Honda Ax-1 Bike

Cyclist · July 20, 2011

Hi Guys

Im sorry if this is in a wrong section, Im planning to buy an Honda AX-1 motor bike.. I found a decent quality one for near 200K registered in 2009 with 14000 on the odo. If there is anyone here who owns one or knows well about this bike, please let me know what are the thing to look for before buying it? Thanks

Ripper · July 21, 2011

very good bike. if maintained well should last a very long time without issues.

i would check for blue smoke...tell-tale sign for either worn pistons/rings or oil seepage through valve seats. can be somewhat expensive to fix.

also check the suspension. especially the rear mono.

I wouldn't trust the ODO reading cos that is very easy to meddle with.

Other things to check is the general condition of body parts, chassis for corrorion, accident damage and what not. Also see if it's extensively modded. Some times those "mods" are hiding what lies beneath.

If it's a good specimen...you can't go wrong with an AX-1.

Cyclist · July 21, 2011

On 7/21/2011 at 6:38 AM, Ripper said:

very good bike. if maintained well should last a very long time without issues.

i would check for blue smoke...tell-tale sign for either worn pistons/rings or oil seepage through valve seats. can be somewhat expensive to fix.

also check the suspension. especially the rear mono.

I wouldn't trust the ODO reading cos that is very easy to meddle with.

Other things to check is the general condition of body parts, chassis for corrorion, accident damage and what not. Also see if it's extensively modded. Some times those "mods" are hiding what lies beneath.

If it's a good specimen...you can't go wrong with an AX-1.

Thanks Ripper, I'll be watching for that. anything else ? any owners ?

Cyclist · October 27, 2011

On 7/21/2011 at 6:38 AM, Ripper said:

very good bike. if maintained well should last a very long time without issues.

i would check for blue smoke...tell-tale sign for either worn pistons/rings or oil seepage through valve seats. can be somewhat expensive to fix.

also check the suspension. especially the rear mono.

I wouldn't trust the ODO reading cos that is very easy to meddle with.

Other things to check is the general condition of body parts, chassis for corrorion, accident damage and what not. Also see if it's extensively modded. Some times those "mods" are hiding what lies beneath.

If it's a good specimen...you can't go wrong with an AX-1.

Hi Ripper, got myself a AX-1 last week mate, its in a pretty bad shape as it wasn't taken care well at all and lots of things are not working! but the Engine and carb are superb , so I think rebuilding it would worth the effort and money. I will update here when its completed

Things to be fixed

Replace starter motor armature ( shaft busted)
Replace starter reduction gear
Replace starter clutch
Replace / Repair Silencer
Replace / Repair Rear shock
Repair radiator fan / replace thermostatic switch
Replace tires with Dunlops
Lubricating and de-rusting !
Electricals, fuses , insulating
(new paint and stickers)
etc !

Ripper · October 27, 2011

congrats machang! if you attend to those issues and look after it.... it should server you well

I would not attempt to repair the rear shock here mate, you should be able to pick up a decent used one from a breaker joint.

My rear shock too is kaput and i suffered big time on a round the island trip. having a your shocks in good order is a must imho.

good luck

Zambo · October 30, 2011

If you make the mods ought to do well

Cyclist · November 9, 2011

I got most of the things fixed and it is roaring now

Here are the costs so far, hope some one will find these useful when repairing there ax-1s.

Many of the parts are from Panchikawattha breaker joints, I can give contact numbers if anyone requires. Anything on the ax-1 is so expensive as if its made of gold!

starter motor armature - Rs. 5500

Starter motor carbon brushes - replaced with GS125 brush set - Rs.750

Oil filter - replaced with a Bajaj Boxer Oil filter : ~Rs. 60

Replace starter reduction gear wheel + idle gear + needle bearings + washers- Rs. 5000

Replace starter clutch + fly wheel + starter driven gear + needle bearing - Rs.15000

Repair radiator fan / thermostatic switch - ( they worked after cleaning and proper installation )

Lubricating and de-rusting

Wires, fuses , insulating, bulbs and fixing cracks in the plastics

New handle grips n chest guard pad - 1000

many other small parts such as nuts and bolts , washers

Tires ( 15K) / Paint (?) / rear shock ( 18K!) / chain n sprockets (?) still to attend to.

Loved when everything worked smoothly after all the effort. Had a nice ride about 20kms of Urapola - Ruwanwella road which is very close to where I live. Absolutely thrilled about the ride! Looking forward to a longer ride soon.

Zambo · November 9, 2011

For the paint i suggest u look for he price from several auto paint shops or paint shops who deal partly with these things.

Ripper · November 10, 2011

sounds good cyclist.

the oil filter meant for an indian bikes...i would never take a chance with an oil filter mate. always use a quality one and at that price....one would assume it isn't of good quality.

Cyclist · November 12, 2011

Thanks Ripper, I'll look for a genuine one.

And here it is all mechanical / electrical parts perfectly working.

luckey007 · November 12, 2011

Just out of curiosity, how did u start the bike before fixing the motor? Did u run with pressed clutch and released in gear?

