Honda 450X 2005 Owner's Manual & Competition Handbook page 35

Handgrips
Always use Honda Hand Grip Cement (U.S.A only) or
Honda Bond A when replacing handgrips.
Throttle grip
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 168)
for installation instructions.
For added security, you may choose to safety wire the hand
grips to the handlebar and throttle 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
grip rubber so they will not snag your glove.
Throttle Control
Remove the throttle control every few rides, clean the inside
of the drum and the handlebar thoroughly, and apply a light
coating of silicone 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. Check to be sure the top of the
carburetor is screwed on tight. 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 valve/filter. Replace the fuel valve 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).
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 Honda Thread
Lock or an equivalent prior to torquing the nuts.
General Competition Maintenance
Fuel Contamination
Refer to Fuel System in your Owner's Manual, page 41, and,
in this supplement, Fuel System, 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 valve and fuel filter. Replace the fuel valve O-ring
if there are any signs of damage or deterioration (page 41).
Loosen the float bowl plug 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 132).
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.
Fuse
Check the fuse before looking elsewhere for the cause of an
electrical problem.
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 100).
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).
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 Honda Dielectric Grease on all electrical
connections.
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Servicing Your Honda