Fitting Hepco & Becker Tank Protection Bars to 2019 Honda CB500X 

That’s so kind of you to say Jmaninaz1, thank you very much for such nice words and love my new ‘Professorial’ title 😆 I’m pleased the videos are helpful, I started doing them as I struggled to find close detail instructions when personally looking and thought doing these may be helpful to others (although the editing is hard work for me 😂) I know that My videos are not that slick or professional but if they do the job in an informative way then I’ve been successful and you have just got that straight away, so once again you 🙏 You can’t go wrong in getting the 500x, it’s a brilliant little bike, great ride, very reliable and ‘cheap as chips’ to run! (British expression saying very cheap 😆) Do you currently have a bike and what part of USA are you based, I’m hoping to eventually ship the bike out and do some travelling through North America and will need plenty of advice when I do! Keep safe and best wishes Andrew 🇺🇸 🇬🇧

Pleased its useful for you Jayson, this is exactly why I do it. Many thanks

Glad that was useful, have you done many other modifications to your bike 👍🏻

@@thecampingbiker791 Lots. Rally Raid: engine guard, footrests, level 2 suspension and tubeless spoked wheels. A Leo Vinci exhaust. Barkbusters. Givi luggage rack for panniers and top box. Oxford heated grips. Puig adjustable levers and Honda 12v power socket. It must be the most expensive CB500x in the UK! :) RR suspension swap out here: revtothelimit.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1517

@@AnthemX100 excellent, I’m still thinking about the suspension and wheels but the moderating bit of my brain is saying don’t do it 😂

@@thecampingbiker791 The wheels are cosmetic really but the suspension is night and day compared to stock. I would recommend it especially for any off-road excursions.

@@AnthemX100 thanks for that feedback on that, gives me something to think about over winter 👍🏻

They just blend well with this bike, unassuming! great quality too 👍🏻

They are working well and I have crash bars bags fitted when travelling 👍🏻

They do look good value, will look into them further 👍🏻

Your absolutely correct John, I used copper grease as intend taking off to do further work but should have explained it better! (Ironically, I’m always advising lock thread 😂) Have added a note in the information to clarify and thanks for keeping me on track 👍🏻

Thanks Allan, not got round to lights yet but will film if I do so 👍🏻

@@thecampingbiker791 That will be good. Look forward to seeing it.

belated thanks Moto Pavilion

Thanks Carl, hopefully they won’t ‘kiss’ the ground but when I bought this bike I accepted from day one that it will probably get scuffed so unlike other bikes I’ve had I’m quite relaxed about taking it on trails 👍🏻

I’ll do better next time 😂 👍🏻

Hi Kenny, you’ll not be disappointed, I’ve noticed price bouncing about with other things bought of eBay! Been thinking about lights while out on bike today and may do a bit of research on the ‘light bars’ rather than twin lights, think they could fit quite well to crash bar under nose cone? Lomo seem to be decent quality bar bags at reasonably price but not sure I want them that size or go smaller...need to think what I’m likely to use them for! Hope you’re keeping safe in these covid times, all the best Andrew

They really are Brad, nice quality and unassuming because of the colour.....hope your keeping okay 👍🏻

Thanks John, no vibrations at all from the H&B bars, rock solid. Just a thought, have the engine bolts been tightened up in the right order as that could be the issue! As I type I’ve just forgot exact order but if you’re not sure if yours are torqued in order then I’ll check and get back…would need a torque wrench though.

….actually, thinking about it the torque order is on the video but worth me asking the question as Givi sound be good enough quality, regards Andrew

@@thecampingbiker791 I wish it was that issue with the givi bars, but whether due to the extra mounting point or the front mount setup I'm not sure, but it would seem a common problem, but only with their upper, not the lower bars, when I checked on the forum. Thank you again and all the best. John

@@johncopetti1253 hope you get sorted John

Hi, I have a Haynes Manual specifically for the CB500’s and it has all torque settings in it. The book reference is: ISBN 978 1 78521 465 3 Haynes Service & Repair Manual Honda CB500 F/X/R ‘13 to ‘20 Brilliant bars and I use crash bar bags on them for travelling, all the best Andrew

Pleased the videos are useful 👍🏻 I did look at Honda bars but they aren’t designed for crash protection (very lightweight in comparison) and Honda market them as accessory/lighting mounting bars. Also, in my opinion, very expensive for what they are! Having done lots of research I decided on Hepco & Becker as a best fit with RR engine guard and I haven’t been disappointed, cheers Andrew

Generally, there is a bit of vibration on the bike anyhow above 6,000 revs (motorway 75/80mph) but I haven’t noticed anything worse with the Hepco and Becker bars..I think they’re about the best you can buy for the 500x, principally down to the high quality of them.

