[bikenut]

I'm considering purchase of a 1997 Shadow 1100 and want to know what issues this bike may have.

I also run a vBulletin board and wonder if you have considered Spam-O-Matic from vBulletin.org? It is very effective and would negate the need to moderate new posts from every new member.
THanks,
-Ken

 

[Susan07]

:shock: Welcome! I don't know what issues that particular bike may have. I'd have to ride it before I could let you know. :-D

 

[amoore21]

I also have a Shadow Ace I just bought. I have no issues with it other than needs jetting to match the pipes previous owner installed.

I agree with the questioning of tough moderation of new members BikeNut.

 

[Spiritman]

I agree with the questioning of tough moderation of new members BikeNut.

Interesting first post, complaining about the way the forum operates. Hmmmm.

There would be a lot more complaining about the spam that you would have to wade through if this wasn't in place. Explain to me about what the big deal of is of posting three threads to get access to the entire forum.

 

[Kingshead]

Great bikes, now post pics noob #2 if you have a bike.

 

[dernp]

Welcome aboard. No pics means the bike doesn't exist. We love pics around here.

 

[mcpenner]

I've put over 20,000kms on my 1997 ACE. Not a single issue. It does vibrate more then some other models due to the fact it has a single crank pin rather then dual. It doesn't bother me a bit but my wife finds her back gets itchy??

 

[bikenut]

1997 Issues?

Wow, thanks to all for the great advice. I can see this is a very active and helpful group. I asked the seller this question (any issues) and his response is 1- it needs fresh gas as it was sitting for two years no riders; and 2- the front tire is original so replace it.

It looks fine to me but do you recommend replacing 1997 rubber, as tires do have a shelf-life? The bike was pampered, has 9100 miles and looks showroom except for the dust coating. Will I hurt the bike by driving five miles on the old gas, or should I drain and refill before I start it. Finally, the price is $3,000, do you think this is in the right ballpark for the VT1100C2 ACE? I was looking at his '58 Lincoln Mark III when the bike caught my attention, so I made an offer.

 

[mcpenner]

I'd buy it in a flash at that price in the market where I live but I don't know what similar bikes sell for in Ohio. would also check the tire carefully. They tend to dry out and get visible cracks. I wouldn't trust a tire that old, but maybe to drive it home. I'm no mechanic, but if it starts, drive it home and then drain the gas and start fresh with carb cleaner. I would be more worried about the oil having lost all of it's lubricating ability??

 

[bikenut]

I'd buy it in a flash at that price in the market where I live but I don't know what similar bikes sell for in Ohio. would also check the tire carefully. They tend to dry out and get visible cracks. I wouldn't trust a tire that old, but maybe to drive it home. I'm no mechanic, but if it starts, drive it home and then drain the gas and start fresh with carb cleaner. I would be more worried about the oil having lost all of it's lubricating ability??

Thanks for the good advice McPenner; noteworthy point about oil. I have a '63 Lincoln and the conversation among collectors is all about the disappearance of ZDDP from modern oil due to EPA regulations limiting phosphorus content. So I am using ZDDP additives in my old 430 MEL engine. Not familiar with these Honda engines... besides fresh oil are people advocating adding friction modifiers like ZDDP? I think eventually I will read this entire board, but these newbie posts are a nice shortcut. I appreciate any advice.

 

[Crush]

I'm considering purchase of a 1997 Shadow 1100 and want to know what issues this bike may have.

I also run a vBulletin board and wonder if you have considered Spam-O-Matic from vBulletin.org? It is very effective and would negate the need to moderate new posts from every new member.
THanks,
-Ken

I'm also really trying to get an asnwer today for a 1997 ACE that I'm about to see and couldn't post on the main forum.

Reading through the issues.. I guess it scares me a bit as I notice that a lot of these bikes for sale, tons of starting, leaking issues.. almost seem like Lemons but I guess if everyone else is happy with them, it shouldn't be that bad.

I had a horrid, horrid experience with an old 1991 Honda Civic. Relay problems, starting problems, leaking problems, burning oil.. Brings back bad memories that's for sure when reading through some of the Shadow issues. I'm sure these types of liquid cooled bikes have these types of issues.. It's just odd there's so many for sale...

 

[Kingshead]

Wow, thanks to all for the great advice. I can see this is a very active and helpful group. I asked the seller this question (any issues) and his response is 1- it needs fresh gas as it was sitting for two years no riders; and 2- the front tire is original so replace it.

