88 honda shadow

ArianaLocke · 08-05-2014, 04:56 PM

So I'm going to look at an 88 Honda shadow tomorrow, and I am woefully ignorant of what to look for or what questions to ask. Anybody have any input for me?

pinball · 08-05-2014, 05:24 PM

Hate to say it, but if you don't know what to look for, you probably shouldn't be going after a bike that old unless you've got money to burn.

Here are a few big ones:

1. Rust in tank
2. Does it run?
3. If not, how long has it been sitting and does the motor turn over (if not, is it battery, starter or seized motor)?
4. Visible leaks anywhere on the motor. Don't be scared to take a flashlight and look at every crack and crevice. (You'll need the flashlight for the tank, anyway)
5. It has dual carbs, so those will need some work if it isn't running.
6. Are the fork seals leaking? It'll be pretty obvious if they are.
7. Electrical gremlins. Do the lights, horn and blinkers work?
8. Is it less than $1500? If not, it had better be pristine.
9. Obvious signs of abuse (bent forks or pegs, dents/scratches).

Tires and brake pads are wear and tear, so I wouldn't worry too much about those.

ArianaLocke · 08-05-2014, 05:38 PM

From what I can see and what has been said, it's pretty near perfect. The owner said he has been riding it, just not often as he doesn't want to keep it. Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.

pinball · 08-05-2014, 07:07 PM

You're welcome. Make sure that it will idle without the choke when the engine is warm. If not, it'll probably need a carb cleaning, or at the least, adjustment.

Gixxer Geezer · 08-06-2014, 05:26 AM

Rusty or stiff chain. Worn sprockets. Can be replaced but cost money

DanteLee · 08-06-2014, 07:28 AM

Post up some close up pics or video the MH detectives will analyze and judge your future bike for FREE.......

bumblebee · 08-06-2014, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanteLee

Post up some close up pics or video the MH detectives will analyze and judge your future bike for FREE.......

Wait, you mean pics of the BIKE? Wow, that went in an unexpected direction.

ArianaLocke · 08-06-2014, 05:05 PM

Here are a few close up pics.

ArianaLocke · 08-06-2014, 05:11 PM

Bike seems to run fine. Had issues on initial start up, but I believe that was due to it having sat w/o running for awhile. Fluids probably need to be flushed through just to be safe. Needs new oil. After it was started and was riding for a few minutes, it seemed to start up fine without a problem; idled fine off choke. Shocks sound like they might need some looking at, but nothing that appears to be detrimental (sp); I think it's simply that they're old.

Some rust on the frame and the engine itself; no apparent rust on or in the tank. Forgot to check the drive chain and to ask if it had been previously laid down.

So some creaks and groans from age and it having sat, but all in all, seems to be in good working order.

ArianaLocke · 08-06-2014, 05:32 PM

The above post was provided by a friend who went with me to look at it.

bumblebee · 08-06-2014, 06:15 PM

Things like oil, chains and tires are consumables so not really a concern, IHMO. The only thing that concerns me from your friend's review was, the comment about creaks and groans.
If he was referring to the things like hard to start at first, in a joking way then cool. If he meant some kinda sounds the bike was making then that might be an issue.

One other thing you might want to look into is the price of a new seat cover. Duct tape will prove to be unsatisfactory in a short time.

Overall, for a bike that age it looks pretty clean. If the price is right and it makes you get all sweaty behind the ears then my vote is "go for it".

bumblebee · 08-06-2014, 06:20 PM

One other thought...
If you DO decide to buy the bike, at an auto parts store they have a product called "Mothers Chrome and Aluminum Polish". It comes in a little tub about 3 inches in diameter and about 2 inches high.
It's a very fine paste polish and it will polish nearly ANY hard surface. You can even use it to polish the film off car headlight lenses, in about 60 seconds per light.
It will polish paint, chrome etc.

The reason I'm telling you all this is that much of what looks bad on an old bike will be made better with some elbow grease and a rag. Mothers Polish will help.

mythuat24h.net · 09-05-2014, 10:42 PM

A spectacular design, Wow, amazing and I hope I can own a Honda like that

3rdCoastNinja · 03-10-2016, 12:32 PM

I have a 95 and an 04 shadow 1100 great bikes

flipstyledsm22 · 03-10-2016, 06:29 PM

Holy grave digger!

