20 Most Recent 2000 Honda VT 1100 C2 Shadow Sabre Questions & Answers

Either bad battery or alternator. Check that the battery takes the charge while engine is running.

if it has a normal nut shape then use an extended socket If it has a hex then use a allen key

1987-1996 only one- near battery

Sounds like you need to clean the carbs out, as they are probably gummed/varnished badly after sitting for 2 years.

it would be a good idea to do them all, thats by the book. you could skip the fork. engine oil is a must.

could be bad resister in system,or charging system needs diagnostic!

float sticking or fuel lines or filter has trash. could be the gas some have trouble with the ethanal

The thin wall spark plug socket you need is supplied in your Honda tool kit. If you do not have a tool kit, you can purchase the thin wall grabber socket for your cycle at the local Honda dealer usually for under $10. To change your oil you will need 4 quarts of oil, a filter, and a new aluminum drain plug washer. You can reuse the old drain plug washer if it has not been squished out of shape. Your motorcycle comes from Honda usually with 10w-40 mineral base motorcycle oil. You can use any oil that is JASO MA certified motorcycle oil. 10w-40 for cold climate. 20w-50 for warm climate/touring. Car oils use different additives and may cause scoring in certain types of cam bearings. Do not use any oil that says " Energy Conserving " on the label . It will shorten the life of your wet clutch and transmission gears. If you choose Synthetic oils, they will help your bike run cooler and shift easier. Pour in four quarts of oil to reach the high mark on the dip stick or inspection window. Make sure the motorcycle is upright or on the center stand when checking the level . You will probably need between 3.2 to 4 quarts to hit the high mark. Run the motor for a minute or two to fill the up the oil filter compartment with oil. Now recheck the oil level and top up as needed. If you want to try an inexpensive full synthetic oil that is JASO MA rated 15w-40 Shell Rotella T Synthetic fits the bill at about $22 per gallon. All brands/manufacturers make a motorcycle oil. Some are very hard to find. Just make sure that the oil you pick has the "JASO MA" Japanese engine Rating to protect your motorcycle engine.

Unless you have the print out from the dealer the information you are getting may not be accurate.
Usually ticks in these engines are related to cam chain tensioners ( more of a clatter) or valve adjustments in this case you would have a flat lifter that is not zero tolerancing itself. This is usually a very loud click not the usual tick you get from a standard adjustable valve that just needs tightening.
I have worked at a Honda dealership for 25 years and have never heard of a VT1100 locking up unless it had a seized piston in the cylinder (again very rare). The only lockups I have heard of were new Excelsior/Hendersons and Harley six speed conversion kits.
I locked up a Goldwing once while riding. A metal plate on a fly wheel magnet had come loose and jammed the stator to the flywheel. I dropped the motor changed out the flywheel and the stator and still drive the motorcycle today. You will have to do some exploring to find the problem!
If you use the spark plug wrench in the tool kit you can remove one spark plug in each cylinder, squirt some WD-40 or penetrating oil in each cylinder. Out the bike in gear and rotate the rear tire to see if the motor is free. If the motor will not turn try taking off the crankcase covers . Then a socket with breaker bar can be place on the flywheel bolt to try and rock the motor free. By now you should know if the problem is in the top end or the bottom end. You will need to loosen the the stuck piston before you can pull the cylinder off if this is the problem. If you can free the top end a compression test on the cylinders will tell you if the cylinders need work.
I would pull the engine crankcase covers off and disassemble the clutch. The clutch plates may be stuck together from years of sitting. Also carefully bleed the clutch master cylinder. If you can not get pressure loosen the banjo bolt and pump the master till it starts to push DOT3/4 brake fluid. Then tighten the bolt and finish bleeding the line to the slave cylinder. Now pull the clutch and see if the bike turns over.
After sitting for long time you will have to clean the varnish out of the tank, depending on how it was stored. You will also have to disassemble the carburetors and clean them to insure proper idling and acceleration. Depending on what has stopped the motor you may not have to remove the engine. With any luck you can repair , hopefully something minor , in the frame.

The overflow hose is a common problem with these bikes,sounds like you have the same problem .Get the hose checked, if cracked or worn out then replace that overflow hose with something better from advanced auto parts.Also remove the factory clamps,and use small c-clamps.You'll have to purge the radiator.The reason the coolant/water is coming out i believe is cause the fluid isnt circulating.And no circulation means fan will not work properly, cause the sensor thinks the bike is cool.But actually its not cool so the temp light came ON. ---------As the water overflow noticed.And fan not working.This is indication of overheating.Get the fan wirings and fan switch checked.If checked out short then it has to be replaced.Get the radiator flushed and coolant checked,.If its low get it refilled.Also get the radiator hoses checked.If worn out and cracked.Get it replaced. --------- Get the radiator flushed with distilled water and actually put new fluid in the bike.It sounds like the radiator is low on fluid and the overflow isn't giving it any. The fluid in the radiator has to be able to reach the sensor to turn the fan on.
---------- Also the other possibility can be bad thermostat, having an overheat while moving is very uncommon. The fan never comes on while the bike is moving because the airflow keeps everything cool without the fan being needed.
If you were moving along just fine and then the temp light came on, you probably have a problem like a bad thermostat. Start the bike with the radiator cap off, and watch the coolant. When the bike reaches temperature, and the thermostat opens, you should be able to see the coolant level drop, and circulate in the radiator. If the thermostat is stuck shut, it wont drop or circulate, and if its stuck open, it will circulate constantly. If it does either of those, the thermostat is shot, it needs to open and close completely and cycle correctly. If the water level drops slightly, with no circulation, your water pump is not circulating the water, and needs to be replaced.To locate the thermostat, take out the Radiator and you will find thermostat in a pipe that looks like an "L shape".---------- This troubleshooting will help.Thanks.Helpmech.

Change the spark plug/s and wire/s. If there is not enough spark, the engine will have a time starting and may flood. I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_69f3cc28d95bf514