[Jake.b]

I've had my vtx 1300 for a year. Had 9000 on the odo when I got it I've changed both oils, brakes, and plugs I have 32000 miles on it now. What can anyone suggest as far as a total overhaul as a DIY cause I'm not monetarily well off lol. Thanks guys. Also cheap DIY upgrade ideas?

 

[Vinish]

Good on you for riding it so much. You ask about an "overhaul" but please explain further what you mean. Are you having problems with it? If so, what kind? Do you want to make it look different (e.g. paint and chrome)? Do you want to make it ride better and more comfortably? Are you just looking for a list of common preventative maintenance? Something else? We can definitely help you with any or all of these but we need to know what you are asking for.

From a preventative maintenance point of view, I would recommend also changing the other fluids which you do not mentions. These are the brake fluid in both systems, replacing the coolant, and replacing the fork oil. All of these can be done by yourself rather easily although to get the caps on an off the forks to replace the fluid it is very useful to have two friends to help.

Get a copy of the service manual which is available here on the Cafe for free.

As for "upgrades", the first and most important one for most people is a new seat. The stock seat is horribly uncomfortable to most people. This is NOT a cheap addition. After the seat, your "upgrades" depend on your personal preferences and your budget. The sky is the limit

 

[chopr147]

You ride a lot, how about at night. Cheap upgrade is new LED bulbs all around. My lights are brighter for riding but also for other cars on the road.

 

[Sifter128]

The VTX 1300 is an incredible machine. It's not fast. Brakes are terrible. Is stupid heavy at 700+ pounds. But, take basic care of it and it'll never leave you stranded. The VTX if just left alone and doing basic maintenance it will last over 100k miles before it needs a rebuild. Even the clutch is crazy dependable.

One thing. The bearing in your handle bars. It's something we will all have to do eventually.

Enjoy your VTX. Ride it. Change the fluids. Tune it when you must. It's a great low budget motorcycle.

 

[Crusty]

Sometimes it's hard to tell the history of the bike and what has been replaced when you buy used. Since these are old bikes, i went through and replaced every hose(vacuum, fuel, coolant) etc. Being close to 20 yrs. old it's a cheap fix. I did pretty much everything else mentioned too

 

[Jake.b]

Thank you for your input everyone. I was mainly asking what upkeep or preventative measures I can take. I've installed a battery keeper
So I can charge my phone and speaker I ride my vtx year round. Its my baby. Thank you all for your input

 

[Vinish]

As someone else mentioned, check for the front end wobble that indicates the steering bearings need replaced. To do this, get up to ~45 mph on a flat straight road. Take your hands off the bars but be ready to grab the bars. As the bike slows, do the bars begin to wobble back and forth in a reinforcing pattern such that the wobble gets worse as you slow? If so, then your steering bearings need replaced. Virtually all VTX1300 bikes need this done and usually in the first 10,000 miles. When you replace the bearings, you will use roller/needle bearings and not the ball bearings in the stock bike.

 

[chopr147]

Sometimes it's hard to tell the history of the bike and what has been replaced when you buy used. Since these are old bikes, i went through and replaced every hose(vacuum, fuel, coolant) etc. Being close to 20 yrs. old it's a cheap fix. I did pretty much everything else mentioned too

Good advice. I noticed last week a short coolant hose looked a little old, maybe crushed a little by the hose clamp. I'll be getting to that eventually.