Performance & Tuning
Introduction to Tuning Your Bike!
If you purchased one of the performance products from TJ Brutal Customs, then you will need to tune your machine properly to get the most out of our products. Any time you change the intake or exhaust on a motor you will need to adjust your fuel and
Motorcycle Tuning 101: Honda Shadow Edition
Performance Tuning Guideline Page 2
How to Diagnose Rich and Lean Conditions
When tuning a bike for the first time, it may be difficult to figure out if your bike is running too rich or too lean. Both conditions can be very harmful to your bike and cause serious damage as well as create an unsafe riding condition. The followi
Do I Need To Adjust My Float Height?
When tuning your carb or carbs, it is important to be detail oriented and pay attention to whats going on. If the float tabs get bent or moved out of place, this can drastically affect how your bike functions and for such a simple part, can cause a L
Why is My Bike Only Firing On One Cylinder?
A bike firing on only one cylinder or afterfiring from one cylinder can mean a few things.
4 Degree Timing Advance Modification
Do you recommend the 4 degree timing mod? How do I do the 4 degree timing mod?. You may have heard of "the 4 degree timing mod", it's has been floating around the internet for years now, and I don't use it on my bikes and I will explain why!. This
How to Properly Set Float Height
To set the float height, it is first necessary to determine the current height. This can be done by measuring the height of the float above the carburetors gasket face. First remove the float bowl from the carburetor body. With the float bowl removed
How to Determine Which Jetting Circuit or Jet to Adjust
The image below illustrates which metering circuits govern each throttle stage. For instance, if you are having an issue in your top end of the throttle between 3/4 to WOT (4/4) you need to address the main jet. This is a simple diagram to tuning y
How To Set Up Our Single Carb Velocity Stack
The best resource for how to set up our Single Carb Velocity Stack on your Honda Shadow is on our YouTube channel TJBRUTALCUSTOMS. We also have a video that shows what can be removed from the bike in the way of EPA components when installing stacks.
Is There a Big Bore Kit for My VT600?
No there is not, and here is why -. VLX bore & stroke are 3.0" x 2.6" (75mm x 66mm). Base displacement is 3.14 * (3.0/2)2 * 2.6 *2(# of Cyl) = 36.73 1000cc's = ~61 cubic inches. So, 36.73 / 61 *1000 = 602cc's. Now, let's open the bore up 0.010.
Pod, Pancake, and Cone Filters
Should I use Pod, Pancake, or Cone Filters?. Any time you change your intake or exhaust, you need to tune your bike or you will be doing damage to your motor by causing either a rich or lean condition. Plain and simple, don't use a cone/pod/pancake f
Should I Drill A Bigger Hole In My Slide?
Some jet kits include a drill bit with instructions to enlarge the existing hole or put more holes through the bottom of the vacuum slide. The theoretical idea is that extra holes will cause the slide to respond quicker, make more power, and like all
Do I Need Single or Dual Velocity Stacks?
Is your bike having an identity crisis? TJ explains dual vs. single carb velocity stacks.
How To Adjust Your Valves - WITHOUT DESTROYING YOUR MOTOR
TJ discusses how to adjust the valves on your Honda Shadow:. Yes you can use a set of go/no-go feeler gauges to make this all easier, but here's the basics.
Fender + Struts on a Softail -- CAN IT BE DONE??
A customer asks, "Can you use a fender and struts on a bike that's not hardtailed?". Yes. Watch the video for details!
2002 Honda Spirit VT750: How Do I Get More Get Up and Go?
Most Honda Shadow stock are jetted ultra lean. You can put in a new air filter... you can re-jet... you can open up your air intake and your exhaust... but ULTIMATELY, the best way to get more power out of a motor is by moving an air-fuel mixture thr
Honda Shadow Big Bore Kit - Can I?
Nope! TJ explains WHY in this video. He's got lots of reasons, so LISTEN UP!
Performance Tuning Secrets
Click HERE for the Free E-book of Performance Tuning Secrets!
Honda Motorcycles Spark Plug Fitment Chart
Click HERE To View The Honda Motorcycle Spark Plug Chart!