Pictures With Words

I’m starting to become a Honda fanboy. At first, I really wasn’t much of a fan, other than the 90’s NSX and the RC51. It’s their attention to detail that really started to grow on me. And why wouldn’t it? Well, one reason is, it takes more time to remove these “attention to details” when working on their bikes. Such as removing the front nose fairing to access the radiator cap. Or removing the tail section-fairing when bleeding the rear brake. But sometimes those details remove a step, such as the captive O-ring around the clutch cover on the RC51, rather than the typical paper gasket that rips into pieces when you remove the cover on most other bikes. I guess the coolant and the rear brake are less serviced on a race bike than the clutch, where race starts are crucial.

Have you heard about the new supercharged V-3 Honda that is going into production? They don’t say for which bike yet, but it has a trellis frame with two cylinders in the front and one in the rear. And an electric supercharger!

I am so used to seeing motorcycles with only one pipe (exhaust/muffler). But how could you not be accustomed to this, seems like that’s the way most motorcycles are. However, when you see a motorcycle with twin pipes, you put the weight savings idea to the side and say, “Now that’s cool!” It looks symmetrical, it doesn’t look like a muffler is missing or fell off. It also looks like it has more power. More mufflers mean more power, right? LOL.

Ok, so all of those bikes pictured were V-twins. So here’s an inline four:

See, it just looks balanced.

Honda has done this with some of their dirt bikes in the past.

The (used) right crankcase cover for the RC51 arrived this week. The hose that attaches to the weep hole looks brand new and there is no dirt or moisture at the end of the hose; as to indicate that the water pump seals were leaking. Taking the hose off the weep hole hose fitting, there seems to be no sign of corrosion; also indicating no water pump leak. As a matter of fact the whole thing looks brand new. At least on my RC51, Honda had used black silicone sealant to seal the engine causes. How do I know Honda used black on the engine cases and not a previous owner? Because the factory can apply it in such an even and precise way, unlike a human. This used right crankcase cover has slightly messy (human) grey silicone attached to the mating surface. I’m thinking whoever owned that parted-out RC51 bought the right crankcase cover with the water pump drive mechanism and seals already installed (part # 11300-MCF-000) from Honda. Back before they were discontinued. I’m betting the water pump seals are good. Also the impeller turns easier, not loose, but the one I rebuilt has some stiction before it starts turning.

I went into my local Honda/Yamaha dealer to pick up some engine case sealant, because my old tube dried all up. I could’ve easily ordered it online, but if I go into the dealer for a cheap item, that means I also get to look at the new bikes in stock. Becoming a rapidly recent fanboy of Honda, I saw a beautiful 2025 CRF250R. Although, no more dual exhaust.

After checking out all the new bikes from Honda and Yamaha, I put the tube of Hondabond on the counter and asked the guy behind the counter, “Does this work for sealing engine cases?” I know it’s exactly what I needed and wanted, but I only saw one type of sealant the whole store. He replied, “Uh… Yeah?!” I couldn’t tell whether he just made up his answer, or didn’t know. Probably both, lol. The two guys behind the counter that actually looked the part, wearing dealer brand shirts and hats, were busy helping other customers. Was this guy the janitor? Anyways, this is what I dislike about going to dealerships or even home improvement stores. They ask, “Can I help you?” “No, I don’t think you can.”, I sometimes say to myself. Of course this is not always the case, but it’s the majority that creates the stereotype. There was an older female named Carol, who used to work at the Parts Department of Tacoma Motorsports. She had more knowledge than any other parts department employee I ever met. I remember one time I needed some front wheel bearing for my 2003 YZ250F, she looked in the back and returned, telling me that they don’t have those in stock, but they have some Honda front wheel bearings that are the same size AND they have a sealed on the outside (side facing the dirt). So I bought the Honda bearings.

I have all new o-rings and seals coming for all the oil and coolant passages in the right crankcase cover. Let’s keep the oil where it belongs and the coolant where it belongs so there are no more milkshakes in the oil pan.