Honda Vtx 1300 C Owners Manual

							Apply a spray cleaner/polish and wipe the
paint, chrome, glass, and clear plastic. Dust and fingerprint smudges.
Light road grime. Spray any difficult-to-reach or very dirty
areas with a spray cleaner/degreaser.
Rinse and dry.
Apply a spray cleaner/polish and wipe with
a non-abrasive cloth.
Use a spray cleaner/degreaser.
If necessary, rub with a sponge. Rinse and
dry.
Apply a spray cleaner/polish and wipe with
a non-abrasive cloth.
Apply a high quality chrome/aluminum
polish and wipe with a non-abrasive cloth. Dull, corroded chrome or
aluminum. Heavy grime. Oil leaks. Brake
dust. Motorcycle Condition Recommended Cleaning
132
Appearance Care
Servicing Your Honda
03/03/07 13:18:25 31MEM600_141 
						

							133 Painted Aluminum Wheel
Maintenance
Appearance Care
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Refer to on page .
Aluminum may corrode f rom contact with
dirt, mud, or road salt. Clean the wheels
af ter riding through any of these
substances. Use a wet sponge and mild
detergent. Avoid stif f brushes, steel wool,
or cleaners containing abrasives or
chemical compounds.
Af ter washing, rinse with plenty of water
and dry with a clean cloth.
If the paint is chipped, apply touch-up
paint.56
03/03/07 13:18:30 31MEM600_142 
						

							134Finishing Touches
Appearance Care
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Refer to on page .
Af ter washing your motorcycle, consider
using a commercially-available spray
cleaner/polish or quality liquid or paste
wax to f inish the job. Use only a non-
abrasive polish or wax made specifically
f or motorcycles or automobiles. Apply the
polish or wax according to the instructions
on the container.
If a surf ace on your motorcycle is chipped
or scratched, your Honda dealer has touch-
up paint to match your motorcycle’s color.
Be sure to use your motorcycle’s color
code (page ) when you buy touch-up
paint.If the f rame has a chip that exposes the
metal, f irst apply primer (to prevent
corrosion) and then apply the touch-up
paint. Several thin layers of touch-up paint
are better than one thick coat. 56
174
03/03/07 13:18:37 31MEM600_143 
						

							135
Tips
Tips
Here’s a f ew helpf ul tips on how to store
and transport your Honda, and how to be
an environmentally responsible
motorcycle owner............................. Storing Your Honda . 136
........... Transporting Your Motorcycle . 140
...................... You & the Environment . 141
03/03/07 13:18:41 31MEM600_144 
						

							136Preparation for Storage
Storing Your Honda
Tips
Saf ety Precautions
Honda Motorcycle Winter Storage
Guide, If you won’t be riding f or an extended
period, such as during the winter,
thoroughly inspect your motorcycle and
correct any problem before storing it. That
way, needed repairs won’t be f orgotten
and it will be easier to get your motorcycle
running again.Refer to on page .
This procedure requires a means f or
draining and disposing of drained f uel
(page ).
Change the engine oil and f ilter (page
).
We suggest you perf orm the f ollowing
procedures to keep your motorcycle in top
condition. These storage procedures will
reduce the deterioration that can occur
during storage. For more inf ormation about storage, ref er
to the
available f rom your Honda dealer
(USA only).
Fill the f uel tank. Make sure the f uel f ill
cap is properly installed.
Check that the fuel valve is OFF. Make sure the cooling system is f illed
with a 50/50% antif reeze solution (page
). 1.
2.
3.
4.56
141
84
88
03/03/07 13:18:51 31MEM600_145 
						

							µ Gasoline is highly flammable and
explosive. You can be burned or
seriously injured when handling
fuel.
Stop the engine and keep heat,
sparks and flame away.
Handle fuel only outdoors.
Wipe up spills immediately.
137
Storing Your Honda
Tips
(cont’d) To prevent rusting in the cylinders,
perf orm the f ollowing:
Remove the spark plug caps f rom the
spark plugs. Using tape or string,
secure the caps to any convenient
plastic body part so that they are
positioned away f rom the spark plugs.
Remove the spark plugs f rom the
engine and store them in a safe place.
Do not connect the spark plugs to the
spark plug caps.
Pour a tablespoon (15 20 cc) of
clean engine oil into each cylinder
and cover the spark plug holes with a
piece of cloth. Drain the carburetor into an approved
gasoline container and dispose of it in
an approved manner (page ).
If storage will last longer than one
month, carburetor draining is important,
to assure proper perf ormance af ter
storage. 5. 6.
141
03/03/07 13:18:59 31MEM600_146 
						

							138
Storing Your Honda
Tips
With the engine stop switch in the
RUN position, press the start button
several times to crank the engine and
distribute the oil.
Reinstall the spark plugs and spark
plug caps.Store your motorcycle in an unheated
area, free of dampness, away from
sunlight, with a minimum of daily
temperature variation.
Cover your motorcycle with a porous
material. Avoid using plastic or similar
non-breathing, coated materials that
restrict air flow and allow heat and
moisture to accumulate. Remove the battery and charge it f ully.
Store it in an area protected f rom
freezing temperatures and direct
sunlight. Slow charge the battery (page
) once a month.
Wash and dry your motorcycle. Wax all
painted surf aces. Apply rust-inhibiting
oil to the chrome pieces.
Inflate the tires to their recommended
pressures (page ).10.
11.
7.
8.
9.126
116
03/03/07 13:19:07 31MEM600_147 
						

							139 Removal from StorageTips
Storing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Refer to on page .
Uncover and clean your motorcycle.
If your motorcycle has been stored f or
more than f our months –– change the
engine oil (page ).
If your motorcycle has been stored f or
more than two months –– ask your
Honda dealer to drain and replace the
fuel.
Charge the battery (page ) as
required. Install the battery.
Perf orm a pre-ride inspection (page ),
then test-ride your motorcycle at low
speeds. 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.56
29 84
127
03/03/07 13:19:16 31MEM600_148 
						

							140
Transporting Your Motorcycle
Tips
When contacting a towing or transporting
service, be sure to ask if they have a
f latbed area, a loading ramp or power
ramp to saf ely lif t the motorcycle, and
motorcycle tie-down straps. If your motorcycle needs to be transported,
it should be carried on a motorcycle trailer,
or a truck or trailer with a flatbed area. For
inf ormation about 24-hour emergency
assistance, see page (USA only). Do
not tow your motorcycle, as towing can
seriously damage the transmission.201
03/03/07 13:19:20 31MEM600_149 
						

							141
Choose Sensible Cleaners.Recycle Wastes.
You & the Environment
Tips
Owning and riding a motorcycle can be
enjoyable, but you must do your part to
protect nature.
Following are tips on how you can be an
environmentally-responsible motorcycle
owner.
Use a
biodegradable detergent when you wash
your motorcycle. Avoid aerosol spray
cleaners that contain
chlorof luorocarbons (CFCs) which
damage the atmosphere’s protective
ozone layer. Don’t throw cleaning
solvents away; see the f ollowing
guidelines f or proper disposal.It’s illegal and
thoughtless to put used engine oil in the
trash, down a drain, or on the ground.
Used oil, gasoline, coolant, and
cleaning solvents contain poisons that
can hurt ref use workers and
contaminate our drinking water, lakes,
rivers, and oceans. Bef ore changing
your oil, make sure you have the proper
containers. Put oil and other toxic
wastes in separate sealed containers and
take them to a recycling center. Call
your local or state of f ice of public
works or environmental services to f ind
a recycling center in your area, and to
get instructions on how to dispose of
non-recyclable wastes.
03/03/07 13:19:26 31MEM600_150