Honda Vtx 1800 F Service Manual

162Removal from Storage
Storing Your Honda
Tips
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. Inflate the tires to their recommended
pressures (page ).
Store your motorcycle in an unheated
area, free of...

163
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...

164
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...

165
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section discusses the more common
problems that can occur with your
motorcycle while you’re riding. It tells
you how to evaluate each problem and
what actions you can take to try to resume
riding. If the problem cannot be saf ely
solved, this section also gives instructions
on the proper way to have your
motorcycle transported.
For inf ormation about transporting your
motorcycle, see page ............................... General...

166General Guidelines
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Remember to take along your owner’s
manual, the tool kit that came with your
motorcycle, and any other items (such as
tire repair supplies and additional tools)
that might help you solve a problem on
your own.Should you ever have a problem while
riding, please f ollow these guidelines:
Always put personal saf ety f irst.
Take time to assess the situation and
your options bef ore deciding what to do.
If the problem is...

µ
µ
167
If Your Engine Quits or Won’t Start
Taking Care of the Unexpected
Starter motor doesn’t operate
Starter motor works,
but the engine won’t start Proper operation and maintenance can
prevent starting and engine perf ormance
problems. In many cases, the cause of the
problem may be a simple operational
oversight.
If you have a problem starting the
engine or experience poor engine
perf ormance the f ollowing inf ormation
may help you. If you can’t correct the
problem, see your Honda dealer.If your...

SYMPTOM:
WHAT TO DO POSSIBLE CAUSE
ignition switch OFF
engine stop switch OFF
transmission not in neutral
blown fuse
battery lead loose side stand down (when
transmission not in neutral)
dead battery
faulty starter motorTurn the ignition switch ON.
Turn the engine stop switch toRUN.
Shift into neutral.
Put the transmission in neutral or raise the side
stand and pull the clutch lever in.
Replace with a new fuse of the same rating (page
).
Tighten the battery lead.
Charge the battery (page ). If charging...

SYMPTOM:
out of fuel
flooded engine
loose or unconnected spark
plug caps
loose battery cablesFill the fuel tank.
See (page ).
Install the spark plug caps securely. If the engine
still won’t start, see your Honda dealer.
Tighten the battery terminal bolts.
Charge the battery (page ). If charging doesn’t
help, see your Honda dealer. weak battery POSSIBLE CAUSE WHAT TO DO
57
149 Starter motor works, but the engine won’t start.
F l ood ed E ngi ne
169
If Your Engine Quits or Won’t Start
Taking Care of the...

SYMPTOM:
Raise the side stand. Start again.
SYMPTOM:
idles roughly, too fast, stalls
low oil pressure overheatingCheck engine idle adjustment (page ). If the
problem persists, see your Honda dealer. side stand down
See your Honda dealer. blubbers (rich fuel mixture) runs erratically, misfires See your Honda dealer.Check the low oil pressure indicator. Refer to
page
. POSSIBLE CAUSE WHAT TO DO
POSSIBLE CAUSE WHAT TO DO
Check the coolant temperature indicator. Refer to
page .124
183
185 Engine starts, but...

SYMPTOM:
sooty exhaust (rich fuel
mixture)
pre-ignition (runs on after
ignition switched OFF) detonates or pings under
load
afterfires (backfires)See your Honda dealer.
If applicable, switch to the recommended octane
gasoline (page ) or change your brand of
gasoline. If the problem persists, see your Honda
dealer.
See your Honda dealer.
See your Honda dealer. POSSIBLE CAUSE WHAT TO DO
99 Engine starts, but runs poorly. (cont’d)
171
If Your Engine Quits or Won’t Start
Taking Care of the Unexpected...