- Joined
- Sep 4, 2017
- Messages
- 2,918
- Reaction score
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- Location
- Katy, Republic of Texas
- First Name
- Nolan
Hello all!
I just bought a '94 Shadow VT1100.
I have been out of riding for over 20 years (just realized I actually quit riding around the time this bike was made, how ironic).
I had a few little things to work out on the bike though.
The biggest one is previous owner had added some aux lights and wired them up wrong. They had wired them to get power to a 3 way switch (they are hi/lo aux lights) totally wrong. They had 2 power wires to the switch, one in the correct center pole (from low beam headlight), but then had wired a hot from the left front running light to the low beam pole on the switch.
Needless to say the fuse for the headlight blew, but the low beam still worked due to feedback in the wiring. But the lights would turn off when the left turn signal was turned on.
Then for some reason, they took apart the headlight switch and the contact fell out of it.
I got the Aux light wired correctly with it's own relay and fuse and replaced the headlight fues, but I had no headlight due to the missing contact in the switch. I have done a hard splice in the switch to just have a low beam, but still have no hi beam. Need to find a replacement switch for that.
Other than that though, bike seems to be in great shape and runs and rides very well.
I have already done an oil and filter change (old oil filter was dented), changed the shaft drive fluid, and changed the brake and clutch fluid. Still need to do the coolant. Pulled the plugs and they are new (previous owner said the bike had just been services, carbs cleaned and such).
I need to get it inspected (not sure if it will pass with no main hi beam, but the aux lights have a hi setting?) and registered still.
I will be needing new tires soon due to their age (tires are 7 years old, but have great tread), probably come spring time.
Current tires are Dunlop 404, which don't seem to have good reviews. I am looking at probably some Shinko 777 or 230 tires, maybe some Perilli M66.
Here is the bike in the driveway right after I got it home.
It has a few extras that I think made it a great deal for me. It has a windshield, Mustang seat, back rest, rear rack and aux light bar, all of which I would want to add anyway.
It also has a mini crash bar with highway pegs (not something I would add, but probably will not take off) and some passanger floorboards (wanting to take them off, the look bad IMO, need to find some rear pegs).
It also has a n AGM battery that seems to be new (no dates on the battery, but holds a charge well so far).
Only thing I am really debating on adding is some floorboards for me. I am not crazy about my legs being forward like they are.
My brother has an 883 with floorboards and a heel/toe shift and I really do like that.
Problem is being a '94, not a lot of accessories for it (there were a few changes made between '94 and '95, so many things for '95 and newer do not fit).
I just bought a '94 Shadow VT1100.
I have been out of riding for over 20 years (just realized I actually quit riding around the time this bike was made, how ironic).
I had a few little things to work out on the bike though.
The biggest one is previous owner had added some aux lights and wired them up wrong. They had wired them to get power to a 3 way switch (they are hi/lo aux lights) totally wrong. They had 2 power wires to the switch, one in the correct center pole (from low beam headlight), but then had wired a hot from the left front running light to the low beam pole on the switch.
Needless to say the fuse for the headlight blew, but the low beam still worked due to feedback in the wiring. But the lights would turn off when the left turn signal was turned on.
Then for some reason, they took apart the headlight switch and the contact fell out of it.
I got the Aux light wired correctly with it's own relay and fuse and replaced the headlight fues, but I had no headlight due to the missing contact in the switch. I have done a hard splice in the switch to just have a low beam, but still have no hi beam. Need to find a replacement switch for that.
Other than that though, bike seems to be in great shape and runs and rides very well.
I have already done an oil and filter change (old oil filter was dented), changed the shaft drive fluid, and changed the brake and clutch fluid. Still need to do the coolant. Pulled the plugs and they are new (previous owner said the bike had just been services, carbs cleaned and such).
I need to get it inspected (not sure if it will pass with no main hi beam, but the aux lights have a hi setting?) and registered still.
I will be needing new tires soon due to their age (tires are 7 years old, but have great tread), probably come spring time.
Current tires are Dunlop 404, which don't seem to have good reviews. I am looking at probably some Shinko 777 or 230 tires, maybe some Perilli M66.
Here is the bike in the driveway right after I got it home.
It has a few extras that I think made it a great deal for me. It has a windshield, Mustang seat, back rest, rear rack and aux light bar, all of which I would want to add anyway.
It also has a mini crash bar with highway pegs (not something I would add, but probably will not take off) and some passanger floorboards (wanting to take them off, the look bad IMO, need to find some rear pegs).
It also has a n AGM battery that seems to be new (no dates on the battery, but holds a charge well so far).
Only thing I am really debating on adding is some floorboards for me. I am not crazy about my legs being forward like they are.
My brother has an 883 with floorboards and a heel/toe shift and I really do like that.
Problem is being a '94, not a lot of accessories for it (there were a few changes made between '94 and '95, so many things for '95 and newer do not fit).