Honda CB600F Hornet Gen 1 / Honda 599 (1998-2006, carburettor) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the first-generation Honda CB600F made between 1998 and 2006, and available in the US between 2000 and 2006. The Honda CB600F was also called the Honda 599 or the Honda Hornet 600.
The Honda CB600F (or Honda 599) is a street bike with a 599cc inline four-cylinder engine in a naked chassis. It’s fuelled via a carburettor — the 2007 replacement added fuel injection.
There were some upgrades during the Honda CB600F’s lifespan, including
- 2000: 17-inch front wheel (was a 16-inch previously), also getting US availability
- 2003: Optional ABS
- 2005: Upside-down fork, replacing the conventional fork
Aside from that, the engine fundamentally didn’t change. The 599cc inline four was tuned for mid-range torque rather than outright top power, but it didn’t sacrifice much — it always made over 70 kW (over 95 hp) at the crank, quite close to the figures seen from the CBR600F.
The CB600F was replaced in 2007 by the fuel-injected Honda CB600F, which brought with it many other changes.
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Honda CB600F Hornet / Honda 599 Service Intervals
Service intervals for the carburettor-fed Honda CB600F Hornet (Honda 599) are every 40,00 miles or 6,400 km, but these are mostly inspections. Change the oil every 8,000 miles (12,800 km), and inspect the valves every 16,000 miles (25600 km).
As with any Honda Hornet, make sure to regularly replace the fluids — mainly the brake fluid and coolant.
Since the Hornet / 599 is a sporty naked bike, it’s likely the chain will go through a lot, so be sure to regularly lubricate and adjust the chain tension, replacing it when it’s worn.
What you need to service your Honda CB600F Hornet / Honda 599
Below is a list of the standard fluids and replaceables you need for your Hornet.
| Part | Honda CB600 / Hornet / 599 spec |
|---|---|
| Oil | Honda’s manual recommends Pro Honda GN4 10W-40 or a high-quality synthetic like Motul 7100 10W-40, or any oil that’s API SG or higher, or JASO standard MA, and 10W-40. Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt to 29 Nm (22 lb-ft). |
| Oil filter | Honda’s standard part number for the oil filter is 15410-MFJ-D01 (used on many Hondas). You can also use Hiflofiltro HF204RC for the oil filter. Use a torque wrench to tighten it to 26 Nm (20 lb-ft). |
| Air filter | The OEM air filter part is 17230-KEA-000 (1998-2002) or part 17230-MBZ-K00 (2003-2006). You can also use the HifloFiltro alternative air filter, whose part number is HFA1602, for all model years. |
| Spark plugs | The manual specifies NGK spark plug part CR9EH-9 or Denso U27FER9. |
| Chain maintenance | To maintain your chain, Motul chain paste is quite well-liked. There’s also the Motul chain care kit which is affordable and good. |
| Brake fluid | You can use any DOT 4 oil, but Honda recommends Honda DOT 4. |
| Brake pads (front) | For the front, use two pairs of EBC HH brake pads, part number FA226HH. |
| Brake pads (rear) | For the rear, use one pair of EBC HH brake pads, part number FA174HH. |
| Coolant | Use Honda Long-life Coolant, which is based on ethylene glycol. |
| Grease | Stock up on lithium soap-based grease and silicon grease to keep pivots and moving parts lubricated and protected. |
Honda CB600F Maintenance Schedule
Below is all the maintenance schedule info for the Honda CB600F / Hornet / 599 etc.
We’ve broken it up into a few sections to make it easier to digest.
Pre-ride checks
Regularly check
- Brake function — Brakes work
- Brake fluid level — Make sure that the fluid is between the min and max lines
- Clutch function — Clutch engages and disengages
Service Schedule
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Honda CB600F.
Notes:
- In the original manual, Honda recommended you get a mechanic to do complex items like steering and tyre/wheel replacement.
