Honda BF5

[ghostlymoron]

Having finished my electrical mods, I'm now turning my attention to my new to me outboard. I haven't run it yet but notice that the twist throttle doesnt move past the start position. I thought that maybe its clever and only allows higher settings when its running. The handbook doesn't say anything about this. Am i right?

 

[VicS]

Having finished my electrical mods, I'm now turning my attention to my new to me outboard. I haven't run it yet but notice that the twist throttle doesnt move past the start position. I thought that maybe its clever and only allows higher settings when its running. The handbook doesn't say anything about this. Am i right?

What Duncan says. ↓↓↓

 

[duncan99210]

I seem to recall from owning a Honda OB that there were two interlocks: one prevented starting unless the gearbox was in neutral, the other prevented opening the throttle beyond a certain point unless the engine was in gear. The gear lever moved a lever up into the starter mechanism when it was in gear, preventing its use. When the gear lever was moved to neutral, the lever moved out of the way of starter mechanism but engaged a mechanism which prevented the throttle from moving beyond a fast tickover position.
Might have got the completely wrong and confused the Honda with something else but it nags at my memory.....
Just had a look at the manual here http://cdn.powerequipment.honda.com/marine/pdf/manuals/31ZV1633.pdf page 30 states that the fast position of the throttle cannot be engaged unless the gear-lever is in the forward position.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Thanks guys. It is 'clever' then.

 

[ghostlymoron]

Very good explanation Duncan. I've tried it and it is as you describe. There's a little rod that engages when in neutral to limit the scope of the throttle. Very neat.

 

[Niander]

Yes its clever then...until it goes wrong then its bloody stupid then!

 

[ghostlymoron]

Can't see how it could go wrong (famous last words), it's a very simple mechanical interlock. No electrics involved.

 

[steve66]

I know very little about 5hp hondas. I have been told there is an issue with starter recoils. They can fail easily

 

[ghostlymoron]

Yes, I've read this and, looking at it, the starter ring and the one it engages with are plastic which may become brittle and break perhaps as has been reported.
The manual does advise that the rope is pulled gently to engage, before pulling smartly to turn the engine. There is also an emergency starting ring on top of the engine (under the cover) for if there were a problem with the recall system.
I suspect the reported problems are probably caused by over enthusiastic pulling of the rope.