Ms_G

lol no hallucinations of yet

seems to have dissipated now though, thankfully

Ah so oil being heated/burned on exhaust is likely to produce this smell? I’ll call the dealership that did the service and double check with them too thought I’d check the hive mind here first

Hey

Just had my Honda rebel cmx500 back from its first service - I know there is an oil change for this but I can now smell acetone quite strongly? I’d this from the new oil? Hoping it will fade as it’s giving me a headache

It was a lovely, peaceful, socially distanced ride - thoroughly enjoyed it

Not sure how to get the images the right way round lol

Ok lemme see if I can manage to figure out posting pics here

I managed to do 100miles just round London on the afternoons it dried up, so think I managed to scuff them sufficiently before Sunday morning when I got VERY wet - still took it easy though and it dried out for our "Ride Out Against Racism" around London yesterday

God but riding around with loads of other bikes was awesome! Fun day out BUT must remember sunscreen when wearing an open faced helmet doh

Loads of pics on my instagram >>> @ms_mctofu if you fancy a gander of the ride out

Hey all

So I got my beautiful new bike[Honda cmx500 rebel] been out on her twice just around London in the dry weather and have done about 50miles to scuff the new tyres - I'm due to join a small ride out on Sunday but weather is looking unpredictable

How many dry miles should I get on the tyres before riding in the wet? I think I recall my dealership saying approx 100miles? that sound about right?

Ms G

Look up Tamsen Cooper on You Tube for a cracking series of guides to basic motorcycle maintenance.

Ah great, thanks!

I had forgotten how things like proper cable adjustments made a difference and would have mentioned it earlier if my fuddled brain hadn't completely overlooked it.

To be fair I think the guys have advised the op well on this thread.

Cheers

Ian

 

All advice has been most welcome so thanks all I traded in the 125 for the 500 so don't have that to practice on but as said before i'll give it a go and if I don't feel safe/comfortable doing it I wont

Someone on FB mentioned joining a local IAM group? Do you think it's wise to do advanced training right away? Or should I give myself a while on the bigger bike?

 

Personally I would give it a few months.

I wouldn't want to overload with things to think about until you have the 500 comfortably doing what you want.

Cheers

Ian

I thought as much, cheers!

Sorry @Ian Frog

What had you forgotten? What memory have I jogged?

It’s late and my brain is not working on all neurons

 

I had forgotten how things like proper cable adjustments made a difference and would have mentioned it earlier if my fuddled brain hadn't completely overlooked it.

To be fair I think the guys have advised the op well on this thread.

Cheers

Ian

All advice has been most welcome so thanks all I traded in the 125 for the 500 so don't have that to practice on but as said before i'll give it a go and if I don't feel safe/comfortable doing it I wont

Someone on FB mentioned joining a local IAM group? Do you think it's wise to do advanced training right away? Or should I give myself a while on the bigger bike?

If he's a fairly new rider and he's on a brand new 0 miles bike I don't think he should be doing clutchless shifting.

 

Why??

Did you actually take the time read the OP?

Um yes, I mean 3 years aint a lifetime of riding but I have been on my geared 125 almost everyday in London so not completely unconfident on the gears - I'll give the clutchless shifting a go and if it doesn't feel comfortable or safe, I'll just not do it but I do really appreciate all tips from more experienced riders, that's what I'm here for

Also definitely not a dude lol [for the other poster]

I wonder if @Ms_G is in fact not a him?

Question for the others is it better to clutchless change then? None of you have told me this before?!

Definitely not a dude And thanks for noticing lol

Aaaah ok, I always thought full grab was needed with each gear change hence why aching hand/wrist huh? lol

I do recall once sat in neutral at lights [these ones I knew took ages to change] and accidentally tapped my left foot down on gear lever and it popped in to first and stalled - shit myself

I didn't know the gears would go up without the clutch, so will give it a go - thanks for advice

 

You’re welcome.

You’ll be a whizz at clutch less gear changing in no time.

You can actually change down the gear box without the clutch, but it’s a hell of a lot trickier as the engine is under load. You are more likely to do damage to the box, so leave going down alone. Unless one day you own a bike with a quick shifter.

A lot of sports bikes are getting these added as standard nowadays. Maybe it will filter down to all bikes one day?

Let us know how you get on.

I'll definitely give it a go

Congratulations on your new bike.

I’m not going to give you any advise on bike maintenance as it looks like you’ve been given enough to make your head spin.

I noticed you mentioned about your left hand getting a workout on your 125.

The bit of advise I want to give is to learn how to change up through the gears without using the clutch.

From a stand still. Move off normally and then apply pressure to the gear lever. When it’s time to change to second gear, roll off the throttle enough to take the load off the engine and the gear will snick up. Apply throttle as normal.

Rinse and repeat each time you want to move up the box.

This saves your hand/arm from a lot of stress especially in town.

It will not damage your clutch or gear box.

Happy riding.

