Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Difference Between Mechanical And CV Carb?

The difference is in how the venturi size is changed. On CV (constant velocity) carbs - when the throttle is twisted, the cable opens up the butterfly valve, which allows air to be drawn into the mouth of the carb. You control the butterfly which all

Why Do Two Coolant Lines Go To My Carb?

If you have tried to remove the single carb from your bike, you may have noticed 2 coolant lines that come from the motor and attach to a little "Y" shaped junction. This junction is a dead end, it does not go into the carb. Coolant is passed through

How Do I Convert My Dual Carb Setup To A Single Carb Setup?

How do I turn my dual carb bike into a single carb bike?. Do not, I repeat, do not try to turn your dual carb bike into a single carb. I have seen several bikes become worthless scrap heaps due to people attempting to modify the dual carb Honda Sh

Will Marvel Mystery Oil or Seafoam Fix My Carb Issues?

I am not going to say adding some fluid to your bike's gas or oil will fix a problem. These products are marginal means of preventative medicine/maintenance/preventative steps, at best. They should never be used to fix a problem on your bike. If

What is the Difference Between Mechanical And CV Carb?

What Do I Do If Gas Got Into My Cylinders?

If you got fuel into your cylinders you have begun the process of hydrostatic lock or Hydrolock. Hydrostatic lock is an abnormal condition of any device which is designed to compress a gas by mechanically restraining it; most commonly the reciprocati

Can The Fuel Pump Be Removed From My Bike?

Can the Fuel Pump be removed from my Shadow?. The "fuel pump" on the dual carb vlx, VT600, VT750 and other Honda Shadow models is not so much a real fuel pump, as it is an automatic shutoff valve to stop the flow of fuel should the bike go down in an

Can I Cut The Mufflers Off My Honda Shadow?

Sure! You can also drop your bike out of a plane from 30k feet and set your house on fire!... But that doesn't mean its good for your bike! Most of the Honda Shadow exhaust has two differently-designed header pipes for the forward and rear cylinders.

VT750 Front Wheel Modifications - skinny 21” wheels and fat 17” wheels

The Skinny on Skinny Tires! - ( Fat tire info below). A lot of folks want that chopper style 21” front wheel on their Honda Shadow and a LOT of the Honda Shadows came with a 19” stock front wheel. Honda Shadow wheel hubs are all 52 or 56 spoke so thi

Performance Tuning Guidelines

This is the tuning sheet that was included in many of our performance tuning products. We have posted it here so that you can reference it any time you need!. Performance Tuning Sheet Page 1. Performance Tuning Sheet Page 2. EDIT: In the 8 years or s

Header Wrap - Good or Bad?

Anytime you heat up metal you have hydrogen crystallization, its normal. Trapping heat in exhaust can intensify this effect. You are riding a 600cc or 750cc motorcycle, and if anyone tells you you are going to get better performance from "scavenging

Do I Need Both Throttle Cables on My Honda Shadow?

Honda Shadow Velocity Stacks - Will They Affect the Power Band??

TJ Brutal Customs Velocity Stacks - Single Carb: https://shoptjbc.com/products/velocity-stack-for-single-carb-vlx600-and-vt750-shadows

Crankcase Breather - VENT IT!

In your Honda Shadow motor, pistons push air and gasses on both ends of the cylinder. Moving anything takes some amount of energy. Pumping pressure out of an engine through a small breather also takes energy, because the breather hole is so restricti

I Want to Chop My Bike - Where Do I Start???

Is your Honda Shadow a little lackluster? Wanna switch things up? Don't know how to start chopping a bike?. Here's where to start! TJ answers your Q's in this video! WATCH NOW!

Is It A Bobber Or A Chopper?

Since there are many who have come before me and who have addressed this before I will quote a man who is legendary in the motorcycle community, Sugar Bear. In his words -. "A short bike with a Sportster tank and a flat fender is not a "bobber," it's

Can I Increase The Torque Without Increasing Horsepower?

You cannot have horsepower without torque, but you can have torque without horsepower! That's called a dump truck! Unless you want to just chug along on the shoulder, torque becomes a moot point for a daily application when it comes to performance ga

What Can I Remove From My Bike If I Want to Add Velocity Stacks?

Short answer: anything that's not coolant or fuel!!! "Professor" TJ breaks down what he'd remove vs. leave on a Honda Shadow and offers a brief science + history lesson for all you newbs out there. Remember, You weren't born knowing everything!

