opening the throttle the first km or so.
If you read the owners manual, a similar procedure would be mentioned.

The mechanics asked you to use the kick mostly because the battery was drained due to multiple failed attempts at starting the scoot.. using the kick will reduce the strain on the battery and give it a chance to recharge back to normal levels.
With battery tech today and the hot weather around in India, you can safely use the electric starter even on cold starts... If you feel comfortable using the kick on cold starts, go ahead , it aint going to break anything, but use the choke to be able to start it quicker & reduce strain/drain on the battery if using electric start.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

I did not take a photograph of the spark plug. I did not notice any smoke from the exhaust. I wanted to provide a BOSH spark plug but the Honda service centre guys got a Honda spark plug which was pretty thin as compared to the normal spark plugs that we generally see on 2 wheelers. Maybe it is a way for Honda to earn more money from its customers.

I will do this. I was planning to take the scooter last week itsel, but will wait for another week and then see what happens with the spark plug.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

The plug that is supplied by honda is either a ngk or champion iirc.. it is a good plug, no worries. In fact I would be more cautious about using bosch plugs, sometimes because it might not be the right one (the local shop guys push whatever is available, and difficult to find a catalogue from bosch showing a plug match to oem) and there are some fakes around too.
I always used to buy the plug from the asc & also had a friend [MENTION=28527]sibun[/MENTION] send me over some ngk plugs.. been on the ngk for a couple of yrs now and no issues. Now the ngk plugs are also easily available online on amazon.
A good plug reading would look something like slightly grey/brown and dry.

btw, hold old & how many km has your scooter run ?
my guess is the plug change might have solved your problem or at the max it might require a carb clean and tuned up properly.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

I can vouch for this. Stock BOSCH plugs are the worst. The cross section is very small and the tip is easily bent. It's difficult to clean as well. I've been using NGK since my last 2 plug changes and they are time tested for sure.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

I've Honda Aviator 110cc 2010model. Battery is replaced just 7 months ago.
Of late noticed, while the indicators are on, the horn sound amplitude varies. When the horn in played without indicator then the uniform tone heard. Not sure where could be the problem? Is it the rectifier?
Aces kindly advise.
Thanks.

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

That's really normal , since old gen used regular bulbs if high wattage , indicator uses 10+10+3 i.e. 23 watt . This is more evident when the break is applied since break light will also turn on, 21w . total 23+21= 44w

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

Thanks Vivekji,

++ query. Can LED with similar lumen mange the power better? If yes, are there any LED that replaces bulbs ??
Why should automotive continue to use lamp and switch to LED for indicators?

Re: Honda Dio, Activa and Aviator

I usually don't see such a problem on my 11yr old dio. The horn can actually be 'adjusted' if it isn't sounding normal.. Or maybe it simply is dying and u need a new one. Apart from that ask you mechic/battery shop to check the battery and its voltages to ensure the stator n rr units are working fine.
If u switch to led indicators you might need to change the flasher unit also.. Otherwise on a stock flasher unit the flashing interval will change or might simply not work.