Wow. I have no idea. I would take it to the dealer.

 

I just bought a 2013 Honda CB500X with 7 miles on it. I rode it the first night for an additional 27 miles. The next day, my brother came to see my new bike with 34 miles on it and asked, "What is that on the side of the motor?" I looked down as the motor was running and saw drops of oil on the side of the crank case and more oil falling, and it started not sounding right. I look to see where the oil and noise is coming from and see a rod sticking out of the top left side of the engine near the cams. I quickly shut it off to prevent any further damage. It turns out to be a known problem said the service manager at Cycle Barn Smokey Point. (Marysville, WA.). The rod that was sticking out of the left side on my engine turns out to be the hinge that the rockers rest on to operate the valves. There is a hex-head bolt that holds it in that was not there in my bike, but was obviously not torqued properly and obviously had no thread-lock and must have vibrated out in only 34 miles! I had the bike for one day, and the engine fell apart. Not the quality control I expect from Honda. I have explained the situation to Honda Customer Service and the Smokey Point Cycle Barn that I do not want this bike back with unknown internal motor damage and that has been torn apart and put back together at 34 miles! I want the " NEW" bike I bought! I was really enjoying the bike for those few miles. Even after only one day, I was told that I owned that bike, and that all they will do is put the rod back in and hand it back to me. I have no way of knowing if there is any additional damage that will show up later. I am waiting to see if Honda will step up and give me true customer service, meaning treat me the way they would want and expect to be treated. Here in Washington State, we only get about a dozen good weather weekends a year and they have had my bike for 2 of them. I missed being able to ride my new bike on the "Dragon's Last Ride" ( a fundraiser ride for sarcoma cancer) and for a ride with my cousin from out of town to the San Juan Islands. I will keep you informed as to the response of Honda customer service and Cycle Barn Smokey Point. I feel they should either provide a new bike, or completely cancel my purchase and I will start over. Am I being unreasonable after less than 24 hours???

 

It turns out to be a known problem said the service manager at Cycle Barn Smokey Point. (Marysville, WA.).

If this was and is a known problem than why did the manager not stop the sale of this bike until it could be throughly checkout by the service department? Where's the integrity? Where is the recall for this problem?

 

I dont think that you are being unreasonable at all. I wouldnt want the bike back either. Keep fighting with them and dont say yes to something that you truly dont want.

Hope everything works out for you.

 

I saw in the manual something about a clean out being there. But I think you are missing whatever covers it.
O.k. Never mind the clean out thing. I just went and looked at my bike and saw the clean out tube a little lower than where you are talking about. It looks like I do have a nut of some sort where you are leaking so it still appears something is missing there.

 

Could it be the same issue as in this thread:

http://www.cbr500riders.com/forum/honda-cb500x/1536-cb500x-engine-failure.html

 

It is missing a plug

The rod that is visible is what the valve rockers pivot on and is called the rocker arm shaft. There is a plug (BOLT, SEALING (12MM) 12207-MGZ-J00) with a gasket (WASHER (12.2X17X1.5) 90418-KYJ-900) that screws into the side of the engine. There is one at the front of the engine for the exhaust valve rockers, and one at the rear of the engine for the intake valve rockers.

The bolts require a 6mm hex key (allen wrench) and should be torqued to 15 Nm / 11 lb ft. They are accessible without removing ANY body work, so it wouldn't hurt for everyone to check that they are tight.

You should not run the engine until you get a plug in there. If the rod works its way out, the valve rocker could come out of position and you'll end up like this guy:

http://www.cbr500riders.com/forum/honda-cb500x/1536-cb500x-engine-failure.html#post20138

 

Quality Control Just aint what it used to be.

I would contact a Regional either sales and or service manager, and get him involved.

Tell him you don't want a bike that is in question of it's build quality

 

Thank you! They said that when the rod fell out that the rockers fall away from the cam and the valves just close. I am not a mechanic, but it seems it would be difficult to know with any certainty what exactly happens inside of an engine when something like this happens. Very disappointed in this whole situation. Unfortunately the law in this state says what they are only required to fix it, not replace it. Feels like I'm alone with the world against me. I will not pick it back up until Honda does something reasonable for me. Like a replacement bike, or one very long extended warranty!

 

Tell them you want a new replecement engine. You can keep the same bike, but you don't want a damaged rebuilt engine. New, crated, engine. This is Honda's problem, and thus your dealer's problem, not your problem.

Don't accept a rebuilt engine. Just say no, and start calling the manager, then the regional manager, then the national office. Keep putting up a big stink about it, and likely something will happen.

 

That's my job for tomorrow then - checking that out on my engine!

On my 600 mile service sheet it states 'carried out recall checks' - I wonder if that is one of them?

 

I see emotional overreaction going on here.
Honda has to take care of it, and they will. They don't owe you a new bike.
You have a new bike. You have a new bike that has a problem. They need to take care of that problem.

They need to pull the rocker cover, and take a look. If all the parts are there, and nothing fell down into the crankcase of the engine, then they can replace any damaged parts, put it back together, and you'll be good to go.
It will be as good as new. You don't need another new bike. That is ridiculous.
Don't panic. Just let them fix it. It will be fine.

 

I see emotional overreaction going on here.
Honda has to take care of it, and they will. They don't owe you a new bike.
You have a new bike. You have a new bike that has a problem. They need to take care of that problem.

They need to pull the rocker cover, and take a look. If all the parts are there, and nothing fell down into the crankcase of the engine, then they can replace any damaged parts, put it back together, and you'll be good to go.
It will be as good as new. You don't need another new bike. That is ridiculous.
Don't panic. Just let them fix it. It will be fine.

