Honda VT 500 C Shadow - Recent Questions, Troubleshooting & Support

I've got the service manual if you want it?

Is the check engine light or other light on? It should be if there's an issue, but check this info out below and hopefully it'll get you going! Usually if the light is on and no power steering is the issue, a simple reset will fix the problem. Instructions are below and I've posted more info below as well. You can reset the computer by disconnecting the battery cables for a couple hours. Or this procedure below. Step 1. With the vehicle stopped, put the gearshift lever in "N" (neutral), be sure that the neutral indicator comes on and turn the ignition switch to "off". Step 2. Turn the ignition switch to "on" while pushing the UP and Down shift switches (gearshift switches) simultaneously. The "N" on the gear position indicator starts blinking. Step 3. Within 5 seconds after turning the ignition switch to "ON", push and release the gearshift switches in the order of UP switch, Down switch, and UP switch. (Do not hold onto the switch) The gear position indicator displays "- -" to indicate the system enters the intial setting mode. If more than 5 seconds elapse or the procedures are incorrect, The "N" stops blinking and stays on. Repeat the procedures from step 1 at this time. Step 4. Move the throttle lever to fully closed position, then to fully open position, and then move it to the fully closed position again within 5 seconds after "- -" displays on the gear position indicator. Step 5. When the initial setting procedure is complete, the indication on the gear position indicator changes from "- -" to "N". If the "- -" on the gear position indicator blinks, repeat the procedure from step 1.

What year?

Most oil brands have an online application catalogue that will recommend an oil type for most applications and list the quantity required. First choose your favoured brand of oil...

clutch master cylinders go bad all of the time the cheapest fix is a new unit

We had the same problem, thought it was ignition but found out it was fried connector in juction box, the red and black wires that connect to another set of red black wires but gives juice to the whole box, we pulled them and jumpered together but then had to us small jumper wires to give power back to box, violla took us 3 weeks! :-)

I can't answer your question but I reckon if you find and look at any Honda wiring diagram around that year it could provide some clues - the wiring colours are likely to be the same...

first thing to do is to check fuel level. you mentioned about 290 miles since you owned it but no fillups. did you get gas from same store? not unusual to pickup trash or water in fuel from conv. stores. with that out of the way, look at your plugs and see what they look like. black and sooty would be fuel fouled and very white or very light tan would be lean. if plugs and fuel are eliminated, it could be the result of a stator coil starting to go south. these will require special tools to diagnose.

I'd give that wiring a really close and long look. You have correctly diagnosed the problem, but the question is what to address first. I'd stay away from the starter. That's not the issue. Somehow, you've melded two wires together "somewhere" that is by-passing the starter.

clutch not fully engaging check for jammed clutch cable out of adjustment