THE HONDA AX-1
TOTAL REBUILD PAGE
Last edit 27 Oct09
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Mirror sites dhost.info/ax1/ Germany EU
By Kiriakos Triantafyllou Greece 2007- 2009
ax1rebuild.net23.net/ U.S.A
The AX-1 F.A.Q.
Motorcycle
4) Acrylic plastic parts maintenance ( head light, flash lights, stop light, odometer ).
Market - parts
From 1 Nov 08 this site runs on New server 1.5GB free space and more.
1000 Thanks to my new Free host .000webhost.com
Other tips .
The life with one AX-1 - NX250, from 2008 and beyond - Europe
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Motorcycle
1) How to keep your motorcycle safe .
Page started 21/10/2007
The truth is that non of the moto alarm systems of the past , offers complete protection, By spending all that money on the AX-1 , securing it against thefts, become a high priority to me , after long research , I end up to the system Scorpio i500 , with perimeter sensor (detects human presence ).
The SR-i500 is a two-way FM security system that incorporates a handheld LCD transceiver that offers both pager and remote functions. The pager remote monitors system status up to a ½ mile away.
The system is expensive but perfect , I feel protected , not only from thefts , but also from all those annoying people , who have the habit to push motorcycles around , so to park their cars .
The system is tested for over 6 months , and I am still surprised of how well it works .
This system is expandable , and I have get the complete set , main unit + perimeter sensor + engine kill relay .
2) Plastic parts maintenance .
My advice on that is simple , use Vaseline .
I use Vaseline on the handlebar electrical controls , and by this way they do not became dry and white , I do that every two months , and it works well , and it does not damage anything.
3) Aluminum parts maintenance
Metal Polish - Retail 75 ml (Product No. 1000, BP1000) Made in Germany
Use on chrome, aluminum, stainless steel , brass, copper, and other bright metals. Its high polishing strength makes it ideal for restoring weathered and corroded metals to a high gloss shine.
Many polishes, after removing the surface oxides, leave the metal bare and exposed to environmental attacks, but Autosol leaves a water-repelling film to protect from further tarnishing and oxidation.
4) Acrylic plastic parts maintenance ( head light, flash lights, stop light, odometer ).
THE APPLICATION
Clean the surface and apply a little paste.
Using a soft, clean cotton cloth or pad polish the scratched areas using heavy pressure for 2-3 minutes.
Do not use on any printed, varnished or coated surfaces.
For deep scratches repeat application several times. Remove residue with a cloth. Very deep scratches should be treated beforehand with special abrasive paper (granularity: 1600) and a little water. Polish afterwards with XERAPOL.
Find parts at 2008 .
The official Honda channel here in Greece , told me that Honda is obligated to support with parts every vehicle for ten years, from the end date of production , in everything have to do with any part other than engine .
About the engine , they are obligated to support with parts for twenty five years .
If you think that the last NX 250 came out at 1994 , then we add 25 years in the calculator, at 2019 we will have, to start , to worry .
Unofficially , there are plenty of parts as second hand , but you need to do some local phone calls, in the shops of your area – country .
Import parts .
The only tip that I have to share is this link http://aucfan.com/search2?y=6&ss=48703&c=25&q=AX-1&x=35&o=t1 Its one Japanese search engine with combined results of many other Japanese search engines .
You will find many parts , very few sellers will do international shipping , you will need help if you do not know the language.
Hard to find parts.
Well at the 2008 , the list of the “hard to find parts “ is still small .
The rear disc brake and pads is not easy to find .
Rear pads..Part No 43106-KW3-006 ... Front pads 43105-KW3-006
Rear pads other makers (not metallic) .. Vesrah VD-153 & EBC FA153
Gold Fren New line !! (I use those) Front type: 004 AD ... Rear type 071 AD
Alternative Rear Brake pad :Carbone Lorraine Sintered Metal 3006 SC
Alternative Front Brake pad :GoldFren: 041 = EBC: FA185
Front pads of XL 650 Transalp (VY,V1,V2,V3,V4,V5,V6,V7) 2000-2007 its a bit less thick than Gold Fren 004, but it will work too.
