Here’s a copy of the maintenance schedule for the 1978 CX500, to give you an idea of what Honda expected you to do to keep these bikes on the road: Note: “Inspect” means “Inspect, clean, adjust, lubricate and replace if necessary”.
| Item | Source or More Info |
Time Period | 1,000km | 6,000km | 12,000km | 18,000km | 24,000km | 30,000km | 36,000km |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Oil | 12 months | Replace | – | Replace | – | Replace | – | Replace | |
| Oil filter | 12 months | Replace | – | Replace | – | Replace | – | Replace | |
| Crankcase Breather | Note* | – | Clean | Clean | Clean | Clean | Clean | Clean | |
| Air filter | More frequently in dusty areas |
– | Clean | Replace | Clean | Replace | Clean | Replace | |
| Fuel lines | – | – | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Spark Plugs | – | – | Inspect | Replace | Inspect | Replace | Inspect | Replace | |
| Valve clearances | – | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Cam Chain Tension | – | Adjust | Adjust | Adjust | Adjust | Adjust | Adjust | Adjust | |
| Throttle Operation | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Carb idle speed | – | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | |
| Choke | – | – | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Carb sync | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Coolant | – | – | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Replace | |
| Radiator hoses | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Radiator | – | – | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Driveshaft joint | – | – | – | Lube | – | Lube | – | Lube | |
| Final drive lube | – | – | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Replace | |
| Battery | Monthly inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | |
| Brake fluid | Monthly inspect 24-month Replace |
Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Replace | |
| Brake pads and shoes | – | – | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | |
| Brake system (?) | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Brake light switch | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Headlight aim | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Clutch free play | – | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | Inspect | |
| Side stand | – | – | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Suspension | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Nuts, bolts and fasteners | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Wheels | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Steering head bearing | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | – | Inspect | |
| Item | Time Period | 1,000km | 6,000km | 12,000km | 18,000km | 24,000km | 30,000km | 36,000km |
Note* – Crankcase breather requires more frequent attention if the bike is ridden in the rain, dropped, washed often or ridden at full throttle.