- The break-in schedule below is omitted as this bike is no longer sold new.
| x 1000 mi | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| x 1000 km | 6.4 | 12.8 | 19.2 | 25.6 | 32 | 38.4 | Every |
| Full inspection checklist (see below) — Perform | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |||
| Engine Oil — Replace (Pro Honda GN4 10W-40) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |||
| Engine Oil Filter — Replace (HF204RC) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |||
| Spark plugs — Inspect | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Spark Plugs (NGK CR9EH-9) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Air Cleaner — Inspect, replace as necessary (HFA1602) | ✓ | ✓ | More often if riding in dust/wet. | ||||
| Valve Clearances — Check / Adjust | ✓ | ||||||
| Brake Pads — Inspect Wear (above wear indicator mark) Replace with: Front: 2x FA226HH, Rear: FA174HH) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Drive Chain — Inspect, Lubricate (Motul chain care kit) | 500 mi (800 km): I, L | ||||||
| Radiator Coolant — Replace (Honda coolant) | ✓ | 2 years | |||||
| Brake Fluid — Replace (Honda DOT 4) | ✓ | ✓ | 2 years |
Standard service checklist
Do the following checks on your Honda 599 / CB600F as part of every scheduled inspection.
| Honda 599 / CB600F Inspection Checklist |
|---|
| Fuel Lines — Check condition, correct routing, and for no cracks |
| Throttle operation and free play – Lubricate with Protect all cable life Target free play: 2-4 mm (0.1-0.2 in) |
| Carburetor choke — check operation |
| Carburettors — Synchronise |
| Engine idle speed — Check |
| Radiator coolant — Check level |
| Cooling system — Check for no leaks, and that fans come on |
| Drive chain slider — Check wear level. Replace as necessary |
| Clutch system — Check for correct function, and clutch free play |
| Brake system — Check for proper function |
| Brake light switch — Check lights come on |
| Wheels/Tires — Check for dents, tire condition, tread depth |
| Suspension — Check for smooth operation, no leaks |
| Headlight aim — Check, re-adjust after adjusting suspension |
| Side stand / Centre stand — Check for smooth function, lubrication condition |
| Steering head bearings — Check for smooth operation |
| Nuts, bolts, fasteners — Check for presence. Replace / retighten as needed |
| Evaporative emission control system — Check |
| Secondary air supply system — Check |
| Crankcase breather (if fitted) — Check, clean as needed |
Maintaining Your Honda CB600F / Hornet / 599’s Chain
Since the 599 / Hornet 600 is a popular scratcher and everyday commuter, the chain gets a lot of abuse from both sporty riding and all kinds of riding conditions (rain, dirt, etc.)
So, it’s important to maintain your chain on the Honda Hornet 600 / Honda 599. Use a good-quality chain lubricant like Motul chain paste, or a Motul chain care kit which comes with a couple of handy tools (like a giant toothbrush brush with multiple sides on it) to maintain the chain.
Honda recommends you follow the following chain maintenance schedule:
| Chain maintenance item | Every |
|---|---|
| Check drive chain lubrication condition, lubricating if necessary | 600 mi / 1000 km |
| Check drive chain slack, adjusting if necessary (see below for guidance) | 600 mi / 1000 km |
Notes:
- Do these items (checking/adjusting slack, and checking/applying lubrication) more often if you ride your Honda 599 / Hornet 600 / CB600F in dusty or rainy conditions.
- Always lubricate the chain after washing the motorcycle.
To check the slack on the Honda 599 / Hornet 600 / CB600F, put the motorcycle in neutral, on its kickstand, and on a level surface. Check the slack on the lower part of the chain, midway between the sprockets (where it’s loosest). Check the slack in multiple places (move the motorcycle forwards and backwards and observe the chain go up and down) as chains wear unevenly.
Slack on the Honda 599 / Hornet 600 / CB600F is defined as the free vertical movement of the chain at the loosest point.
