Rebel 500: 600 Mile Service - DIY or Bring to Dealer?

[@tomchu911]

I'm also a new rider with a 2021 Rebel 500! Thanks for this video you've made every instruction crystal clear. I just bought everything I need to do my first oil/filter change.

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks and congrats. It's an awesome bike! Safe travels.

[@MorinJay]

I'm 62 and had many different bikes over the last 42 years. RD350 (Yamaha), Yamaha 650 Special, Yamaha, Seca 900, Kawasaki KZ1000P (Police Bike), Suzuki 400 Burgman, Honda Monkey and now as of March 4th 2023 .... a Honda Rebel 500 - Love it. Love your video. My bike has 75 miles on it. Great video. I subscribed due to the thoroughness of your instructions and clarity of the steps. Well done. Great "Production Work". Way to go.

[@Mudslidex1]

Thank you so much for the comment. I appreciate it! Safe travels!

[@GoAskKit]

I used motul and found it very hard to get the O-rings lubed with it because it is so thick. However, Maxima 80-90 Gear oil really penetrates deep into the o-rings and that is your most important location on the chain to be lubed. If you paint it on with a paint brush the width of your chain you will get very little fling off but a much better protected chain and O-rings . IMHO I only had to adjust my chain tension one time when the bike was brand new but 4000 miles later not getting any detectable stretch and have not needed any more chain adjustments. What that means to me is the gear oil is doing a really super job giving my chain a long life with no rust or stretch. Kit

[@Mudslidex1]

As much as I like the Motul chain paste, I too have been thinking about going to a gear oil. I've been reading a lot of pros about it, but of course there's the cons of it flinging off etc. I guess you have to weigh what works best for your situation. But I agree, I think gear oil would probably give your best penetration. And if you keep on top of keeping it cleaned and oiled, your chain should last a long time

[@GoAskKit]

@@Mudslidex1 As far a flinging off or dripping the first ride throughs off most of the "extra:" gear oil however for the first few day after chain maintenance I just park my bike on a flattened out piece of cardboard and I do keep the few droplets off my garage floor that way. So that is How I deal with that issue. Kit

[@CuddlyJon]

Been working on cars for a fair while. Done many oil changes and other sorts of regular maintenance. Looking to get into motorcycles and my word! The maintenance looks so simple and easy in comparison! Very excited to be getting into motorcycles!

[@Mudslidex1]

Yes, basic maintenance on bikes is easy. Most parts are easy to get to and pretty much all the tools you probably already have for autos, you will be able to use on the bike as well. Good luck!

[@CuddlyJon]

@@Mudslidex1 Thanks man! Really love how accessible things are on a motorcycle. You have a good one!

[@xaviersneary3621]

Thanks for the great video! I was planning on taking it to the dealer for service just because I don’t have lots of free time but honestly, having done complete engine rebuilds on cars and maintenance on heavy duty trucks and equipment, I now see this will be a breeze 😂 Thanks for being detailed!

[@Mudslidex1]

You’re welcome.Even if you had zero experience, this is an easy job. But it sounds like you have more than enough to do this. Happy/safe riding!

[@infinity4633]

Looking back, I wish I had known about this earlier. Bought my first bike 2 years ago so I thought I should take it to a dealer for the 600-mile service and do everything by the manual. Was charged 424 (yikes) but I didn't know any better. Since then, I've learned to work on my bike using KZbin videos.

[@Mudslidex1]

Don't feel bad. Many people especially first time riders are nervous about doing stuff themselves. But it's really not hard. If these places charged a reasonable amount then I would let them do it. But not at the prices they charge for what little work is actually done

[@B0M0A0K]

Nice video. If I may, I would suggest that you run the engine briefly after completing the oil refill and then check the oil level sight window. You changed the oil filter but that will not have refilled with oil yet, so the oil level sight window will be inaccurate. Running the engine will prime the new oil filter and then you will get an accurate reading off the oil level sight window. Also, "hand tight" is very subjective. Honda "should" know at what point the drain bolt would strip the threads on the aluminium engine casing. Using their setting and maybe setting that a little less than the manual spec would be more user friendly. If you get a newbie doing this and you tell them "hand tight" they will lay on the force and risk stripping the threads, which makes for a very bad day.