Ripper · November 13, 2011

On 11/12/2011 at 11:59 PM, luckey007 said:

Just out of curiosity, how did u start the bike before fixing the motor? Did u run with pressed clutch and released in gear?

you can jump start it easily. drop into neutral....push it fast a bit and quickly jump in and shift to second...

that's what i do when the battery goes south

Cyclist · November 14, 2011

On 11/13/2011 at 9:26 AM, Ripper said:

you can jump start it easily. drop into neutral....push it fast a bit and quickly jump in and shift to second...

that's what i do when the battery goes south

Thats what I did too I had to do a quick stand and sit back at seat at the same time I release the clutch too. Thats adds some more weight on the rear tire for better grip. Guess that's the normal practice

Cyclist · November 14, 2011

On 11/12/2011 at 11:59 PM, luckey007 said:

Just out of curiosity, how did u start the bike before fixing the motor? Did u run with pressed clutch and released in gear?

yes, additionally a jump at the rear of the seat at the same time I released the clutch. Actually I had to push it up for about an hour before it finally fired up. Good cardio exercise LOL

fonfe · November 27, 2011

how is your rear sprocket attached?

mine seems to be.....riveted.....doesnt strike me as being right?

having a chain and sprocket set brought out to me this week hopefully from the uk along with a k&n oil filter so will have to tackle this issue very soon as my chain is very much in the danger zone

Cyclist · November 27, 2011

On 11/27/2011 at 10:18 AM, fonfe said:

how is your rear sprocket attached?

mine seems to be.....riveted.....doesnt strike me as being right?

having a chain and sprocket set brought out to me this week hopefully from the uk along with a k&n oil filter so will have to tackle this issue very soon as my chain is very much in the danger zone

They are reverted alright! you have to buy a compatible sprocket.

http://www.cmsnl.com/products/sprkt-comp-final_41200kw3010/

Biker boy · November 27, 2011

Hi Cyclist,

A good full paint job will cost you less than 25000/= i mean without ripping the bike totally. but best is to rip it fully and redo it, that way you can find glitches and you will know the naked truth from the frame to the body usually garage fellows charge around 5000/= to rip and re-fix.

All in all, AX-1 is pretty good bike, if taken care properly.

Also try using the first gear, then push to start, that way, with a very short distance can jump start. that's how i did when my VTR stalled long time back

Edited November 27, 2011 by Biker boy

Cyclist · November 28, 2011

On 11/27/2011 at 12:53 PM, Biker boy said:

Hi Cyclist,

A good full paint job will cost you less than 25000/= i mean without ripping the bike totally. but best is to rip it fully and redo it, that way you can find glitches and you will know the naked truth from the frame to the body usually garage fellows charge around 5000/= to rip and re-fix.

All in all, AX-1 is pretty good bike, if taken care properly.

Also try using the first gear, then push to start, that way, with a very short distance can jump start. that's how i did when my VTR stalled long time back

Thanks Biker boy, I think I'm going to rip it myself and take whats necessary for painting, as you said correctly , that's the only way to get to know the bike completely.

and starting on 1st gear is so hard with the AX-1 ! believe me

fonfe · November 28, 2011

yeah i find 2nd much easier to bump start with too.

had a propper look at my rear sprocket today when i had a new tyre fitted....then ordered the right sprocket so thanks for that mate

got some shocking wiring on my bike, alot of wires twisted together and just tape over them, going to have to strip mine to sort my lights out

Cyclist · November 29, 2011

On 11/28/2011 at 4:25 PM, fonfe said:

got some shocking wiring on my bike, alot of wires twisted together and just tape over them, going to have to strip mine to sort my lights out

Let me know if you need the electrical diagram for ax-1, actually I have the full NX250 manual which is 95% compatible to AX-1. cheers

fonfe · December 6, 2011

Got my sprockets and chain on Saturday :) got myself a k&n oil filter a front pads while I was at it too!

Yeah I've got the nx250 manual too, thanks for the offer though mate.

Is looking like I may have to sell the bike though as I may be moving back to the uk soon

Cyclist · December 6, 2011

On 12/6/2011 at 11:18 AM, fonfe said:

Got my sprockets and chain on Saturday :) got myself a k&n oil filter a front pads while I was at it too!

Yeah I've got the nx250 manual too, thanks for the offer though mate.

Is looking like I may have to sell the bike though as I may be moving back to the uk soon

Cool, I might need new Sprocket n chain soon too , busted a rear sprocket pin out, may be the old sprocket cant bear my wheelies attempts anymore lol

DID gold link chain with Japanese sprockets may cost 10k-12k here. ( i thought 6-7k , just found im wrong there) How much did you spent on them ?

and too bad you are selling the bike, well, we cant keep them for ever , can we ?

Edited December 7, 2011 by Cyclist

fonfe · December 7, 2011

I paid £80 for a TKR heavy duty chain, sprockets, pads and the k&n oil filter with delivery to the uk.

Had the chain and sprockets changed today as i have no tools here to do any work but it only cost be 400 rupes!

So yes i paid a lot but with drivetrain and brakes i wanted peace of mind it wasnt going to snap on me when im in the middle of nowhere.

apon removal found than one of my pins was also busted so your not alone there mate!

Cyclist · December 8, 2011

On 12/7/2011 at 9:28 AM, fonfe said:

I paid £80 for a TKR heavy duty chain, sprockets, pads and the k&n oil filter with delivery to the uk.

Had the chain and sprockets changed today as i have no tools here to do any work but it only cost be 400 rupes!

So yes i paid a lot but with drivetrain and brakes i wanted peace of mind it wasnt going to snap on me when im in the middle of nowhere.

apon removal found than one of my pins was also busted so your not alone there mate!

cool , I need to work on the drive train n brakes too, both disks worn beyond service limit , I hope I can find replacement parts in breaker joints !

Edited December 8, 2011 by Cyclist