[katharn]

Hello together

my name is Richard, im 32 and living in Switzerland. I work as Sales Manager for the US and Canada - so Iam often around in the States too
I just got my motorcycle license three months ago and since then, drove 5'000 km with my first bike - an Honda Shadow VT600C.
But as it is ... even with the speed limit of 80km/h and all the alpine passes around, the 600cc was to slow for me (6'1'' ; 286lbs) so I changed to an VTX1800C.

Bike still came with some small mods:

• Baron XTreme Handlebar
• Extra Highway footrests
• Sissybar
• Falcon Double Groove

After I got it, the Falcon was too loud for me and so I changed back to the standard exhaust system.

Planned modifications:

• Crash bars for front and saddlebags ✅
• better turnlights ✅
• saddlebags
• (removable) Tour-pak rear set (for trips with my wife) ✅
• (removable) Batwing (for longer trips)
• handlebar with higher risers
• forward mounted controls
• adjustable Goldwing levers ✅
• new battery covers (right one is molten) ✅
• VTX Daymaker Headlights / or Suzuki M1800 Headlight with Cowl
• "VTX" Fluid Covers ✅
• new painting
• take the stickers down

Just have this bike since one week and got the first 1'200 km on it

Looking forward to read more of all of you!

Keep the rubber down and head up
Rich

 

[Hans&Feet]

Hello Richard, welcome to the VTXOA!
You did not tell us what year it was.
There is a 1st generation 1800 and a 2nd generation 1800.
1st gen> fuel pump in the fuel tank, Fuel Pressure Regulator on the fuel rail,
3 pin turn signal flasher, 22 pin connectors on ECM.

2nd gen> external fuel pump below seat near rear tire, 32 pin ECM connnectors,
a better Grounding system, a 9 pin turn signal controller.

 

[smurfy71]

Welcome Richard


Sitting on my VTX making vroom vroom sounds.

 

[katharn]

Hello Richard, welcome to the VTXOA!
You did not tell us what year it was.
There is a 1st generation 1800 and a 2nd generation 1800.
1st gen> fuel pump in the fuel tank, Fuel Pressure Regulator on the fuel rail,
3 pin turn signal flasher, 22 pin connectors on ECM.

2nd gen> external fuel pump below seat near rear tire, 32 pin ECM connnectors,
a better Grounding system, a 9 pin turn signal controller.

Wow - thats a challenge 🧐 I dont know - its an 2005 C Model. I did a look under the seat but just to clean up the mess of my predecessor which thought it would be a good idea to use light bulbs knstead of resistors for the new led turnlights and so the seat got a little warmer while turning 🙄 Couldnt believe it as I saw it ...

Can you tell me which gen the 2005 model is?

 

[Hans&Feet]

2005 1800 C is 2nd generation.
Do you have the Euro headlight switch(Off/Position/headlight) or
do you have the USA model(headlights on full time except cranking)>
The TS controller makes it difficult to easily modify.
Dual USA position lights up front are for safety.

Seat warmer for winter riding!

 

[Harkon]

2005 1800 C is 2nd generation.
Do you have the Euro headlight switch(Off/Position/headlight) or
do you have the USA model(headlights on full time except cranking)>
The TS controller makes it difficult to easily modify.
Dual USA position lights up front are for safety.

Seat warmer for winter riding!

Hans, '05C is still first Gen. '05R/N/S/T were 2nd gen. The C didn't go second Gen 'til '06 AFAIK.

Oops, Hans corrects this a next post down. The above is incorrect.

 

[Hans&Feet]

Hans, '05C is still first Gen. '05R/N/S/T were 2nd gen. The C didn't go second Gen 'til '06 AFAIK.

04 was 2nd Gen R/S, N was new 2004
05 was 2nd Gen, C/F, F was new in 2005.

 

[Harkon]

04 was 2nd Gen R/S, N was new 2004
05 was 2nd Gen, C/F, F was new in 2005.

Well, I'll be damned. According to that, you are correct. By the service manual, 2002-2005 1800C they are all first gen. Parts diagrams all show '05-08 gen 2.