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks for the tips. I always check the oil again after a day or driving in both my cars and motorcycles just to make sure as it usually needs to be topped off a little. As far as the hand tight goes, yes that is subjective and I guess mentioning the torque specs would have been helpful. Thanks for the input

[@awrightmate5826]

The chain paste does not do well over the pond. Chain gets rusty with our weather. Tried quite a few chain lubes. My favourite for rust protection is Dr Downpipe chain lube.

[@1968davis]

Thanks, GREAT VIDEO! I appreciate your attention to detail. I'm sure it's in the manual, was wondering if chaining the filter was mandatory for the "break-in" oil change. I recon it may have metal flecks in it from the break in process.

[@fifthdimension326]

Awesome video, very informative! Hope you get your windshield.

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks for watching!

[@splroska]

Great video very helpful! Im a complete newbie never touched motorcycle, anything else i should check when servicing my bike?

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks. They say you should check the torque specs and when you have the dealer do the first service they "say" they check them as part of the service, but I'm not sure they actually do and probably just put it there so it sounds like you're getting more for the price they're charging you. But each dealer is different. I would just go around and check and make sure nothing is loose etc. The manual has more detailed info on what to check and when. But the first 600 miles is an easy service to do on your own and save money!

[@mikeycouture6177]

Great video! 🏍

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks

[@philipbell3187]

I got a new rebel cml 500 last July , the first 600 miles service with the Honda dealership is important, they change the oil and make sure there is no big metal bits in the oil , they do new oil filter as well as checking over the bike , my dealership even test ride the bike afterwards, and was told this is the best way to see and hear if there is a flat , as this bike has a 2 year warranty, but if you do your oil and filter yourself, does it affect your warranty? , I paid £150 for my first service and didn’t think that was bad considering they ride it after the service to make sure all is well.

[@Mudslidex1]

It depends on your location. Here in New York we have the right to repair our own vehicles without voiding warranty. As long as we keep receipts and records showing it was done, the warranty stays valid. I like doing my own maintenance because I know I will do a better job then they will as I can take my time and I inspect fluids etc without the pressure that they have where they have to get the bikes in and out to service the next one

[@TheScrubmuffin69]

What did they do that you couldn't do yourself? I don't understand

[@philipbell3187]

@@TheScrubmuffin69 here in the uk the Honda dealer does the first service on it at 600 miles, then they make a Honda account with everything that’s been done to your bike , so you and the dealer have a record online of everything they do on it even warranty claims, as I had the left bottle front fork leg replaced as the black mat paint started coming off .

[@andreasw5266]

Great video, I have the same bike, what kind of exhaust have you installed? Thanks

[@Mudslidex1]

Thanks. That’s the Musarri exhaust. I made a video on the install and sound comparison kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpu8d3Z8qa2qaJY

[@darrylwayne8948]

Hey Bud Great Video . How do you like your swing-arm bag? Does it fit the Rebel OK? Do you think it will hold up and was it worth the $?

[@Mudslidex1]

I love it. Fits fine, and actually held up well. Although I don't ride in the rain much unless getting caught off guard in a storm

[@friedpickles342]

Negative on motorcycle oil. Just use shell rotella t

[@Mudslidex1]

I've heard others mention that too. I guess since its a brand new bike and the first oil change, I want to make sure I do it by the book just to not void warranty. But I've also heard motorcycle oil is different than regular since the same oil is shared with engine,transmission and wet clutch. I don't know for sure, but it's something to look into once my warranty expires

[@METALHEADNYC]

Would you say this is all that is needed for a 1st service on the Honda Rebel 500? No need to tune up the clutch or anything else?