Target chain slack for the Honda 599 / Hornet 600 / CB600F: 30 – 40 mm (1.2 – 1.6 in)
If the chain slack is out of spec, you need to adjust it.
Adjusting chain slack
To adjust the chain slack on the Honda 599 / Hornet 600 / CB600F, follow the steps below. As with measuring chain slack, make sure that the motorcycle is on a level surface on its kickstand, in neutral, with no weight on it (no saddlebags / luggage).
Refer to the diagram apart
- Loosen the rear axle nut (you will likely need a breaker bar) and the adjuster lock nuts on either side of the axle.
- Turn the adjuster nuts to tighten (or loosen) the chain. Keep checking the chain tension to see if it has come within spec.
- Keep an eye on the adjuster index marks on either side of the axle. You can see the index lines and monitor how they match up to the index marks. Make sure that the adjustment is to the same point on both sides of the axle. This is important for chain alignment.
- When you’re done, tighten the axle to 88 Nm / 65 lb-ft.
- Re-check the chain slack again to make sure it’s still within spec.
Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Honda CB600F
The 2000-2006 Honda CB600F has the following tyre sizes standard, as well as the following recommended tyre pressures:
| Tyre | Size | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 120/70 ZR17M/C (58W) | 36 psi (250 kPa) |
| Rear | 180/55 ZR17M/C (73W) | 42 psi (290 kPa) |
Stock, the Honda CB600F shipped with road tyres — Michelin Pilot Roads or Bridgestone BT-56Rs.
Prior to 2000, the Honda CB600F had a 16-inch front wheel. This version was never imported to the US.
About the Honda CB600F Hornet / Honda 599 (2000+)
The Honda CB600F (a bike of many names… known as the Hornet in Europe, Brazil, and Australia/NZ, and the Honda 599 in the US) is a standard motorcycle, a naked parallel to the carburettor-fed CBR600F, though it was also sold alongside the CBR600F4i.
The CB600F / Hornet 600 / 599 is powered by a 599-cc liquid-cooled inline-four engine, originally a de-tuned version of that in the Honda CBR600RR sport bike. However, the de-tuning never knocked off more than about 10% of peak power — the CB600F makes peak power of 71 kW (98 hp) at 12000 rpm, and peak torque of 66 Nm (48 ft-lb) at 11400 rpm. This is a sport bike with handlebars!
Power goes to the ground via a six-speed transmission and chain drive.
Of course, the Honda CB600F differs from its F and RR stablemates in the ride gear, like the suspension.
The Honda CB600F’s suspension consists of a single shock in the rear and a telescopic fork in the front for most of its years, though replaced by an upside-down fork in 2005. You could only ever adjust the rear shock for preload, and the fork is non-adjustable. Suspension adjustability is one distinct bonus of the fully-faired models.
The 599’s brakes are dual 296mm discs, with Nissin twin-piston calipers in the front and a single-disc, Nissin single piston brake setup in the rear. This is another downgrade vis-a-vis the fairing-equipped bikes, which have four-piston calipers.
In 1998 and 1999, before being marketed in the US, the CB600F had a 16-inch front wheel. From 2000, this was changed to a 17-inch front wheel. This helped with cornering stability and increased the strength of the brake pass-over system on the front, making brakes stronger.
In 2003, Honda changed a lot about the CB600F, giving it a larger fuel tank (adding just a litre) and giving it sharper styling.
Honda also made a faired version of the CB600F in some markets, the CB600S, from 2000. It never really took off and was discontinued after 2003.
The year 2005 saw a law of updates for the CB600F. Primarily, the Hornet got inverted forks (still non-adjustable), but it also got a revised instrument cluster.
The Honda CB600F is basically an old equivalent of the modern Honda CB650R. In fact, the modern 2019+ Honda CB650R takes more than its share of styling cues from the classic Hornet.
Manual for the Honda CB600F
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the 2006 Honda CB600F.
You can download manuals for Honda motorcycles directly from Honda.