DvlRacer · 03-10-2016, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipstyledsm22

Holy grave digger!

Wonder if she bought it

ArianaLocke · 04-15-2016, 06:13 PM

I did. Ran well for a while, then started having battery issues. Gonna be taking it in soon to get it diagnosed and fixed. Also probably going to get a full tune-up and hopefully get the seat re-covered at the same time. In the mean time, I also bought anew '06 cbr 600rr, and that's been fun, but I still want to get this one nice and shiny.

ArianaLocke · 04-15-2016, 06:14 PM

Wtf phone. How did a become anew....????? Stupid autocorrect.

RojerLockless · 04-15-2016, 06:19 PM

Guess you need to update your "BIKES" Section to add the 600RR.. then again.. So do I. <3

flipstyledsm22 · 04-18-2016, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArianaLocke

I did. Ran well for a while, then started having battery issues. Gonna be taking it in soon to get it diagnosed and fixed. Also probably going to get a full tune-up and hopefully get the seat re-covered at the same time. In the mean time, I also bought anew '06 cbr 600rr, and that's been fun, but I still want to get this one nice and shiny.

I've seen some pretty decent bobber style Shadows. Great bikes btw! It takes a ton of beating and still survives. I'm hoping to get my chopper back together before the end of May.

08-05-2014, 04:56 PM	#1
ArianaLocke Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Clear Lake, Tx Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 98 Bike(s): 1988 Honda Shadow	88 honda shadow So I'm going to look at an 88 Honda shadow tomorrow, and I am woefully ignorant of what to look for or what questions to ask. Anybody have any input for me?
	__________________

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08-05-2014, 05:38 PM	#3
ArianaLocke Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Clear Lake, Tx Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 98 Bike(s): 1988 Honda Shadow	From what I can see and what has been said, it's pretty near perfect. The owner said he has been riding it, just not often as he doesn't want to keep it. Thank you for your help, I appreciate it.
	__________________

08-06-2014, 05:26 AM	#5
Gixxer Geezer All day long I'm shufflin Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Alvin Feedback Rating: (3) Posts: 20,661 Experience: 10+ years Bike(s): 06 honda vtx 1300 06 Busa limited. sold 2 Gixxer 600. sold 85 Honda Hurricane. sold 56 Triumph, 64 BSA, Thunderbolt, 66 BSA Lightning Bolt, 64 Honda Scrambler. all sold	Rusty or stiff chain. Worn sprockets. Can be replaced but cost money
	__________________ What part of "I Don't Care", Don't you Understand?

08-06-2014, 07:28 AM	#6
DanteLee Sexy Dynamite Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 3rd planet from the sun Feedback Rating: (3) Posts: 8,094 Experience: 6 years Bike(s): suzuki katana 96(sold) honda cbr f4i 06 (sold) ride my neighbors harley cuz he doesnt ride it	Post up some close up pics or video the MH detectives will analyze and judge your future bike for FREE.......
	__________________ I hate when I'm trying to be handsome and a more handsome man stands next to me and handsomes much harder than I can........

08-05-2014, 07:07 PM	#4
pinball I got slow Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SE Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 4,790 Experience: 4 years Trackdays: 2 Big dirt bike (sold) 2003 Honda Sabre (sold)	You're welcome. Make sure that it will idle without the choke when the engine is warm. If not, it'll probably need a carb cleaning, or at the least, adjustment.

