Sources for HR214 Parts and HR194 parts

So I've been collecting sources for honda parts, I thought I'd stick them in a single post to keep things neat and clean. Sources below, with links.

• Plano Power-Texas based, parts catalog is pretty easy to navigate, but they sent me an incorrect part and claimed it was my fault. Shipping seemed pretty high too.

• Boats.net-Looks like these guys aren't really focused on honda lawnmowers, but they do carry the parts, and Bryanst1 says they have the best price. Looks like you can chat live with a rep...kinda cool.

• Honda dealerships-You can get a listing of local honda dealerships/service centers here, but you'd better call ahead because its pretty rare that something is in stock for a 20 year old mower. If you have the part number from either boats.net or plano power, you can make sure they aren't hurting you too badly on the price too.

• Ebay-With a mower this old, I've been keeping an eye out for cheap used parts, or even new old stock.

• Craigslist.org-Just scored some wheels and transmission parts...tons of the hr194 and hr214 were made and sold, so they still wind up on C-list

Before shot of how much smoke the hr214 throws off

So I'll be tearing down the hr214 later in april, but i wanted to record this to show how much smoke it throws off during start-up. I'll definitely be replacing the rings on the gvc120, but i'm not sure if i should order the valve stems too. Here is the vid...

First pull start with the choke on (you can tell when i turn it off and the engine speeds up) I asked a few guys on the net who have done this job before what they think about the valve stems...we'll see.

Breather hose for gxv120

This post is for Vocegrande! He's missing a breather hose off his hr214, so here are some pictures that might help him find a replacement. It looks like a regular fuel hose from the auto parts store would do a pretty good job of replacing it...but if your engine blows up, don't blame me ;)

Let us know how the new coil works out Vocegrande!

Correct spark plug for hr214

As I go through the Honda hr214 I'm fixing lots of little little things. This morning I checked the spark plug and found that not only was it the wrong gap, it was the wrong plug altogether! A trip to home depot later and get the correct NGK BP5ES is installed. I'll have to test the mower later to see if it has more power, but there is a visible difference in size. The gap for the hr214 spark plug is  from .7 to 8mm, so get your feeler gauge out! The same spark plug works for the hr194 as well.

Honda hr214 parts arrive!

The piston rings, blade, head gasket and tires all arrived today. I got the parts from plano power, and am happy with the cost and speed of delivery, but they included a wrong knob! So I'm waiting to see what they'll do. In the meantime, I got the tires put on; what a hassle! You wouldn't think that two bits of rubber would need a half an hour to install, but it took all of that and some sweat. Here is the offender:

Pro-tip: Use two screw-drivers like tire-irons to slowly pull the rubber over the plastic. Whew!

Mentioned in post:
Honda Tire for the HR214

honda hr214 manual and a smoking hr214

On Monday I ordered a bunch of honda parts for the new hr214, and today the manual came. 35$ might be a lot of money for a honda lawn mower manual, but if it helps solve the issue that I'm having with the smoking motor, it'll be worth its weight in gold! Video below of what a REALLY smokey hr214 looks like:

Mine isn't that bad!

So what is causing all that smoke? The guy said valve guides, but other sources on the internet like this guy with the smoking hr214 say that new rings are the way to go. I have the rings on order, and with the new honda manual, we should be OK to R+R later this summer.

Oh yeah, if you need a manual for hr214 follow the link!

The Best Lawnmower Ever?

I'm pretty pumped to have my first Honda Lawnmower. Its a Honda HR214 from 1983, and its special for a bunch of reasons. First off, its widely known as one of the best Honda Lawnmowers, and probably even one of the best lawnmowers ever made. Several reasons for this:

1.) The engine is the commercial gv120, not the consumer grade motors that Honda put in their later mowers
2.) Self propelled, AND an electric start!
3.) Honda lawnmower parts can still be had at any Honda dealership.

Here is a pic of my new baby!