Taken legal route but frustrating issues on my Honda CB350 RS continue

My bike has gone back to the same condition where it was before I submitted it to the ASC in April.

BHPian DocOn2Wheels recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

It's been long since I updated about my ordeal with Honda and also about the consumer petition that I filed against them.

I will point out the mistakes that I have done so far in the upcoming posts but for now I'll be talking about the bike's condition. During the 3rd regular service I was informed that the clutch plates need replacement. I denied because I didn't want to spend anything more than the regular service on the already faulty bike. I always avoid half clutching and downshift while slowing down. Most of the time I rev match and I'm not bragging about it but I have gotten quite familiar with it. So getting the clutch worned out just in 8500km is.... what to say!

Anyway nothing can be done. One thing to note here is that during one service when I had to submit the bike related to engine sound and leaking, they changed certain components from the clutch!

In April, I got a call from the Manager of the dealership and he asked me to trust him this time and he'll get the bike fixed. Before this he and also the other ASC in patna denied any work apart from the paid service quoting that the matter has gone legal and honda has directed them not to work on my bike. I thought let's take one more chance. I went there and submitted the bike. His attitude was entirely different this time, talking politely and treating like a first time buyer. There he told me to write that once the bike has been repaired I'll withdraw the case. If he had told me this on call I wouldn't have gone there in the first place. It was a trick! He knew I will not refuse his offer in that moment. I did as he asked. The next hearing was on 18th of April and he called me on 16th that the bike has been fixed.

The biggest mistake I did after inspecting and riding for few kilometers I gave them in written that the work has been done satisfactorily and I'll withdraw the case even though I could feel that the engine noise was still there. I didn't realise that satisfaction comes from within and not from someone forcing it upon you. I got carried away by his polite words.

They found out that there was soot deposition on the exhaust valve and the valve seat was damaged due to which there was not sufficient compression in the combustion chamber. They changed the valve. The only difference that was there during those initial days is that the bike's idle rpm was stable and those frequent engine cutoffs had gone. All the other problems persisted; like that engine noise, I believe it had worsened, and that engine oil in air box was still there. They had to disassemble the whole engine including the gearbox because there was leaking from the base too. They used some sort of glue to prevent leaking from the crankcase and in the head portion they used red coloured RTV silicone gasket maker. The engine assembly seemed very unprofessional.

For the engine sound they assured me that they have left the valve clearance a bit loose and asked me to come back once the bike has been ridden for a few kilometers. I didn't go to them and instead chose to adjust the valve clearance myself. Bought all the professional tools required for the same and I think I did quite good. During the adjustment I was curious about the engine oil supply to the head and checked it by turning the engine on while keeping the rocker head cover aside. I noticed it was much less compared to some of the videos I have seen on Youtube though they are of other bikes. The oil that reached the head was from the splashes of the timing chain.........

Fast forward to September. My bike has gone back to the same condition where it was before I submitted it to the ASC in April; same unstable idle rpm, lack of power, engine cutoffs, etc.

I'm posting this because I need help from my fellow BHPians. It's my assumption that all these problems are due to lack of proper engine oil supply to the head. This makes the engine to overheat and causes improper valve clearance and also that rough sound.

The oil flows through an opening on the left side of the valve spring through which it enters into a channel present in the rocker head cover which pours it onto the rocker arms through three tiny holes; much similar to what I saw in honda's other bikes like Shine and Unicorn. Ample videos are available on youtube which shows the oil pressure in those bikes and it was quite more as compared to mine. This is the video showing the oil pressure in my bike when I'm revving the engine:

Oil doesn't come for about 20 seconds after turning on the bike and once it does it's the same on idle and on revving. I need to know whether it's enough or low. And if it's low how can I fix it myself because the place I belong to doesn't house mechanics competent enough to rectify this issue. I sent the same video to the ASC manager and he told me that the oil flow is proper but I'm not convinced. I expect a guidance through this forum. I would really appreciate any help in this regard. I have planned to work on the bike from next week and it would help me a lot if I knew what tools I will be needing, step wise diagnostic procedures, precautions to take before starting and anything relevant.

Here's what BHPian Boringrider had to say on the matter:

Really disheartening to see a Japanese legend like Honda fall down the drain this way. I understand you are a student and may not have the money to fix it. Considering your circumstances, you can try taking this up with your parents, get some help from them, go to a trusted garage which probably services actual superbikes and explain to them the entire ordeal. Pursuing legally may not be worth the cost and time. Your studies might also be affected by all this and definitely your peace of mind.

Even selling it off is difficult as no one might be willing to buy such a defective bike. I would look into it later only when it's sure that it can't be fixed. I know it's easier said than done, but I think you just have to take this loss and stay away from Honda products until they get their act right.

I have also had unpleasant experiences with them for my Aviator services. Dealers act like dons probably because they're the king of scooters and commuters in the market and no one dare go against them. I have been to various FNGs and somehow they have managed to screw up even more than Honda. Or the actual good ones are so out of price reach that the maintenance costs for a tiny scooter can't really be justified. So I'm back to Honda again but only because the scooter has that traditional Honda reliability (touchwood) so it's just routine servicing. I would still not go to them for anything else.

Life is too short and motorcycles are too fun to let unethical people like these drag you. Yes, they cheated you and this shows how they prefer to make their money. There will always be people who do such things and they won't go too far. Ascertain if the entire thing is fixable and then see how much will it cost or if you can DIY. If not, with a heavy heart, just let it go, try to sell it for the max possible you can get with such a condition and write off the losses. I agree it's a bummer having your first bike experience be this bad, it's nothing less than traumatising.

Here's what BHPian that_sedate_guy had to say on the matter:

Proper? Bro, your engine head is running bone dry. The oil is supposed to literally spray all over the valve stems and the springs. It is supposed to be a complete drenched mess inside the valve covers. You know what happens when this condition is allowed to persist? The valve stems will eat themselves and slowly disintegrate leading to more erratic engine firing and further impact loads which results in more shocks in the bearings, shafts and gears. You see where this is going? Yes, part by part failure of the entire engine. Never ever take the word of a mech or a service centre guy when they say, "oh this low amount of lubrication is fine saaar".

I don't know the exact construction of the Honda engine but in RE bullets, this issue occurs when either,

• The oil seal in the crankcase is damaged and doesn't form a high pressure seal
• The oil seal is missing (a very common goof up by technicians)
• The oil seal was improperly fixed leading to it falling into the crankcase (Another extremely common goof up by technicians)

In most cases, the fix is as simple as draining the oil, opening the oil sump cover, locating the seal (Service manual should help you out here) and rectifying it or fitting a new one if it's missing.

Good luck, mate!

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