Got a new 2007 vtx1300. Could use advice.

brettp said:

A loud pop could be the result of plugs not burning all the fuel. Check your plugs for fouling. Also check the exhaust at the cylinder head (if loose, tighten it). A few questions:
Does the bike have aftermarket pipes?
Does the bike have an aftermarket air filter?
Has the bike ever been rejected?

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Chicago-Spike said:

Looking at oil doesn't tell you a damn thing. You bought a used bike first things I would do is that 24k service including;
Oil change
Coolant change
Brake fluid flush
PLugs
Air cleaner
Tires
Valve clearance check...these valves aren't hydraulic and don't adjust themselves

All of these items have "How To's" on our How To; Step-by-Step board and are for the most part easy tasks. If you think you can't do these tasks then perhaps a decades old vehicle isn't for you

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captvelcro said:

Visually inspect the fuel lines, including the interior - often the rubber cracks can't be seen from the outside.

You don't mention the bike's history - that leaves a lot to consider.

Check the air filter - make sure it's clean (and lubed if reusable).

Check the overflow tube behind the air filter assembly too.

There's a small fuel filter in the hose @ the carb - check that.

Consider running a stabilizer if the carb is gunked up.

Check the plugs.

If it's a CA bike, is it desmogged?

This may or may not be good advice - just going off of my COVID rebuild learning experience with a 1300.

I'm sure others will be on-board to correct and to add to.

Enjoy the ride.

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Chicago-Spike said:

Looking at oil doesn't tell you a damn thing. You bought a used bike first things I would do is that 24k service including;
Oil change
Coolant change
Brake fluid flush
PLugs
Air cleaner
Tires
Valve clearance check...these valves aren't hydraulic and don't adjust themselves

All of these items have "How To's" on our How To; Step-by-Step board and are for the most part easy tasks. If you think you can't do these tasks then perhaps a decades old vehicle isn't for you

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Hans&Feet said:

Check the vacuum hose ends, cracks are frequent. Recently another 1300 had holes in the slide valve diaphragm. Serious gun shot explosions when diaphragm has holes.

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Chicago-Spike said:

Looking at oil doesn't tell you a damn thing. You bought a used bike first things I would do is that 24k service including;
Oil change
Coolant change
Brake fluid flush
PLugs
Air cleaner
Tires
Valve clearance check...these valves aren't hydraulic and don't adjust themselves

All of these items have "How To's" on our How To; Step-by-Step board and are for the most part easy tasks. If you think you can't do these tasks then perhaps a decades old vehicle isn't for you

Click to expand...

RobtheCob said:

I dont know what rejected means. Yes they are Vance and Hines exhaust. And I'm not sure about the air filter. Also when I first got the bike last week it started immediately. Now it's slower to start. I'll check the plugs. They should be brown right? If they are white do I need new ones I don't really know what to look for with the plugs.

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captvelcro said:

Not "rejected" - rejetted [damn that auto-correct]

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RobtheCob said:

it's a CA bike. Not sure if it's desmogged. It has had multiple owners and was laid down once or twice but only causing some external damage to the tank. Possible damage to the old stick exhaust but the Vance and Hines is shiny and new.

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RobtheCob said:

First of the bike is great. It also ran really well. It had some backfiring but I wasn't worried. Then there was a really loud pop. Like very loud. Since then it's backfired a lot on decel. I also don't know if it's had the 24000 servicing and would prefer not to spend over 1000 for that. As far as I can tell the oil is good. Any ideas on what I should be checking? Also it doesn't just backfire on decel. It has a weird sound when decel aswell. It's hard to describe. It kind of just sounds weaker. Now that I think about it it sounds weaker all around since that shotgun blast of a pop. There's also a ticking in the engine. Although it might not be the engine. One of the covers is loose and when I hold it the clicking is a lot quiter so maybe my mind is playing tricks on me and I imagine in the engine. I'm having it safety checked on Tuesday the 23rd and won't be riding it much till then anyway but I just wanted to know if I should bring anything up to the people there.

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Havesail said:

Have an 03, 1800C with 83+k on it. Started backfiring on decel awhile ago. Saw a bareass chopper vid on tuning the throttle body to fix that. Didn’t have the vac gauges so took it to a shop… waste of money. Saw about another vid on the pair valve that introduces air into the exhaust as a cause then I reminded myself of the story a mechanic told me about the horrors he encountered when rebuilding an old bike which he sold immediately after completion and swore never to do that again. Think I’ll just live with the backfire and try not to decel next to someone who’s visibly packing. The ticking is probably a valve…which if not seating could also put unburnt fuel in the exhaust.

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Havesail said:

Have an 03, 1800C with 83+k on it. Started backfiring on decel awhile ago. Saw a bareass chopper vid on tuning the throttle body to fix that. Didn’t have the vac gauges so took it to a shop… waste of money. Saw about another vid on the pair valve that introduces air into the exhaust as a cause then I reminded myself of the story a mechanic told me about the horrors he encountered when rebuilding an old bike which he sold immediately after completion and swore never to do that again. Think I’ll just live with the backfire and try not to decel next to someone who’s visibly packing. The ticking is probably a valve…which if not seating could also put unburnt fuel in the exhaust.

Click to expand...