"Shep Method" CX500 Mechanical Seal Replacement - How To

How to replace the water pump mechanical seal using the "shep method" on your Honda CX500. This is a helpful guide to help fix that coolant leak you my have on your GL500, CX500, GL650, or CX650 that doesn't require a full engine-out service.
Research: www.google.com/search?q=shep+...
Where to buy a new seal: murrayscarbs.com/product/mech...
Motofaction mechanical seal information: motofaction.org/motorcycles/h...
Motofaction cooling system information: motofaction.org/motorcycles/h...
Permatex 22071 water pump sealant (amazon affiliate link): amzn.to/45C90QL
In closing you want to do the best job you can here. Take your time, be gentle, and clean everything very well. Be sure to purchase a water pump cover oring as well. For coolant my recommendation is to use a silicate-free variant as that helps preserve your mechanical seal.
0:00 - 2:40 - Introduction and disassembly
2:41 - 3:35 - Mechanical seal parts breakdown
3:36 - 5:27 - Weep Hole explanation and cleaning
5:28 - 8:29 - Shep Method of separating new seal
8:30 - 10:34 - Assembling impeller and polo mint
10:35 - 10:56 - Annealing the copper washer
10:57 - 12:33 - Applying sealant to new seal
12:34 - 13:07 - Installing new seal onto bike
13:08 - 15:04 - Water pump assembly
15:05 - 16:51 - Testing and outro
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#brickhousebuilds #shepmethod #cx500mechanicalseal

[@davefrench3608]

Great that Shep has been finally been recognised on film. Not seen him for ages! Did my mech seal this way over 15 years ago, still holding up perfectly.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

There are actually many videos on it but I felt I could make a very thorough one

[@TalosIO]

I'm still around ;-)

[@davefrench3608]

⁠good o, I am too!

[@SteveBrigden]

Ah, so the one you split is brand new and you are re-using the original bucket so you do not need to bore out for the larger diameter…. Had to watch it twice to make sure I got it. Great video (as are all of yours!). Thanks BJ.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Exactly!

[@SteveBrigden]

Just starting mine and using your videos A LOT 😜🤣👍

[@LS-uv9gg]

Great vid to watch! That was not background noise by the way, it was "ASMR motorcycle mechanical work being done". "Noise" would have been a hideous strangled cat autotune hip hop nightmare obnoxious soundtrack that infests 99.999% of all the videos on KZbin. Well done mate, well done.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Well I'm glad you enjoyed. Audio is tricky as some including myself love music where others hate it. I try my best to please everyone.

[@danielmcneil3004]

Hey guys. Thanks for this video. Very informative. I happen to a fan of the cx500, even though I seem to be in the minority. There is a lot of hate out there directed towards this bike and I don’t know why. It was my first bike, bought in 1980, and I’ve owned 3 since then. I even had to pay for the so called “ triple bypass” on one bike but still a fan. I learned to live with not having a 6th gear. I’m actually negotiating to buy another one right now, with only 12000 km and all original. Thanks again for the video and the several cx500 projects you’ve done. Cheers. Dan ✌️🏍🇨🇦

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya Dan! I am not sure why the bikes are so devisive to people as there are many who say it's the worst motorcycle ever but also many who say it's the best!

[@guylr7390]

That was a quality video. I’m sure I could duplicate that job now. Great work.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thats what I like to hear!

[@user-sn2sj8ot3v]

Thank you, Thank you and Thank you. Definitely the most comprehensive and in depth video. Word to all others out there. Don't over torque that acorn nut on the end of the shaft!! Follow this video exactly.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank you! Glad you find it to be so comprehensive

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Brilliant channel always enjoy your videos

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Much appreciated! 🤘

[@henryhawk978]

Enjoyed the video BJ. Good information. RIDE SAFE OUT THERE!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya!

[@NNN-xt4ui]

Mr. BJ. Hello. I'm riding a CX EURO (400cc) in Japan. When I was worried about a water leak from that place, I came across your video. I'll try it!😊

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🙏🙏

[@1234567marks]

Absolutely invaluable info for someone needing to do this job, I always check KZbin before doing mechanical work on my bikes, just because I know a method it doesn’t mean it’s the best method 👍👍

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Oh for sure! I've learned some very cool stuff from this platform

[@MillersMotors]

your seal came out so clean, mine had rubber chunks and needed 15 minutes of detail with the Dremel LOL. nice vidjeo. hardest part is cooking the seal to the right temp to get the seal out. I ripped one and ruined it by not getting it hot enough and pulling too hard. I made a video on this too :)

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yeah the stock one pretty much fell out. It did take work to clean the bucket which I didn't show. I feel turning it 90 degrees was the trick 😉

[@XJRabbits]

What a time. The careful and delicate parts of the reassembly is the best parts to learn from. I feel like I could do this part on my own next time. I’ll be coming back to this later as a reference. Rahman, Ramen, cup of noodles, doesn’t matter, good stuff. Nudo House does a better job of it than I can. Thanks for the help & guidance. Next year will be when I get the Iron Butt under my belt… after the drive to Texas, I’m More confident I could complete it.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I know you got it! We are going to grease your suspension bushings before you do though!