Aaaah ok, I always thought full grab was needed with each gear change hence why aching hand/wrist huh? lol

I do recall once sat in neutral at lights [these ones I knew took ages to change] and accidentally tapped my left foot down on gear lever and it popped in to first and stalled - shit myself

I didn't know the gears would go up without the clutch, so will give it a go - thanks for advice

thanks all regarding the valve clearances issue / will speak to the dealership

STAY AWAY FROM WD40

WD40 is corrosive and will destroy the o-rings in the chain.

 

NO NO NO!

She said WD40 chain lube! not the original WD40

This stuff which is perfectly safe to use

2459A6DD-1AE0-4E06-9267-6D54046DFF93-large.jpg

Yes that’s what I have

I was in a similar position recently and I found the Haynes manual helpful. It gives a Maintainance schedule, explains about how to do it and also how hard it is. Cannot recommend it enough.

Although caution, I started with curiosity and then have now, with a lot of help from here, currently have the brakes off and the carbs and have changed the stator and reg/rec

Lol I think if I had a garage a certain amount of tinkering might happen as I’m quite a mechanically minded person (sculptor) but given it would be trying to do stuff on the street I’ll likely leave it to the professionals

STAY AWAY FROM WD40

WD40 is corrosive and will destroy the o-rings in the chain.

dry silicone lub is the best, even better for bikes left outside and more subject to moisture. It will keep water at bay for longer and will protect the rings.

This is one of the best

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/346257

You will find a link in the forum to sportsbikeshop that will help the website so you should use it.

TMPS stands for Tyre Pressure Monitoring System

I bought one from China and it works perfectly (you can see a photo of it in my thread for tank cover)

It's very easy to install and works really well.

https://www.dhgate.com/product/m3-tire-pressure-monitoring-system-tpms-wireless/510396113.html?d1_page_num=1&dspm=pcen.sp.list.19.VLElqfkMG9iMTDhNrlJl&resource_id=510396113#s1-15-1;searl|3624277386:19

Thank you so much, will check those out

Nice one. Good choice with the Honda Read through the owners manual. That will have the maintenance procedure in it. If it's brand new follow the break in procedure, it should also be in the owners manual. If you want to do your own maintenance read the workshop manual. That will have all the info you need. Luckily someone has put it up https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f_MYojSW9JdmVXzdx5xzXzLyKLkwIa6X/view

amazing, thank you!

Congratulations. The Rebel is a nice bike and very capable. Honda build quality isn't quite what it used to be so consider investing in some ACF50 and spraying around the frame and parts where you are less likely to able to reach. I looked at those a while back and noticed some fine spider web corrosion markings around the head stock and frame bits where damp can sit.

Otherwise it's tyres, oil level, chain, lights as the most frequent checks. Then stick to routine servicing as per the manual. Personally I change the oil more frequently because I'm old school and don't believe in extended oil changes. The oil still lubricates but it loses it's detergents over time and that's what keep the engine internals clean.

If it's a new bike check the valve clearance service, I seem to remember those need them checking very early on and it's expensive. Most new buyers haggle to get that included for free.

Yeah I'm excited to get my rebel They are adding a ceramic coating for me, will this help re rust/damp? I've never changed oil myself but I suspect I can check the manual or youtube right?

Re valve clearance, what is that exactly? Should I check this with the dealership in advance?

The bit of maintenance you will need to do more frequently will be keeping the chain lubricated.

When I had my VFR I used a dry silicone chain lub and it's great.

Regular tyre pressure check unless you get a TPMS is important too.

keeping an eye on the engine oil at intervals of say 2 to 3 weeks is not a bad habit either.

Honda are well known for being robust machines so won't require a great deal of attention.

Ah thanks So avoid WD40 chain lube then? That's what I was using on my CB125f - also what is TPMS?

Hey lovely bikers

I'm back on the forum after a few years of riding a moped[i once posted that I had only been on it a month and 2 bams tried to steal it off me at a set of lights], then geared 125 for a year and since passing my full test in Feb have been itching to get a bigger more comfy bike.

My new bike arrives Tuesday [Honda cmx 500 rebel - yes I know it's not everyones favourite] and other than what I had been doing with my Honda cbf125 [keeping tyre pressure right, getting the requisite services, lubing my chain every 2 weeks] is there anything else I need to consider for keeping it well maintained?

I live in London, have no other option but to park it on the street, have like 7 locks for it and a very good quality Stormex cover and will be parking it away from the busier bits of my road [though still visible]

I'm bloody excited to be on something that won't kill my left hand/wrist from near constant gear changing and being able to go over 50mph without my engine sounding like a distressed lawnmower

Also looking forward to more ride outs and a wee visit to the Ace cafe when The RONA buggers off properly or we are at least allowed to socialise again

Ms_G

PS dream bike is a ducati scrambler[cafe racer] or triumph bonneville but I neither have the funds for that or the nerve to park it on london streets!!!