It's crazy how much of a tank these engines are. I was forced to limp mine over 100 miles home after the radiator leaked out and temp light started to come on. 5000 miles later (she just turned 71) and only thing that failed was the valve inspection o-ring (cooked in the heat and became brittle and failed). Bore cross hatching was still there. Oil clear. Compression is fine. Tensioner tight. Replaced the o-ring, put her back together, and shes running pretty good. Way everything is looking, she's gonna make it well past 100. These things are tanks!
You are an inspiration to us young guys I'm 55 and ride a black 2002 vtx 1800s looks same as yours but spoke wheels mine has 51,000 miles runs like new still . I love your exhaust mod
Hi Larry. My 2008 VTX 1800T spec3 has been damaged due to oil burnout. I will have to replace it. Can you please give me an inventory of all the engine removing specific tools that you had to have? Jack, poles (I don't know the technical name), etc. So many thanks for the upload!
No. As a mechanic, one must be able to work through a complex number of unforsen tasks. If you do not have the mechanical aptitude, a broad experience base and tools to match then you should not attempt such a task. If you decide to dive in to this reasonably complicated task and complete it, you will have confirmed your self as a reasonably competent mechanic and I will be very proud of you. If you don't have the confidence to jump in to the job then I think you should take it to a shop. The worst thing that could happen if you can not complete the job will be the very farmilliar, "bike for sale, basket case, all parts in a box."
I bought a 2003 VTX 1800 about a year ago with 11,400 miles. I ride it like I stole it and you have me concerned. I would expect more than 100k out of a honda. Did you do the valve adjustments, did you use full synthetic non energy conserving, did you eliminate the smog BS, and how many fuel filters/fuel pumps/clutch spring and packs did you go through? I already have 30k, If the sun is out I am riding.
Roger, Thanks for the interest in my video. First of all I was not intending to diag the engine and determine the cause of the noise at all but to demonstrate how to change the engine if anyone, for whatever reason, needed to do so. I did check the valve adjustment and it was right on. I also religiously have completed the oil maintenance, unless out on a ride, every 5k and I always use mobile1 20w50 for wet clutch (my choice). I agree with you that a Honda engine certainly should be expected to deliver more than 100k and I am not dissatisfied with this bike in any way. I take full responsibility for the way I have used and abused this bike. After all, I'm only 73, still a kid that hasn't really grown up yet... I think I was a bit premature in stating that the noise was a rod knock. I am sure that it was not. It sounded like a dull thunk-thunk you had to listen for at idle when started cold and was almost un detectable after warming up. I have searched out those who have had engine noise from the 1800 and have learned that it has a history of noises from many different owners with most only speculating as to the cause (compression release?). I don’t even know if it has that… Most of our rides are from 3k to 8+ and with March ride coming up, I was not inclined to spend riding time with my bike in the shop so a quick engine change was the way to go for me. I still have the original engine and may have it looked into if an opportunity presents its self. Otherwise, like you, if the sun is out, I’m riding. I have always maintained that there are two major things you can do with a motorcycle, work on it or ride it. I choose to do the latter. Shoot me a like and subscribe, Larry
@@larryshea8595 Thank you for the informative response. I love coming across a fellow X owner as it affords me the opportunity to gather insight. You certainly get my like. Great video.
i thought ride it like you stole meant cautiously obeying every traffic law, stop sign/light ,speed limit, right of way, turn signal used every time, etc(they petty crap that always seems to get someone pulled over and the cops discover 900 lbs of dope in the wifes bra and a sawed off shot gun in the drivers back pocket.......every damn time!!!!!) ......as not to garner any attention to yourself and the stolen vehicle. slow speeds, no high rpms.......that would make they engine last for many miles.yet i bet you meant you were jumping over little ceasers pallets of water bottles or a water fountain(wall mounted, like in schools?) on a pallet out by the little ceasers dumpster. ( you know, the guy with the farrah fawcet hairdo wearing the gay biker leather and that stupid superhero/Elvis on drugs era/sesame street pimp(the count?)/Liberace/gay tom cruise vampire cape. he jumped over/tried to jump over stuff on his lunch break when he worked at little ceasers, in the '70's stories everyone tells me.it's that flamboyant,look at me shit that gets you caught when you steal crap,but sounds like you didn't get caught .you interested in selling that stolen bike your riding for, i dunno ,say $150?
It is sitting on a pallet up on a rack in the shop. It's a good engine but I would like to have the time to get into it one day. Life presses on so it's still on the back burner. Larry
I have a '06 vtx1300c and I'm getting oil coming from my air filter, crankcase ventilation hose. I was told a little is fine but I'm getting almost a half quart on a 200 mile ride. I'm thinking it needs to be ringed/overhauled,,,,,,,,it only has 25000 miles on it.... Gotta let it go
I'm sorry sir this video it is not good im not see noting you need some body to unfocuse the camara what bolts you take out the camara is to far if someone they say is good the video them lie to you OK
It's crazy how much of a tank these engines are.
I was forced to limp mine over 100 miles home after the radiator leaked out and temp light started to come on. 5000 miles later (she just turned 71) and only thing that failed was the valve inspection o-ring (cooked in the heat and became brittle and failed). Bore cross hatching was still there. Oil clear. Compression is fine. Tensioner tight.
Replaced the o-ring, put her back together, and shes running pretty good.
Way everything is looking, she's gonna make it well past 100.
These things are tanks!