[@andrewwolf4430]

I loved the cx 500 as a mechanic in 1980. They recalled them all as the cam chain guides would fail. Honda paid 4 hours to replace the tensioner and guide. I could do it in 45 minutes. After I did 50 of them. Honda wanted me to show them how I did it so fast. But they never showed up. In 1981 they cut the warranty time to 2 hours. Made a boatload of money doing these recalls

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Heck I have 30 minutes in properly cleaning the gasket from the rear cover so yeah id wonder too lol

[@andrewwolf4430]

@@BrickHouseBuilds the bikes I was working on were less than a year old and the cover gasket peeled off in one piece. 40 years on not likely

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

@@andrewwolf4430 that is definitely true!

[@erniefasbender4939]

I just did it on my Sym, all good. Thanks

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad to hear it!

[@anthonylagrasta1148]

Alas, another reason to build a GL instead of a CX. I'm a huge fan of these drivetrains, but the GL has numerous and significant reasons to choose, if given the option. Great video BHB, keep up the great work. Congrats on the new shop too, it looks amazing!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

The GL definitely is the better platform. Superior in many small ways which really add up

[@brettcreech3490]

Great video 😎

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya!

[@gerardcullen5131]

Hi BJ i had to do that job a couple of times made a mess the first time I did it a guy in england had a series on building a cx500 on utube thats where i seen that method good video cheers

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yes I found there were many videos on it but always felt they left out information or the video was unclear so I did my best on this one.

[@Badenhawk]

My Shep fix has been running well for 2 summers now. Of course, I lost my thrust washer while doing it since I was on a partial gravel driveway lol. but it was all good, it was easy to buy a replacement and then I just got a new copper crush and nut.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

It seems like a logical fix for sure. I see no reason it shouldn't stand the test of time!

[@zulu59blue27]

Great video, ❤

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya!

[@peteraitken6494]

Great video BJ mint job mate 👌👍🏍️🏍️🔧🔧❤️

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya sir!

[@franklinestrada3917]

Gracias, por tan importante información,

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@glovester]

Great vid.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘🤘

[@barneykennett9282]

Nice...👍.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Thank ya

[@garytilley3217]

I thought you would have some sandwiches ready to toast on that bad boy 😅

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

I definitely need to be careful about what chemicals I get on that hot plate as to not contaminate future sandwich builds lol

[@El_SantoTaco]

I did this on my old CX500 before this video was uploaded. My water pump started leaking almost immediately and now i know its because i didnt know how important that tiny little washer was that he kept saying not to forget. I forgot it. I probably threw it away. Dont forget the tiny washer.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

That sets tension so yeah it's a needed piece

[@juliomunoz5091]

Ok, 😀👍

[@daymartinezsierra2179]

Hola !! Tengo una pregunta .. Ya cambié el árbol de levas también el sello mecánico y la propela pero a un haci la sigue barriendo y se mete el agua al motor...un consejo se los agradezco.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

If coolant is getting into the engine that means the camshaft oil seal is bad or you have a bad head gasket.

[@jerrybigrig]

😎👍😎

[@craiggrim2577]

I did the shep method with a yamaha 660 mechanical seal as per the cx guidebook back in 2008, and still no leaks!

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Nice! I think I used the yamaha seal on the last 650 I did

[@erniefasbender4939]

Hi...I need to replace my mechanical seal on my aged Sym scooter. I cant decide whether I should go for your method or try and somehow get the old metal cup out? I have a genuine Symbmechanical seal set but not sure how to get the ild one out and whether the new cup has to be pressed in which would be tricky as I haven't removed the casing so it would have to be done side on. Can you offer me any advice please?

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

This video is specifically for honda cx500s

[@Axelfoley009]

Hello, Is it the same method for a CX500 or is it possible to get out the whole seal (so no need to separate and to put Permatex on the reassembly) ? Thanks

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Yes as mentioned this is the same method for a cx500. I spoke about the difference in sizes for the cx500s and GL series. Please reference the links in the description as it will clearly explain everything

[@DIYwithUncleCy]

BJ Why are you calling this a CX in the title when You even Say its A GL in the video? Come On Man you know My favorite is the GL it has a better Electrical regeneration system than the CX did. Honestly keep it real Dude. Sarcasm My Friend.

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Haha thank ya sir! Definitely for search traffic

[@jimclarke1108]

Removing that water pump is the same method as me opening my wallet😁 great work and a bit of humour

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

Hahaha sometimes it be like that!

[@MrNiklas1967]

Hi buddy

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

🤘

[@glovester]

Shout-out oily ducklings

[@BrickHouseBuilds]

DO IT FOR THE DUCKLINGS!

[@Cochise6-6-6]

Ramon noodles ahaha