The front headlight bulbs cost allot as 20€ its , but they are around .
headlight bulb.. part number 34901-GS7-003
The air filter is expensive but Honda haves it, 17210-KW3-000 .
BRIDGESTONE, it does produce fresh tires .
Finding a CDI unit for it , its almost easy .
The only one Really hard to find part, is the real luggage rack .. its out of stock worldwide , I had buy one for my motorcycle , and afterwards I got another one from EBAY as spare . I also got as spare , one starter and one carburetor , just for the peace of the mind
Now I will tell you one big secret , many official Honda parts distribution channels, do have parts for the AX-1 , but !! they do not list them in public , if you know the Honda part number , then you can search in their database , and you will see, if there is in stock .
The other way to find the Honda part number that you need , is to visit one official Honda parts retailer, and by the frame number, he will find for you in his computer the inventory of the parts that is for your motorcycle.
Some Honda parts retailers , will deny to search , saying that your motorcycle is a Japanese import and you do not have coverage in parts , that’s a scam , push them a bit with some sweet talk.
Another tip for you !! when you do a search for parts do no forget to add the symbol (-) between the MD21 number and your frame number code.
The Honda spare parts database is worldwide , and your illegal in the west world AX-1 ( hahahaha ) it is, in it .
EBAY - Paypal
About EBAY and Paypal , I will say that if you own an old motorcycle and you need to stock some parts , there is no better place to find them, than EBAY .
But, you must be careful , there few occasions that the parts could be in bad shape , my tip for you is ... If you see very bad quality of pictures .. blurred and such .. stay away .
The EBAY auctions site is not universal , there are sub sites in many regions .
For Example ebay.de ebay.co.uk ebay.it etc. etc. .. I found many parts for the NX250 in Germany, ebay.de & ebay.nl
The life with one AX-1 - NX250, from 2008 and beyond - Europe
Well if some one keeps still one NX or AX , its mostly because, of pure love .
Personally I believe, that if it was not had been “ water cooled with starter “ , it would never survive in time, it would be just another one XL200R , popular but not a keeper .
I am optimistic, that this model it will survive easily for at list one more decade , by having in mind that this model, is still alive for two decades , the third would be easy , but the fourth would be possibly the last one .
The bigger enemy is not the time , but the weather conditions , the sun rays become very hostile to people and materials , parking your motorcycle under the direct sunlight is dangerous , for plastics and rubber parts .
If you plan to keep your motorcycle for long time , you have to baby-sit it allot , careful wash , careful driving , careful parking , careful service .
With all this , you will still have, this little devil to escort you pleasantly , in every need for transportation .
The AX-1 is more lucky motorcycle than the NX , it has many stainless parts , that makes the AX-1 less delicate against corrosion and aging .
The look of the AX-1 was something that got me from the start , especially the Black AX-1 , causes feelings , that its hard to explain ....
The dual head light with this cowl , looks a to be like a head of a space man , that laughs at you .
The black body of it , with the white wheels and fork , looks like a devil with white snickers ! ! , that was my first though when I got it fresh ... I took it from the shop , drive it home , and wash it top to bottom , when I finished the washing , I lighted up a cigaret and I was just observing it for many minutes ... and the image of the devil with snickers was the only image familiar with the look of it . Hahahahaaaaa ....
So , that’s how I fall in love with this “ space head devil ” , and I will never let him go , as long I live .
Wind screen for the AX-1
Very recently I find out, that the Google search engine , is not that global , it become a cold trading tool , its not any more a friendly search engine that you can locate simple personal pages of people who have something to say or show .
With the help of an Russian search engine , I found many Japanese and Russian personal pages of people with AX-1 , the idea of the wind screen , looks to have take over, mostly the Japanese friends .
The point is, that by finding their pages and pictures , I have see many wind screens , but the 98% of those was not that successful as designs , the addition of wind screens from other motorcycle models , needs modifications , that with out the proper tools or parts , could cause more harm than good .
The 98% of those who did the modification , admitted that at the end , the wind screen did not offer much , other than visual gain .
The one of BMW 1150 GS could possibly work , but its a little expensive to get it .