08-06-2014, 05:05 PM	#8
ArianaLocke Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Clear Lake, Tx Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 98 Bike(s): 1988 Honda Shadow	Here are a few close up pics. Attached Thumbnails
	__________________

08-06-2014, 05:11 PM	#9
ArianaLocke Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Clear Lake, Tx Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 98 Bike(s): 1988 Honda Shadow	Bike seems to run fine. Had issues on initial start up, but I believe that was due to it having sat w/o running for awhile. Fluids probably need to be flushed through just to be safe. Needs new oil. After it was started and was riding for a few minutes, it seemed to start up fine without a problem; idled fine off choke. Shocks sound like they might need some looking at, but nothing that appears to be detrimental (sp); I think it's simply that they're old. Some rust on the frame and the engine itself; no apparent rust on or in the tank. Forgot to check the drive chain and to ask if it had been previously laid down. So some creaks and groans from age and it having sat, but all in all, seems to be in good working order.
	__________________

08-06-2014, 05:32 PM	#10
ArianaLocke Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Clear Lake, Tx Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 98 Bike(s): 1988 Honda Shadow	The above post was provided by a friend who went with me to look at it.
	__________________

08-06-2014, 06:15 PM	#11
bumblebee Yeah I'm flippin' YOU off Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pearland Feedback Rating: (3) Posts: 13,996 Bike(s): '74 Suzuki GT380 '82 XS650 StreetTracker '17 Triumph Thruxton R '83 Yamaha Seca 900	Things like oil, chains and tires are consumables so not really a concern, IHMO. The only thing that concerns me from your friend's review was, the comment about creaks and groans. If he was referring to the things like hard to start at first, in a joking way then cool. If he meant some kinda sounds the bike was making then that might be an issue. One other thing you might want to look into is the price of a new seat cover. Duct tape will prove to be unsatisfactory in a short time. Overall, for a bike that age it looks pretty clean. If the price is right and it makes you get all sweaty behind the ears then my vote is "go for it".
	__________________ Asphalt is for racing... dirt is for growing potatoes. - J. Diester When seconds count... the police are only minutes away. Grow up and be a productive member of society already. Bevo- "I lack skillz"

08-06-2014, 06:20 PM	#12
bumblebee Yeah I'm flippin' YOU off Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pearland Feedback Rating: (3) Posts: 13,996 Bike(s): '74 Suzuki GT380 '82 XS650 StreetTracker '17 Triumph Thruxton R '83 Yamaha Seca 900	One other thought... If you DO decide to buy the bike, at an auto parts store they have a product called "Mothers Chrome and Aluminum Polish". It comes in a little tub about 3 inches in diameter and about 2 inches high. It's a very fine paste polish and it will polish nearly ANY hard surface. You can even use it to polish the film off car headlight lenses, in about 60 seconds per light. It will polish paint, chrome etc. The reason I'm telling you all this is that much of what looks bad on an old bike will be made better with some elbow grease and a rag. Mothers Polish will help.
	__________________ Asphalt is for racing... dirt is for growing potatoes. - J. Diester When seconds count... the police are only minutes away. Grow up and be a productive member of society already. Bevo- "I lack skillz"

09-05-2014, 10:42 PM	#13
mythuat24h.net Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 4	A spectacular design, Wow, amazing and I hope I can own a Honda like that
	__________________ Thiet ke nhan dien thuong hieu

03-10-2016, 12:32 PM	#14
3rdCoastNinja Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Willis Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 26 Experience: 10+ years Bike(s): 2 Honda shadow 1100s 93 xj600s sold 07 ninja 250 06 zx6r 91 zzr6	I have a 95 and an 04 shadow 1100 great bikes

04-15-2016, 06:13 PM	#17
ArianaLocke Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Clear Lake, Tx Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 98 Bike(s): 1988 Honda Shadow	I did. Ran well for a while, then started having battery issues. Gonna be taking it in soon to get it diagnosed and fixed. Also probably going to get a full tune-up and hopefully get the seat re-covered at the same time. In the mean time, I also bought anew '06 cbr 600rr, and that's been fun, but I still want to get this one nice and shiny.
	__________________

04-15-2016, 06:14 PM	#18
ArianaLocke Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Clear Lake, Tx Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 98 Bike(s): 1988 Honda Shadow	Wtf phone. How did a become anew....????? Stupid autocorrect.
	__________________

04-15-2016, 06:19 PM	#19
RojerLockless member of NO MA`AM Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willowbrook Area Feedback Rating: (10) Posts: 11,024 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 3 Bike(s): Honda CB919	Guess you need to update your "BIKES" Section to add the 600RR.. then again.. So do I. <3
	__________________ I kissed a girl and I liked it!