A couple of things to watch for in a new CB300F. First, the chain stretches quickly. My chain was in specs when I took delivery and out of specs...actually loose 40 miles later so you will need to adjust the chain very soon. Secondly, that oil filter is tiny. Maybe too small. I changed the oil today for the first time at 165 miles and the oil was dark and nasty and the filter was full of gunk. I don't think I would wait until 600 miles to perform the first oil and filter change!
CB300F maintenance
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I thought the oil filter was small too but it is not an external filter so the size is not a big factor. No matter what the size of an internal filter it is still inside the engine so it incapable of adding to the oil capacity thus no additional cooling like you could do with a larger filter if it was an external filter as on a car. In the past most bikes just had a small metal screen and no paper filter at all and that was just fine.
My oil looked just a little darker than brand new after 500 miles and I have adjusted the chain slack a couple times in 800 miles too.
My oil looked just a little darker than brand new after 500 miles and I have adjusted the chain slack a couple times in 800 miles too.
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What oil filter are you guys using? What's the part number for it?
How you break-in your bike determines how dark and nasty the oil will look at any particular mileage up to 600 miles. If you do a hard break-in, it will be quite dirty, even at 100 miles. Mine was quite dark and had shiny particles of metal in it. The filter was full of gunk as well...at 165 miles. When I say hard break-in, I mean I warm the bike up thoroughly by riding 10 min. or so, then I accelerate in 2nd or 3rd gear up to redline and immediately let off the throttle completely and let the bike slow back down. The gear doesn't matter but if you do 2nd or 3rd with this bike, you won't likely be speeding too much at red line. You could do it in 1st gear, but 1st gear is harder to control. You then repeat this several times. In addition you go up and down the gears varying the rpms dramatically. You don't even have to speed necessarily or accelerate fast to break-in this way. I can't say it's better or worse, but it is faster.
I use Rotella T6 in all my motorcycles and have for years. It is full synthetic 5W40 and carries the JASO MA rating. Although not specifically formulated for motorcycles, it meets the specs. Available at Walmart for $22 a gallon, cheaper if on sale. There is one theory that you shouldn't go to full synthetic until 1000 miles or more, but some motorcycles come with full synthetic...bikes like the RSV-4, Tuono, Vespa, even the small Sportcity scooters come with full synthetic AGIP 5W40. My Triumph Street Triple R came with full synthetic and so did my Prius V and Honda Civic, so many cars and motorcycles come with full synthetic.
I use Rotella T6 in all my motorcycles and have for years. It is full synthetic 5W40 and carries the JASO MA rating. Although not specifically formulated for motorcycles, it meets the specs. Available at Walmart for $22 a gallon, cheaper if on sale. There is one theory that you shouldn't go to full synthetic until 1000 miles or more, but some motorcycles come with full synthetic...bikes like the RSV-4, Tuono, Vespa, even the small Sportcity scooters come with full synthetic AGIP 5W40. My Triumph Street Triple R came with full synthetic and so did my Prius V and Honda Civic, so many cars and motorcycles come with full synthetic.
Makes sense. I had a few long trips at 70+mph 7-8000 RPM which prob explains things.
I did it again!
A month or so ago, I rode my electric motorcycle over to Hobby Lobby and bought a small watercolor paint brush. I put it in the storage area which is where the gas tank would be on a gas bike, then zipped the storage area about 75% shut. Soon as I got home, I unzipped the storage area...my glasses and phone were there but not the bag with the brush. It had somehow caught the wind and blew out of the tiny slit where I hadn't zipped the unit completely closed.
Anyway I did it again today. This time I rode the CB300F over to the Honda dealer and bought an oil filter gasket. $4 or so. I put it in my sweatshirt patch pocket and buttoned it. Got home and the shirt was unbuttoned and the gasket gone. I bought a crush washer too, but that was still in there. You would think I would notice stuff flying by my face when it flies out, but I didn't. Oh well. So then I said heck I'll just ride over to the other Honda dealership being to embarrassed to go back to the first dealer. Unfortunately, the 2nd dealer didn't have one in stock. It does look like they are readily available online though since it's the same gasket that fits the CBR250R.... part no.15412-KYJ-901. Besides, I've already re-used it once with my first oil change and if it doesn't get stuck and tear, I'll reuse it again for the next oil change. I just like to have extra parts handy just in case.
