Service tips on CB1100

[Cormanus]

Nice work, Ferret. I've also found fluid in the upper drain pipe on a couple of occasions.

[Wisedrum]

I share the same maintenance philosophy as Ferret does.
My Honda has nearly reached 23.000km and I either did not have
the valve checked until yet, nor do I have the sparks changed.

The Honda shows all parameters, that Ferret mentioned in an earlier
post. It runs pretty well, even, smooth and so on since I bought it.
So I don't see a reason to work on a good running system.
But I have one point, that keeps my mind somehow busy, what if the outlet valves
become too tight? Will they "burn down the house"?

But then I start riding again and the CB convinces me with its nothing disturbing charm,
that reliably tells the story, everything seems to be okay.
So I ride on 'til the story takes a (dramatic) change. As Ferret does.

Wisedrum

[curlyjoe_imp]

Thanks a bunch ferret! It's hard to beat good common sense when it comes to maintenance.

[tomas_imp]

Thanks Ferret,
I do believe you have a handle on your maintenance up keep. I was just wondering if a air cooled inline 4, EPA regulated engine would need more vigilant valve checks.

[the Ferret]

tomas.. Wish I could tell you with any certainty. It would certainly ease my mind lol

[Django]

When mother Honda says, please check the valves after a certain time, I do check the values.

Just checking is no big deal anyway and I can sleep well. Take tank off, take cover off and measure - done.

[the Ferret]

Django just curious... do you do everything by the book when mother Honda says? Change brake and clutch fluid (every 12,000mi/19.2km), inspect air filter? (every 12000 mi/19.2km), inspect spark plugs? (every 4,000 mi/6.4km), replace spark plugs?(every 8,000 mi 12.8 km) inspect steering head bearings every (8,000 mi/12.8km) use new brake caliper bolts when replacing brake pads? etc

[Django]

Well, Honda seems to put more past the European riders.

At least service plan in the German Honda service manual is different from your talk (page 3-5, I could scan it for you if you want).

It says:

- service every 12,000 km (7,500 mi),
- spark plugs, inspect every 12,000 km, replace every 24,000 km

That makes totally sense to me, looking at the plugs after 12,000 km tells me a lot about combustion (fuel/oxygen ratio), after 24,000 km they are usually done.

- brake and clutch fluid, inspect every 12,000 km, replace every 2 years

That's what I would have expected. Hydraulic fluid is hygroscopic and draws water by time. That is a risk as it may boil at breaking and cause gas bubbles in the break fluid. So it should be replaced after 2 years.

- air filter is to inspect every 12,000 km. Just use a blast to clean it from collected dust,

- inspect steering head bearings every 12,000 km. You don't have to dismount anything to check it. You turn and rock the front fork, while front wheel is lifted by put down the bike at the back and you can feel it. The bearing at my beemer was weared out after about 70,000 km.

Concerning the valve clearance, I think there is low chance, that it's out of spec, but high impact, if it's too narrow. So better save than sorry. And just checking is not a big deal. Fixing it is expensive, as then the cam shaft has to be removed.

- use new brake caliper bolts when replacing brake pads?

Ups, now you got me.

[the Ferret]

And you, yourself do all that service on time and by mileageas suggested?

Wonder why your spark plugs would be good for 24,000 kms (7500 miles) and mine would only be good for approx 1/2 of that (8000 mi)?

Isn't spark, spark? Aren't our electronics the same?

And they tell you to inspect your air filter at 7500 miles and they tell me inspect mine every 12,000 miles

Would my air cleaner in the USA midwest, require the same intervals as one in the dusty USA desert southwest?

Can the service requirements for this bike really be that much different from country to country?

How about brake fluid in the hot arid desert southwest, vs here int e midwest where it rarely gets over 90?

I think service recommendations are more guidelines, than cast in stone you have to do this right now kinda things.But that's just me.

[Django]

I think, it's always a good idea to use common sense, instead of blindly obeying the rules.

However, I hope, there is not only some high quality in Honda's bikes, but also in Honda's service instructions.