Their is nothing better than watching a master mechanic…it was a pleasure “Sir”

What a superb machine! Years ago, I worked at a shop selling - amongst other things - Honda lawn mowers. We never had a bad one. Unbox, assemble, add oil and fuel, and in every case the engine would start first pull, and settle down to a smooth idle. No adjustments needed. Simply the best, which makes it so sad that Honda is exiting the garden machinery business, I believe. Thanks for another great video.

Parents had one and it lock up, rebuilt at the dealer Sutherland's Marine & Equipment in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. Excellent machine.

Such a complete detailed excellently produced instructional video. Nothing was left out, and there were countless little time saving tips that he already knows so that you won't have to fight with it every step of the way. That's the priceless benefit to having a guy with this much experience show you how it's done. Just outstanding ! I have that exact mower. Had it for over 25 years.

I'm the original owner of an HR215, (22?) years, mines still going strong. Oil is a good thing to watch and keep healthy. (LOL) Although I've probably worked it harder than most for years using it on Tiff 419 and trying to keep it as close to a reel mower cut, I've had not issues other than running weird, when I realize I hadn't cleaned the breather and it's packed with dust. High quality, treated gas is important, but at least keeping good oil in it is a non-brainer. Currently, the right rear wheel is locking up on turn arounds where it has to rotate backwards, so for know I'm just lifting and making it work. I'm afraid to tear into it. Oh, still today, it'll start on 1 pull, no smoke or using oil! I wish I had an hour meter on it! Thanks for this rebuild video! It's a reminder what a great mower these still are. 22 years ago, I wouldn't even tell my wife what I paid for it. Today, I brag about the near $900 new, and what a bargain it was and is!

I just got me an older vintage 215 3speed for the low low price of free! I cleaned the fuel tank, and carb, replaced the siezed throttle and clutch cable, and sharpened up the blades and she's a beaut! $36.57 in parts and I'm in self propelled heaven! Great vid, thanks for the tips and tricks!

I followed your excellent instructions and found a loose piston rod bolt, bearing flange, and broken piece of piston rod rattling around inside. Once I cleared the medal log jam inside and removed the cam shaft, crank, and piston I realized everything was undamaged except for the parts above. Thanks, you saved a 30 year old Masters from the scrap heap.

Great video. Step by step from start to finish, a how to. Really enjoyed watching. Thanks

I just found this same mower for $50 from an estate sale… it was under almost an inch of dust from sitting so long but after a quick cleaning it looks like brand new. After a new pull rope, fuel line and carb cleaning, it’s going to be my last mower. Built like a tank and looks like new, it even has electric start - bad battery but that’s an easy fix. They certainly don’t build them like they use to. My 60v Greenworks has mowed for its last time since it has no suction and the cut can’t even come close to a Honda’s cut.

I like to watch videos that stay on point and actually show how relatively simple machines are. Honda mowers are beasts with an appetite! My father used his old beat-to-death HR214 with an old blade to chip smaller limbs and shrub trimmings and still mowed with it. We called that operation ‘Honda-izing’ the sticks.

That mower is so nice , very well built. Oil is so important , look what happened to this thing from simple lack of oil change maintenance

Have that very same machine, 24 years now. Only major thing I had to do was replace bottom and top crank seal. Running good no leaks.

Good job on the lawnmower it’s amazing how tough Honda engines are

I like your videos, great content. Really like what was said in the first minute. It’s built so good and with such quality materials it cannot be replaced now. Sometimes “old is gold”

I bought two of these exact mowers brand new in April 1998, for $830 each. I had to replace a bent crank on one of them in 2006, and accidentally let one of them run dry and lock up in 2019. Otherwise they are trouble free. I will never get rid of them, nor will I need to...

Good job as always!

Wow very professional video thanks!

I got this mower at an estate sale auction for $6.00 Yes $6.00 I love it. Though it is very heavy. Cuts and runs like a champ. Best purchase I ever made. It could use a new bag.. Where can I get one?

Ray, good quick video. I also got a free Honda Masters mower, exactly like yours. Mine just ran poorly, so I put a after market carb on, cleaned up everything, sanded and painted aluminum case, viola! Ran like it did 28 years ago. Even hydrostatic drive works perfect. Who needs to spend $$$ for a new one.

Now that's a real tech work

Very thorough and informative. I would never try this on my HRM215 SXA, but many parts are the same. Thanks

I have this model. I was having trouble getting it to restart when hot. Took it to the local Honda dealer. They could not fix it at all. They even put the top cover on 180* backwards. I asked the tech to show me how to pull the starter rope when opposite the deck "Step Here" position ! I eventually just parked it. After watching this video I will try to rehab it. I suspect a weak Coil is reason for hot restart problems.

