Honda Vtx 1800 F Service Manual

							Installing improper tires on your
motorcycle can affect handling
and stability. This can cause a
crash in which you can be
seriously hurt or killed.
Always use the size and type of
tires recommended in this owner’s
manual.
142Tire Replacement
Tires
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Refer to on page .
The tires that came on your motorcycle
were designed to match the performance
capabilities of your motorcycle and
provide the best combination of handling,
braking, durability, and comf ort.
You should replace the tires with tires of
the same size, load range, and speed rating
as the originals.74
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							130/70R18M/C 63H
DUNLOP D251F
180/70R16M/C 77H
DUNLOP D251
radial-ply, tubeless radial-ply, tubeless DUNLOP D251
180/55R18M/C 74V
DUNLOP D251F
130/70R18M/C 63V VTX1800F
VTX1800C
front
rear
type rear front
type
143
Tires
Servicing Your Honda
The recommended tires f or your
motorcycle are:Whenever you replace a tire, remember:
Have the wheel balanced after the tire is
installed.
Have the tire replaced by your Honda
dealer if possible.
If you have a tire prof essionally replaced
at a non-Honda f acility, we recommend
that you have the work checked by your
Honda dealer.
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							144Servicing Your Honda
Tires
Important Saf ety Reminders
Do not install a tube inside a tubeless
tire on this motorcycle. Excessive heat
build-up can cause the tube to burst.
Use only tubeless tires on this
motorcycle. The rims are designed f or
tubeless tires, and during hard
acceleration or braking, a tube-type tire
could slip on the rim and cause the tire
to rapidly deflate.
Do not install a bias-ply tire on this
motorcycle. Mixing bias-ply and radial
tires can adversely affect handling and
stability.
04/08/11 14:44:29 31MCH630_153 
						

							LEFT SIDE
(1) side stand spring(1)
145
Side Stand
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Ref er to on page . Check the spring f or damage or loss of
tension.
Check the side stand ignition cut-of f
system:
Sit astride the motorcycle and put the
transmission in neutral.
Raise the side stand.
Start the engine.
Pull the clutch lever in.
Shif t the transmission into gear.
Lower the side stand all the way.
The engine should stop as you lower the
side stand. If the engine doesn’t stop,
see your Honda dealer f or service.
Check that the side stand assembly is
working properly. If the side stand is
stiff or squeaky, clean the pivot area
and lubricate the pivot bolt with clean
grease.1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. 74
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							146
WARNING:
Wash hands af ter handling.
Battery
Servicing Your Honda
Your battery is a maintenance-f ree type
and can be permanently damaged if the
cap strip is removed.
Battery Charging,Battery Storage, Your motorcycle has a maintenance-f ree
type battery. You do not have to check the
battery electrolyte level or add distilled
water as you would with a conventional-
type battery.If you do not expect to ride your
motorcycle f or at least two weeks, we
recommend you remove the battery –– or
at least disconnect the battery cables
(negative cable f irst).
Electrical accessories use current from the
battery –– even when the ignition is OFF.
Limited operation also allows the battery
to discharge. If you have electrical
accessories on your motorcycle –– or do
not ride f requently, we recommend that
you charge the battery f requently (see
page ).If you plan to store your motorcycle, see
page .
If your battery seems weak and/or is
leaking electrolyte (causing slow starting
or other electrical problems), see your
Honda dealer.
Battery posts, terminals and
related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds.147
149
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							The battery gives off explosive
hydrogen gas during normal
operation.
A spark or flame can cause the
battery to explode with enough
force to kill or seriously hurt you.
Wear protective clothing and a
face shield, or have a skilled
mechanic do the battery
maintenance.
147 Battery Storage
Battery
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions
Battery
Charging, Refer to on page .
If you plan to store your motorcycle, we
recommend you remove the battery and
store it where it can be charged at least
every 30 days to maintain its service life.
If you do not remove the battery, we
recommend disconnecting the battery
cables (negative cable first).
You will get the best storage results f rom
removing the battery and slow (trickle)
charging it every 30 days (see
page ).Bef ore you remove the battery, be sure to
read all the inf ormation that f ollows, as
well as the inf ormation on the battery
label. 74
149
04/08/11 14:44:57 31MCH630_156 
						

							µ
´
µ
´ UNDERSEATUNDERSEAT
(5)
(4)
(6)
(4) negative ( ) terminal lead
(5) positive ( ) terminal lead
(6) battery (1) ECM
(2) battery cover
(3) screws(2)(1)(3)
148
Battery
Servicing Your Honda
Disconnect the negative ( ) terminal
lead ( ) f rom the battery f irst.
Disconnect the positive ( ) terminal
lead ( ).
Pull the battery ( ) out of the battery
box. The battery is located in the battery box
below the seat.
Remove the ECM (1).
Remove the battery cover (2) by
removing the three screws (3). Remove the seat (page ). 1.
2.
3.4.
4
6. 5.
5
6 94, 95
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							(1) ‘‘trickle’’ charger(1)
149 Battery Charging
Battery
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Charge the battery (see f ollowing
section), unless you have been riding
regularly.
Store your battery in an easy-to-reach
location of f the f loor, in an area
protected from freezing temperatures
and direct sunlight.
Clean the battery box after removing
the battery f or storage. Dry the battery
box and, if paint is missing, re-paint the
area.
Slow charge the battery (see f ollowing
section) once every 30 days.Refer to on page .
(cont’d) Be sure to read the inf ormation that came
with your battery charger and f ollow the
instructions on the battery. Improper
charging may damage the battery. 7.
8.
9.
10.74
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							150
Battery
Servicing Your Honda
We recommend using a ‘‘trickle’’ charger
( ) f or home charging. These units can be
lef t connected f or long periods without
risking damage to the battery. However,
do not intentionally leave the charger
connected longer than the time period
recommended in the charger’s instructions.
Avoid using an automotive-type battery
charger. An automotive charger can
overheat a motorcycle battery and cause
permanent damage.1
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							µ
µ
µ
µ
151 General Recommendations
Appearance Care
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Frequent cleaning and polishing will keep
your Honda looking newer longer.
Frequent cleaning also identif ies you as an
owner who values your motorcycle. A
clean motorcycle is also easier to inspect
and service.
Refer to on page .
To clean your motorcycle, you may use:
water
a mild, neutral detergent and water
a mild spray and wipe cleaner/
polisher
a mild spray and rinse cleaner/
degreaser and waterAvoid products that contain harsh
detergents or chemical solvents that
could damage the metal, paint, and
plastic on your motorcycle.
If your motorcycle is still warm f rom
recent operation, give the engine and
exhaust system time to cool of f .
Park in a shady area. Washing your
motorcycle in bright sunlight may cause
the finish to fade because water droplets
intensif y the sun’s brightness. Spotting
is also more likely because surface
water can dry bef ore you have time to
wipe it of f .
Clean your motorcycle regularly to
protect surface finishes. 74
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