Home
Repair And RestorationCB500X Major Service
What Parts Do I Need
By Ren Withnell
Let me see, what parts do I need for this service?
| Fuel Line |
Inspection, when tank removed for tappets |
| Fuel Level |
Inspection, think I can manage to check the fuel level |
| Throttle Operation |
Inspection, when rebuilding after checking tappets |
| Air Cleaner |
Replace at 16k, easy it's in front of the battery |
| Crankcase Breather |
Clean, this is what I'd normally call the airbox drain |
| Spark Plugs |
Replace at 16k, do this at the same time as the tappets |
| Valve Clearance |
Inspection (reshim if required) at 16k, oh heck deep into the engine |
| Engine Oil |
Replace |
| Engine Oil Filter |
Replace at 16k |
| Engine Idle Speed |
Inspection, is this even adjustable on this fuel injection model? |
| Radiator Coolant |
Inspection (Replace every 3 years), so not due yet |
| Cooling System |
Inspection |
| Secondary Air Supply System |
Inspection at 16k, I believe this is the environmental stuff |
| Drive Chain |
Inspection every 600 miles, I usually do this daily |
| Drive Chain Slider |
Inspection, never checked one but there's a guide in the owner's manual |
| Brake Fluid |
Inspection (Replace every 2 years), check the levels, doesn't need changing yet |
| Brake Pads Wear |
Inspection |
| Brakelight Switch |
Inspection |
| Headlamp Aim |
Inspection |
| Clutch System |
Inspection |
| Side Stand |
Inspection |
| Suspension |
Inspection |
| Nuts Bolts Fasteners |
Inspection |
| Wheels/Tyres |
Inspection |
| Steering Head Bearings |
Inspection |
So - as most things seem to be an inspection the only parts I need to purchase it seems are...
- Air Cleaner or Air Filter to normal folks
- Spark Plugs
- I may need some shims but I will not know which shims until I'm inside the engine and check
- Engine Oil
- Engine Oil Filter
It's the real deal, it says "GENUINE PARTS" on the box.
I could simply order these things online and save myself some money. But. But as I wish to do my best to keep my warranty I have decided to purchase all the parts from my genuine Honda dealer and get genuine Honda parts.
Oil Filter
£10.49 plus VAT makes £12.59. I could get a HIFLO filter off Ebay for £5.50 but it's not genuine Honda is it.
Air Filter
£29.39 plus VAT makes £36.27. M&P list one on ebay that *looks* the same for £19 but it's not genuine Honda is it.
Spark Plugs
£12.24 plus VAT makes £14.69. These are standard NGK CPR8EA-9 plugs in little red Honda boxes rather than the usual NGK ones. Hmmmm. Standard price on Ebay is around £7 so this item seems to be typically priced.
Engine Oil
Here we go again. Within my owner's manual it clearly states the oil should be - ahem
JASO T 903 MA
SAE 10W-30
SG or higher
I deliberately ask for "some oil as well" rather than asking for 10W-30 specifically, I'm curious to see what they recommend. I am directed to Motul's 10W-40. I point out that the manual asks for 10W-30, they do have this I can see it on the shelf. Without recalling the whole conversation basically I'm told "10W-40 is what we use and recommend, you can use 10W-30 if you like but..." This is another shining example of Honda dealers NOT following Honda's own specifications.
10W-30 mate, not 10W-40. I wonder if it'll make any difference at all.
I get the 10W-30 for £35.99. Ouch! But the price is comparable to online prices so I guess that's how much proper motorcycle oil costs.
So now I have the parts. I guess I should make a start huh.
Have you got a servicing story to share? We'd lile to publish here at Bikes And Travels. 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
Borsuk said :-
10W-40 just means it can handle a higher ambient temp at startup. So you would be ok for Spain in summer.
Just like 5W-30 means lower temperature for winter starting. As long as the range set in the manual is covered by the range of the oil then you are good to
On Ebay, from Westway Lubricants. 5L for 18.99 inc postage.