Was that just some sealant you used for the head cover? Curious what parts you needed to buy as opposed to what you reused. Very helpful video!

Great video I am currently in the process of doing a restoration on one of these that was used and abused bad. I received it with one drive wheel off because the rear drive shaft was cut by a bad bearing.

Just picked up a hr215 k1 sxa she is mint

Any advice on where the timing mark on the crankshaft is? Cam shaft is obvious but not on crankshaft.

Excellent discussion but did not discuss how to ensure piston is at top dead center when adjusting valves and how to align crankshaft gear with timing gear when there is no mark on crankshaft gear. And yes, I checked for a faint crankshaft mark - it doesn't exist.

Toro's commercial 21" with Honda GXV 160 has similar features and build quality. The 2023 cast aluminum model with blade clutch retails for $2,300!

Great video!!! I love this mower... so much so, I now have 3 of the same model. All run great, but 2 have small issues like: 1st one I bought used on Craig's list, I have to manually loosen or tighten the throttle cable to stop the motor. My issue now is one other one I use seems to run at to high RPM. How do I lower the RPM? Thanks again... I'm a girl that took after her handy Dad who could fix/ build anything! I'm trying to learn more about how to maintain these awesome mowers! I've got a lot of grass to mow and love the excersize!!! Would appreciate knowing how to lower the RPM's so the one mower doesn't run me around! The left side orange rear wheel drive lever works but the wheels drive way to fast! Thanks!!!

I really liked watching this video. The engine on my hr215 masters is running great ! Glad i dont need to tear it down like you did here but with this very detailed video i think i could follow you thru it. I do have a question you might be able to answer. The self propel works. It just goes soooo slow. Do you have any ideas on either why that might be ? or what i can do to make it move faster ?

What is size of mulch plug for this mower

Thank you for this video I was just gifted one of these and I plan on restoring it as well. I was wondering though where did you guy all the gaskets and parts you needed ?

Great video except the audio might have been maybe 25% louder. One thing I’m unclear on - is the only reason you couldn’t rotate the engine before disassembly because of lack of lubrication? If you had introduced some lubrication into the top end through the spark plug hole might it have moved enough to fill the oil up, rotate and start the engine, get it warmed up and then changed the oil? I understand there was transfer of aluminum between surfaces but would the engine still have been able to run without swapping parts and the rebuild?

Do you have a video on replacing the hydrostatic trans of this exact model mower?

Could you list out the torque specs for the cylinder head/cover and bottom block cover? Thanks for the video. I have this same mower that was given to me by my grandfather. Still an amazing machine for how old it is.

Where can I get torque specs for everything. I’m going my HR214 right now. Literally torn down exactly like your video. Putting in all new seals and a set of rings

Looking for the video for oil seal replacement on HR215. I used it last year and it was great; however I hit a water meter cover and need to repair again. I can’t find the video, can you repost?

I have the exact same mower and have torn it down to replace the upper crank shaft bearing. I was hoping to see you set the timing, but that part is missing in you video. Ant help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hello. I have an identical mower and I seem to be having some issues with the carburetor. I couldn't get the mower to start until I messed with the throttle at the carburetor. I got it to run, but it runs a little rough and surges really bad at idle. Do you have any info on how to adjust that throttle assembly to get it to run smoother? Also, where did you locate parts and torque specs? Thank you

I recently acquired a HR215SMA with the electric start. I charged the battery but it just makes a buzzing noise. This one is garage kept but hasn't started since the late 90's after the owner died!! It's too big and heavy for my needs so I'll prob sell it as is to someone who knows what they're looking at. Do you think $75-$100 is unreasonable to ask? I'm sure it'll run and has compression. Anyway - really enjoyed your video & style. I wish I had more room to work on it properly.

12:12 "say hello to my little friend"

There's one in a pawn shop down the street. Deck is slightly bent in on the left. The blade bolts are loose. One of the handle adjustment bolts is seized. Pulls easy and has some compression. Should I get this as a fixer upper or is $100 too much. It kinda looks bad. Needs rear wheels. No bagger and labels are gone. Every body says they are great but to me seem heavy and awkward. What's the draw

I found the same mower on the curb, got it to turn over, but won't start. No electricity can get to the spark. no spark.

I’m trying to find the recoil for it so you know the part number

You got other sib

30:37 It's a Honda, what do you expect?