Honda Chrome Motorcycle
Imelda Matchett
With only 6964 miles on the odometer, this classic Honda cruiser is said to be in good working condition, and judging by the photos anyway, we don't really have any reason not to believe him. As usual, we've copied the original listing below. If you're interested in the bike, head over to the original listing at Hondashadow.net to contact the seller.
Super Rare, Sweet original 40yo bike. Needs to be in a museum. Bought in 2016 with 3400 mile miles . Now 6964 original miles. Installed factory limited edition chrome on it. I have the factory box and instructions. .Was a black beauty . The gold decals in cardboard tube that never were installed included . Original black tank and side covers and rear fender etc. included. One price non negational. Won't ship .No joy rides. Ride it home. Clear Ohio title in my name.
Troy's been riding motorcycles and writing about them since 2006, getting his start at Rider Magazine. From there, he moved to Sport Rider Magazine before finally landing at Motorcycle.com in 2011. A lifelong gearhead who didn't fully immerse himself in motorcycles until his teenage years, Troy's interests have always been in technology, performance, and going fast. Naturally, racing was the perfect avenue to combine all three. Troy has been racing nearly as long as he's been riding and has competed at the AMA national level. He's also won multiple club races throughout the country, culminating in a Utah Sport Bike Association championship in 2011. He has been invited as a guest instructor for the Yamaha Champions Riding School, and when he's not out riding, he's either wrenching on bikes or watching MotoGP.
I used to own one of those chrome Honda Shadows. In fact It was also a 1984 model. Biggest drawback was the sun was always reflecting in my eyes, from somewhere off the extensive chrome. I was so eager to get rid of it -- too much chrome translates to too much sun blinding your eyes. Maybe that's why there so little mileage on this one.
Tokyo, October 22, 2001 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the VTX, a powerfully styled large-displacement custom motorcycle equipped with a newly designed, water-cooled, 4-stroke 1800cc V2 engine that resonates power. The new model will go on sale October 23rd, 2001 through Honda's dealer network across Japan.
The VTX, to be produced at Honda of America Manufacturing (HAM), Honda's U.S. production center, will be our American flagship model for our custom bikes. The engine will be the world's largest-displacement V2 available in a production motorcycle. Besides displaying powerful output characteristics at all engine speeds, it also delivers a powerful driving feel with all the resonance of a V-twin engine. PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection) is employed to boost combustion efficiency for superb throttle response.
In order to handle the powerful engine output, the chassis employs a highly rigid, mono-backbone, double-cradle design. The front suspension's inverted layout also provides superior rigidity. The bike is designed to facilitate maximum ease of control, with a relaxed riding position, wide pull-back handle, a low 695mm seating position that makes it easy for the rider to put his or her feet on the ground, and other features that put the emphasis on creating a comfortable ride.
To maximize the pleasing resonance of the large-displacement engine, the world's first-applied coupling balancer is combined with the phased crankshaft traditional in Honda's American custom bikes, to eliminate unwanted vibration.
The fuel system employs Honda's newly developed PGM-FI (Programmed Fuel Injection), which supplies the engine with the optimum fuel-air mixture for all engine speeds and driving conditions, realizing superb throttle response. A three-valve head with two iridium plugs per cylinder combines outstanding aspirating efficiency with excellent ignition performance.
The bike's elegant, dignified styling displays the sort of class and power that one would expect in Honda's flagship American custom bike. The imposing engine is painted black, with chrome-plated air cleaner case cover, plug covers, and crankcase cover to highlight its functional beauty. The elegant, road-hugging, long-and-low design further increases the satisfaction of ownership.
The inverted front suspension delivers outstanding rigidity. Double disc brakes in the front and a single rear disc are linked using a combination brake system for enhanced, worry-free braking. When the rear brake foot pedal is depressed, the system distributes the force appropriately between the front and rear wheels, for easier-to-use, reliable braking.
Motorcycles are one of the most stylish means of transportation, boasting multiple decorative elements such as high-gloss paint, powder-coated parts, and glistening chrome plating. Even in the age of black-treated motorcycle components, chrome parts maintain their allure due to their unique reflective nature, which also enhances visibility. In the realm of motorcycle customization, chrome parts are renowned for bringing out a timeless classic appeal in a motorcycle, giving it an almost vintage guise.
