[Gax]

Hello all, and thanks in advance. Been a Harley guy for the last few years - had a Softail, Street Glide, and Road Glide.

Got tired of always paying top dollar so traded in my Road Glide which I still owed on and paid cash for a used '03 VTX 1800 R.

I live in the Fresno area and a custom seat guy who goes by the name Rocky - made a custom seat, saddle bags and backrest for this - new to me motorcycle which were already on the bike and they are nice!

Anyhow I know nothing of the history of this bike - bought it used from Clawsons Motorsports in Fresno, CA

The bike has 50k on it and runs flawlessly except for some popping on deceleration. I have only put around a hundred miles on it so far and have been using 91 octane gas.

Can I use 87 octane in the tank? Had a '96 Goldwing once and that's what I used in it and that bike never popped on deceleration.

Thanks Again in advance!


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[Silver F]

http://www.vtxcafe.com/showthread.php/220034-what-grade-of-fuel-to-use

87

 

[nate6966]

Yep - regular grade gas.

 

[Fishingfoolemjak]

Absolutely, 87 octane and it will run better! And welcome from the mountains of western NC!!

 

[Gax]

Absolutely, 87 octane and it will run better! And welcome from the mountains of western NC!!

Thanks! I am gonna run regular and see what happens.



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So, what happen? Popping go away? I had a Kawasaki Mean Streak and when mine popped, I found that the chrome shield on my exhaust pipe had broken loose and left small holes in the pipe, and that is what caused the popping. Had those welded closed and no more popping.

 

[robertw37.rw]

Just purchased a2003 Honda vtx 1800. Little popping on down shifting. I thought that I heard some winding in the front wheel. But not sure. My friend say it the deflector or something else. I only looked up information on it after I purchased it. I read that the bike would last up to 89000 miles. I have 69000 miles. But it rides great. Should I worry? Or
Should I sale?

 

[PaXman11]

Just purchased a2003 Honda vtx 1800. Little popping on down shifting. I thought that I heard some winding in the front wheel. But not sure. My friend say it the deflector or something else. I only looked up information on it after I purchased it. I read that the bike would last up to 89000 miles. I have 69000 miles. But it rides great. Should I worry? Or
Should I sale?

Oh by all means sell. I'll give you $50 sight unseen. JK. WHO told you they're only good for 89K mi.? There are several forum menbers that have well over 100K, and a couple with over 200K, 250K. Your friend knows nothing about these bikes. Downshift popping happens because of air getting into the pipes somehow, and causing unburnt fuel to ignite in little pops. Really bad is called a backfire. Yours is probably because of 2 easy issues. The pipes were removed at some time, and when put back on, the old crush gaskets were re-used because it looked like they weren't there. Thats how they crush smooth to the port wall. Penetrating oil and a good gasket/ seal pick gets them out. When the pipes are put back on, or if the exhaust flange nuts come loose or aren't torqued properly (17 lbs/ft), allows air to get past the pipe and pop pop. Aftermarket flanges are thinner than stock, so the acorn nuts bottom out before getting the proper torque. Switch to regular hex nuts, or put a flat washer or 2 under the acorns when tightening. Then run a tankful of fuel through her and re-torque. OK,OK. I'll give you $200 sight unseen. Geez, what a nag. Whats your location?

 

[robertw37.rw]

😂 thanks