Honda CM450 / CB450SC Nighthawk / CMX450 Rebel — Example photo: alex roberts, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

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Honda · Overhead-cam four-stroke twin, wet sump, gearbox shares engine oil, chain drive

CM450 / CB450SC Nighthawk / CMX450 Rebel

Library entry covers 1982-1987

29 factory 44 guideline

Published source

Honda CM450 Custom 1982 Owner's Manual (Honda Motor Co.), Maintenance Schedule pp.48-49

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1982 CM450 Custom owner's manual (US), chart in mi and km; same engine family to 1987.

73 items for a 1982 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: Electronic (CDI / transistor / ECU)
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

1982 Honda CM450 / CB450SC Nighthawk / CMX450 Rebel

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

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

Factory

Manual: Drive chain: inspect and lubricate. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: every 300 mi (500 km)

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 4,000 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Nuts, bolts, fasteners: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: dealer item; first at 600 mi

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

4 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: every 2,000 mi or every year; first at 600 mi
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
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

10 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.
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

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

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

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 spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 4,000 mi or 1 month

2 items

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: every month and every 4,000 mi
Brake fluid (front): inspect

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Marked at 600 mi and every 4,000 mi. Every: MONTH I, 2 YEARS R; *R at 12,000 mi. Columns 600 mi (1,000 km), then every 4,000 mi (6,400 km) to 20,000 mi (32,000 km); note 3: for higher odometer readings repeat at the frequency interval established here. (Read from the page image, ManualsLib Honda CM450 Custom 1982 owner's manual pp.48-49.)

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil filter: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: every 4,000 mi or every year; first at 600 mi
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 4,000 mi

19 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: dealer item; first at 600 mi; cam chain tension adjusted at the same interval; balancer chain tension at 12,000 mi
Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Factory

Manual: Crankcase breather: clean. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: more often in rain, at full throttle, or after washing or a tip-over
Headlight aim: inspect

Engine

Factory

Factory: Marked at 600 mi and every 4,000 mi. Columns 600 mi (1,000 km), then every 4,000 mi (6,400 km) to 20,000 mi (32,000 km); note 3: for higher odometer readings repeat at the frequency interval established here. (Read from the page image, ManualsLib Honda CM450 Custom 1982 owner's manual pp.48-49.)
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49
Carburetor-choke: inspect

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: I every 4,000 mi. Columns 600 mi (1,000 km), then every 4,000 mi (6,400 km) to 20,000 mi (32,000 km); note 3: for higher odometer readings repeat at the frequency interval established here. (Read from the page image, ManualsLib Honda CM450 Custom 1982 owner's manual pp.48-49.)
Carburetor-idle speed: inspect

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: Marked at 600 mi and every 4,000 mi. Columns 600 mi (1,000 km), then every 4,000 mi (6,400 km) to 20,000 mi (32,000 km); note 3: for higher odometer readings repeat at the frequency interval established here. (Read from the page image, ManualsLib Honda CM450 Custom 1982 owner's manual pp.48-49.)
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Throttle operation: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: dealer item; first at 600 mi; choke at the same interval
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner: clean. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: more often in dusty areas
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel strainer: clean. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: dealer item; first at 600 mi
Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel lines: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: dealer item
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetor synchronization: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: dealer item; first at 600 mi; idle speed at the same interval
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: first at 600 mi
Cam chain tension: adjust

Final drive

Factory

Factory: Marked at 600 mi and every 4,000 mi. Columns 600 mi (1,000 km), then every 4,000 mi (6,400 km) to 20,000 mi (32,000 km); note 3: for higher odometer readings repeat at the frequency interval established here. (Read from the page image, ManualsLib Honda CM450 Custom 1982 owner's manual pp.48-49.)
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Side stand: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Suspension: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: dealer item; first at 600 mi
Brake light switch: inspect

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Marked at 600 mi and every 4,000 mi. Columns 600 mi (1,000 km), then every 4,000 mi (6,400 km) to 20,000 mi (32,000 km); note 3: for higher odometer readings repeat at the frequency interval established here. (Read from the page image, ManualsLib Honda CM450 Custom 1982 owner's manual pp.48-49.)
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake shoe and pad wear: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49
Inspect brake hoses; replace old rubber

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake system: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: first at 600 mi; brake light switch and headlight aim at the same interval
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: dealer only; first at 600 mi

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

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 6,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Clean centrifugal oil filter (rotor / slinger)

Engine

Guideline

Every 8,000 mi

2 items

Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: more often in dusty areas
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering head bearing: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: dealer only; first at 600 mi

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

2 items

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

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

Every 10,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake fluid (front): replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule pp.48-49: every 2 years; inspect every month and every 4,000 mi

Every 12,000 mi

1 item

Balancer chain tension: adjust

Final drive

Factory

Factory: A at 12,000 mi (19,200 km). Columns 600 mi (1,000 km), then every 4,000 mi (6,400 km) to 20,000 mi (32,000 km); note 3: for higher odometer readings repeat at the frequency interval established here. (Read from the page image, ManualsLib Honda CM450 Custom 1982 owner's manual pp.48-49.)

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

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

3 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
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

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.