You are an inspiration to us young guys I'm 55 and ride a black 2002 vtx 1800s looks same as yours but spoke wheels mine has 51,000 miles runs like new still . I love your exhaust mod
I have one.... 22,000 miles...... so not even brake in🤣😂... awesome motorcycles. Thank you for the information👍
Thanks for the smooth commentary and the effort you put in to show us. I'll keep watching for more.
Thanks Hans, Give me a like and subscribe! Larry
Has anybody done a Engine swap, to keep up with the newer bikes?
Hi Larry. My 2008 VTX 1800T spec3 has been damaged due to oil burnout. I will have to replace it. Can you please give me an inventory of all the engine removing specific tools that you had to have? Jack, poles (I don't know the technical name), etc. So many thanks for the upload!
No. As a mechanic, one must be able to work through a complex number of unforsen tasks. If you do not have the mechanical aptitude, a broad experience base and tools to match then you should not attempt such a task. If you decide to dive in to this reasonably complicated task and complete it, you will have confirmed your self as a reasonably competent mechanic and I will be very proud of you. If you don't have the confidence to jump in to the job then I think you should take it to a shop. The worst thing that could happen if you can not complete the job will be the very farmilliar, "bike for sale, basket case, all parts in a box."
I think you should first try to replace your air filter, then move on to more advanced stuff like bleed your brakes.
I bought a 2003 VTX 1800 about a year ago with 11,400 miles. I ride it like I stole it and you have me concerned. I would expect more than 100k out of a honda. Did you do the valve adjustments, did you use full synthetic non energy conserving, did you eliminate the smog BS, and how many fuel filters/fuel pumps/clutch spring and packs did you go through?
I already have 30k, If the sun is out I am riding.
Roger, Thanks for the interest in my video. First of all I was not intending to diag the engine and determine the cause of the noise at all but to demonstrate how to change the engine if anyone, for whatever reason, needed to do so. I did check the valve adjustment and it was right on. I also religiously have completed the oil maintenance, unless out on a ride, every 5k and I always use mobile1 20w50 for wet clutch (my choice).
I agree with you that a Honda engine certainly should be expected to deliver more than 100k and I am not dissatisfied with this bike in any way. I take full responsibility for the way I have used and abused this bike. After all, I'm only 73, still a kid that hasn't really grown up yet...
I think I was a bit premature in stating that the noise was a rod knock. I am sure that it was not. It sounded like a dull thunk-thunk you had to listen for at idle when started cold and was almost un detectable after warming up.
I have searched out those who have had engine noise from the 1800 and have learned that it has a history of noises from many different owners with most only speculating as to the cause (compression release?). I don’t even know if it has that…
Most of our rides are from 3k to 8+ and with March ride coming up, I was not inclined to spend riding time with my bike in the shop so a quick engine change was the way to go for me. I still have the original engine and may have it looked into if an opportunity presents its self. Otherwise, like you, if the sun is out, I’m riding.
I have always maintained that there are two major things you can do with a motorcycle, work on it or ride it. I choose to do the latter.
Shoot me a like and subscribe, Larry
@@larryshea8595 Thank you for the informative response. I love coming across a fellow X owner as it affords me the opportunity to gather insight.
You certainly get my like. Great video.
i thought ride it like you stole meant cautiously obeying every traffic law, stop sign/light ,speed limit, right of way, turn signal used every time, etc(they petty crap that always seems to get someone pulled over and the cops discover 900 lbs of dope in the wifes bra and a sawed off shot gun in the drivers back pocket.......every damn time!!!!!) ......as not to garner any attention to yourself and the stolen vehicle. slow speeds, no high rpms.......that would make they engine last for many miles.yet i bet you meant you were jumping over little ceasers pallets of water bottles or a water fountain(wall mounted, like in schools?) on a pallet out by the little ceasers dumpster. ( you know, the guy with the farrah fawcet hairdo wearing the gay biker leather and that stupid superhero/Elvis on drugs era/sesame street pimp(the count?)/Liberace/gay tom cruise vampire cape. he jumped over/tried to jump over stuff on his lunch break when he worked at little ceasers, in the '70's stories everyone tells me.it's that flamboyant,look at me shit that gets you caught when you steal crap,but sounds like you didn't get caught .you interested in selling that stolen bike your riding for, i dunno ,say $150?
@@keithturbin6768 I don't think so but can I interest you in a well used "OldLady"? Cheap?
What ever happened to the original engine? Would like to know if you ever found out the cause if the noise.
It is sitting on a pallet up on a rack in the shop. It's a good engine but I would like to have the time to get into it one day. Life presses on so it's still on the back burner. Larry
@@larryshea8595 update ?
@@larryshea8595 tear it down yet?
I have the exact same bike almost mine has spokes but other than that it's same mines got 53,000 miles it's a 2002 runs perfect
How much will shops charge for labor to swap an engine?
I don't know. I never had a shop do it. You might make some calls...
@@larryshea8595what do you think could have caused the knock? This doesn’t seem like a common problem
I have a '06 vtx1300c and I'm getting oil coming from my air filter, crankcase ventilation hose. I was told a little is fine but I'm getting almost a half quart on a 200 mile ride. I'm thinking it needs to be ringed/overhauled,,,,,,,,it only has 25000 miles on it....
Gotta let it go
Wow, I thought I was hard on my bike...
L Shea, I really don't think I've been hard on it, just my kinda luck
I'm sorry sir this video it is not good im not see noting you need some body to unfocuse the camara what bolts you take out the camara is to far if someone they say is good the video them lie to you OK
I'm sure you learn something, if not 3rd grade English.