Honda · Honda early OHC twin (Dream, Benly, CB72/77, CB160 1957-1969)

CB160 / CL160 / CB125 / CB100

Library entry covers 1964-1975

28 factory 41 guideline

Published source

Honda 125 Modell CB125 Betriebsanleitung (German owner's manual), Kundendienstplan pp.31-32

Factory owner's handbook. Covers CB125 (German-market owner's manual, undated).

Open the source

69 items for a 1975 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: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Wet sump (oil in crankcase)
Oil filtration: Centrifugal (slinger / rotor) filter
Valve gear: Overhead cam, screw/locknut adjusters
Ignition: Battery and coil with contact points
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Two or more carburetors
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1975 Honda CB160 / CL160 / CB125 / CB100

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

2 items

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 600 mi

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 3,107 mi or 6 months

2 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Lichtanlage und Signalhorn pruefen (lights, horn). Factory: Chart p.32: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Alle Schrauben u. Muttern nachziehen (all fasteners). Factory: Chart p.32: first at 500 km, then every 6 months or 5,000 km

Every 932 mi

2 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Motoroel wechseln (change engine oil). Factory: Chart p.31: first at 500 km, then every 1,500 km
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Batteriesaeurestand pruefen (battery electrolyte). Factory: Chart p.32: first at 500 km, then every 1,500 km

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

1 item

Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline

Every 1,500 mi or 6 months

1 item

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.

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

9 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Guideline

Often done with every oil change on old machines.
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case

Final drive

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

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
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,107 mi or 6 months

18 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Ventilspiel pruefen (valve clearance). Factory: Chart p.31: first at 500 km, then every 6 months or 5,000 km
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Zuendkerzen reinigen, einstellen (spark plugs). Factory: Chart p.31: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Vergaser Betaetigung pruefen (carburetor controls). Factory: Chart p.31: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Vergaser pruefen, einstellen (carburetor). Factory: Chart p.31: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Kraftstoffhahnsieb reinigen (fuel tap screen). Factory: Chart p.31: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Kraftstofftank u. Leitungen pruefen (tank and lines). Factory: Chart p.31: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Zuendzeitpunkt pruefen (ignition timing). Factory: Chart p.31: first at 500 km, then every 6 months or 5,000 km
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Unterbrecherkontakte pruefen (contact points). Factory: Chart p.31: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Kupplung pruefen u. einstellen (clutch). Factory: Chart p.31: first at 500 km, then every 6 months or 5,000 km
Kupplungsausruecklager abschmieren (grease clutch release)

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: Chart p.32: first at 500 km, then every 6 months or 5,000 km
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Antriebskette u. Kettenraeder pruefen, schmieren (chain, sprockets). Factory: Chart p.31: first at 500 km, then every 6 months or 5,000 km
Steuerkette einstellen (adjust cam chain)

Final drive

Factory

Factory: Chart p.31: first at 500 km, then every 6 months or 5,000 km
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Staenderfedern pruefen (stand springs). Factory: Chart p.32: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Adjust front drum brake

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Vorder- u. Hinterradbremse einstellen (adjust brakes). Factory: Chart p.32: first at 500 km, then every 6 months or 5,000 km
Bremsbetaetigungen pruefen (brake linkages)

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Chart p.32: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Felgen u. Speichen pruefen (rims, spokes). Factory: Chart p.32: first at 500 km, then every 6 months or 5,000 km
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Reifen pruefen (tires). Factory: Chart p.32: every 6 months or 5,000 km
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Geschwindigkeits- u. Drehzahlmesser pruefen (instruments). Factory: Chart p.32: every 6 months or 5,000 km

Every 3,107 mi or 12 months

1 item

Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Luftfilter reinigen (clean air filter). Factory: Chart p.31: at 6 months/5,000 km, then repeat every 12 months

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Guideline

Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

3 items

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

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 6,214 mi or 12 months

5 items

Clean centrifugal oil filter (rotor / slinger)

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oelfilter reinigen (clean oil filter). Factory: Chart p.31: at 12 months/10,000 km, then every 12 months
Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Luftfilter auswechseln (replace air filter). Factory: Chart p.31: at 12 months/10,000 km, then every 12 months
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Vorderradgabeloel wechseln (change fork oil). Factory: Chart p.32: every 12 months or 10,000 km; check level likewise
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steuerkopflager pruefen (steering head bearings). Factory: Chart p.32: first at 500 km, then every 12 months or 10,000 km
Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Bremsbelaege pruefen (brake linings). Factory: Chart p.32: every 12 months or 10,000 km

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

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 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

2 items

Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

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

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.