Honda · Honda SOHC four (CB350F-CB750 1969-1978)

CB500 / CB550 Four

Library entry covers 1971-1978

34 factory 38 guideline

Published source

Honda Shop Manual CB500 Four (factory), Section 8 Periodical Maintenance

Factory workshop manual. Covers 1971-1973 (CB500 Four shop manual).

Open the source

72 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: Replaceable cartridge or spin-on 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: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1975 Honda CB500 / CB550 Four

On the road: every 300 km

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 500 km

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 800 km

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 1,600 km

1 item

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

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 5,000 km or 6 months

2 items

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Service and adjust final drive chain. Factory: Chart p.114: initial 600 mi, then every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Check lights, switches and horn. Factory: Chart p.114: every 6 mo/3,000 mi

Every 2,500 km 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 3,000 km or 12 months

1 item

Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline

Every 3,000 km

1 item

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Factory: Chart p.113: initial 600 mi, then every 2,000 mi (3,000 km)

Every 5,000 km or 6 months

22 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Adjust valve tappet clearances. Factory: Chart p.113: initial 600 mi, then every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Service spark plugs. Factory: Chart p.113: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Check throttle valve operation. Factory: Chart p.113: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Service air cleaner. Factory: Chart p.113: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Clean fuel valve strainer. Factory: Chart p.113: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Check fuel tank and fuel lines. Factory: Chart p.113: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Adjust carburetors. Factory: Chart p.113: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Adjust ignition timing. Factory: Chart p.113: initial 600 mi, then every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Service battery. Factory: Chart p.113: initial 600 mi, then every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Service contact breaker points. Factory: Chart p.113: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Adjust clutch. Factory: Chart p.113: initial 600 mi, then every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Adjust cam chain

Final drive

Factory

Factory: Chart p.113: initial 600 mi, then every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Check side stand. Factory: Chart p.114: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Grease rear fork. Factory: Chart p.114: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Check frame. Factory: Chart p.114: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Check rear suspension mounting bolts. Factory: Chart p.114: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Check and adjust brake pedal. Factory: Chart p.114: initial 600 mi, then every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Check brake fluid level

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Chart p.114: initial 600 mi, then every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Check front brake caliper and pad linings. Factory: Chart p.114: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Check front and rear wheel spokes. Factory: Chart p.114: initial 600 mi, then every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Check front and rear tires. Factory: Chart p.114: every 6 mo/3,000 mi
Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Factory

Manual: Check speedometer and tachometer. Factory: Chart p.114: every 6 mo/3,000 mi

Every 5,000 km or 12 months

7 items

Adjust cam chain tensioner

Engine

Guideline
Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

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

Every 6,000 km

1 item

Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Change oil filter element. Factory: Chart p.113 and text p.14: every 4,000 mi (6,000 km)

Every 6,500 km or 12 months

2 items

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 8,000 km 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 9,500 km or 12 months

4 items

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
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

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

Every 9,500 km or 2 years

2 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 10,000 km or 12 months

7 items

Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Check ignition primary and secondary cables. Factory: Chart p.113: 12 and 24 mo columns
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Check final drive and driven sprockets. Factory: Chart p.114: 12 and 24 mo columns
Change fork oil

Front end

Factory

Manual: Change front fork oil. Factory: Chart p.114: 12 and 24 mo columns
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Check steering head bearings. Factory: Chart p.114: 12 and 24 mo columns
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Check front brake lines. Factory: Chart p.114: 12 and 24 mo; text: hose severely inspected at 24 mo
Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Check rear brake shoe linings. Factory: Chart p.114: 12 and 24 mo columns
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Check wheels, bearings and axles. Factory: Chart p.114: 12 and 24 mo columns

Every 16,000 km or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 16,000 km

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 19,500 km or 2 years

1 item

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Guideline

Every 19,500 km or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 20,000 km or 2 years

1 item

Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Factory

Manual: Clean oil screen filter. Factory: Chart p.113: 24 mo/12,000 mi column only

Every 24,000 km or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 32,000 km 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 40,000 km or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 48,500 km 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 2 years

1 item

Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4 years

2 items

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.
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

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.