Honda CB750 Hornet Service Intervals & Oil Change

The Honda CB750 Hornet keeps a rider's life simple. Change the oil once a year or every 12,000 km (8,000 mi), and the only heavy job — the valve-clearance check — comes around just every 24,000 km (16,000 mi). Below is the full factory maintenance schedule for the 755 cc parallel twin, with the fluid capacities, part numbers and torque-free jobs you can do yourself, all drawn from Honda's official owner's manual. Figures are given in metric and imperial.

Track this schedule automatically in MotoVault — log each oil change, chain adjustment and valve check, and get reminded before the next service is due instead of guessing from the odometer.

Honda CB750 Hornet service intervals at a glance

The Hornet (model code CB750A, sold from 2023) runs an annual/distance schedule. Whichever comes first wins.

The first service is early: Honda calls for the initial oil and filter change at 1,000 km (600 mi) to flush out the metal from running-in. After that the intervals settle into the pattern above.

Market note: Honda publishes two schedules for the CB750 Hornet. Most markets (the European "ED", "U" and "KO" types) use the 12,000 km / 8,000 mi oil interval shown here. Some regions — the manual lists the "GS", "CL", "MA", "TH", "MX" and "CO" types — specify a shorter 6,000 km (4,000 mi) oil interval. Check which schedule your own owner's manual prints before you rely on these numbers.

Full maintenance schedule

This is the periodic schedule for the main (12,000 km) market variant. "I" means inspect and clean, adjust, lubricate or replace as needed; "R" means replace.

Service more often if you ride hard, in the rain, or in dusty conditions — Honda says so explicitly in the manual's notes.

Fluids, capacities and parts

Everything you need for a routine CB750 Hornet service:

For most home services you'll use the drain-and-filter figure of 3.5 L (3.7 US qt). The 3.8 L number is only relevant after the engine has been split apart.

Oil changes: the core interval

Oil is the one job you'll do most, and on the Hornet it's a once-a-year affair for the average rider. Honda specifies a 10W-30 motorcycle-specific oil that meets the JASO MA wet-clutch standard — do not use a car oil marked "Energy Conserving", because the friction modifiers can make the clutch slip. Refill with 3.5 L when you replace the filter, then check the level through the sight glass with the bike upright and warm. If you're new to the job, our DIY motorcycle oil change guide walks through it step by step, and the motorcycle oil types guide explains what 10W-30 JASO MA actually means.

Valve clearance checks

The Hornet's Unicam single-overhead-cam head uses screw-and-locknut adjusters, and Honda schedules the valve-clearance inspection at 24,000 km (16,000 mi) — a long interval that reflects how stable modern Honda valvetrains are. The owner's manual publishes the interval but not the actual clearance figures; those live in the Honda shop manual and vary by intake versus exhaust. Do not guess them. If your bike is due, confirm the exact intake and exhaust specs against the Honda service manual or have a dealer perform the check. Our general valve clearance guide explains why the job matters and what tight or loose valves sound like.

Chain, tyres and brakes

The CB750 Hornet is chain-driven, and the chain is the highest-touch item on the whole bike:

• Chain slack: 25–35 mm (1.0–1.4 in) of free vertical movement, measured with the bike upright and unladen. Clean and lube every 1,000 km (600 mi), and always after washing. The chain adjustment and lubrication guide covers the full procedure.
• Tyres: 120/70ZR17 front and 160/60ZR17 rear, radial and tubeless. Cold pressures are 250 kPa (36 psi) front and 290 kPa (42 psi) rear. Minimum legal tread is 1.5 mm front and 2.0 mm rear.
• Brakes: DOT 4 fluid, replaced every two years regardless of mileage because it absorbs moisture over time. Replace pads before they reach the 1 mm minimum thickness.
• Idle & throttle: idle speed is 1,300 ± 100 rpm; throttle free play should be 2–4 mm.

DIY versus dealer

The oil change, chain care, air filter, spark plugs, brake-pad swaps and fluid top-ups are all within reach of a competent home mechanic with basic tools. The valve-clearance inspection and coolant change are the jobs most riders hand to a dealer, both because of the specialist figures involved and because Honda recommends a diagnostic-system check at each major service. Keep every receipt — a documented service history protects the resale value of the bike and any remaining warranty.

FAQ

How often does the Honda CB750 Hornet need an oil change? Every 12,000 km (8,000 mi) or once a year, whichever comes first, on the main market schedule. The very first change is due early at 1,000 km (600 mi). Some regions specify a shorter 6,000 km (4,000 mi) interval — check your manual.

How much oil does a CB750 Hornet take? 3.5 litres (3.7 US quarts) when you change the oil and filter together. A drain-only change needs 3.3 litres, and Honda quotes 3.8 litres after a full engine teardown. Use SAE 10W-30 JASO MA oil.

When are the valves due on a CB750 Hornet? The valve-clearance inspection is scheduled every 24,000 km (16,000 mi). The exact intake and exhaust clearance figures are in the Honda shop manual, not the owner's manual — confirm them there or have a dealer do the check.

What spark plugs does the CB750 Hornet use? NGK SILMAR8A9S, gapped to 0.8–0.9 mm. Inspect them at 24,000 km (16,000 mi) and replace at 48,000 km (32,000 mi).

What are the correct tyre pressures for the CB750 Hornet? 250 kPa (36 psi) at the front and 290 kPa (42 psi) at the rear, measured cold. Tyre sizes are 120/70ZR17 front and 160/60ZR17 rear.

Sources

• Honda CB750 Hornet (CB750A) Owner's Manual — Maintenance Schedule — service intervals for oil, filters, spark plugs, valves, brake fluid and coolant, and the market-variant schedules
• Honda CB750 Hornet (CB750A) Owner's Manual — Specifications — oil grade and capacities, coolant capacity, spark plug type and gap, idle speed, chain, tyre sizes and pressures, fuel and battery
• Honda CB750 Hornet Owner's Manual (download portal) — full official manual reference
• Maintenance Schedules — Honda CB750 Hornet (2023+) — independent cross-check of the intervals, consumable part numbers and pre-ride items