It looks fine to me but do you recommend replacing 1997 rubber, as tires do have a shelf-life? The bike was pampered, has 9100 miles and looks showroom except fdust coatingor the . Will I hurt the bike by driving five miles on the old gas, or should I drain and refill before I start it. Finally, the price is $3,000, do you think this is in the right ballpark for the VT1100C2 ACE? I was looking at his '58 Lincoln Mark III when the bike caught my attention, so I made an offer.

DO NOT attempt starting the bike with the old gas, drain and replace. Even with this precaution it's doubtful the bike will be without issues from sitting so long. Most likely whatever gas was in the fuel delivery system has long ago turned to varnish.

These are great bikes and the price is fair if immaculate running condition. Lastly, the tires could have flat spots from sitting and may even have been flat for some of that time. They most likely will need to be replaced. Plan on replacing all fluids, plugs, filters, battery, having the carbs cleaned, cables greased or replaced if needed. Enjoy the bike.

 

[dernp]

Thanks for the good advice McPenner; noteworthy point about oil. I have a '63 Lincoln and the conversation among collectors is all about the disappearance of ZDDP from modern oil due to EPA regulations limiting phosphorus content. So I am using ZDDP additives in my old 430 MEL engine. Not familiar with these Honda engines... besides fresh oil are people advocating adding friction modifiers like ZDDP? I think eventually I will read this entire board, but these newbie posts are a nice shortcut. I appreciate any advice.

These bikes have wet clutches and do not like friction modifiers in the oil. There is an excellent thread in the Technology Forum called "Oilology." Shell Rotella T 15w40 dino or Shell Rotella T6 5w40 synth seem to work very well in our Shadows.

Good luck. Bike looks great.

 

[Landroverteam]

I'm new here, so please excuse my ignorance. I noticed you bike has am air cleaner on it. Is that factory? I did not think that Honda used one like that.

 

[Kingshead]

I'm also really trying to get an asnwer today for a 1997 ACE that I'm about to see and couldn't post on the main forum.

Reading through the issues.. I guess it scares me a bit as I notice that a lot of these bikes for sale, tons of starting, leaking issues.. almost seem like Lemons but I guess if everyone else is happy with them, it shouldn't be that bad.

I had a horrid, horrid experience with an old 1991 Honda Civic. Relay problems, starting problems, leaking problems, burning oil.. Brings back bad memories that's for sure when reading through some of the Shadow issues. I'm sure these types of liquid cooled bikes have these types of issues.. It's just odd there's so many for sale...

The issues you're reading about here are mostly caused by lack of use. Riding a motorcycle has a mystique that wears off for a lot of riders the first time they ride in the rain, or their first close call. This is why you see so many low mileage bikes for sale. It's not good for motor vehicles to sit for extended periods of time, things rot and get gummed up.

 

[bikenut]

I purchased the bike

Thanks in part to the good advice in this forum I purchased the 97 ACE Shadow for $3G. Per your recommendation I trailered the bike home and dumped the old gas. Over the 4th I put in good fuel, bled the brakes with DOT4, put 80W in the rear, put Castrol 10W40 in the engine, cleaned and gapped the plugs, corrected a low cell in the battery with distilled water, and found the tires were low by 10 pounds each. The beast started right up and was downright fun to drive.

Since this picture was taken I polished all the chrome and waxed the paint. I found a disgusting air filter and wonder if anyone can recommend a good internet source of Shadow wear parts, such as filters and tires.

The only fluids I did not change were the coolant and fork oil. Should I use Prestone Extend Life Antifreeze, as they claim it is fine with aluminum? Or is there different formula to use? Looks like I will be on this forum for the foreseeable future, I look forward to chatting with you.

 

[wilber420]

I have a 97 ace 1100 just got it and it seems to run great but don't really have the power I was expecting itto have iv never rode a Honda but my Harley 1100 had great power and my vstar 650 will out run it is this normal it cruzes great no problem at 65 but berley does 75 and don't go any faster

 

[derekt78]

I have a 97 ace 1100 just got it and it seems to run great but don't really have the power I was expecting itto have iv never rode a Honda but my Harley 1100 had great power and my vstar 650 will out run it is this normal it cruzes great no problem at 65 but berley does 75 and don't go any faster

Yeah there's a problem there. My 95 ace has no problem going 85 while with my wife on the back


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