However, motorcycle chrome parts are not restricted to aesthetic purposes, as they help prevent corrosion, enhance the durability of metal parts, and offer heat resistance when used in exhaust pipes. While motorcycle chrome offers protection, the decorative plating itself requires maintenance to protect against damaging elements, including moisture, dust, debris, grease, grime, and rust. Since prolonged use and harsh riding conditions can diminish its shine and spoil its appearance, it is necessary to clean and care for the chrome on your motorcycle as diligently as you maintain the mechanical components of your two-wheeler. In this article, get all your questions answered about how to properly clean and care for chrome-plated motorcycle parts.
Motorcycle chrome plating involves electronically transferring a layer of chromium onto a metal motorcycle part. The component that is chrome-plated is usually crafted from industrial-grade steel; however, ABS plastic motorcycle parts can also be chrome-plated. For aesthetic and durability enhancements, nickel-chrome or copper-chrome plating is the most common plating used in the motorcycle industry, meaning nickel is layered onto the steel motorcycle part. Then a fine layer of chrome is applied over it. Upon close inspection, the chrome motorcycle part has a shiny appearance imparted by nickel deposition, while the bluish hue is due to the chrome coating.
Motorcycle chrome parts are linked to the trends of the mid-20th century when chrome plating emerged as a new movement in the automotive industry, including motorcycles. Since motorcycles proved to be a cheap mode of transportation in the recession-stricken economies of the world, motorcycle manufacturing companies began using chrome plating to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the otherwise drab engine-driven two-wheelers.
The concept of chrome-plated motorcycle parts eventually made its way to the catalogs of emerging motorcycle manufacturing giants. For example, Harley Davidson introduced chrome-plated accessories and components in the early 1930s. Similarly, Triumph Motorcycles, a popular British motorcycle manufacturer, equipped its 1937 Triumph Speed Twin with an intricately detailed chrome-plated fuel tank.
The 1950s and the 1960s saw a great spike in the use of chrome-plated motorcycle parts, especially in the United States, where the styling of the Harley Davidson classic cruisers was heavily focused on shiny chrome highlights. Eventually, cafe racers of the 1960s also adopted the shiny and decorative metal layers. In other words, chrome plating became synonymous to the biker culture of these decades. From fuel tanks to exhaust pipes, handlebars, motorcycle luggage racks, crash bars, headlight cowling, sissy bars, fenders, and even rims, various motorcycle parts proudly boasted the chrome deposition, symbolizing the ever-increasing prosperity of the global motorcycle market.
Over the years, the movement towards black-treated motorcycle parts and dark-themed bikes has given tough competition to chrome parts in the sphere of motorcycle customization, chrome motorcycle parts remain an admired selection due to the rust-resistance and resilience they offer, provided they are maintained properly. Therefore, finding OEM or aftermarket motorcycle chrome parts is not a challenge, despite new options emerging and invading the market. The real challenge, however, lies in the care and maintenance of the chrome motorcycle parts.
Cleaning motorcycle chrome parts is not as complicated a task as many make it out to be. You will be suggested to use baking soda, vinegar, aluminum foil, steel wool, and mild abrasives. While these cleaning materials certainly work, it is best to keep the chrome cleaning regimen simple as you can easily achieve your desired gleaming chrome finish by washing it with water and a mild soap or shampoo. Since cleaning chrome parts is part of the overall motorcycle chrome care and maintenance, read this section to learn the right method of cleaning motorcycle chrome parts without using abrasives.
Motorcycle chrome care, in its essence, is quite similar to motorcycle paint care and maintenance, yet many people struggle with it no matter how many trial-and-error sessions they have performed. Here are some tips for you to understand the concept of chrome care that you should adopt and follow if you want to care for your motorcycle's chrome properly and increase its lifespan.
The biggest myth around motorcycle chrome care is that owners should never let their motorcycles come in contact with water. Now this is practically impossible because no matter how hard you try, you will experience unexpected rain now and then, leaving your motorcycle and its chrome parts exposed to moisture.
Next, you can simply use an oil-based motorcycle maintenance spray or water-dispersant as it acts as an effective rust inhibiting layer. These simple steps allow you to wash the bike with water to clean all the dirt off the gleaming chrome parts without compromising its longevity and strength.
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