Fitting Rally Raid Engine Guard to Honda CB500X

[@person.X.]

Great video. Very helpful. Clear and concise. I am going to fit my new engine guard tomorrow using your guide. 👍

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@person.X. I’ve just recently moved mine onto new bike, the NX500 👍🏻

[@person.X.]

@@thecampingbiker791 The job has become a total nightmare. First of all I had to use ratchet straps so I could get the bolts into the engine block. It is difficult to do as when you tension the strap the bike itself gets in the way of the mechanism. Worse though, my torque wrench failed to click at 35NM so the bolt has broken off in the billet. At least it wasn't one of the bolts that goes into the engine block. But now I will have to order new billets from RR which since I am in Australia will cost a fortune and take ages.

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@person.X. sorry to hear that, I do hate it when things just don’t go smoothly.. everything worked well enough with both my 500X and NX, although the 500x was a bit easier! Let me know how you get on, hope you have a second bike.. it would drive me crazy not riding 😧

[@graemehay5714]

Thank you very much for posting this very clear tutorial on how to fit this Rally Raid sump guard. It is with your help that I find myself sat in my garage having just successfully installed the same on my own CB500X. It really is a rugged design. I enjoyed your reference to employing "Child-Labour" when placing the three fasteners on the oil filter-guard - I felt that same need but like you, just had to fumble on. You mentioned about the access to the oil filter in the future: I took a very slightly different approach, which I hope may prove helpful to you? I set each of the bolts pointing rearward on the bike, loosely fitted the washers and nylon-nuts and then simply slid the oil-filter guard plate onto them. Its more than flexible enough and then the bolts/nuts were secured using a 10mm socket on the bolts and a 10mm ring spanner on the nylon-nuts. To free the oil-filter all I will need to do is slacken the three fasteners a little and off the guard will come. Thank you, again and all the best,

[@thecampingbiker791]

Many thanks for letting me know Greame, pleased it was useful and it is a brilliant bit of kit..I used mine on Salter Fell trail a couple of days after fitting and it got plenty of rocks thrown up and dinging away (you can hear it on the video) 😆 good tip on the bolts, I’ll have a look at that! All the best, Andrew

[@DerekTJ]

You're doing God's work here my friend, buying and trying accessories so we don't have to.

[@thecampingbiker791]

It’s costing me a fortune to do God’s work Aiyic 😂 👍🏻

[@ltgadget]

Well done! Good camera work, editing, informative and no extra chatter like most other videos.

[@thecampingbiker791]

Thanks for that, pure I’m an amateur really 😆 Done a few thousand miles and some trail rides...well worth the money and saved the bottom end 👍🏻

[@pmfilmsUK]

Nice one. Much stronger and better fit. You might be interested in the SW MOTECH hand guards. In my opinion its the best fit for the 500X. They don't look too big and silly and keeps the rain off your gloves. Funny thing it stopped the wind buffeting around the helmet! But you have to keep the windscreen in the lower position. Many thanks.

[@thecampingbiker791]

Patrick Mills hi, I’ve already fitted the BarkBusters just last night, but thanks for info...funnily enough I quite like the ones I’ve fitted but if on road going bike I’d have no hesitation with SW as it’s excellent kit 👍🏻

[@pmfilmsUK]

@@thecampingbiker791 Great job. They all do the same job anyway. I'm really liking my 500X. Its a great all-rounder and full of confidence. Ride safe.

[@thecampingbiker791]

Patrick Mills likewise and enjoy the biking 👍🏻

[@normanschlongdongovic4124]

Protection at it’s best!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@thecampingbiker791]

Norman Schlongdongovic they really are solid but have no detrimental effect on bike...good engineering 👍🏻

[@somaspecialist]

Looks good my friend. My only issue with the bash plates are a lot of them don't work with the OEM center stand. That's Unfortunate

[@thecampingbiker791]

Yes, I’d agree but sometimes there has to be a compromise, particularly for a heavy duty one. The SW Motech bash plate does fit with a center stand but isn’t as heavy duty..choices choices 😆

