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Honda · Overhead-cam four-stroke single, wet sump, separate gearbox oil, chain drive

CRF 450

Library entry covers 2002-2025

36 factory 35 guideline

Published source

Honda 2021 CRF450RL Owner's Manual (31MKE920), Maintenance Schedule pp.47-49

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 2021 manual (CRF450RL street schedule; not CRF450R/X competition).

Open the source

71 items for a 2004 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: 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: Separate gearbox 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: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

2004 Honda CRF 450

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 or 3 months

1 item

Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Factory

Manual: Drive Chain. Factory: Every 300 mi (500 km) or 3 months: I, L

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

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 600 mi or 4 months

11 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine Oil. Factory: R every regular column (600 mi/1,000 km/4 months); none at 100 mi initial
Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Factory

Manual: Crankcase Breather. Factory: I every regular column
Engine Idle Speed

Engine

Factory

Factory: I initial (100 mi) and every regular column
Inspect coolant hoses and clamps

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cooling System. Factory: I initial and every regular column
Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine Oil Filter. Factory: R every regular column
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air Cleaner. Factory: C every regular column; more often in wet or dusty areas
Drive Chain Slider

Final drive

Factory

Factory: I every regular column
Brake System

Brakes

Factory

Factory: I initial and every regular column
Brake light Switch

Brakes

Factory

Factory: I every regular column
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake Pads Wear. Factory: I every regular column
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Factory

Manual: Wheels/Tires. Factory: I initial and every regular column

Every 1,000 mi

1 item

Spark Arrester

Engine

Factory

Factory: Every 1,000 mi (1,600 km) or every 100 operating hours: C; USA only

Every 1,800 mi or 12 months

13 items

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve Clearance. Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Decompressor System

Engine

Factory

Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Headlight Aim

Engine

Factory

Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark Plug. Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners

Engine

Factory

Factory: I initial and at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Secondary Air Supply System

Engine

Factory

Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Suspension

Engine

Factory

Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Throttle Operation. Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Fuel Line

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi; cols 600 mi/4 mo steps to 3,600 mi/24 mo
Replace fuel filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Fuel Filter. Factory: R at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch System. Factory: I initial and at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering Head Bearings. Factory: I initial and at 1,800 and 3,600 mi
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Side Stand. Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

6 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 spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 3,600 mi or 2 years

1 item

Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake Fluid. Factory: I 600-3,000 mi; R at 3,600 mi; Regular Replace 2 years

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

5 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
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

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 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 19,000 mi

7 items

Crankshaft

Engine

Factory

Factory: R at 19,000 mi (30,000 km)
Crankshaft Bearing

Engine

Factory

Factory: R at 19,000 mi (30,000 km)
Intake/Exhaust Valve

Engine

Factory

Factory: R at 19,000 mi (30,000 km)
Piston Pin

Engine

Factory

Factory: R at 19,000 mi (30,000 km)
Piston and Piston Rings

Engine

Factory

Factory: R at 19,000 mi (30,000 km)
Transmission

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: I at 19,000 mi (30,000 km)
Cam Chain Tensioner Lifter

Final drive

Factory

Factory: R at 19,000 mi (30,000 km)

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 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 3 years

2 items

Replace coolant

Engine

Factory

Manual: Radiator Coolant. Factory: I at 1,800 and 3,600 mi; Regular Replace 3 years
Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air Cleaner. Factory: Regular Replace 3 years

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

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.