[@Mudslidex1]

For the most part yes, but I would check the clutch cable play (which really shouldn't have moved during the first 500 miles) but check the chain tension. As far as torquing all the bolts, I highly doubt the dealer does that too, but if you wan't you can. I never had any issues. Basically it's an oil and filter change, check chain tension and clutch cable.

[@METALHEADNYC]

@@Mudslidex1 Roger that, thank you! ;-)

[@cool-lp7fq]

noob question - what is a 12mm - the socket or bolt or wrench?

[@Mudslidex1]

The bolt size. So you can use either a wrench or socket. As long as it's 12mm. In this case the socket is 12mm

[@andrewclark8627]

Isn't the first service supposed to be more than just an oil change? Thought they were supposed to check every bolt and nut for spec

[@Mudslidex1]

Yes, they are "supposed" to check the bolts and the chain tension, but you can do that yourself and save lots of money. Some people even wonder if they actually do check each bolt. Me personally, I would rather do it myself and save the money and know it's done right

[@andrewclark8627]

@@Mudslidex1 yeah that would be my concern as well. Pay all that money just to say they did without knowing they actually did

[@justposi]

@@Mudslidex1 Do you lose the warranty like that ?

[@Mudslidex1]

@@justposi no. You have the right to bring your vehicle anywhere for maintenance or do it yourself. Just keep receipts

[@justposi]

@@Mudslidex1 Oh wow , where i live you lose the warranty the moment you dont do it in the dealership.

[@metaman1982]

What kind of exhaust is on your Rebel 500?

[@Mudslidex1]

@@metaman1982 that’s the Mussari exhaust. amzn.to/3YmEf2i

[@jimhager8583]

Where did you find your lift stand

[@Mudslidex1]

Amazon. amzn.to/3z1N339

[@philtucker1224]

How much is a quart in litres please?

[@Mudslidex1]

They are very close. 1 liter is approximately 1.06 quarts

[@herno1]

Hi, I’m thinking in buying a used 2017 rebel 500, do you recommend the bike? I really like the bike but I don’t know if 500 cc will be good enough? I haven’t ride a bike in 10 years and can’t wait to get in the saddle again

[@Mudslidex1]

It depends on your skill and budget. I bought it as my first bike and thought 500 would be plenty of power which it is…at first. But as I got more comfortable I wanted more power. If you have the money I would go straight for the 1100. The 500 is perfect for around town and even cruising 80 on the highway. But I did find myself wanting a “little” more. Which is why I ended up selling it and buying a Triumph Trident660. But I still think think the Rebel 500 is an amazing bike. But you may want more power if that’s the type of riding you want to do

[@-ZEMOSGATE-]

Did you use all the oil in the 3 bottles?

[@Mudslidex1]

Almost. Had a little left in the 3rd bottle and then I would check the level after a couple of days to top off if needed. But it took just under 3

[@-ZEMOSGATE-]

@@Mudslidex1 Thanks! Helpful video!

[@joshuaallen1278]

Why is my dealership charging 500 for this?

[@Mudslidex1]

I have no idea. That's crazy. You can do everything yourself for around 50 bucks.

[@LizardMane]

What about the oil filter on the right side?

[@Mudslidex1]

It only has 1 oil filter

[@heyoldtime8969]

The dealer service included checking the valve adjustment, adjusting the cables stretch and the chain adjustment. Not to mention rotate the tires and changing the air. LOL

[@Mudslidex1]

The dealer does check the cables and chain stretch too, but that is simple and easy to do yourself. As far as rotating the tires? It's not a car. LOL. And they definitely dont do valve check clearances at 600 mile service. That's usually around 12,000 miles and is a costly job

[@DONK0]

Why do none of these 600 mile videos cover bolts nuts and fasteners...

[@LividAxis]

because nobody gives a shit