Honda Shadow Backfire/Afterfire on Deceleration? – DIAGNOSIS

First of all let's clarify something:. - Backfire is combustion, sneezing, coughing or spitting out of the carb. - Afterfire is loud popping or rattling out of the exhaust -- so we're going to tackle "afterfire" first:. If your bike is afterfiring, y

How To Determine What Wire Gauge You Have

Here's a handy chart to help you determine what wire gauge you are holding! A good micrometer will help you measure or you can buy a wire gauge online for a song. ( image for reference below) The Honda Shadows primarily use 18-24 GA wiring except f

Where's the Sync Screw and How Does it Work?

TJ explains in this video. The sync screw is a synchronizing screw for your carbs. To use it you'll need to hook up a vacuum meter or synchronization meter to the vacuum ports on each cylinder. Basically, make sure the needles match up. For more deta

How Do I Remove the AFP (Auto Fuel Petcock)?

If you don't plug the port your rear cylinder won't work, you'll have a massive air leak and your bike will run like SHIT! THIS STEP IS IMPORTANT!. TJ explains the AFP (Honda's version of an auto shutoff valve) and how to remove it in this short vide

Which Bike is Better to Build? VT600 or VT750?

I get asked all the time which bike is the best to build, and its such a subjective question, really hinging on so much personal preference, taste, intended use, etc, that theres no real answer for that question. So what i've done here is to lay down

How Do I Remove My Speedometer and Still Get My Bike to Run?

A customer asks, "How do I remove my speedometer and still get the bike to run? Every time I unplug it, the bike won't fire.". If you're having this problem, that means you're unplugging a speedometer that has wiring connected to the kickstand safety

I Want to Buy a Honda Shadow - Which Year is THE BEST??

Kickstart on a Honda Shadow? Can it be done???

Do I Need AIS Plates on My Honda Shadow Build?

AIS PLATES: There's an easy way to tell if you need 'em or not. Watch this short video to learn how:

Honda Shadow Grips - How to Install the EASY Way!

Can you replace the grips on your bike? YES! Typically you can cut or pull them off. If they're glued, that's another story (if they're glued to the throttle sleeve, you'll need to replace the throttle sleeve completely).

Honda Shadow Check Valves - Get Rid Of Them?

Yes! You have three options:. - Shove a giant bolt in the hose (looks hideous). - Finagle a huge vacuum plug over the nipple (looks like an HVAC nightmare). - Grab a pair of TJ Brutal Customs beautiful AIS plates!: https://shoptjbc.com/products/ais-b

The BEST Bolt-On Electronics Tank, Coil Mount & Battery Box Solution for Honda Shadow VT750 ACE

Ready to ditch your side covers and get that clean under-seat look? Then LISTEN UP!. We've got three products for your VT750 ACE that you need to see:. TJ reviews all three kits in today's video and offers a few handy installation tips. WATCH IT NO

Should I Disable the Safety Interlocks on My Bike?

Kickstand - connect the wires. The switch on the kickstand is an open circuit and is closed when the kickstand is up. Connecting the kickstand wires to each other tells the computer that the kickstand is always up. Neutral indicator switch - this is

What To Check If Your Bike Turns Over But Has No Spark

- Neutral Safety Switch

I want to run a 21" wheel on my VT600

You can lace a 21" Wheel to your stock VT600 VLX hub very easily. Here's the parts list! T

5 Speed Transmission for Honda Shadow - Is It Possible??

Well, the VLX600 is a four-speed transmission… so, NOPE. It's a type of "unit construction motor," meaning the transmission is built into the motor and you can't separate them. If you were to put a 5th gear inside that transmission all you'd really g

Honda Shadow Build Stock Tank Replacement - HOW TO

You can pick up a beautiful bespoke custom gas tank for your Honda Shadow VT600 HERE! - https://shoptjbc.com/products/custom-peanut-gas-tank-for-honda-shadow-vlx. Otherwise, eBay is your best bet for finding replacement stock tanks. TJ explains in th

Does My Radiator Overflow Tank Need Both an Outlet and Inlet Hose? How To Install!

If you want to replace your coolant overflow with something way better than stock - check out the Ucor Tank!. TJ breaks it down for you in this short video:

What's the Biggest Rear Tire I can Put on My VT600?

