1992 Honda VT1100 Shadow Motorcycle

Description

I bought this bike new in 1992 and used it regularly until putting it into storage several years ago when I was in an automobile accident and had to stop riding. The oil and filter have been changed every 3000 miles; the shaft drive gear oil, rake fluid, ork oil, oolant, nd air filter have always been changed every 10,000 miles. The swing arm bearing and steering head were repacked at 40,000 miles. The in./ex. valves have hydraulic lash adjusters and require no maintenance. The tires (Metzelers), s you can see from the pictures, ave less than 1000 miles on them, nd the brake shoes and pads were replaced at the same time as the tires. The stock seat is very comfortable and has no tears or visible wear.

I started to clean up this bike up last summer but just had too many competing projects (marriage does that to you). I replaced the battery then, ut can't guarantee how well it would have held up in my garage for the last year. At that time, started and rode the bike for about a half an hour. It ran well but it appeared that the slides in the carburetors were sticking: the engine would not pull past ~3000 rpm (felt lean above 3000r). Up to 3000 rpm the engine felt smooth and normal, ith no unusual noises, nd the bike rode well.

The engine has never smoked (including during start-up), nd has never consumed oil. The gas tank appears clean inside. The bike has always been kept in my garage. On my last trip to Florida the bike got 44-46 mpg (and gets about the same riding in-town). (When the needle valve was set down one clip setting in the carburetor to the stock setting, he bike was getting over 50 mpg (but felt lean, ith less torque, nd was less fun to ride).)

Please note the two pictures that show a small dent in the tank where a rake handle flipped against the bike while in the garage, nd a small patch of corrosion on the front fender. The rear toe pegs, ot shown in the pictures, re included.

Please note that in 1992, onda Shadows had 4 gears, ot 5 (you can see the "shift points" for each gear in the photo of the speedometer). Honda did this to force the rider to capitalize on the enormous low-end torque that the engine produces (the gears are quite tall). In the 20+ years I have owned this bike I do not remember ever having to downshift to get more power: not for a hill, ot for passing on the highway, nd not even when riding 2-up with luggage. The engine has locomotive-like torque at all speeds.

Please also note that the engine appears to be air cooled, ut is actually liquid cooled, ith a fan & radiator in front of the engine. The cooling system provides excellent engine cooling and has always worked flawlessly, o matter how hot the day or how slow the traffic. (There is a warning light on the speedometer to indicate if there is ever a problem.)

I am guessing you could spend ? a day cleaning the carburetors to free up the slides, a day polishing and cleaning the bike, nd by the end of the day you would have a really nice bike, t a reasonable price, hat has had flawless maintenance and is in excellent mechanical condition. If I were to keep it, would probably put on a set of Cobra pipes (full length), s they look and sound better than the Jardines that are on it now which use the original Honda head pipes. The Jardines are throaty but not loud.

I have had many great trips and many great adventures on this bike, o Sturgis, aytona, aconia, tc., nd it has always been a fun, omfortable, conomical, nd utterly reliable ride: Smooth, owerful, xcellent handling with lots of cornering clearance, nd excellent brakes. It is comfortable enough to ride all day (500+ miles), hich I have done countless times.

I have tried to describe this bike as accurately as I can. Please ask any questions for clarity because I want you to be satisfied should you buy it. Buyer pays shipping expenses.

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