1987 Honda Rebel CMX 450 Owner's Manual

The 1987 Honda Rebel CMX 450 is a classic cruiser motorcycle featuring a 447cc parallel-twin engine, five-speed transmission, chain drive, electric start, front disc brake, rear drum brake, and comfortable upright riding position. This manual covers operation, maintenance, safety procedures, specifications, and troubleshooting for proper ownership experience.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Pre-Ride Inspection 3. Basic Operation 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Instruments 6. Maintenance Schedule 7. Basic Maintenance Procedures 8. Storage and Winterization 9. Safety Information 10. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: 447cc air-cooled parallel-twin engine, five-speed transmission, electric start, front disc brake, rear drum brake, fuel tank, instrumentation cluster.

Feature	Description
Engine	447cc air-cooled parallel-twin, 4-stroke
Transmission	5-speed constant mesh
Starting System	Electric start with kick start backup
Brakes	Front hydraulic disc, rear mechanical drum
Fuel Capacity	2.6 gallons (9.8 liters)
Seat Height	27.2 inches (690mm)
Weight	367 lbs (166.5 kg) wet
Instrumentation	Speedometer, odometer, trip meter, neutral indicator
Lighting	Halogen headlight, turn signals, brake light
Tires	Front: 3.00-18, Rear: 130/90-15

Pre-Ride Inspection

Always perform safety check before each ride.

Check fuel level: Ensure adequate fuel for planned trip.
Inspect tires: Check pressure and condition for wear/damage.
Test brakes: Verify front and rear brake operation.
Check lights: Headlight, brake light, turn signals functional.
Verify controls: Throttle, clutch, brake levers move freely.
Check chain: Proper tension and lubrication.
Fluid levels: Engine oil at proper level.

WARNING! Never ride with inadequate tire pressure or worn brakes. Always wear proper protective gear.

Basic Operation

Starting and riding procedures for safe operation.

Starting: Turn ignition key ON, ensure neutral light illuminated, pull choke if cold, press starter button.
Shifting: Pull clutch lever, shift to first gear, gradually release clutch while applying throttle.
Braking: Apply both front and rear brakes simultaneously for maximum stopping power.
Turning: Look through turns, countersteer for directional changes.
Parking: Place on center stand or side stand on firm, level surface.

CAUTION! Allow engine to warm up before riding. Avoid rapid throttle application when cold.

Specifications

Engine Type: Air-cooled 4-stroke parallel-twin
Displacement: 447cc
Bore x Stroke: 71.0 x 56.3mm
Compression Ratio: 9.3:1
Carburetion: Two 26mm constant vacuum
Ignition: CDI electronic
Transmission: 5-speed constant mesh
Final Drive: Chain
Fuel Capacity: 2.6 gal (9.8L)
Oil Capacity: 2.5 qt (2.4L) with filter change
Brakes: Front disc, rear drum
Suspension: Telescopic front fork, dual shocks rear

Controls and Instruments

Right handlebar: Throttle control, front brake lever, engine kill switch, starter button. Left handlebar: Clutch lever, turn signals, horn, headlight dimmer.

Instrument Cluster: Speedometer, odometer, trip meter, neutral indicator, high beam indicator, turn signal indicators.

Ignition switch: Three positions - OFF, ON, PARK. Fuel valve: Three positions - ON, RES, OFF. Choke lever: Located on left side of carburetor for cold starts.

Maintenance Schedule

Regular maintenance intervals for optimal performance.

Item	Every 600 mi	Every 4000 mi	Every 8000 mi
Engine oil	Replace	Replace	Replace
Oil filter	-	Replace	Replace
Air filter	Inspect	Clean/Replace	Replace
Spark plugs	Inspect	Replace	Replace
Chain	Adjust/Lube	Adjust/Lube	Adjust/Lube
Brakes	Inspect	Inspect	Inspect/Service
Tires	Inspect	Inspect	Inspect/Replace
Valve clearance	-	Adjust	Adjust

Basic Maintenance Procedures

Essential maintenance tasks for owner performance.

Oil change: Warm engine, drain oil, replace filter, refill with 10W-40 motorcycle oil.
Chain adjustment: Loosen axle nut, adjust chain tension to 1-1.5 inches play, lubricate.
Air filter: Remove side cover, clean foam element in solvent, re-oil with filter oil.
Spark plugs: Remove with spark plug socket, gap to 0.028-0.031 inches, install firmly.
Brake adjustment: Front - check fluid level; Rear - adjust nut at brake rod.
Tire pressure: Check cold - Front 28 psi, Rear 32 psi.

WARNING! Use only motorcycle-specific oils. Never over-tighten chain.

Storage and Winterization

Proper storage procedures for extended non-use.

Fuel system: Add fuel stabilizer, run engine to circulate, turn fuel valve to OFF.
Battery: Remove battery, store on trickle charger in cool, dry location.
Tires: Inflate to maximum pressure, place on stands to prevent flat spots.
Exterior: Wash and wax, apply protectant to rubber and plastic components.
Storage location: Cover motorcycle, store in dry, ventilated area.

CAUTION! Never store with fuel in carburetor bowls without stabilizer.

Safety Information

Always wear DOT-approved helmet, eye protection, gloves, jacket, long pants, and over-ankle boots. Never ride under influence of alcohol or drugs. Obey all traffic laws. Maintain safe following distance. Be visible to other motorists. Ride defensively and assume others don't see you.

EMERGENCY! In case of accident: Move to safety if possible, call emergency services, do not remove helmet if neck injury suspected.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Engine won't start	Fuel, spark, compression	Check fuel valve ON, choke operation, spark plug condition, battery charge
Poor performance	Dirty air filter, carburetion	Clean air filter, check spark plugs, verify carburetor synchronization
Hard shifting	Clutch adjustment, oil	Adjust clutch cable, check oil level and condition
Chain noise	Loose chain, lack of lube	Adjust chain tension, clean and lubricate chain
Brake issues	Worn pads, fluid level	Inspect brake pads, check fluid level, bleed if necessary
Electrical problems	Battery, connections	Check battery voltage, clean terminals, verify ground connections

Service: For complex repairs, consult authorized Honda dealer.

Parts: Use only genuine Honda parts for optimal performance and safety.