A month or so ago, I rode my electric motorcycle over to Hobby Lobby and bought a small watercolor paint brush. I put it in the storage area which is where the gas tank would be on a gas bike, then zipped the storage area about 75% shut. Soon as I got home, I unzipped the storage area...my glasses and phone were there but not the bag with the brush. It had somehow caught the wind and blew out of the tiny slit where I hadn't zipped the unit completely closed.
Anyway I did it again today. This time I rode the CB300F over to the Honda dealer and bought an oil filter gasket. $4 or so. I put it in my sweatshirt patch pocket and buttoned it. Got home and the shirt was unbuttoned and the gasket gone. I bought a crush washer too, but that was still in there. You would think I would notice stuff flying by my face when it flies out, but I didn't. Oh well. So then I said heck I'll just ride over to the other Honda dealership being to embarrassed to go back to the first dealer. Unfortunately, the 2nd dealer didn't have one in stock. It does look like they are readily available online though since it's the same gasket that fits the CBR250R.... part no.15412-KYJ-901. Besides, I've already re-used it once with my first oil change and if it doesn't get stuck and tear, I'll reuse it again for the next oil change. I just like to have extra parts handy just in case.
Curious about what you use as a wheel stand to get it upright?
I'm at about 250 miles on mine and since this is my first bike I don't have any of the tools yet =)
If you have a harbor freight near you their cheaper steel stand doesn't require spools and can be used on the forks as well as swing arm, it is about $26 with 20% coupon but in-store only.
Motorcycle Swingarm Rear Stand
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Honda doesn't fill their bikes at the factory with Yamalube... Honda uses their own GN4 10W-30 mineral oil.
It is in fact the same gasket as the one used on the CBR250R (same oil filter, as well). These oil filter cover gaskets are made from a type of spring steel, so it's not very likely that you can tear it. And unlike a paper gasket, it's not going to stick to the case or cover.
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3,014 Posts
Just to clarify a couple things, drive chains do not stretch, they wear. More precisely, the pins and bushings inside the rollers will wear, causing more clearance between those parts of the chain. This is particularly true on a brand new chain, so it's not unusual to need to make a small adjustment to the free play early on with any new bike. So, it's not a unique issue with the CBR300F.
Many new owners of these bikes... the CBR300R, CB300F, CBR250R... have a tendency to adjust the drive chain free play far too tight, which will most certainly lead to a shortened chain and sprocket service life. That, and they tend to not lubricate the chain nearly enough using a quality motorcycle specific chain lubricant which is o-ring safe... every 500 miles is about right to lube the chain, with a good thorough cleaning using kerosene every 1500 miles.
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I checked my chain after ~250mi and I measured it at about 2in full travel. I didn't realize I would need to adjust it so soon until I checked this thread.
My oil looks OK though, I'll probably wait till 600 or when I put my bike in the garage for the season.
Yeah it's quite the surprise that it needs to be adjusted so soon. At least being on this forum we're more aware of that and can do what's needed.
Wow $26 for a rear swing arm stand. I paid a lot more than that for mine which looks very similar. I notice the Manual (p68) says to adjust the chain on the side stand rather than use a rear stand, but of course you could do it either way. I prefer to oil my chain just moving the bike on the side stand too, just to be safe. You will need a rear stand the first flat you get if for no other reason.
I buy all my tools at harbor freight, great return policy and awesome prices.
When I first got my bike I had to adjust my chain, changed the oil and swapped the front sprocket over to the 15T on the side stand. After doing those items, I wasn't going to be inconvenienced any more and drove to harbor freight with my 20% off coupon I printed.
20% Off Coupon Unique 01
I might a second and just to see if it will work in on the forks for sure. I can use it on a couple of my other bikes too.
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First 600 miles
So finally I'm about to take my CB300f for its first oil change/600 mile check.
Any ideas how much this will costs just so I won't get a heart attack?
TIA
So finally I'm about to take my CB300f for its first oil change/600 mile check.
Any ideas how much this will costs just so I won't get a heart attack?
TIA
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Are you taking it to the dealer you bought it from?... you could always call them and ask. Some dealers will offer a special deal on the first service for customers who bought the bike from them... can't hurt to ask.
Costs for the first service can and do vary a lot from one dealer to the next... could be anywhere from $150 to $250. In SoCal, I'd think that it will be closer to the higher figure. Current dealership labor rates go from $75 per hour and up.
By the way, if you're inclined to do so you can DIY and save yourself a significant amount of money. Everything you need know in order to DIY is in your Owner's Manual. The two quarts of motorcycle specific engine oil (do not use car oil), a Honda oil filter and gaskets will cost about $25.
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