Honda CRF450X 2007, Owner'S Manual

Page: 36 / 185

General Competition Maintenance
Handgrips
Always use Pro Honda Handgrip Cement or equivalent when
replacing handgrips.
Align the index mark on the throttle grip with the edge of the
throttle cable guide. Left handlebar grip: Align the “
” mark
on the left handlebar grip with the paint mark on the
handlebar.
Refer to the Honda Service Manual (page 166)
for installation instructions.
For added security, you may choose to bind the handgrips to
the handlebar and throttle pipe with safety wire to prevent
the possibility of them loosening. Position the twisted wire
ends away from your palms and be sure to bend the wire
ends well into the handgrips rubber so they will not snag
your glove.
Throttle Control
Remove the throttle control every few rides, clean the inside
of the throttle pipe and handlebar thoroughly, and apply a
light coating of commercially available cable lubricant.
Inspect the cable carefully for kinks or other damage that
may restrict throttle control in any way. Move the handlebar
from lock to lock to be sure there is no cable interference.
Make certain the throttle operation is perfect after servicing
and inspecting.
Fuel Filter
Periodically drain the fuel from the fuel tank, remove and
clean the fuel joint and filter. Replace the fuel joint O-ring if
there are any signs of damage or deterioration (page 42).
Cylinder Removal
Put a little grease on the cylinder mounting dowels to
prevent corrosion from dissimilar metals. The tolerances are
quite tight, so it’s important to keep these dowels absolutely
clean (page 77).
Fuel Contamination
Refer to Fuel System in your Owner’s Manual (page 41).
Check the fuel lines for deterioration, damage, or leakage.
Replace the fuel lines, if necessary.
Periodically drain the fuel from the tank, remove and clean
the fuel joint and fuel filter. Replace the fuel joint O-ring if
there are any signs of damage or deterioration (page 42).
Loosen the carburetor drain screw and examine the fuel that
flows out of the float bowl. If you notice anything in the
fuel, such as water or dirt, remove the float bowl and inspect
its contents (page 133).
For maximum efficiency, drain and replace fuel that has
remained in your fuel tank for more than a month.
Gaskets
Always use new gaskets when reassembling components.
Engine Mounting Bolts and Nuts
Make sure the engine mounting bolts and nuts are tightened
to the proper torque specification. For added peace of mind,
remove the nuts, clean the threads, and apply Pro Honda
Hondalock or an equivalent prior to torquing the nuts.
Electrical Connectors
Clean electrical connectors and wrap them with electrical
tape to reduce the possibility of unwanted disconnections,
water shorts or corrosion. Additional corrosion protection is
offered by using Pro Honda Dielectric Grease on all
electrical connections.
Battery
Electrical accessories use current from the battery – even
when the engine is off.
Limited operation also allows the battery to discharge. If you
have electrical accessories on your CRF – or do not ride
frequently, we recommend that you charge the battery
frequently (see Battery charging, page 101).
If you do not expect to ride your CRF for at least two weeks,
we recommend you remove the battery – or at least
disconnect the battery cables (negative cable first).
Fuse
Check the fuse before looking elsewhere for the cause of an
electrical problem.
Servicing Your Honda
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