Honda · Modern chain-drive motorcycle (2000-)

CL500

Library entry covers 2023

27 factory 34 guideline

Published source

Honda CL500A Owner's Manual 32MLPB10 (English), Maintenance Schedule pp.51-52 (ED type) and pp.53-54 (TH type)

Factory owner's handbook. Covers CL500A; 2025 EU owner's manual 32MLPB10; values from the ED type table (manual also prints a separate TH type table on a 6000 km grid, noted per item).

Open the source

61 items for a 2023 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, shim adjusted (incl. desmo)
Ignition: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
Charging: Alternator / stator with rectifier
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Fuel injection
Cooling: Liquid 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: Disc, hydraulic
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

2023 Honda CL500

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 lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item

Check coolant level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 600 mi

2 items

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Drive chain (inspect and lubricate). Factory: Every 1000 km (600 mi): inspect and lubricate (both tables); also pre-ride check

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

5 items

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
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 4,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

5 items

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.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

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 8,000 mi or 12 months

15 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil (replace). Factory: ED: replace at 1000 km initial, then every 12000 km (12000-48000 km); annual replace; also pre-ride check. TH: replace at 1000 km, then 12000, 24000, 36000 km; annual replace
Engine idle speed (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: Inspect every 12000 km (no 1000 km mark); annual check; dealer item (intermediate) (both tables)
Headlight aim (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check (both tables)
Inspect coolant hoses and clamps

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cooling system (inspect). Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check; dealer item (intermediate) (both tables)
Nuts, bolts, fasteners (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check; dealer item (intermediate) (both tables)
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Throttle operation (inspect). Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check; also pre-ride check; dealer item (intermediate) (both tables)
Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel line (inspect). Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check; dealer item (intermediate) (ED: 12000-48000 km; TH: 12000, 24000, 36000 km)
Clutch system (inspect)

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: ED: inspect every 12000 km; annual check; also pre-ride check. TH: inspect every 6000 km (4000 mi); annual check
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering head bearings (inspect). Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check; dealer item (technical) (both tables)
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Side stand (inspect). Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check; also pre-ride check (both tables)
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Suspension (inspect). Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check; dealer item (intermediate) (both tables)
Brake system (inspect)

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check (both tables)
Brakelight switch (inspect)

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check (both tables)
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake pads wear (inspect). Factory: ED: inspect every 12000 km; annual check; also pre-ride check. TH: inspect every 6000 km (4000 mi); annual check
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels/tires (inspect). Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; annual check; also pre-ride check; dealer item (technical) (both tables)

Every 8,000 mi

3 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Factory

Manual: Crankcase breather (clean). Factory: ED: clean every 12000 km; service more frequently when riding in rain or at full throttle. TH: clean every 6000 km (6000-36000 km)
Honda Diagnostic System (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: ED: inspect at 1000 km initial, then every 12000 km (12000-48000 km); no annual mark; dealer item (technical). TH: inspect at 1000 km, then every 6000 km (6000-36000 km)
Drive chain slider (inspect)

Final drive

Factory

Factory: Inspect every 12000 km; no annual mark (ED: 12000-48000 km; TH: 12000, 24000, 36000 km)

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Synchronize throttle bodies

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 15,000 mi or 4 years

1 item

Check valve clearances (shim adjusted)

Engine

Guideline

Every 16,000 mi

6 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance (inspect). Factory: ED: inspect at 24000 and 48000 km; dealer item (technical). TH: inspect at 24000 km (table ends at 36000 km)
Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil filter (replace). Factory: ED: replace at 1000 km initial, then at 24000 and 48000 km. TH: replace at 1000 km and 24000 km
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plug (replace). Factory: ED: replace at 24000 and 48000 km (no inspect marks); dealer item (technical). TH: replace at 24000 km (table ends at 36000 km)
Secondary air supply system (inspect)

Engine

Factory

Factory: ED: inspect at 24000 and 48000 km; dealer item (intermediate). TH: inspect at 24000 km
Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner (replace). Factory: ED: replace at 24000 and 48000 km; service more frequently when riding in unusually wet or dusty areas; dealer item (intermediate). TH: replace at 18000 and 36000 km (every 18000 km / 12000 mi)
Evaporative emission control system (inspect)

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: ED: inspect at 24000 and 48000 km; dealer item (intermediate). TH: inspect at 24000 km

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 24,000 mi or 4 years

1 item

Replace fuel filter

Fuel and air

Guideline

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 2 years

3 items

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

Factory

Manual: Brake fluid (replace). Factory: Replace every 2 years (both tables); ED: inspect every 12000 km and annually; TH: inspect every 6000 km and annually; also pre-ride check; replacement requires mechanical skill

Every 3 years

1 item

Replace coolant

Engine

Factory

Manual: Radiator coolant (replace). Factory: Replace every 3 years (both tables); inspect every 12000 km and annually; also pre-ride check; replacement requires mechanical skill

Every 4 years

2 items

Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Guideline
Rebuild calipers and master cylinders (seals)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 6 years

1 item

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.