You can fit up to a 180 motorcycle tire on the stock VT600 rear wheel but doing do makes the rear tire bulge outward like a steamboat willie cartoon inner tube. If you remove the fender and subframe there are a number of car tires that will fit the r

Honda Shadow Gas Tank Lining - FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CLOSELY!

TJ gives us a little education on tank lining. Watch and learn!. YES, YOU SHOULD LINE YOUR TANK! Lining gives you a happy tank that will live a long life; without it, sh*t and rust is bound to happen!. TJ covers: - Why coat the tank? - What he

How Do I Fix A Leaky Petcock?

Simple. You will need to replace the petcock! It is pronounced ˈpetkäk! It's a small valve on your motorcycle that allows you to either allow the fuel to to flow through it or to shut it off to stop fuel from flowing through.

Honda Shadow Front Brake Light Switch - Can I REMOVE It?

As long as your rear brake light switch is intact, then YES - you can remove your front brake light switch. You really don't need it. TJ explains in this video:

Do I Need a New Regulator Rectifier When I Upgrade My Battery?

The Battery Debate: Lithium Ion vs. Stock Batteries. One of our customers drives an ’88 VT1100 and just picked up an antigravity lithium ion battery. He wants to know if he needs to update his stator or regulator rectifier?. ANSWER: No, you don’t nee

Stock Switch Assemblies - How To Make Them Fit Your New Handlebars

Here's how to make your stock switch assemblies fit virtually any aftermarket bars!. IMAGE 1. as you can see in the picture below, when you remove the stock switch assemblies from your Honda Shadow you may notice there's a little nipple on the botto

Honda Shadow Sprocket Size Change - HOW and WHY?

Should I Change My Sprocket Size And Why Does My VLX Only Have 4 Gears??. TJ explains in this video.

My Motorcycle Won't Stay in Idle After I Start it - I NEED AN EASY FIX!!!

Have you ever started up your bike and felt like it's not idling properly? You may have a problem. Is there an easy fix??. TJ discusses how to troubleshoot in this video.

Should I Drill Holes in My Honda Shadow's Brake Drum?

Are there advantages to drilling holes in your brake drums? What about water getting in there? Won't that f*ck things up???. TJ talks through the pros and cons of drilling brake drum holes in this video.

How Do I Know if My Honda Shadow Piston Rings are Bad? What is Blow-by?

Indication of blow by: do a leak down test to find out if you're losing pressure in the front or rear cylinder. If your drawers are dirty after breaking wind.....;). You'll definitely have to remove the motor to replace the rings. Remove top end, hea

Honda Shadow Bobber Jockey Shifter Suicide Clutch Kit - WHICH MODELS DOES IT FIT?

The Jockey Shift Suicide Clutch Kit I currently produce is only meant for the VT600. I'm still working on prototypes for the VT750s. Sign up for the email list to get updates here: https://shoptjbc.com/ (bottom of page)

Are Motogadget Parts Easy to Use?

I love Motogadget parts and I think they're very well made. Their stuff is pretty straightforward but you do need a small amount of wiring knowledge to install them. (FYI: I don't sell them on the site anymore because the wholesale price was too high

Why Aren't My Slides Moving At All?

So your slides arent moving at all when you try and apply throttle. Here's a few things to consider: If it's drawing air in at the insulator, that reduces volume through the carb and will cause the slide not to work. It's not uncommon on older bikes

Honda Shadow Drive Shaft - Can You Hardtail It??

You can do this, but there are a few things to remember:. 1. Don't weld the frame permanently to a drive shaft assembly. If you have any issues with the drive shaft down the road and you've welded the frame to it, you'll have to cut the hardtail off.

Should I Build a Honda Shadow VT600 or VT750??? HELP ME DECIDE!

A customer asks, "I can't decide if I should build a VT600 or a VT750. I don't want to wish I had more horsepower...". Great question! We've got the answer right here in this video. WATCH IT NOW!

Oil Leaks: My Crankcase is Spitting Oil!

Watch and learn!!!

Can I Mount a Sissy Bar to the Swingarm of My Honda Shadow?

In this Video TJ discusses the options of sissy bar mounting: Off the fender horns/struts vs. directly to the swingarm. When mounting directly to the swingarm, it's best to use either sruts or a grab bar as a sissy bar becomes a tuning fork on a swin

Mono Strut Install: What Can I Cut Off?

