Honda CX500 / CX650 / GL500 / GL650 — Example photo: Unknown author, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons

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Honda · Honda CX500 / CX650 / GL500 (1978-1986)

CX500 / CX650 / GL500 / GL650

Library entry covers 1978-1986

32 factory 41 guideline

Published source

Honda CX500 Custom Owner's Manual (Honda Motor Co.), Maintenance Schedule p.127

Factory owner's handbook. Covers CX500 Custom general-export owner's manual (multilingual, metric chart).

73 items for a 1978 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 valve, pushrods, adjustable tappets
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: Liquid cooled
Primary drive: Gear or chain inside engine, shares engine oil
Gearbox oil: Shares engine oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Shaft
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Disc, hydraulic
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Cast / alloy, tubeless
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1978 Honda CX500 / CX650 / GL500 / GL650

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

2 items

Check coolant level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
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 1,000 mi

1 item

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

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

1 item

Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline

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

7 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

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 3,600 mi or 1 month

2 items

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Manual: Battery electrolyte: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column): or every month
Brake fluid level: inspect

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I in every column from 1,000 km; every month

Every 3,600 mi

6 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column)
Carburetors idle speed: inspect

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I in every column from 1,000 km
Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner: clean. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column); more often in dusty areas
Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Clutch: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column)
Cam chain tension: adjust

Final drive

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): A in every column from 1,000 km
Check brake pads and discs

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake shoes/pads: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column)

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

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

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline

Every 7,200 mi or 12 months

2 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Engine oil: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column): R at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km or every year
Replace oil filter

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oil filter element: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column): R at 1,000 km, then every 12,000 km or every year

Every 7,200 mi

20 items

All nuts, bolts, fasteners: inspect

Engine

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 and 36,000 km
Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Factory

Manual: Valve clearance: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column): I at 1,000, 6,000 and 12,000 km, then every 12,000 km (dealer item)
Coolant: inspect

Engine

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I at 12,000, 24,000 and 36,000 km
Headlight aim: inspect

Engine

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I at 12,000, 24,000 and 36,000 km
Inspect coolant hoses and clamps

Engine

Factory

Manual: Cooling system, hoses: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column); coolant and radiator core inspected at the same interval
Radiator core: inspect

Engine

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I at 12,000, 24,000 and 36,000 km
Replace spark plugs

Engine

Factory

Manual: Spark plugs: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column)
Carburetors choke: inspect

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I at 12,000, 24,000 and 36,000 km
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Throttle operation: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column) (dealer item)
Fuel lines: inspect

Fuel and air

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I at 12,000, 24,000 and 36,000 km
Replace air filter element

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Air cleaner: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column)
Synchronize carburetors

Fuel and air

Factory

Manual: Carburetors: synchronize. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column) (dealer item); idle speed every 6,000 km
Check final drive for leaks and bearing play

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Final drive lubricant: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column)
Lubricate drive shaft splines / check U-joint

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Drive shaft joint: lubricate. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column) (dealer item)
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Factory

Manual: Steering head bearing: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column) (dealer item)
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Side stand: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column)
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Manual: Suspension: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column) (dealer item)
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake free play: inspect. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column)
Brake light switch: inspect

Brakes

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I at 12,000, 24,000 and 36,000 km
Wheels: inspect

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: Maintenance schedule (ManualsLib viewer p.134, page image rotated and re-read; columns 1,000, 6,000, 12,000 ... 36,000 km): I at 1,000, 12,000, 24,000 and 36,000 km

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 12,000 mi

1 item

Inspect cam chain tensioner (known weak point)

Engine

Guideline

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 21,600 mi

1 item

Change final drive (rear drive) oil

Final drive

Factory

Manual: Final drive lubricant: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column): inspect at 12,000 and 24,000 km, replace at 36,000

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

5 items

Replace coolant

Engine

Guideline
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
Replace brake fluid

Brakes

Factory

Manual: Brake fluid: replace. Factory: Maintenance schedule p.127 (English column): every 2 years (dealer item); level inspect every 6,000 km or monthly

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

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.