Honda 125 servicing

rev_henry

I have just bought myself a Honda CBF125, very very low mileage, 5 years old, no history. I think, as it has no history, I ought to clean the oil strainer, change the brake fluid, check valve clearances and possibly clean up the brake calliper. Am I worrying unnecessarily about these things? Should I just change the oil and plugs myself, use it and forget about the other things? I'm only going to keep it a year at most to learn to ride on and then do DAS.

If those things do need doing how much would a garage charge for them? I can't really be bothered doing it myself. If its £80 or so I'd rather just pay someone to do it for me, much more and I'll probably do a bit more myself. Just an oil and spark plug change is very easy

Sam_Fallow

First of all, good choice with the bike.

Servicing is so easy on these.

I would change the oil, clean the oil strainer (new gasket needed) and fit a new air filter.

Check/Adjust and lube the chain. Check sprocket wear. Check brake fluid level.

You should have all the tools in your toolkit and it should all be done in under an hour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aUe1jNdi4Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1lYyQAtJng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qspXlkVLkLk

Change the spark plug if you think it needs one, don't bother with the tappets unless it is particularly noisy.

If you can push it around easily then the front caliper isn't sticking and if you feel it works okay then it doesn't need stripping.

Low miles and five years old sounds like it should be good overall condition.

Give it a go!

=rizla=

Sam_Fallow wrote: »

First of all, good choice with the bike.

Servicing is so easy on these.

I would change the oil, clean the oil strainer (new gasket needed) and fit a new air filter.

Check/Adjust and lube the chain. Check sprocket wear. Check brake fluid level.

You should have all the tools in your toolkit and it should all be done in under an hour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aUe1jNdi4Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1lYyQAtJng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qspXlkVLkLk

Change the spark plug if you think it needs one, don't bother with the tappets unless it is particularly noisy.

If you can push it around easily then the front caliper isn't sticking and if you feel it works okay then it doesn't need stripping.

Low miles and five years old sounds like it should be good overall condition.

Give it a go!

I'd also change the brake fluid.

I'd say its likely to have had at least the first few services done, maybe worth speaking to the local dealer (or where it was first sold-check the number plate ) and seeing if they can give you a copy of the services.

I'd keep the receipts of the parts you buy and then note down what work you've done, dates, mileage etc, will maybe help when you sell it in a year.

facade

If it has been stored outside (it will be a ball of rust & fur if it has) then the brake will be partially seized, it is a 20 minute job to clean it up max.

Cleaning up the brake callipers on a Honda is something you do every Spring. They really don't make them like they used to, since they stopped making them in Japan.

Fat_Walt

I would be looking into servicing it myself given the history of lack of it. Plenty of deals to be had on service consumables if you shop round.

rev_henry

Thanks everyone!

Sam_Fallow wrote: »

First of all, good choice with the bike.

Servicing is so easy on these.

I would change the oil, clean the oil strainer (new gasket needed) and fit a new air filter.

Check/Adjust and lube the chain. Check sprocket wear. Check brake fluid level.

You should have all the tools in your toolkit and it should all be done in under an hour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aUe1jNdi4Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1lYyQAtJng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qspXlkVLkLk

Change the spark plug if you think it needs one, don't bother with the tappets unless it is particularly noisy.

If you can push it around easily then the front caliper isn't sticking and if you feel it works okay then it doesn't need stripping.

Low miles and five years old sounds like it should be good overall condition.

Give it a go!

I've done the chain and sprocket and given the chain a good clean and relube (it was filthy, but not very worn). I've decided to just take it into a garage for a couple of things, namely brake fluid, oil strainer and valve clearances because I don't have all the tools to do those things and, well, can't really be bothered. Everything else I will do myself though, according to my calculations I shouldn't need to take it to a garage ever again.
Caliper seems just fine, doesn't seem to be binding. Not sure about spark plug or air filter, I'll probably change it at some point, cheap enough, may as well.

One thing I've noticed is the indicators seem to make a strange whining noise for a second or two before coming on, is this normal? Can't find much online about it. In fact today they stopped working, very briefly, while I was riding, but were fine once I'd switched the ignition off and on again. Relay? Battery maybe?

Richard53

rev_henry wrote: »

One thing I've noticed is the indicators seem to make a strange whining noise for a second or two before coming on, is this normal? Can't find much online about it. In fact today they stopped working, very briefly, while I was riding, but were fine once I'd switched the ignition off and on again. Relay? Battery maybe?

Sounds like the relay is struggling. It's not breaking cleanly when it receives current, and the contacts make a high-pitched buzz while they make their minds up about what to do. I'm not sure where it is on that model, but it won't be hard to find (google for a diagram) and will be a matter of a few minutes and a few quid to replace.

rev_henry

Well, I had the bike serviced and he did absolutely everything to it, great.

But promptly came off it in the wet a couple of days later. All seemed ok, except the handlebars were not quite straight with the wheels. Took it back to the garage and was told today that he has taken the fairings etc off and discovered the frame is bent, presenting me with the option to either scrap it or get a new frame for presumably silly money.

I'm struggling with this really. I cannot comprehend how the frame can become bent from a minor accident at about 25mph. I just slid down the road a little, didn't hit anything. And what exactly does the frame have to do with the handlebars not being straight? Unless I have managed to buy a bike with previously undiscovered crash damage?

Going to see it in the flesh tomorrow, but I'm inclined to just tell him to put it back together and be on my way thank you very much. It rides fine apart from the handlebars being slightly off centre and presumably he should be able to sort that?
Anyone else have any opinions?

pappa_golf

bent handlebars?


in a case like this I would remove them and place on a piece of board , check levels and for bentness


new bars here http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/honda/cbf_125_m9_ma/09-10/picture/handlebars_as_std_black/ , probably cheaper on ebay

Heliflyguy

Will removing just the fairings be enough to check for a bent frame?

You may need to check that you haven't knocked fork alignment out.

pappa_golf

a clever person could check the bike with a couple of bits of 3x2 , however I suspect the handlebars will have sustained damage in the low speed slide