early 80's Honda 200 lost compression/compression release issue?

[guido53]

I have an early 80's 200 that ran great and had great compression...enough to wrench my wrist when I pulled the cord if I didn't use the compression release and I'm a 275 lb x-football player/powerlifter/big dude. Anyway, I sold it to a guy today and he called back after an hour or so and said he couldn't get it to start. I went back to help him and it appears it's lost all compression. It still turns over smoothly (no grinding or metalic sounds) but there's not any resistance on the cord. Is there any way the compression release can get stuck open or otherwise cause the compression to escape? I've already told him it sounded like he blew it up (cracked or a hole in piston or ??) but told him I'd help find the cause.
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Any/All help is appreciated...thanks.

[Yamaha_Rules69]

Check the decompression lever/cable on the head top left side near spark plug. Did it make any noise when you rode it like ticking or rattling? The timing chain could have came off or somthing would be my next best guess.

[Vealmonkey]

Have you pulled the covers for the rockers off and see if the valves are working properly when you pull start the bike? Did the guy screw with anything? Did you show him the bike worked fine before he left your house with it. You do not have to help someone if he tinkered with something. While you have the inspection cover for the rockers off, make sure the decompression assembly isn't holding a valve open. He might have tried adjust the cable if he was too wimpy to pull the recoil. Who knows what the guy did. He could have sheared off a keyway or something for the timing chain.

[guido53]

There are no odd noises coming from the motor when I pull the cord. There's just very little resistance...like it's lost compression. The buyer said he was downshifting and it died and wouldn't start again. That's why I thought he had blown a hole in the piston by over-revving the motor. I haven't taken anything off the motor yet but will try to take a look later today or tomorrow. I've been very lucky with my Honda's over the years and have never had an internal engine problem so I'm flying a little blind here.

Thanks for the help!!!

[Erics350x]

The cam chain may have jumped and bent a valve. Pull the head and let us know what you find.

[leokendall]

my guess would be also have a bent valve.
easy way to check for the intake is to pull the carb of and put your hand over the inlet hole. pull the starter and u should fell suction. if you don't u got a bent intake valve.

[flint10]

To Guido 53, what did you ever find out? Lots of responses to your questions, but no ending to the story. I am having similar oddities on my 185S, when I start it now, it sounds like someone is holding the lever while its running so I shut it down right away, is this just a simple cable adjustment?
Thanks, Flint10