Thanks brother, I stand corrected.

Looks like '04 was the crossover year. R/S got second Gen treatment, and the C was still first Gen.

Again, sorry about that, thanks for setting that straight.

 

[katharn]

Wow - thats a challenge 🧐 I dont know - its an 2005 C Model. I did a look under the seat but just to clean up the mess of my predecessor which thought it would be a good idea to use light bulbs knstead of resistors for the new led turnlights and so the seat got a little warmer while turning 🙄 Couldnt believe it as I saw it ...

Can you tell me which gen the 2005 model is?

This was the fun part looks like ...

I already ordered new justech turnlights and will install them lets hope they work with the size of my saddlebags

Are there any advantages of the 2nd gen above the 1st gen ?

3pin turn signal relais sounds lot easier to repin honestly xD

 

[Harkon]

This was the fun part looks like ...

I already ordered new justech turnlights and will install them lets hope they work with the size of my saddlebags

View attachment 175309

Are there any advantages of the 2nd gen above the 1st gen ?

3pin turn signal relais sounds lot easier to repin honestly xD

OMG ... you bought the bike from a bike butcher!
Second Gen has the fuel pump down by the swingarm, just in front of the rear tire, It also has the coolant overflow tank between the jugs on the left side. The benefit is that first Gen bikes had the fuel pump in the tank. It was both a PITA, and the fuel pressure regulator with that setup wasn't what I'd call Honda robust. Second Gen fuel system was pretty bullet proof. Plus you don't have a pump taking up space in the tank, where fuel belongs. I think the ECU was updated as well, and a few other subtle changes.

 

[Hans&Feet]

2nd Gen has a better Grounding scheme.
I believe they tweaked the ECM and it has better operational qualities.
My brother in law had a 05 1800F, we rode together often.
The ride from Atlanta, Georgia to Dallas, Texas. Better fuel mileage than my 1300 at times.
162 miles was the longest stretch on one tank. 3200 miles overall.
The typical 1st Gen 1800C goes 100 miles and time to refuel(smaller tank).

If you can solder and understand a circuit you can convert the TS controller to a 2 wire/3 wire TS flasher.
1800C - light bulbs for the indicators. One TS indicator bulb connected from left TS wire to Right TS wire.
Works good with bulbs, but the low current draw of the Leds turns them into 4 way flashers.
A diode fix to prevent crossfeed(definitely needed for 1st Gen).
Kisan also makes a TS flasher. SM-3R

 

[katharn]

OMG ... you bought the bike from a bike butcher!

I expected something like this ... the price of the deal was just to good so I calculated a little extra effort in bringing the bike back in line ... usually the vtx in Switzerland is around 8k and I paid little less 🙈

The ride from Atlanta, Georgia to Dallas, Texas. Better fuel mileage than my 1300 at times.
162 miles was the longest stretch on one tank. 3200 miles overall.
The typical 1st Gen 1800C goes 100 miles and time to refuel(smaller tank).

Yeah I was quite surprised after my first ride ... I needed to tank after same miles as with my VT600C - but just the double amount of fuel 🧐
- about the flashers: I think I will replace first all the cables with automotive cables and solder everything up in a way I can live with it. I did several electric upgrades to my cars, so this wont be a big problem. I also bought additional bluetooth flasher lights for my helmet and will use this opportunity to put the controller in the bike too 🤪


BTW: does anybody know where this cowl is from / which part number / where I can find something similar?
I found it on google, saying this is an honda oem part for the vtx1800

 

[Harkon]

Look here for starters. Unlikely you'll find a new OEM one.

Best Honda Vtx 1800 Headlight Cowl in 2020 - Reviews & Guide

If you're looking for the best honda vtx 1800 headlight cowl, look no further! We've done the research, so you can choose from the top honda vtx 1800 headlight cowl on the market.

millee.org

 

[katharn]

Short update on my bike:

• installed Front Crash bars (Cobra like from the UK)
• fixed tachometer installment (put it 180° on top for better visibility, needed few adjustments in the case)

Unfortunately: while my regular MotoJitsu session, I dropped the bike and - also when I*d luck with the installed crash bars - my radiator got a small broke on the bottom screw (still dont know how this can happening so bad ...) and is leaking since then. The workshop guys tried to fix it, but its still leaking bad as hell.

