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Cobra · Two-stroke single, premix, chain drive

CX50

Library entry covers 2009-2025

17 factory 51 guideline

Published source

Cobra Motorcycles 2021 CX50 FWE Manual, Maintenance Schedule pp.10-11

Factory owner's handbook. Covers Cobra 2021 CX50 FWE (King) owner's manual; maker also publishes JR, SR and P3 manuals.

68 items for a 2020 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)
Engine cycle
Two-stroke
Engine lubrication
Two-stroke premix (oil in fuel)
Oil filtration
None (no filter)
Valve gear
None (two-stroke porting)
Ignition
Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging
Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery
Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system
Single carburetor
Cooling
Liquid cooled
Primary drive
Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil
Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control
Automatic or semi-automatic
Final drive
Chain
Front suspension
Telescopic fork
Rear suspension
Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake
Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake
Disc, hydraulic
Wheels
Spoked, tubed
Sidecar
No sidecar
Maintenance schedule

2020 Cobra CX50

On the road: every 150 mi

1 item
  • Check two-stroke oil tank / carry premix oil
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Running a two-stroke out of oil seizes it. Injection bikes: check the tank. Premix: carry oil and a measure.

On the road: every 300 mi

3 items
  • Check lights, horn, brake light switches
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Check tire pressures
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline
  • Lubricate drive chain
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

    Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item
  • Check coolant level
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item
  • Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment
    Pre-ride / on the road
    Guideline

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

1 item
  • Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item
  • Replace spark plugs (two-stroke)
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

12 items
  • Check throttle cable(s) free play and return
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Adjust automatic / semi-automatic clutch
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline
  • Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)
    Final drive
    Guideline

    Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.

  • Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)
    Final drive
    Guideline
  • Check steering head bearing adjustment
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots
    Front end
    Guideline
  • Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Grease and check center / side stand and springs
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Check brake pads and discs
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Check spoke tension and wheel true
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Check wheel bearings for play
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 2 years

1 item
  • Decarbonize exhaust ports, pipes and baffles
    Engine
    Guideline

    Two-strokes coke up the exhaust port and muffler baffles; power falls off gradually.

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item
  • Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

8 items
  • Inspect coolant hoses and clamps
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Clean / inspect air filter
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Mesh or oiled foam: clean and re-oil. Paper: blow out or replace. Some very early machines have no filter at all.

  • Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.

  • Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Check swingarm bushes for play
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Lubricate control cables and lever pivots
    Controls and cables
    Guideline
  • Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive
    Controls and cables
    Guideline

    A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

2 items
  • Compression test (or leak-down)
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Change gearbox oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

2 items
  • Replace air filter element
    Fuel and air
    Guideline
  • Grease swingarm pivot
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 3 years

1 item
  • Change fork oil
    Front end
    Guideline

    Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.

Every 16,000 mi or 4 years

1 item
  • Replace spark plugs
    Engine
    Guideline

Every 18,000 mi

1 item
  • Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)
    Final drive
    Guideline

Every 20,000 mi or 4 years

2 items
  • Repack / replace steering head bearings
    Front end
    Guideline

    Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.

  • Repack / replace wheel bearings
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

    Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item
  • Replace swingarm bushes / bearings
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item
  • Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs
    Front end
    Guideline

Every 2 h

2 items
  • Check the CFD torque
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: Every 2 hours of operation; also inspect CFD slip torque after the 2nd and 6th rides

  • Replace the transmission oil
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Factory: Every 2 hours of operation (300 cc Cobra clutch milk)

Every 10 h

2 items
  • Replace the fork oil
    Front end
    Factory

    Factory: Every 10 hours of operation

  • Shock oil replaced by a certified Cobra mechanic
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Factory: Every 10 hours of operation

Every 6 months

1 item
  • Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline

Every 2 years

4 items
  • Replace coolant
    Engine
    Guideline
  • Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points
    Ignition and electrics
    Guideline
  • Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks
    Rear suspension and frame
    Guideline
  • Replace brake fluid
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 4 years

3 items
  • Replace fuel lines
    Fuel and air
    Guideline

    Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

  • Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber
    Brakes
    Guideline
  • Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)
    Brakes
    Guideline

Every 6 years

2 items
  • Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline
  • Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)
    Wheels and tires
    Guideline

No interval set

13 items
  • All nuts and bolts for proper torque
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Spray all moving parts with WD40 or other light oil
    Engine
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Check the air filter (clean and re-oil as necessary)
    Fuel and air
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Ignition stator and rotor clean and dry
    Ignition and electrics
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Clutch engagement (before and after each ride)
    Primary and gearbox
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Drive chain lubrication
    Final drive
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Drive chain tension (adjust if necessary)
    Final drive
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Equalize fork pressure with atmosphere (bleed screw)
    Front end
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Frame for cracks
    Rear suspension and frame
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Rims, spokes and hub for signs of stress
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Tire pressures (adjust if necessary)
    Wheels and tires
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Throttle cable frayed strands inside the housing (replace if necessary)
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

  • Throttle cable smooth operation (throttle snaps shut)
    Controls and cables
    Factory

    Factory: Prior to each ride

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.

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Other 2020 Cobra models

All 2020 Cobra
2009-2025
CX65
Factory