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Repair And RestorationCB500X Major Service
Change The Air Filter (Cleaner)
By Ren Withnell
This one should be quite easy too. I am not going to describe how to do it, if you need to know this gentleman's video is perfectly descriptive.
Taking the battery out is easy enough. What surprises me is the peculiar shape of the battery. They're normally...erm...er...battery shaped? They're normally taller than they are deep but this is almost square at the ends. Oh I'm not describing this very well, just look at the picture
It sits on its back and is square at the ends. What an odd battery.
Getting the screws out from the airbox cover is fiddly. Best to grab all your Phillips and Posidrive screwdrivers and bits and play around to find the best fit for each corner. The screws ought not to be tight and when you put them back in they only need a gentle nip up, don't go getting all macho with them.
Fiddly but perfectly do-able with patience.
Swapping the filter is easy and this being a genuine filter everything fits snugly. Apparently K&N do a filter for the 500 but it wouldn't be genuine Honda then would it. Warranty, I might look at the K&N filter when the warranty's out but only if it's a washable one.
The air filter is actually attached to the air box cover. Quite neat actually.
While the battery is out it's worth giving the battery tray and the little peculiar rubber mat a clean. I'm looking for broken bits, rubbing wires and loose nuts or bolts but everything seems ship shape. Replace the battery and put the seat on.
While this didn't take long I'm surprised to find my speedo still retains the trip mileage and average fuel consumption. The clock also seems to be there...but later that day I notice it's about a half hour late. I find it incomprehensible that a digital clock stops rather than resets...I'll need to check this again sometime in the future.
Another job done.
This is the last thing the doomed air sees as it enters into the fiery despair of the motor.
Have you got your own service guide for you own motorcycle? Would you care to share it here so it can be of use to other owners? ren@bikesandtravels.com
Why And How
Ren is explaining (or justifying) why and how he's going to (attempt) to service the 500X himself. I see trouble ahead.
What Parts Do I Need
Fearful for his wallet Ren takes the plunge and purchases genuine Honda parts from a genuine Honda shop. Brave fool
Change The Oil And Filter
It's the first and probably one of the most important jobs of the service. Luckily it's quite simple too - change the oil and filter.
Change The Air Filter (Cleaner)
Ren's changed the air filter this time, or as Honda like to call it - the air cleaner. Luckily this one's not rocket science either.
Tappets, Shims And Plugs
It's the big job, the tough task, the one Ren's been dreading. It's time to take the top off the CB500X and do the tappets and plugs. Wish him luck, he'll need it.
The Other Service Items
Just like painting a room it's the fiddly little tasks that are often neglected. In the interest of being thorough (for once) Ren goes through the oft forgotten service items on the CB500X
Reader's Comments
Ian Soady said :-
That battery does look odd. Are you sure you have it right? If it's a conventional wet or even AGM model, the plates will be in the section to the left in your picture. The portion between the terminals (to the right) is normally fitted upwards.
If it's a gel battery then that's probably OK but otherwise I would be a bit concerned about mounting it on its side as the plates may not be covered by the electrolyte. I've used gel batteries intended for burglar alarms, which can be mounted in any orientation, for years in my "classics" but they don't have to drive starter motors, ignition etc.
11/09/2017 10:14:41 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Oh, and I'm sure we've covered this before, but never use pozidrive drivers in Philips (or more correctly JIS) screws as used in Japanese bikes. Pozidrive have little ridges that engage in slots in the screw heads. These make the screwdriver ride out of Philips / JIS heads. It's generally OK the first time but the slots get degraded over time and then nothing will fit properly.
11/09/2017 10:17:59 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Ian - it is indeed a gel acid battery and to all intents and purpose it is lying on it's back. This is the orientation that it was fitted at the factory and having checked around this is how it is meant to be fitted. Odd, most odd. The "top" where the cells would have been filled are on the "side"
You're quite correct regarding the pozi and phillips (jis).
11/09/2017 17:45:14 UTC
Pocketpete said :-
You know I think I might be able to change my air filter doesn't look to scary. Does your old filter look like it needed changing.
Is it covered in muck dust or fluff. Or does you think it's honda overkill
12/09/2017 08:18:51 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
I think that air filters in the UK don't need changing anywhere near as often as recommended as with our generally moist air there's little dust about. At least for road bikes.
A quick blow through is all that is usually needed (if that).
12/09/2017 09:02:51 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
My air filter has 16k miles on it and while it's a bit dirty if it weren't for the warranty I'd have left it a bit longer. Ian's right, I can't recall the last time I changed the one on my 125.
12/09/2017 11:20:14 UTC
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Repair And RestorationCB500X Major Service