Hi Andrew Thanks for sharing! I have exactly the same dilemma as you’ve had. I’ve got the centre stand installed on mine and would love to keep it. But also the Rally raid seems to be the only engine guard offering real protection. By looking at your video and other pictures online of the rally raid engine guard, it looks to me that it would be relatively easy to adapt it to make it work together with the centre stand. The 2 supports with holes in the back of the engine guard are mounted on the outside of the fixing points where the bar goes through, just like the centre stand. What do you think if I would move the 2 supporting points in the back of the engine guard close together(cut/welding), meaning that it would now be mounted on the inside of the 2 fixing points. The final result would be that the stand is fitted on the outside, the engine guard on the inside and the bar would go through the entire assembly. Am I missing something here? Something tells me that it can’t be that simple. Could you share your opinion or any suggestions if you think it can be done? A good friend of mine if a great welder and if it can be done, he would be able to adjust it. Thanks in advance!

[@thecampingbiker791]

Interesting thought, and technically possible…the only points I can initially think is that the RR guard needs to swivel downwards for oil changes and to that end has a pin with locating/securing bolt going through the hollow tube and by the nature of a centre stand needing to be tightened up securely through the same tube it could be awkward when oil changing as you’d almost have to take off the centre stand to drop the guard. Should be possible to drill an appropriate hole on the underside of guard in line with oil sump bolt…that might work? I think it might be a case of trial and error! let me know how you get on if you do it 👍🏻

[@kennywoods8713]

Nice guard Andrew, I do think these guards look like they belong and they are solid, only downside is the pipes behind exposed but that's a honda design issue.

[@thecampingbiker791]

Kenny Woods yes, there just wasn’t a way round the design but I understand from others that they can take a bit of a bash but it’s a compromise on anything sump guard wise...I wonder if anyone has made an aluminum wrap round cover and attach to fixing points on the RR? Guess the RR guys will have thought that one through and probably not practicable!

[@nelsdude]

I just ordered same plate for my 23 500x. I’m going to also mount a front fender extender to help protect header pipes somewhat. T-Rex racing makes a frame mounted plate also that covers the headers but it is 13 lbs & has the chance of front tire rubbing on heavy braking or large suspension hits. It’s beefy protection & makes the bike look like a tank but for my riding it’s way overkill.

[@butcherman1234]

Thanks for the vid, well explained. You mentioned that you have to remove the front plate to access the oil filter but are there issues around accessing the oil draining plug? or accessing any other servicing items? Thanks

[@thecampingbiker791]

Thanks Charles, no issues as the front plate is off in couple of minutes (bolts stay in place and plate slides off) and the rest of the guard has one bolt to undo allowing removal of a large locking pin underneath the bike (goes through the tubular centre stand fitting)then entire thing hinges down for full access 👍🏻

[@butcherman1234]

@@thecampingbiker791 Thanks, do you need to remove the bolt through the tubular center and swing the guard down to access the oil drain plug?

[@thecampingbiker791]

No problem...yes needs removing but very easy and again only a couple of minutes to do...you can then use a folding funnel or something like ‘kitchen foil’ to let the oil drain into container

[@UKbiker73]

Hey, Having watched both of you fitting videos, RR and SW Motech I am intrigued to know why you decided to swap to the RR. The motech ‘seems’ to offer more protection. Was it weight / fitting / protection level related or simply how the sw looked for you? I’m swinging towards the SW and just about to order for my 2023 500x so would really value your advice on this. Thanks in advance.

[@UKbiker73]

Scrap that last comment, next video I watched was your explanation of why you changed to Rally Raid. I don’t need a centre stand and the noise you mentioned of the SW is enough to make my decision. Really loving your channel, brilliant. And thank you for taking the time to post these, it really helps.