Sorry, totally disagree; I would not touch that bike again with a barge pole. Unfortunately even Honda makes lemons occasionally!! Having been through a similar experience myself I can only recommend making noise and lots of it. Don’t stop till you get what you payed for – a new trouble free bike!!

 

nate7723: I like having you on this forum.
( Do you by chance have a factory Service Manual for these bikes? )

 

Thanks for the replies guys, this has got me worried. I'm going to try and get this into the dealer ASAP. Is there any chance damage has occurred or have I found this in good time? I hope the longevity of the engine hasn't been compromised? Regards

 

Are you missing the end-plug, or did you remove it to inspect it?
If you have the plug, and it has the sealing washer on it, just put it back in and tighten it up!
( Don't overtighten it. Spec is 11 ft-lbs. )

If the plug is missing, don't run the bike until you get that plug reinstalled.
If the rocker shaft didn't come out, you are okay.

If you have the plug, just put it back in, and you'll be fine.
Check the other side to make sure it isn't loose.

No need to take it to the dealer.

 

I can't tell for sure, but from the picture, it looks like the rocker shaft may have worked its way out a little bit.
You might need to take a small punch and hammer, and tap it back in, so you can get the plug back in.

 

aw man what a bummer, id get a refund. your not being daft at all. you didn't want to buy a new bike with a problem did you? give them ****! and get what you want !

 

Unfortunately the plug has gone, must have come loose when riding and fallen off. This sounds a bit dodgy but the only way I can get to the dealer is on the bike. Could I tape over the hole to stop the rod popping out and ride it carefully to the dealer or is that ridiculous? Regards

 

Oh shoot. Okay, don't run the engine!

You need to put the bike on a trailer, or in a pickup truck and deliver it to the dealer.
If you have no way to get it there, go to your local dealer and explain the problem.
Tell them your bike cannot be driven until that plug is replaced. The rocker shaft can slip out the side.
The dealer will most likely send a truck or van to pick it up.

Main thing is.... don't start the engine!

 

You can't compare a shirt to a car or motorcycle. Seriously.

I worked in the automotive industry for 25 years. You don't get a new car because one of the components is bad. You replace the component(s).
This is how the world works.

If the rocker assembly fell apart, and sent metal chunks through the engine, you STILL wouldn't get a new bike!
You would get a new engine installed in your bike.

Too much crying going on. Demanding this and demanding that.
If you want to cry about something, cry about the TIME lost while your bike is being repaired.
That much, I can sympathize with ya!

But don't expect and demand a new bike. Makes you look like a spoiled jerk.
Very sorry to be so blunt. I know some will disagree with me.

 

You can't compare a shirt to a car or motorcycle. Seriously.

I worked in the automotive industry for 25 years. You don't get a new car because one of the components is bad. You replace the component(s).
This is how the world works.

If the rocker assembly fell apart, and sent metal chunks through the engine, you STILL wouldn't get a new bike!
You would get a new engine installed in your bike.

Too much crying going on. Demanding this and demanding that.
If you want to cry about something, cry about the TIME lost while your bike is being repaired.
That much, I can sympathize with ya!

But don't expect and demand a new bike. Makes you look like a spoiled jerk.
Very sorry to be so blunt. I know some will disagree with me.

I see what your saying but no way man, what if and yes it is a what if, but when something happens on a bike mid ride, mid corner, mid braking blah blah we can be in deep do do as riders. how is this dude going to trust his build quality? what bolt etc is going to work loose next? personally I would try and get a refund and never buy a Honda again, im no joking, its shocking and not on! wake up!

 

If my bike had a major problem tomorrow, I would take it back to the dealer, and let them fix whatever was wrong with it. I would not be demanding they give me another bike.

 

Just let them take a look on the internals. If you had any metal run through where it isn't supposed to be (i.e. the crankcase, etc.) then I'd be worried on the entire engine. In the most extreme scenario you'd get a new engine.

 

Can someone please post a picture of where this rocker shaft plug is?

Cheers,

Dave

 

Can someone please post a picture of where this rocker shaft plug is?

Photo in this thread:

http://www.cbr500riders.com/forum/engine-technical-discussion/1535-strange-oil-leak-see-pic.html

 

I agree with SandMantis. I too work in auto industry. We fix what is broke or if lemon law is in affect we then replace the vehicle. Lemon law in Texas is only in affect after 3 failed attempts to fix in a 12 month period. Let Honda fix it, keep records of what they are doing and ride that mother!

 

sad story indeed but you cannot expect to get a new bike just bc of a problem, big or small.
Let them check first and of course you can push honda headquarters so maybe they do something better.
And, i really cannot understand, how come they did not see this at the dealer while assembling the bike? I guess, they did nto do any test rides?

so, i merged these two threads as it is an important topic and we better discuss these cases together for a better collective mind.

 

That is the same problem as mine! But yours is on the rear rocker assembly and mine is on the front. Sad quality control for sure.

 

You spend thousands of your dollars on a new bike and have this happen the next day. I'm sure your tune might be different. Easy to talk about things that haven't happened to you. Plus this is a place to share issues and ask questions. Not pass judgment.

 

I don't think anyone is passing judgment, but merely stating that what is wrong should be corrected and nothing more. The parts that are defective/missing should be replaced and if there is any damage to the engine then that should be replaced...not the entire bike.

Plus I bought a brand new car and had the transmission have issues literally within 500 and 6,000 miles of owning it, and again now at 23,xxx of owning it. I know for a fact that something similar has "happened" to me. I simply ask that the transmission is fixed

 

At 500 miles ok, but within hours and 27 miles of riding it and the damage is unknown? I' d just rather get my money back and buy something that has a proven track record. Guess we will see what Honda thinks is the best course of action. There should be a 3 day return policy by law like there is on door to door sales, then there would be no discussion.