5L Semi Synthetic 10W/40 Motorcycle Oil 4 Stroke JASO MA2, API:SJ
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5L-Semi-Synthetic-10W-40-10W40-Motorcycle-Oil-4-Stroke-JASO-MA2-10W-40-/111602285839?epid=1256638931&hash=item19fc03bd0f:g:e1EAAOSw5dNWj6ut
Bought a load of oil for my cars and bikes from them recently as the cost in Spain is more than you paid for yours.
06/09/2017 14:19:47 UTC
CrazyFrog said :-
You missed the tea bags from your parts list Ren. This could be a catastrophic oversight...
07/09/2017 12:52:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
TEA BAGS!!! Dammit CrazyFrog yes of course. Thanks, I shall be sure to include these.
Borsuk.
At startup 10W-40 and 10W-30 are the same thickness (roughly speaking). They both start at "10W". When the oil warms up to running temp (roughly speaking) the "-30" will be thinner than the "-40".
My manual does not specify a range, it only specifies 10W-30. I do actually understand that the 10W-40 will be likely be fine, buuuuuuuut, if the Honda manual said I should fill my engine with sand from Southport beach despite my reservations that is what I'd expect a Honda dealer to do, and not use sand from Blackpool either! I had the same problem with the coolant, I'll add the link.
bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=984...
07/09/2017 14:34:12 UTC
said :-
25/09/2017 09:06:05 UTC
Pocketpete said :-
Gosh week you paid a lot for that oil. My castrol top of the range stuff was only £ 33.59 at halfords for 4 litres.
26/09/2017 08:41:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
I paid the little extra for the privilege of having a Honda receipt from my Honda dealers with genuine Honda parts. I'll have a look for that Castrol next time I'm in Halfords.
26/09/2017 09:34:09 UTC
Andy said :-
Do you have the supplier and part number for the shim kit....I would like a full set for the future rather than get them from Honda...It looks like hotcams have been used but I would like some guidance.
15/10/2020 09:43:33 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Hi Andy. Hotcams is the obvious choice because, well, I'm not aware of anyone else doing a shim kit. In the first instance I took my measurements then ordered the shims from Ebay. I now have a hotcams shim kit courtesy of Pocketpete.
Even with the shim kit, lets say the kit comes with 3 of each size it is possible, with 8 valves, that you need more of a particular size! As such just because you have a vast array of shims it's not beyond the realms of possibility you won't need more, unless you're going to spend a fortune on 8 (or however many valves your bike has) for each and every size.
It's your choice but... I'd plan to have the bike off the road for a week. A day to get down to the shims (more if this is your first time and you wish to be careful and take your time). When you have your measurements I'd order the shims and to be honest if you can afford it, a size up and a size down too because, well, things never go quite to plan. Wait for the shims to be delivered. Then install, check and rebuild will be another day.
Unless you're running a bike shop having a good range of shims can be an expensive investment leading to a collection of shims, 95% of which you'll never use. I'd like to say your bike will most like be in the "285 to 310" range but that's just shooting in the air.
15/10/2020 10:57:52 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Of course you may find that you can reuse some of the shims in other places. If you have a digital caliper or micrometer you can measure what you've got to confirm thicknesses.
15/10/2020 11:41:37 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Most of the time the shims you remove will have had the size markings worn off, so you need a micrometer to see which size you've just removed.
15/10/2020 11:47:44 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
I think I said that......
A cheap digital caliper used carefully will be good enough.
15/10/2020 13:55:18 UTC
Upt'North said :-
I find you have to shout a bit with our Ed, Ian. His hearing isn't what it used to be. I say his hearing isn't.....
Upt'North.
15/10/2020 16:35:52 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Eh...what? Can't hear ya because of all the people criticising me.
15/10/2020 20:05:30 UTC
Name
Comment
Add a RELEVANT link (not required)
Upload an image (not required) -
Uploading...
Home
Repair And RestorationCB500X Major Service