[@thecampingbiker791]

Yes, the SW was great quality and perfect for road and light green lanes or gravel but in the end I needed something more robust for rockier environment and new I’d chosen the wrong one straight away as had also been looking at the RR one! The reason the SW isn’t great for serious off road with the potential grounding and generally bashing you can get in that environment is that it’s fitted with hanging brackets and with a serious hit can canterlever backwards…however, if I didn’t bother off road or just did light trails I’d pick the SW 👍🏻 other thing to mention is that on my bike I got a bit of resonance at slower speeds with the aluminum SW but that can be usually solved with fixing a bit of rubber matting on the topside! Hope that helps, regards Andrew

[@UKbiker73]

@@thecampingbiker791 thanks for the fast reply. I’m getting slowly hooked on riding off road so I’m going to go for the RR guard and the RR foot pegs. Need some crash bars when funds allow. Really appreciate the reply. 👍

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@UKbiker73 no problem and good luck 👍🏻

[@DC-dl6sm]

What radiator guard have you got fitted there?

[@thecampingbiker791]

Hi DC, it was a cheap unbranded one but has stood up well to use....here’s the link to have a look 👍🏻 www.ebay.co.uk/itm/133230054527

[@matteopaiato]

can you be more specific about your disappointment on the SW Motech engine guard?

[@thecampingbiker791]

Hi Matteo, firstly I’d like to say that I’m a big fan of SW Motech and had various bits fitted to previous bikes, great quality! My first plan was to fit the heavier duty Rally Raid engine guard, and have subsequently done so, but decided I ‘needed’ to fit a centre stand which meant I couldn’t fit the RR guard as they use the same fitting point which is a tube under the frame. On fitting the SW Motech sump guard and centre stand I realised within the day that I’d made a mistake driven by desire for centre stand! My plans are to build a bike capable of taking tougher trail rides as part of the general traveling I intend doing and there were two things about SW Motech guard that reinforced that RR choice should have been the one I made. Firstly on test riding I found the aluminium gave an irritating resonating sound when riding under 30mph, presumably just because lower engine/road noises, and although I reckon I could have sorted that with some sound deafening matting stuck on top, I still kept thinking it was a mistake. Secondly the design basically had 4 hanging brackets, which in general road and light gravel track use would be perfectly fine, on heavier trail use with ruts and rocks would leave it at risk of being pushed backwards if hit heavily from front (as per a pendulum, which I’ve seen a photo of on a US forum) As an additional point, was that the centre stand looked like it could cause potential issues on the tougher trails with the bike having relatively low clearance, so taking it all into account I removed both sump guard and centre stand and ordered the RR guard next day! For me it was the right decision for reasons stated, and within a few days of fitting the RR guard had tested it in a rocky rough section of a 14 mile trail....resulting in lots of rocks thrown up, one drop, and touch up paint on return 😂 In summary the SW guard is easy to fit and will protect a vulnerable sump but I wouldn’t be comfortable on a rough and rocky terrain...hope that provides my thoughts, backed up with experience, but they’re just mine and others may have different view. Best wishes, Andrew

[@dimicha]

Hey Andrew, Do you use loctite for the bolts?

[@thecampingbiker791]

Hi Damitar, yes I use Blue loctite 👍🏻

[@dimicha]

@@thecampingbiker791 Obviously I got a use a lot of loctite to secure the bolts on my long trip

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@dimicha actually, that’s a good tip...I’ll put some in my tool kit for longer trips 👍🏻

[@jeromegrondin9531]

Hi ! What about the head pipe? They are not protected?

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@jeromegrondin9531 to be honest I’ve had it on plenty of rocky bits but haven’t had an issue… to be honest the bike is designed with road riding in mind really but with modifications can be something more, however I guess with this type of bike there will always be a compromise.

[@jeromegrondin9531]

Thank you! It makes sense !​@@thecampingbiker791

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@jeromegrondin9531 actually there is a SW Motech engine guard that does cover the pipes but doesn’t leave a lot of room between guard and wheel so it protects but with less space if you kick a tree branch or stone up 👍🏻

[@jeromegrondin9531]

@@thecampingbiker791 did you take a look at the T-Rex bash plate?

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@jeromegrondin9531 wasn’t available in UK when I originally bought the RR guard but look good 👍🏻

[@dragoslfc8143]

Does it vibrate badly @5000rpm? I installed mine in a specialised service and I am guessing they didn’t tighten up the bolts with the correct torque because it rattles very bad.