MONO STRUT ELECTRONICS TANK - Honda Shadow VT600 VLX: https://shoptjbc.com/products/mono-strut-e-tank-honda-shadow-vt600-vlx

Can I Swap My Valve Covers On My Honda Shadow?

READ YOUR MANUAL, PEOPLE!!! Don’t screw with your valve covers! TJ explains WHY in this video.

Should I Cut The Muffler Off My Honda Shadow?

If you're planning to cut the muffler off your VT600 or VT750, there are a few things you'll want to consider first. TJ's got all your answers in this video!!!

How Do I Remove A Stuck Spark Plug???

Well, SH*T. If you've ever gotten a spark plug STUCK in your bike, you know the feeling... Not sure the best way to remove it? How do you avoid stripping the whole thing???. You're in luck! TJ's got your answers in today's video!!!

Are the VT750 and VT600 Front Ends Compatible?

Are the VT750 and VT600 front ends compatible?. NOPE!. These bikes have very different front ends (e.g. steering stem length, steering bearings, etc.) And the size of the fork tubes is also different: the VT600 is 39mm; the VT750 is 41mm. I guess you

Will a Spirit 750 Motor Fit in My ACE 750 Frame?

The Spirit and Ace motor used the same crankcase in the following models and years meaning the motors are interchangeable in the frames. The cooling systems were also identical.

First Time Female Rider? Here's the Honda Bike I Recommend!

What bike would I recommend for a first time female rider? The VT600! Any year would be a great choice ('88-'07) because it's a fantastic bike that rides great and can put up with a lot of crap and its easy to handle. Are you on the shorter side? The

When I Take the Beauty Cover Off Will the Dipstick Still Be Accessible?

Essentially, removing the chrome plastic beauty cover from your 2004 and up VT750 shouldn't affect your dipstick. TJ explains in this short video.

Is a BIGGER MOTOR better--or even doable?

BOTTOM LINE: If you really want a bigger motor, save yourself the headache and go buy a bigger bike.

What are the BEST Mono Shocks for a Comfortable Ride? - Honda Shadow VT600/VLX600

A customer asked us, “Are there any rear shock upgrades for the VT600? I’ve got a 2004 VT600 (aka VLX600). I’ve noticed my rear spring doesn’t help my back anytime I hit a pothole. I wanted to know if I could upgrade the rear shock with anything else

VT1100 Wheel Upgrade

so the wheels of the VT1100 Sabre look like some weird kind of mascerator blade, or something the Predator would throw at Arnold! While there is nothing functionally wrong with them, they just arent my jam and dont really fit with my preferred aest

Is It Easier to Build a Whole Frame or Buy a Kit?

Short answer: it is far easier to use a hardtail kit; building out your own frame can be a complete pain in the ass. We make a hardtail kit for the Honda Shadow VT600 (and are working on getting you other options).

My Grips Wont Fit My New Bars!

Powder Coating handlebars is not an exact science unfortunately, and sometimes the powder can go on a bit thicker in some areas. This is pretty common across almost every brand we have used, some brands even leave the powder coating off the grip area

Will The Foot Controls From A VLX600 / VT600 Fit the VT750?

Short answer: NOPE! They look similar but they're not interchangeable.

Honda Shadow Oil Plug Bolts - Should They Be Magnetic?

Magnetic Oil Plug Bolts: You don't "need" need them, but I think they're great! They won't make your bike run faster, but on the off chance that some metal shavings happen get in there, it'll grab them to allow your oil to keep pumping freely through

How Do I Remove the Stator Case to Fix a Stripped-Out Screw??

Click on the video to watch!!!

What Exhaust Finishes Does TJ Brutal Customs Offer?

We offer 3 different options, 2 of which are our standard offering. Our standard offering since 2016 has been Satin Black Cerakote, or Chrome Plating. We used to offer brass plating for exhaust but that hasn't been an option for many years now. We di

Can I Email You With Stupid Questions?

Q: May I send you some long and overly-convoluted message to waste your fucking time when I should be quietly and deeply studying the material you have graciously provided to the universe for free, in an effort to establish a deep and meaningful comp

Where are your products made?

Many of our products are 100% sourced, designed, manufactured and assembled here in the USA, while with others, in order to maintain affordability, our materials are sourced both locally and globally. To ensure the highest quality standards of our pr