Thanks very much . I think I will give them a go. I also want to fit daytime running lights as a main priority so they will help . Just need to find some lights now

Thank you Alex

Hi Richard, no problem here and indeed the rear upper mounting bolts are the Honda oem ones, leaving only the 2 replacement bolts under the nose cone to consider...as said I was more than happy with the quality of those bolts and if I hadn’t been I’d have changed them. Hope that helps, but easy to replace if you’re wanting to be absolutely confident in the fixing. Let me know how you get on and what you go with in the end, cheers Andrew

Hi M-Game, I’ve got a couple but have had them a few years and shop bought so don’t have link unfortunately! The reason for two different ones is they have different but overlapping ranges. (1) Halfords 3/8” square drive, range 8-60Nm (2) Clarke 1/2” square drive, range 28-210Nm. The first one is much smaller and covers most of what you would normally need with the majority range needed for the Honda CB500X being in the 20-60Nm range. The full range is from about 8-138Nm but much of that is things like Alternator Rotor Bolt at 138Nm, Steering Head at 103Nm and so on. As an example of what is in range, Engine Mounting Bolts are 55/65Nm. You can virtually get away with the smaller version but rear axle nut is 88Nm, however if traveling I wouldn’t have a torque wrench with me so just need to use best judgment at roadside then if needed call in at random workshop to check or just keep a check on these type of bolts which is what we should be doing anyhow. Hope that helps, sorry I’ve not got links but if you do a bit of check on RU-vid you should get recommendations...also highly useful is a Haynes Service & Repair Manual as it has every torque setting in each section. Keep safe and happy riding, regards Andrew

@@thecampingbiker791 Hi Andrew, thanx for you'r return and all those informations. it's very helpfull for me.

@@m-game8524 happy to help, let me know how you get on and keep safe 👍🏻

@@thecampingbiker791 Thanks, I still have a question. What is the diameter of the Hepco & Becker protection tubes

@@m-game8524 they’re 25mm 👍🏻

What sort/year Neil?

@@thecampingbiker791 it’s the fuel micro round carbon F1R road legal with removable baffle I only put it on to try it as I sold the bike whilst I was waiting for it to be made, sounds amazing. It’s for your model 2019 onwards

@@neilfields5914 cheers, I’ll have a look 👍🏻

55nm for engine bolts and 27nm for the 2 bolts under nose cone.. mine are holding up really well and still look as new, top quality bars 👍🏻

Ps. I’ve subbed your channel 👍🏻

@@thecampingbiker791 thank you. I guess 55nm would be the safer option. There is a photo in internet that says 60nm the ones in the middle section and 55nm the back lower section of the engine. thanks for the subscription 🤟😅😂

@@edukze I’ve just double checked with the Haynes workshop manual pictorially and you are right, the engine bolt attachment for the crash bar is the middle one not rear, which would be 65nm… sorry for slip up, I need stronger glasses and a bit of a re torque tomorrow 😂

@@thecampingbiker791 thanks for doble checking. Still deciding with one either this one or the new version from SWMotech for 2023 model. both of them uses the middle bolt only. I don’t like to mess around with the front bolts, these are nasty 😅. If you unscrew them then them are not alienated anymore.

High Lee, I’ve got the torque settings from Haynes manual, very useful to have. I’m struggling to figure how to attach a picture here as I’d just send you a photo! Anyhow the engine mounting bolts are torqued as follows: 1. Upper and lower rear 55nm 2. Middle 60nm 3. Front 45nm Order of re torquing (you won’t need to use all mounting points and those not needed I didn’t loosen - it’ll be specific to bar make) is: 1. Rear lower 2. Rear Upper 3. Middle - left side first 4. Front - left side first Hope that makes sense, just check what the instructions say as they may have a specific torque setting! Good luck and hope to see picture when done 😆

@@thecampingbiker791 I would like to say a huge Thank you for your time in getting back to me. The level of detail in your response really was outstanding and I don not need to go that far. I have ordered a manual now so should help for future projects. Honestly tho you really have gone above and beyond so Thank you 😊

@@leerussell2816 it’s a pleasure Lee and I appreciate your comments 👍🏻

I got it off eBay with gprdirect2011 eBay number 153649594530 Hope that helps, it was £139 when I purchased it 👍🏻

@@thecampingbiker791 Thanks for that, very helpful. 👍🏻

@@AnthemX100 no problem 👍🏻

Hi John, top and bottom rear definitely 55nm, it’s the middle ones that are 60nm....I double checked with the Haynes manual to be sure 👍🏻

@@thecampingbiker791 Hi yes but I'm sure this mounting point is classed as the middle one (with the spacer). If you also look at the bolt lengths on a fiche it should confirm this. Either way 5 nM isn't far out as long as the torque wrench is correct of course.

Luckily, she doesn’t watch my videos but yes I’d be in hot water 😬 😂

To be honest, I don’t care what you think or say but quite happy you have the right to say it but maybe just don’t bother a third video 😂

@@thecampingbiker791 Ignore that guy. Your videos are just what the owners of these bikes need and much better quality than most.

@@michaeledwards8083 thank you for that Michael, I sometimes wonder if they realise the work that goes into making videos particularly as a hobby… I make videos that I’d find useful, but it’s not for everyone and that’s fine 👍🏻

No need to support engine as you’re only removing one bolt from either side and others will hold tight, just re tighten in order as in video...very easy to do and when you join the bars at front use some liquid soap on the internal plastic joint on front to make slightly easier pushing together.....let me know how you get on 👍🏻

@@thecampingbiker791 much appreciated, loving your videos!

@@zacharia1111 thanks for that and all the best regards, Andrew

@@thecampingbiker791 what would you suggest for the best road tyres, as I'm going to be 90% on road ?

@@zacharia1111 Continental TKC70s or Pirelli Skorpion Trails are both good tyres and more road oriented (with reasonable gravel track capability) than my Mitas E07+ or the TKC80s tyres