Front suspension and handlebars of motorcycle Honda VTX1800C (2001-2008)

Service information of front suspension
General A contaminated brake disc or pad reduces stopping power. Discard contaminated pads and clean a contaminated disc with a high quality brake degreasing agent. Raise the front wheel off the ground by supporting the frame securely. Refer to...

Troubleshooting of front suspension and steering
Hard steering Steering bearing adjustment nut too tight Worn or damaged steering bearings Worn or damaged steering bearing races Bent steering stem Insufficient tire pressure Faulty front tire Steers to one side or does not track straight Damaged or...

Handlebar — removal
Release the wire bands. Disconnect the clutch switch connectors. Remove the bolts, master cylinder holder and clutch master cylinder from the handlebar. Keep the master cylinder upright to prevent air from entering the hydraulic system. Remove the...

Handlebar — installation
Install the handlebar lower holders, washers and lower holder nuts. Do not tighten the lower holder nuts yet. Apply grease to the throttle grip flange groove. Connect the throttle cables to the throttle grip flange and install the throttle grip onto...

Front wheel — removal
Remove the brake hose clamps, mounting bolts and both brake calipers. Do not hang the brake calipers from the brake hoses. Remove the bolt caps from the right and left axle pinch bolts. Loosen the right axle pinch bolts. Loosen the axle bolt. Raise...

Front wheel — inspection
Axle Place the axle in V-blocks and measure the runout. Actual runout is 1/2 the total indicator reading. Service limit: 0.2 mm (0.01 in). Wheel Check the rim runout by placing the wheel is a truing stand. Spin the wheel slowly and read the runout...

Front wheel — disassembly
Remove the dust seals from both sides of the wheel. Remove the brake disc bolts and the brake discs from both sides of the wheel. Install the bearing remover head into the bearing. From the opposite side of the wheel, install the bearing remover...

Front wheel — assembly
Drive in a new right bearing (6304 UU) squarely with the mark facing up until the bearing is fully seated. Install the distance collar. Drive in a new left bearing (6304 UU) squarely with the mark facing up until the bearing is fully seated using...

Front wheel — installation
Install the side collar into the right wheel hub. Install the side collar into the left wheel hub. Place the front wheel between the fork legs. Insert the front axle from the left side until it is fully seated. Install and tighten the axle bolt to...

Front fork — removal
Remove the front wheel (page 13-8). Remove the bolts and front fender. Remove the bolts, holder and turn signal assemblies (page 19-5). Loosen the fork top bridge pinch bolt. When the fork is ready to be disassembled, loosen the fork cap, but do not...

Right fork — disassembly
Remove the bolts and fork protector. Remove the fork cap from the outer pipe. Slide outer pipe down onto the axle holder. Be careful not to scratch the outer pipe or damage the dust seal. Hold the damper rod lock nut with a spanner, then loosen and...

Left fork — disassembly
Remove the bolts and fork protector. Remove the fork cap from the outer pipe. Slide outer pipe down onto the axle holder. Be careful not to scratch the outer pipe or damage the dust seal. Pull down the rubber stopper. Hold the rod lock nut with a...

Front fork — inspection
Fork spring Check the fork spring for wear or damage. Measure the fork spring free length. Service limits: Right: 323.1 mm (12.72 in) Left: 323.1 mm (12.72 in) Spring collar Check the spring collar for score marks, scratches, or excessive or...

Right fork — assembly
Before assembly, wash all parts with a high flash or non-flammable solvent and wipe them dry. Wrap the end of the slider with tape. Coat the oil seal lips with the recommended fork fluid. Install new dust seal, stopper ring and new oil seal. Install...

Left fork — assembly
Before assembly, wash all parts with a high flash or non-flammable solvent and wipe them dry. Wrap the end of the slider with tape. Coat the oil seal lips with the recommended fork fluid. Install new dust seal, stopper ring and new oil seal. Install...

Front fork — installation
Install the fork assembly into the steering stem and fork top bridge. Align the top end of the outer pipe with the upper surface of the top bridge and tighten the bottom bridge pinch bolts to the specified torque. Torque: 24 N·m (2.4 kgf·m, 17...

Steering stem — removal
Remove the following: headlight and headlight case (page 19-5) handlebar (page 13-3) turn signal assembly (page 19-5) front wheel (page 13-8) Remove the bolts and front brake pipe clamps from the steering stem. Remove the bolt and front brake hose...

Steering stem — installation
Drive a new lower bearing outer race into the steering head pipe using the special tools. Tools: Driver 07749-0010000 Attachment, 52x55 mm 07746-0010400 Drive a new upper bearing outer race into the steering head pipe using the special tools. Tools:...

Steering head bearing pre-load
Raise the front wheel off the ground. Position the steering stem to the straight ahead position. Hook a spring scale to the fork pipe between the fork interference. Pull the spring scale at the point where the steering stem just starts to move for...