Honda Twinstar CM185t/CM200t Technical Info

Honda Twinstar CM185t/CM200t Technical Info

This is ALL I could find on the Honda Twinstar 1978/79 CM185T, 1980/82
CM200T bikes on the web. Please post any web sites with
any technical info on this bike.

"Yes, tech info is readily available. Google for CD200 or CM200." I
tried searching google and could not find any technical
information like adjusting the valves/cam chain, setting timing, and
helpful information on trouble shooting on mechanical
and electrical problems like I see with bikes like the HONDA C70
Pastport, and other small bikes on the web. Yes, I can order
the service manual but I would not use 80% of what's in it. Just the
chapter on tuneup. Spec's on the settings can go
along way in doing a tuneup. Also electrical/wiring diagrams.

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The Honda Twinstar (CM185T'78) was sold in 1978. Two colors were
available: Candy Antares Red and Candy Sword Blue. The fuel tank and
side cover stripes were white, gold, and black. The "TWINSTAR" side
cover decal was white. The engine was a 181cc parallel twin OHC with a
4- speed transmission. The serial number began CM185T-2000014.

The CM185T'79 was sold in 1979 and came in the same two available
colors: Candy Antares Red and Candy Sword Blue. The gas tank and side
cover pinstripes were gold. The wide stripes were red. The "twinstar"
side cover decal was gold. The engine was a 181cc parallel twin OHC with
a 4- speed transmission. The serial number began CM185T-2000014.

The Honda Twinstar CM200T'80 was sold in 1980. Two colors were
available: Candy Presto Red and Candy Holly Green. The "TWINSTAR" side
cover decal was gold. The "CM200T" side cover decal was white and gold.
The ignition used points and condenser. The electrical system was 6
volt. The engine was a 194cc 4-stroke OHC parallel twin with a 4-speed
transmission. The serial number began MC01-2000028.

The CM200T'81 Twinstar was sold in 1981 and was available in two colors:
Candy Bourgogne Red or Candy Sword Blue. The "HONDA" and "TWINSTAR"
emblems and outer pinstripes were gold. The "CM200T" decal and inner
pinstripes on the red bike were blue while on the blue bike they were
red. This year the bike had a CD ignition instead of breaker points.
Also it had a 12 volt electrical system instead of the 6-volt of the
previous year. There was a chrome grip pipe behind the seat. The engine
was a 194cc OHC parallel twin linked to a 4-speed transmission. The
17-digit automotive style serial number began JH2MC0104BM100001.

The CM200T'82 Twinstar was sold in 1982 and came in just one color:
Candy Muse Red. The "HONDA" and "TWINSTAR" emblems were gold. The gas
tank and side cover pinstripes were maroon. The "CM200T" side cover
decal was also maroon. The rear shocks this year are 5-way adjustable.
Like the previous year, the electrical system was 12 volt. There was a
chrome grip pipe behind the seat. The engine was a 194cc OHC parallel
twin linked to a 4 speed transmission. The serial number began
JH2MC0109CM100001.

HONDA CD185T
78-80, 183cc, 4-str ohc twin, 17bhp, 75mph, 75mpg,
141kg (310lb)
Update on the CD175 which retained its reliability, was less economical
and had a quick rot chassis. Build quality astonishingly poor for Honda.

HONDA CD200
80-85, 194cc, 4-str ohc twin, 16bhp, 70mph, 100mpg, 132kg (290lb)
Early versions afflicted with camchain problems, later Benlys were
tougher but slow. Soft handling; flimsy
back wheel, squidgy shocks, lacks ground clearance,
etc. 12V version preferable. Check state of the spark plugs as cheap
engine alloy strips threads. Avoid bikes with excessive vibes. Poor
running may be down to
a rusted tank and poor fuel supply. Easy to upgrade
the suspension.


HONDA CM200
80-85, 194cc, 4-str ohc twin, 15bhp, 70mph, 80mpg,
136kg (300lb)
Custom version of the CD, slower and drinks more fuel but better build
quality. Handling fuzzy at the front and loose at the back, but its easy
to grin and bear it. Motors run to 35k without serious probs, after that
expect camchain, valve and gearbox hassles. Avoid vibes, smoke and top
end rattles.

HONDA CM250
81-84, 249cc, 4-str ohc twin, 25bhp, 85mph, 50mpg, 170kg (375lb)
Custom twin that didn’t inspire but mild state of tune meant engine
lasted well (early ones had piston problems), while chassis was better
finished than the SuperDream. Electrics react badly to British winters,
with a lot of cutting out, and the rectifier can burn out. Usual front
disc brake seizure becomes so bad with age that alternative front ends
are often fitted. Lacks the comfort and general usability of the
SuperDream but lasts for over 50,000 miles. Good ones rare.

Clymer Honda Twinstar, Rebel 250 & Nighthawk 250: 1978-2003 (Clymer
Motorcycle Repair)
# Paperback: 312 pages
# Publisher: Clymer Publishing (December 1, 2002)
# Language: English
# ISBN: 0892878495

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Honda CD/CM185 200T & CM250C
2-valve Twins
UK CD185T Benly 180cc 78 - 79
UK CD200T Benly 194cc 79 - 85
USA CM185T Twinstar 180cc 77 - 79
UK CM200T Custom 194cc 80 - 84
USA CM200T Twinstar 194cc 79 - 82
USA CM250C Custom 234cc 81 - 83
ISBN: 1 85010 359 3 BOOK NO: 057

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The Twinstar is a custom version of the CD200 Benly. If it says
Twinstar on the panels, it's a grey import, probably from the US - UK
models were just badged as CM200 (we never got the CM185).

The engine is incredibly tough. Utterly unbelievable. They just don't
break, as long as you keep changing the oil. The camchain is a duplex
(twin-row) chain, believe it or not.

Electrics - the six-volters are pretty crummy. The electric start
works, but the lights and especially the indicators are a bit weak. 12v
ones are much better and had electronic ignition too. Look for crappy
chrome, crash damage, knackered head and swing arm bearings, and that's
about it.

Yes, tech info is readily available. Google for CD200 or CM200.

Yes, Honda used essentially the same engine in the later Rebels. The
earlier CM250 (withj the six-valve heads) is totally different. It's
the old Super Dream lump. Note: not the new/current Super Dream lump.
It's just totally different. Anyway, the Rebel and CD/CM200 lumps are
very similar.

It's a better bike than either the Kawasaki or the Yamaha. It's still a
very basic and dull bike, but it's as fast (or slow) as either of those
two and much, much more long-lived.

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The six volt electrics mean you don't really have adequate lighting for
modern
road conditions at night. The motor is, indeed, the predecessor to the
CM250
Rebels and Nighthawks. The handlebars will hit you in the knees at
anywhere
near full lock in low speed, parking lot situations. You're MUCH better
off
with a Nighthawk. Parts availability, lighting, horn, riding position,
and
ability to keep up with modern traffic are all MUCH better than the
Twinstars.
If you *must* buy a Twinstar get the later 12V model and for Ged's sake,
change
the handlebars out the first day!

 

The problem you have Mr ACH is you're asking these questions in the wrong
forum. aus.motorcycles is an Australian group primarily, and we in Oz never
got the Twinstar at all. Therefore the amount of knowledge about this bike
that you are seeking knowledge on this group here is practically zero. Why
not try some US sources?

Al