The most used windshield on the AX-1 is from the old SUZUKI katana GSX 750 .
At EBAY you will find some of those , but as second hand parts , can possibly be blurred or cracked or scratched , any way , be very careful with second hand wind screens.
Here is some images from one Japanese fellow who installed the BMW 1150 GS screen on the AX-1 .
SUZUKI katana GSX 750 ... alternative option
Unknown option ... ?? maker ?
Japanese windshield .. called as RALLY 790
The CDI story from my view.
Since the time that I got my motorcycle , I was listening few complains about unexpected CDI failure .
My CDI died too , but it needed 16 years for this to happen .
When my CDI died , one month later the regulator - rectifier unit died too.
I replaced them both with new , the regulator rectifier was replaced with even stronger than the original, I took one for Honda Transalp.
The last two years I found on the internet the method of how to possibly repair one broken CDI unit, well the most reports shows success ... the unit can possibly stop to operate because of failure in the soldering s , the opening with the help of a DREMEL tool and some skills in soldering with hot iron is a must have .
But be warned ... I will speak to you as electronics engineer ... to repair the unit is easy .. BUT afterwards the unit must to closed again, totally air tide !!! Or else the soldering will start to corrode extremely fast .
The people, who did not made an air tide sealing afterwards , lost their CDI s in the next few months time.
I will post some images that I found in a Dutch forum just as reference .
Modern Japan , and the AX-1 story
The AX-1 was build ed in Japan for the Japanese people ONLY , at the beginning it sounds very egoistic , why in earth some one to think that way ... one good product , it must circulate everywhere !!
Any way , I do not have all the answers , its HONDA s right to build things and select the markets too.
Even the Americans was egoists in many examples , by demanding from the manufacturer, their models to have extra futures that the standard version .
The AX-1 in Japan , was mostly the vehicle of school students , its small and easy to ride , so the target group of Honda , was the young people .
The young people grows fast , and they move on fast, for bigger and faster motorcycles, and new experiences .
In very short time , the Japanese market got full of second hand AX-1 with no owners !!
That’s why the AX-1 , traveled from the back door to the rest world ....
People like me , with low income , found lots of joy by getting something so perfect even as second hand .
Most AX-1 that was exported at 92 – 94 , was in remarkable condition , this days has past with out return.
Today the most possible are to find one AX-1 that it has turn around the odometer at list one time = 100000 km
You must be a very very very lucky person at 2008, so to find an AX-1 with less than 40000 km.
At 2008 , the AX-1 is still exported as second hand , in markets as Russia - Sri Lanka – and other nations close to Japan.
In Japan there are not so many AX-1 owners this days , there are few passional ones like me , and many others who got the AX-1 , because its really cheap to get , as it has an average price of 1200 $ US .
All in all , I can seriously say , judging by the over 100 Japanese home pages and blogs that I visited , that the Japanese people had really enjoy this motorcycle , Japan is a very beautiful country, I would say extremely beautiful .
I have seen pictures of AX-1 owners who had use this motorcycle to explore their country , and they have amazing landscapes .
Their complains about soft rear suspension , and not that powerful head lights , was really familiar to me as complains ... any way ... if this was the only negative about an AX-1 , I am happy that it has so many problems ( laughing relaxed and satisfaction ed ) .
The AX-1 had become part of the motorcycle history, I would give it, the title of the motorcycle with the less weak points world wide , usability and mechanical .
I am ending my tale , by saying this ... The AX-1 is a special motorcycle , all that it needs is some one to respect it and use it wise , its not a CR250 !!! under normal use , it will become your best friend !! .
Engine lubricants grade for the right season
This information is based from the lubricants manufacturer .
In the winter time, HONDA genuine ultra SAE 10W - 30W
In the Summer time ,HONDA genuine ultra GP SAE 20W - 50W
About the exchange rate , Honda advises every 6000 Km , its advisable the exchange to be made near to 4500 Km .
Tip !!
If you do not find Honda lubricants in your area do not worry .
Honda does not make lubricants .... from time to time cooperates with other lubricant makers , ARAL & MOTUL are Honda s partners ...
But do not tell it to any one !!! its a secret ... ;-)