[Highlord]

Kiaora/ Gidday

I just (foolishly?) bought a CX400 C , unseen, photos only, $1500 NZD, rego still on hold, owner says 3 years sitting in a dry garage, previous previous owner said bad stator, but they never followed through and just stored it.
6 hour round trp to Whanganui to pick it up.
first visual, no screw driver: -No battery, flat tyres, rusted out choke cable, front brakes non function, bent clutch lever, missing some cover bolts
Found it was last registered in 2009.
Its gunna need a bit more than a new stator i reckon.

But hey, all good, at least iCX only got 2 cylinders instead of my last 82 Suzuki gs650 with those f-n inline 4 airbox grazzed knuckle sunnofabitch. I traded that up for a 2004 GS1200ss which i dont f with. just ride it. but maybe i miss the infected oily knuckles?

first question, if I may on the intro forum ?

Checked the oil.. light grey and viscous . I aint seen that before.

Lets say that its been sitting 3 to 10 years. Is that JUST oil? or have I maybe got a more sinister coolant leak issue? some broken seal or something..

And whats the best way of cleaning it out? disassmble? some magic chemical?

-CX500 manual on order, trying to track down a stator. I have used RM stator years ago, pre COvid, when the ships ran on time.
I see theres some Chinese ones..
Motorcycle Stators, Magnetos & Parts for Honda CX500 for sale | eBay
good enough?

Cheers, and kinda nice to have a project, lets see how long it lasts, we've all seen this story before !

 

[ZXtasy]

Well mate...you have yourself a proper project! When I started on my oily ugly beast that had set for 9 years, I just counted on replacing every seal, gasket, O-ring that could be replaced. Is the oil Grey, or really Gray? Makes a huge difference in determining the issue. OK, Just joking!! The mechanical Water Pump seal is a notorious failure point on CX models it seems, so possibly coolant in oil. Long sitting can also create condensation build up in the CC, so I hope you have a nice climate controlled place to start the tear down. Mineral spirits work well for cleaning out cases, but you may want to consider dropping the oil pan. Would love to see pictures.

 

[Randall-in-Mpls]

If you're replacing the stator, you'll have the case open, so easy access to clean out the sump. While it's apart, remove the front cover, as well, and the oil pan if you have one. Check the oil pump chain, clean the pickup screen, replace o-rings. Be sure not to lose the oil meter above the clutch.

 

[CXPHREAK]

400 engine is built on a 500 block. No oil pan.

 

[muzza]

I watched that auction- it was far too dear for what needed to be done to make it a runner. Sorry.

Download yourself a free copy of the CX500 factory Service Manual from here Honda CX500 Service Manual | Honda GL500 & GL650 Service Manual.

When you have the motor out , please open the front engine cover and scrape the sludge out of the "sump". Also remove the oil pump intake screen and clean it . If it has grey oil it probably has mayonaisse in there and the intake screen will be coated and blocked for sure.

Investigate the "Triple Bypass" of stator , cam chain tensioner, and water pump mechanical seal.

And welcome. There are a few helpful cx guys around W.ellington .

 

[Highlord]

Thanks crew,
My garage is like a concrete cave, climate depends on weather. Photos asap.
What you reckon on those Chinese stator? Unless @muzza if you know of a good Nz contact?

 

[muzza]

Malcolm at Anacohonda - formerly Econohonda in Paeroa(?). He is a fan of CXs and carries a useful range of parts.

PM me your email and I will see what I can find for you

 

[Highlord]

Photo time, drained the coolant.. rather clear water with a few flecks of rust in it.

Then the Oil sump.. that filter bolt was a bitch . read some forum posts, bought a filter wrench, flame torch and nice new 12mm hex impact bit. best option, 12mm bit onto 0.5m bar.
greyyyyyy

 

[Highlord]

Plan A :

• slowly and methodically remove engine without shearing too many bolts.
• carefully dissassemle engine case and clean out sludge wth Mineral spirits ( thats Turps right?)
• clean and tart up outside of engine casing
• check stator and test for replacement
• check cam chain for replacement
• replace any seals i see with something from this " Whites CX500 complete gasket set" which I hope is the same for my 400, although gosh knows what seal goes where..

• pul apart rest of bike to clean and tart up,
• Carbs... might invest in 200 NZD ultrasonic cleaner
• electrics.. new RR if required, probs not mosfet as I'm not going LI battery,

new tyres, and anything else I find broken on the way.
Alot of work, I wish my garage had lights.

 

[ZXtasy]

Yep, definitely looks like Nardo Grey, somebody put Audi oil in it...

 

[bahn88]

That "grey oil" looks worse than anything ive seen in a chippery/ burger joint ...
BUT....theres an old saying .....dirty oil is better than no oil.... so things might be OK.....😉