Hello All

[jwarren]

Just Bought a '86 450.

I bought it from my brother so I know some of the bikes history, but not all he also bought it used. The bike will start and does run semi well IE will idle after warm up.

Some things I would like to know oil sump capacities, What would be the best chain to use? Honda dealer in the area gave me correct chain specs 525; 112 o-ring. What type of tires radial or Bias-ply, tubed or tube-less? I am mechanically inclined 18 years US Navy As Constuction Mechanic { Seabee } still serving proudly. So I think I can tackle most if not all repairs myself..
Also right fork is leaking oil is this a simple seal like on a hydrualic ram or cyclinder? Does this require fork removal from bike and are there any special requirements IE realingment or hieght adjustments? The insulators from carb to cylindeer heads are cracked. I priced these out already and since carbs have to be removed just wondering if I should rebuild and is the any recommend methods?
And most importantly where can I find a OEM Manual or something close to one for repairs?

I want to thank you all in advance for your input and your time in assisting me. Thank you All. Jack

[b4v4]

Hi, Jack, glad to have ya aboard! (nautical term) Always glad to help out a serviceman. I'm a 250 Rebel owner, so I don't know your oil capacities and such, but I've done a lot of work on motorcycles over the years. As far as your carbs are concerned, I'm not a huge advocate of carb overhauling unless you absolutely have to. If the bike has sat for a couple years or more, or drips gas, then yes, definitely. If it runs fine when warmed up, with the new carb boots on it, leave it alone. My 250 takes a LONG time to warm up, too, especially if it's sat for a couple months or more. As far as your fork seal goes, they're a cake walk IF you know the procedure. I highly recomend a manual, whether Chilton or Clymer, to help you. I have always been able to order them from my local NAPA auto parts store. You can virtually do anything on your bike with one. And you don't have to do anything besides add the correct amount of fork oil when finished. I have had bad luck with aftermarket fork seals, even the "lifetime" seals have only gone a year or so. So I always recomend the, yes, more expensive genuine Honda seals. I, personally have never had radials on my bike, but the bias-ply, especially in a good middle-of-the-road grade tire (I prefer Metzeler) have done me extremely well. Good luck, and see ya around. Brian

[GearJammer]

Just adding a bit to Brian's excellent response......

The tires on my 450 were good when I got it, still are, but am pretty sure they're both tubeless, which I'd stick with for convenience as I prefer to change my own tires & eliminating the hassle of dealing with inner tubes appeals to me, LOL!

Oil capacity ? Don't have the manual here, but I think it's something like 3.6 qts. Can see the wisdom of changing the oil since the bike has sat for awhile. If you've got 4 qts. on hand, you'll have more than enough. After letting her warm up, drain the oil, then add about 3 qts.. Then simply keep alternately adding a bit/checking the level until it's at the right level. Level is checked by placing the dipstick in WITHOUT screwing it down & then checking against the level lines on the stick.

The Clymers is usually always available on eBay or your local indie shop may either have one in stock or they could order it for you. If you keep your eye on eBay, eventually you'll see a used Honda OEM Service Manual & they're worth every penny as they have a ton of useful info & you don't have to sort thru it like with the Clymer's since the Clymer's covers a wide variety of models.