'85 Honda Shadow problems - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

wapam · 11-05-2007, 08:40 AM

Looking at buying a Shadow and the owner says he replaced the headlamp and now there seems to be a short that drains the battery.

Also, he says the speedo reads 5-7mph high at 55mph.

Easy fixes or....run away fast???

Thank you.

diamond_jim · 11-05-2007, 08:42 AM

Do you know the owner?

wapam · 11-05-2007, 08:46 AM

Nope.

diamond_jim · 11-05-2007, 08:55 AM

My first thought is that the short was already there and he's using the good guy "put a new headlight" play on you. Just my gut feeling. That's a 22 year-old bike. If it's not in pretty good condition and your getting it super cheap, I'd pass on it. There are a lot of good used bikes out there without an electrical short.

Easy Rider · 11-05-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wapam

Looking at buying a Shadow and the owner says he replaced the headlamp and now there seems to be a short that drains the battery.

Also, he says the speedo reads 5-7mph high at 55mph.

The draining battery MIGHT be a coincidence. Could just be a bad battery or shot alternator; both of which can be tested (usually free) at a battery store.

The speedo being 10% high is typical of a LOT of bikes and is (usually) not worth the trouble to try to "fix".

omegajim · 11-05-2007, 01:24 PM

It comes down to price, mileage and condition.

If the bike is in pretty good shape, doesn't have much over 20 k on it, and they aren't asking over $1500, it would be worth looking into.

Once you start hitting the 2 k mark, there are a few bikes around, especially up here in the North at this time of year.

Check Craigslist, and traderonline. At the least you will get verification of what this kind of bike brings nationwide and the mileage on them.

Informed is armed.

11-05-2007, 08:40 AM	#1 (permalink)
wapam Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: '85 Nighthawk, '80 Yamaha 1100 Special Location: MN Posts: 38	'85 Honda Shadow problems Looking at buying a Shadow and the owner says he replaced the headlamp and now there seems to be a short that drains the battery. Also, he says the speedo reads 5-7mph high at 55mph. Easy fixes or....run away fast??? Thank you.

11-05-2007, 01:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
omegajim M-J.Com Lifetime Achievement Award Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 6,526	It comes down to price, mileage and condition. If the bike is in pretty good shape, doesn't have much over 20 k on it, and they aren't asking over $1500, it would be worth looking into. Once you start hitting the 2 k mark, there are a few bikes around, especially up here in the North at this time of year. Check Craigslist, and traderonline. At the least you will get verification of what this kind of bike brings nationwide and the mileage on them. Informed is armed. __________________ "FREE TIBET!"* With purchase of one Tibet of equal or greater value.

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11-05-2007, 08:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
diamond_jim Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: S4 Scatcat Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,622	Do you know the owner?

11-05-2007, 08:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
wapam Where Am I ? Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: '85 Nighthawk, '80 Yamaha 1100 Special Location: MN Posts: 38	Nope.

11-05-2007, 08:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
diamond_jim Refrigerator Magnet Test Engineer Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: S4 Scatcat Location: North Alabama Posts: 3,622	My first thought is that the short was already there and he's using the good guy "put a new headlight" play on you. Just my gut feeling. That's a 22 year-old bike. If it's not in pretty good condition and your getting it super cheap, I'd pass on it. There are a lot of good used bikes out there without an electrical short.

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