[@thecampingbiker791]

Hi Dragos, no mine doesn’t at 5000 although from 6000 the bike does get a bit of vibration but that would appear normal for these bikes! Does sound like it would be worth losing and re tightening again

[@dragoslfc8143]

@@thecampingbiker791 thank you! Will try that

[@dragoslfc8143]

@@thecampingbiker791 i also just realised that the Givi upper crashbar is using the same bolt as the RR engine guard, maybe this is an issue also

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@dragoslfc8143 not so sure with the Givi, I choose Hepco & Becker bars as their fitting uses top rear engine mounting points and then under the nose cone, so avoiding the RR engine guard mounting points 👍🏻

[@Aldebaran2013]

HI SIR WHERE DO YOU BUY THAT ENGINE GUARD? I HAVE A CB500X MODEL 2018

[@thecampingbiker791]

Hi Edison, bought directly from Rally Raid, who make them, and from their website...all the best, Andrew www.rally-raidproducts.co.uk/honda-cb500x-cb500f

[@Aldebaran2013]

@@thecampingbiker791 YOU KNOW THAT STORE SEND TO USA? AND IF THIS PROTRECTOR FITS MY 2018 CB500X, THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR TIME YOUR VIDEOS ARE AWESOME

[@Aldebaran2013]

@@thecampingbiker791 OR IF YOU KNOW ANY STORE IN USA? TO MAKE THOSE ACCESORIES

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@Aldebaran2013 yes, they definitely do send to the USA, are well known and respected with 500X riders throughout the world, including USA, and available for both versions up to 2018 and 2019 onwards. They can only be bought from the manufacturers here in the UK unless you can find 2nd hand in the USA👍🏻

[@Aldebaran2013]

@@thecampingbiker791 thanks a lot for the info sir i appreciate, grettigs from ecuador sir

[@raduro2003]

Did you do any oil changes until now?

[@thecampingbiker791]

Not personally, bike serviced at Honda so they did oil change in November last year with the RR engine guard in place..it’s no problem, one bolt to allow the locking pin going through centre stand tube to release guard which swings down to allow oil removal, then three bolts on the guard covering filter.

[@luissa9082]

Hi, is the fit compatible with 2022 model?

[@thecampingbiker791]

Hi Luis, yes the fixing points on new 22 model haven’t changed, indeed the only real physical change is the front forks…I’ve just managed to see new model last week to confirm!. Those new USD forks look great by the way!

[@bradb2514]

I may have missed if you mentioned this but can you retain the centre stand and use this engine guard? Thanks!

[@thecampingbiker791]

Unfortunately not (sorry for delay Brad missed this message)

[@Choicesoftarun]

Does it fit the 2021 model?

[@thecampingbiker791]

Yes Tarun, other than paint job no change to mechanical side of bike 👍🏻

[@Choicesoftarun]

@@thecampingbiker791 Many thanks

[@thecampingbiker791]

@@Choicesoftarun no problem 👍🏻

[@royblackburn1163]

Are you selling the sw motech one ?

[@thecampingbiker791]

SorryRoy, it’s already sold 👍🏻

[@royblackburn1163]

@@thecampingbiker791 That's a shame never mind, like your work cheers.

[@thecampingbiker791]

Roy Blackburn thanks Roy 👍🏻

[@DC-dl6sm]

@@royblackburn1163 hi Roy - I’ve got a sw motech guard for sale 👍🏻

[@dkmiotek]

Q: I have the upper-SW Motech crash bar - will the Rally Raid skid-bash plate work together with it? ... since you had the SW-M bash plate before sw-motech.us/bike/HONDA/CB500X/2019/PC64/products/protection/crash+bar/4052572037706.htm

[@thecampingbiker791]

I don’t think it will as the RR mounts to the same lower front engine mounting point as the SW crash bar. I use the Hepco & Becker crash bar as it mounts to a rear engine mounting point and one under the headlamp…there is a video on the H&B bar fitting 👍🏻