Honda Vtx 1800 F Service Manual

							(1)
(1) LOWER level mark LEFT FRONT
122Fluid Level Inspection
Clutch System
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Refer to on page . Your motorcycle has a hydraulically-
actuated clutch. There are no adjustments
to perf orm, but the clutch system must be
inspected periodically for fluid level and
leakage.
Check that the fluid level is above the
LOWER level mark. If the fluid level is
below the LOWER level mark, it indicates
fluid leakage. See your Honda dealer for
repair. If the motorcycle creeps or stalls when
shifted into gear, or if the clutch slips,
causing acceleration to lag behind engine
speed, there is probably air in the clutch
system. See your Honda dealer to have the
air bled out of the system.74
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							123 Other Inspections
Clutch System
Servicing Your Honda
Make sure there are no f luid leaks.
Check for deterioration or cracks in the
hose and f ittings.
Check that the clutch lever assembly is
positioned properly and the securing
bolts are tight.
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							´
µ
µµ
´´
(1) throttle stop
screw( ) increase
( ) decrease(1)
(()) LEFT SIDE
(())
124Idle Speed Adjustment
Engine Idle Speed
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Refer to on page .
If the engine is cold, start it and warm it
up with ten minutes of stop-and-go
riding. Stop the engine. Remember, idle speed adjustment is not a
‘‘cure-all’’ f or other problems in your
engine’s f uel-delivery system. Adjusting
the idle will not compensate f or a f ault
elsewhere.
The engine must be at normal operating
temperature for accurate idle speed
adjustment.
Place your motorcycle on its side stand
on a firm, level surface. 1.
2.74
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							¶ 800 100 rpm
125
Engine Idle Speed
Servicing Your Honda
Connect a tachometer to the engine.
Shif t into neutral. Start the engine.
Adjust idle speed with the throttle stop
screw ( ).
Idle speed (in neutral): 3.
4.
1 5.(VTX1800C only)
04/08/11 14:41:44 31MCH630_134 
						

							VK16PRZ11 (DENSO) IFR5L11 (NGK)
IFR6L11 (NGK)
VK20PRZ11 (DENSO)or
or standard
spark plug
for
extended
high speed
riding
126Spark Plug Recommendation
Spark Plugs
Servicing Your Honda
Using spark plugs with an improper heat
range can cause engine damage.This motorcycle uses spark plugs that have
an iridium coated center electrode.
Be sure to observe the f ollowing when
servicing the spark plugs.
Do not clean the spark plugs. If an
electrode is contaminated with
accumulated objects or dirt, replace the
spark plug with a new one.
Use only a ‘‘wire-type f eeler gauge’’ to
check the spark plug gap if necessary.
To prevent damaging the iridium
coating of the center electrode, never
use a ‘‘leaf -type f eeler gauge.’’
Do not adjust the spark plug gap. If the
gap is out of specif ication, replace the
spark plug with a new one. Use only the recommended type of spark
plugs in the recommended heat range.
04/08/11 14:41:55 31MCH630_135 
						

							RIGHT SIDE
(1) screws(1)
(2)
(2) plug cover
(3) spark plug cap(3)
127 Spark Plug Replacement &
Inspection
Spark Plugs
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety PrecautionsClean any dirt f rom around the spark
plug bases. Remove the screws ( ) and plug cover
().
Refer to on page .
Using the spark plug wrench provided
in the tool kit, remove the spark plug.
Make sure that the 1.1 mm wire-type
f eeler gauge does not insert between the
spark plug gap ( ). If the gauge is
inserted into the gap, replace the plug
with a new one.
(cont’d) Disconnect the spark plug cap ( ).
Take care to avoid damaging the spark
plug wire when disconnecting the cap.
Inspect the electrode and center
porcelain f or deposits, corrosion, or
carbon f ouling. If the corrosion or
deposits are heavy, replace the plug. 1.
2.
3.
4.1
2
5.
6.
43 74
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							(4)
(4) spark plug gap
128
Spark Plugs
Servicing Your Honda
Improperly tightened spark plugs can
damage the engine. If a plug is too loose,
a piston may be damaged. If a plug is too
tight, the threads may be damaged. Make sure the plug washer is in good
condition.Tighten each spark plug:
If the old plug is good:
1/8 turn after it seats.
If installing a new plug, tighten it
twice to prevent loosening:
First, tighten the plug:
NGK: turn af ter it seats.
DENSO: turn af ter it seats.
Then loosen the plug.
Next, tighten the plug again:
1/8 turn after it seats.
Reinstall the spark plug cap. Take care
to avoid pinching any cables or wires. With the plug washer attached, thread
the spark plug in by hand to prevent
cross-threading. 7.
8.9.
a)
b)
c)3/4
1/2
10.
04/08/11 14:42:18 31MCH630_137 
						

							129
Suspension
Servicing Your Honda
The way you ride your motorcycle and the
type of ride you want to experience can
also inf luence your suspension needs. Your f ront and rear suspension systems
use springs and hydraulic damping devices
that suspend your weight and most of the
weight of your motorcycle.
The spring pre-load f or your rear
suspension system adjusts the amount of
f orce required to begin compression of the
spring.
The oil damper systems hydraulically
control the natural compression and
rebound of the suspension springs so that
traction and comf ort are maintained as the
wheels ride over road surfaces.Lower spring pre-load provides a sof ter
ride and is usually pref erred f or light loads
and smooth roads. Higher spring pre-load
provides a f irmer ride and is
recommended f or heavy loads, rough road
conditions, and f aster, more challenging
riding. Consider adjusting your rear suspension
pre-load whenever you change your
normal load, by adding or subtracting a
passenger, cargo, or accessories, or when
the road or riding conditions change.
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							LEFT SIDE
(1) (2)
(1) pin spanner
(2) shock absorber
130Rear Suspension Adjustment Rear Suspension Spring Pre-load
Suspension
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions The rear suspension can be adjusted for
rider (and passenger) weight and riding
conditions by changing the spring pre-load.
Do not attempt to disassemble, service, or
dispose of the damper; see your Honda
dealer. The instructions f ound in this
owner’s manual are limited to adjustments
of the shock assembly only.Refer to on page .74
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							131
Suspension
Servicing Your Honda
The spring pre-load adjuster has
positions f or dif f erent load or riding
conditions.
Use the pin spanner ( ) to adjust the rear
shock spring pre-load.
Position 1: f or a light load and smooth
road conditions.
Position 2: standard position.
Positions 3 to 5: f or when the
motorcycle is more heavily loaded.
(Also increase spring pre-load f or
stif f er rear suspension.)Make sure that both shock absorbers are
adjusted to the same position.
Always adjust the shock absorber position
in sequence (1-2-3-4-5 or 5-4-3-2-1).
Attempting to adjust directly f rom 1 to 5
or 5 to 1 may damage the shock absorber. 5
1
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