Honda Vtx 1800 F Service Manual

							152
Appearance Care
Servicing Your Honda
High pressure water (or air) can damage
certain parts of your motorcycle.We recommend the use of a garden
hose to wash your motorcycle. High
pressure washers (like those at coin-
operated car washes) can damage
certain parts of your motorcycle.
After cleaning, inspect for damage,
wear, and leaks (fuel, oil, coolant, brake,
and clutch f luid).
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							153 Washing Your Motorcycle with a
Mild Detergent
Appearance Care
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Refer to on page .
Rinse your motorcycle thoroughly with
cool water to remove loose dirt.
Fill a bucket with cool water. Mix in a
mild, neutral detergent, such as dish
washing liquid or a product made
especially for washing motorcycles or
automobiles.
Wash your motorcycle with a sponge or
a sof t towel. As you wash, check f or
heavy grime. If necessary, use a mild
cleaner/degreaser to remove the grime.Af ter washing, rinse your motorcycle
thoroughly with plenty of clean water to
remove any residue. Detergent residue
can corrode alloy parts.
Dry your motorcycle with a chamois or
a soft towel. Leaving water on the
surf ace to air dry can cause dulling and
water spots. As you dry, inspect f or
chips and scratches.
Start the engine and let it idle f or
several minutes. The engine heat will
help dry moist areas.
(cont’d) 1.
2.
3.4.
5.
6. 74
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							154Spray Cleaning Your Motorcycle
Appearance Care
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions As a precaution, ride your motorcycle at
a slow speed and apply the brakes
several times. This will help dry the
brakes and restore normal braking
perf ormance.Refer to on page .
Avoid using spray cleaner products on the
tires or suspension components.
Suggestions f or using spray cleaner(s)
f ollow: If the inside of the headlight lens
appears clouded immediately af ter
washing, it should clear af ter a f ew
minutes of riding. 7.
74
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							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
155
Appearance Care
Servicing Your Honda
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							156Chrome-plated Parts
Maintenance
Appearance Care
Servicing Your Honda
Saf ety Precautions Refer to on page .
Chrome may corrode f rom contact with
dirt, mud, or road salt. Clean the chrome-
plated parts af ter riding through any of
these substances.
Use a wet sponge and mild detergent, or a
commercially-available spray cleaner/
degreaser designed f or use on chrome.
Avoid stiff brushes, steel wool, or cleaners
containing abrasives or harsh chemical
compounds.Af ter washing, rinse with plenty of water
and dry with a clean cloth. Then apply a
mild, commercially-available spray
cleaner/polish or wax.
For stained or dull-looking parts, use a
quality chrome/aluminum polish to restore
the f inish.
Af ter you f inish cleaning, it’s important to
check for and remove any cleaner or
polish residue f ound on the brake discs or
pads. If there is any residue on the brake
discs or pads, remove it by using Honda
Contact/Brake Cleaner or an equivalent
brake degreasing agent. 74
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							157 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.74
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							158Finishing 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. 74
196
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							159
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 . 160
........... Transporting Your Motorcycle . 163
...................... You & the Environment . 164
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							160Preparation 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 .
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).Change the engine oil and f ilter (page
).
Make sure the cooling system is f illed
with a 50/50% antif reeze solution (page
).
Fill the f uel tank. Make sure the f uel f ill
cap is properly installed. 1.
2.
3.74
107
111
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							µ
161
Storing Your Honda
Tips
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.
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.
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. 5.
6. 4.
149
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