20 Most Recent 1984 Honda VT 500 C Shadow - Page 8 Questions & Answers

You might be seeing a vent or drain line, motorcycle carbs have these, sometimes many, to vent off fuel. They go nowhere at the bottom.

it's easy 1 bolt on each side and then carefully pull backwards

how many rpms, not good to rev under no load. fuel valve open and a clean fuel filter?

Your sidestand kill switch is faulty, replace with new one or known good one.

it could have a burnt out inlet velve or it may be the velve clearence is to tight check velve clearence first

Before you go down this road ,remember that you will neen specilist tools and the parts are not that cheep .if you have a workshop manual read up on the work and knowledege and information needed to attempt an engine strip down and rebuild .

Get some specs on the pick up coils, or signal generator. Test! These bikes are known for those to go bad. I hope they still make them, or a junkyard? Chaz Moto DC

you may want to go and have your coils looked at. the first thing you should do though is pull the plugs and see what shape they are in. the plugs will tell you everything about your engine and what it is doing and when. if your plugs are good then go have your coils inspected. do not try this yourself if you do not know what you are doing. there is a very high chance of very high electrical discharge to you. it may even kill you if it hits right.

FULLY CHARGE THE BATTERY 13.2VOLTS THEN START THE BIKE USE A VOLT METER TO CHECK THE VOLTAGE AT THE + AND - TERMINALS ON THE BATTERY IT SHOULD READ BETWEEN 13.3-15.5 VOLTS AT 2000 RPMS AND UP IF ITS NOT CHECK WIRING HARNESS IF ALL IS WELL THERE ITS MOST LIKELY REGULATOR /RECTIFIER

Remove tha gas tank and the seat.
Remove the CDI-box (capacitor discharge ignition box). Black in color, and held to the frame by 10-mm bolts
Replace this CDI box.
Replace the spark-plug.
Re-check for spark again.

This is more than likely a carb (fuel) issue. Start with verifing you correct float level. Next check for correct needle position, diaphram, and springs on same. Also check to make sure clip for "accelator pump" is in correct place. Hope this helps.

JP

Back fire to tht cylinder could be due to lack of gas (fuel) in the float chamber..try to check tht carburator and adjust the float.
Hope this helps!

oh boy, some people??? why oh why did you not just stop when the light come on in the first place??? yes its most likly to be the oil warning light screeming at you to stop and turn the motor off,,,red = danger!!!!!
its going to cost you now to fix this bike big time too

The 1984 Honda VT500 does have a liquid cooled engine. As for the fluid leak near the top of the cylinder head, it is most likely an engine oil leak coming from the valve cover gasket. Each valve cover uses a rubber gasket as well as rubber seals around each of the bolts that secure the cover to the head. Replacing these should cure the leak.

As for the temperature issue, anything within the white area of the temp gauge is considered normal. Just make sure that the radiator of full of coolant and the plastic coolant overflow bottle is filled to about the half-way mark. Use a 50/50 mix of coolant for aluminum block engines and distilled water.

The lack of power could be from plugged up carburetors (has the bike been sitting for a long period of time?). This bike also has a vacuum operated fuel petcock. Make sure the vacuum running to it is not cracked. Try smoothing the burr that you mentioned with some fine sandpaper - and by all means, make it fuel tight!

There is no published top speed for this Honda - but it should be able to reach about 90MPH on flat ground.

If you don't have a service manual, really consider getting one for your aging bike. Look up Clymer manuals or buy one from Honda. Meantime, check the 646 help section in reference at the library.

hondas of that vintage DO like their choke on until warm,check condition of air filter,check for air leak at carb intake connections.

Many factors go into the style of a bike.
Changing the exhaust is a major issue in regards to position of the current hardware and wiring. Designers at the time the bike is being developed determine position, size heat shielding etc. Local codes, restrictions and generally what sells today. Once the fabrication starts on a specific model it is rare that major changes like the exhaust system are allowed.

That is what after market exhaust pipes are for.
I for instance can't stand the one large big pipe.
Dual pipes on each side have a better sound and seem to balance the bike.
But that is only my opinion and everyone has one. :)

Keep in mind, There is no dumb question. Only the one not asked. :)
Have a great day!

hi mate have you got oil in the crank case it sounds like you have a seized engine which requires a top end strip to inspect if cant find problem you will need a engine rebuild i will see if i can find a manual bud and i will get back to you

okay do you have a test light? you will need one to confirm all the connection to the toggle switch? lso please give me the colors of the 5 wires and i will look to find the schematic here ad get this done for you.

this will be simple because usually there is power in witch is one on\\wire and the other 4 are the output to send power to all the components. let me know and i will guide you through it. is the bike close to you so you can check?

Clean your carb using automorive carb cleaner - used sparingly. When was your last tune up?