So, I need a new radiator - new one: 2-3 weeks delivery time. Ordered ✅
Also ordered with this:

• new Radiator grill with the vtx logo from china ✅
• 43L Topcase with Backrest ✅
• adjustable levers from goldwing ✅
• saddlebag crash bars ✅

Iam still uncertain with the best option of the saddlebags. Iam no friend of leather, so it will be hardcases for sure. Maybe with some LED-Installments for better visibility and to include the turning lights

Also I added a new point to the list: this bike is going to be white in the next year ^^

I keep you updated 👍 drive safe and keep the rubber down

 

[Hans&Feet]

There is a cowl for sale in the Netherlands.

Headlight cowl

For sale. Located in Europe, so probably only for European riders. Color is candy jupiter orange. Brackets included.

www.vtxoa.com

Radiators are fragile. They have an occasional failure.
Shock aka sudden stop could have done it or something related to the crash bar.

 

[katharn]

There is a cowl for sale in the Netherlands.

Headlight cowl

For sale. Located in Europe, so probably only for European riders. Color is candy jupiter orange. Brackets included.

www.vtxoa.com

Thank you very much Hans&Feet for the link I took a look on it, unfortunately it is the Fairing from Amazon (for 120$) made from grp - I saw pictures from the original one and it looked like they made it on an injection mold with the second part separating and lucent. Will look further for the oem with the small window on top 😊

 

[smurfy71]

I have a set of Tsukayu hard bags on my 1300 and I am very happy with them. I’m not sure how much shipping would be to your neck of the woods, but if you travel to the US maybe you can arrange to get them on a trip?

Mine are Harley style bags with the signals built in, but they make a VTX specific bag the contours around the signals.

Tsukayu Fairing, Hard Saddlebags and Touring Trunk

Look through the site, they are a quality product.

Sitting on my VTX making vroom vroom sounds.

 

[katharn]

I have a set of Tsukayu hard bags on my 1300 and I am very happy with them.

🧐 they are looking great - are these the Patrol or the Roadking ? Looking specifically for vtx couldnt show these ones.
Shipping to my branch of the tree is luckily same as to the us ^^
Unfortunately: no travel for further 4 months :/ covid19 ...

 

[smurfy71]

they are looking great - are these the Patrol or the Roadking ? Looking specifically for vtx couldnt show these ones.
Shipping to my branch of the tree is luckily same as to the us ^^
Unfortunately: no travel for further 4 months :/ covid19 ...

I believe mine are an older model of the Sportster model. With a few chrome extras.

Tsukayu Fairing, Hard Saddlebags and Touring Trunk

Sitting on my VTX making vroom vroom sounds.

 

[katharn]

Short update after weeks of no riding and just writing my master thesis ...

Changes:

• Radiator protector with VTX Logo is installed
• Saddlebag crash bars too (tried to install the saddlebags too but the ones I got where way too small for the vtx, so I send them back and order bigger ones)
• changed the black battery covers to chrome ones
• put a solo rack on my machine (we are pregnant, so I will ride for the next months alone ^^ )
• fixed the turnlights under the seat with an new relais
• "VTX" Chrome fluid caps
• put the adjustable levers from Kuryakin on (still no clutch relief, my clutch feels hard as hell. The fluid was changed, levers installed ... dont know whats wrong. Got the feeling that with the new levers its worse than before - I could ride 8 hours and got pain in hand, with the new levers: 4 hours ...)

I also tried to change the handlebar, but the cables are mostly inside of this thing and so I need to unpin and repin all connectors - I save this work for the winter nights.

New on my list:

• VTX Daymaker LED Lights (my neighbour with the VRod in the background put an LED Headlight on this ... rides in the night as it would be day)
• new Tires (Metzeler 888 - already ordered)