Small Outboard Motor - advice sought

Have never owned a small Honda but have had other small ones in the past and one of them (?johnson) had a screw at the top of the column to adjust the 'stiffness'. It was designed to allow the steering to stay in a position without having to hold it, ideal for trolling when fishing.

On some outboards there is a screw or knob that is used to adjust the stiffness of the steering, by tightening or loosening it you can adjust the "looseness".
There is also usually a grease nipple to lube the pivot as well.

On a Honda between the transom and the bottom of the engine at the front, there is a flat leaver that swings left or right, this will increase or decrease the tension of the tiller.

I've checked the owner's manual and all I can see is instruction to grease the swivel case, which I presume they've done with the service. Other than that there's only the Steering Friction Bolt which you say you've already loosened. Maybe there's some corrosion in the shaft, in which case take a couple of days of slowly swivelling the joint and it might loosen up as the lubricant makes its way through. Though if that is the case, I'd get it taken apart for further maintenance. Other than that, maybe it has had some transport damage? Sorry, I've never taken mine apart, can't help with removing the shaft. Hope it works out.

Cheers,

Mark

G'day jd
Check out this web site.

http://marine.honda.com/owners

You can download complete manual.

Cheers,
Barry