Honda Dominator - what can go wrong with the Dommie?
 

Hi

I have just purchased a Honda Dominator (1993 - 54,000km) to travel next year. An oldie but a goodie - well I'm hoping!! If anyone has had a Dommie can you let me know the weak spots - what generally goes wrong with this bike. I'd like to practise maintenance and ensure I'm bringing the right spare parts (on top of the normal travel stuff). Thanks!

This Honda site has a Dominator Forum.. Honda Trail Bike Forums

...great bikes! I had a '99 model in 2005 which I rode from UK through France, Spain and then over 4,000miles around Morocco and back to UK. It had 4k on the clock when I bought it and 20k miles when I sold it a year later. What went wrong?....nothing apart from a failed brake light switch.
If you do buy one I would reccommend junking the standard exhaust silencers as they are so heavy and rot; also worth changing the rear shock as it's far too soft

Thanks for the tips - glad you enjoyed the trip!

+1 on the standard silencers. It'll improve the fuel economy a bit as well as the power gain (and the nice sound!). Don't EVER let it run low on oil, not even just a little bit...the camshaft and followers will head west before you can say "what's that funny ticking noise?" and it's expensive to replace those. Standard seat isn't known for being the most comfy. Apart from that an excellent middle-weight.

pipe and timing chain

I've never,ever heard of or had a timing chain wear on these bigger RFVC engines (although that's not to say it does'nt happen) but what DOES very occasionally go is the chain adjuster spring, usually after the head has been off and the adjuster has been re-fitted without the correct tool being used. The actual chain is of the HI-VO type and is immensely strong in normal use.

Like mentioned here before OIL, OIL and OIL!

change the oil and oil filter on time (3K KM) and keep and eye on the oil level especially on highway runs. Other then that its pretty much bombproof.

The exhaust should be fine. i have a 88 so maybe they changed it later on but mine sounds awesome already and most aftermarket exhaust just generate more top end power and that not really where you need the extra power. Only real reason i can think of to get a other exhaust is cos the current one is rotten or to shave of a few KG.

there's a few reports on wheel rot on earlier bikes

No personal experience but I've also heard reports of the valve seals being a weakness..

All bikes will suffer from this with high mileage so maybe it's just that these were high mileage bikes !

Check for white smoke when starting the bike up after left sitting for a while and like any bike, REGULARLY check the oil level/comsumption.

Ted

Thanks! I'll have to look up wheel rot! :-)

Same as the Africa twins Mick :thumbdown:

mine is ticking, whats is that?
 

Hello everybody,:clap:
my Zombie Dommie is waking up from its grave but its got some problem....(obviously:()

1)Ticking noise?? Is it harmful? Is it coming from the arm rocker? I've changed it a couple of years ago, but not all 4 coz I couldnt get all the 4 pieces, also noticed a bit of worn-out mark on the 'house', thiss really means trouble right?
what happen if I just ignore it for the time being? Will it it make things worst??:confused1:

2)Difficult to start. Especially when cold. Once started its easily starts the next day, but If left it for few days, Its difficult to start again.... does anyone has any clue??? My ignition coil is also not the original (im using a 150cc coil),:oops2: does this affect the starting process?? Ive notice when the rpm reaches 5000 It also looses it power and tend to jerk!
?c?

Could well be lack of compression - due to engine wear - rings/valves?

Borrow a compression tester - do it with a hot motor & WOT :thumbup1: