[JohnPaul2007VTX1300]

Hey guys! Im blessed enough to be going on a cross country trip very soon on my VTX1300. I have 20,250 miles. I so far have put on new tires , Pirelli route66 , Changed the oil and oil filter , air filter , I have final drive oil on the way oil the mail. Has anyone taken a similar ride ? Is there things that I need to know? What else can be changed on the bike? Should I drain the coolant and put fresh? Wha about brake fluid? ANY AND ALL comments welcome ! . I need the help and wisdom guys its my first time doing this would you please take the time to help me out and comment ? Thanks my riding brothers! -JP-

 

[Fishingfoolemjak]

take a small air compressor (you can get very small ones at Walmart) and a tire plug kit. Check all your fluids very carefully and your cables, lube as necessary. I keep my maintenance up and I can tell you id ride anywhere on mine.

 

[IndyX]

Yes to coolant and brake fluid.

 

[PaXman11]

Whatever your checklist includes, you'll have to go over it all again once you return. Hidden $ and credit cards are smart. Plan your route thoroughly, check for places spaced along your route should you break down, or GOD forbid, accident. A list of all friends and relatives along the route for possible emergency stops.

 

[IndyX]

There is a FB group with people across the country who will help out anyone who breaks down riding. Doesn't matter what you ride. Just riders volunteering to help other riders. Good thing to be on.

 

[JohnPaul2007VTX1300]

take a small air compressor (you can get very small ones at Walmart) and a tire plug kit. Check all your fluids very carefully and your cables, lube as necessary. I keep my maintenance up and I can tell you id ride anywhere on mine.

Thankyou ok I will look for a small one !

 

[JohnPaul2007VTX1300]

Yes to coolant and brake fluid.

IndyX you think I should check them or change them?

 

[JohnPaul2007VTX1300]

There is a FB group with people across the country who will help out anyone who breaks down riding. Doesn't matter what you ride. Just riders volunteering to help other riders. Good thing to be on.

Dang I dont have a Facebook but what is the group called?

 

[PaXman11]

IndyX you think I should check them or change them?

If any doubts, just do it.

 

[ironmk]

IndyX you think I should check them or change them?

Change the brake fluid and check the antifreeze

 

[henkvdb]

Thankyou ok I will look for a small one !

Don't forget: you'll also need something to plug it into.
Note: I have not had a flat since I brought a compressor along.....

 

[henkvdb]

Dang I dont have a Facebook but what is the group called?

This one? North America Biker Rescue never needed it, but it is in my list of bookmarks.

 

[JohnPaul2007VTX1300]

Awesome thank you!

 

[epiphysis]

Most important thing to bring is a credit card.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

 

[JohnPaul2007VTX1300]

Most important thing to bring is a credit card.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

That I do have a bunch thank you epip

 

[davbib]

The first thing I do when I buy a used bike is change ALL the fluids. You get to know your bike and it cheap insurance. A jug of prestone coolant is cheap and so is their DOT 4 brake fluid.

 

[JohnPaul2007VTX1300]

hey davbib , im changed the engine oil , the final drive oil , the air filter , the brakes and the tires , I put on some nice Pirelli Route 66 tires and they are amazing and put on some really nice sintered brakes , now this weekend im gonna drop the coolant and add some fresh , I just dont know how to change brake fluid but it looks really easy on the videos I watched but I still can't understand how to do it. Like it looks easy when they are doing it but im saying to myself how the heck are they doing that? They just like released the air from the valve as they pour fresh brake fluid into the master cylinder like it looks simple but I just dont get it yet I need to study it more and ask more questions. Like how is the air they are releasing going back into the system? Like how do I keep there system pressurized ?

 

[IndyX]

Don't let the master cylinder run out of fluid and you won't have to worry about air in system.

I have plastic drop cloth stuff I cut and cover bike when doing front brakes just to not have to deal with brake fluid touching paint. It's not as bad as it was in old days but it will damage paint if you don't get it off. Best to cover up to be safe.

Brake pads everyone has always recommended OEM only on here as long as I've been here. Not sure about the ones you picked but hopefully they are quiet and wear well.

 

[Crusty]

The only thing I have ever worried about was flats. Ive taken some long trips. Thats why I made my 1300S into an "R" after getting rid of the spoked wheels. I'm pretty anal with taking care of my stuff. So, I change fluids/do P.M. regularly. Sometimes I'll even change out parts just to have piece of mind if they are old. For example my bike is 15 years old. Last year I went through the whole bike and replaced a lot of stuff (coolant hoses, vacuum hoses, even the R/R along with a new battery). Now I have a spare R/R which I'll never use. But, for I think it was a little less than $80, I have piece of mind and won't worry about starting/running issues. (Unless the stator goes LOL!). You might want one of those portable jump starters, if that hasn't been mentioned.

You can try replacing your brake bleeder valves with speed bleeders. They work pretty good. So do those motion pro one man gadgets (along with other manufacturers) that make it so you don't have to do the open/close method. There are tons of them out there and the might vac is another way to do it. They all just keep air from going back into the system when the valve is open. I change my brake fluid at least every 2 years. Only costs a few bucks. Other than the few things that have been mentioned here, don't worry about it. You have a honda.

 

[Fishingfoolemjak]

When it comes to brake pads, always use oem. The others will work but you’re gonna have weird noises.