Hey guys, I'm rebuilding the engine on my '84 Shadow VT500, just wanted to know what's the best way to do the break-in after it's assembled. Been reading too many things on the net to have my doubts about it. Couldn't find the user manual for this bike (just got the workshop one) so maybe one of you knows what was the original break-in procedure.
This is something I've found, dunno, still looking for more info on this:
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Thanks in advance!
'84 Honda Shadow break-in
- Shadow500
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- Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
'84 Honda Shadow break-in
1984 Honda Shadow VT500C
1988 Honda Lead 80cc (scoots rule!)
1988 Honda Lead 80cc (scoots rule!)
There is a great post on here about break-in somewhere.
Here is the simple way.
1. No hard accelerating
2. No over-reving
3. Vary speeds on the highway to change the temps in the cylinder to allow rings to expand and contract.
Pretty much just baby it for 600 miles then change oil and filter. I would not get on it hard until 1000 miles. Stay away from synthetic for a couple of thousand miles to allow everything to break-in.
I'm sure you will get many different opinions. Good luck.
Here is the simple way.
1. No hard accelerating
2. No over-reving
3. Vary speeds on the highway to change the temps in the cylinder to allow rings to expand and contract.
Pretty much just baby it for 600 miles then change oil and filter. I would not get on it hard until 1000 miles. Stay away from synthetic for a couple of thousand miles to allow everything to break-in.
I'm sure you will get many different opinions. Good luck.
CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE REGULARLY!!!
- Shadow500
- Rookie
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2005 9:46 am
- Sex: Male
- Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Thanks, that sounds about right from what I've been reading here and there. Pretty much what I've figured myself too. Probably pushing it hard from the beginning might not be such a good idea. Can't even consider to change the rings after that, since I gotta order them from japan and it takes like 30 days to get them here
can't take any chances.

1984 Honda Shadow VT500C
1988 Honda Lead 80cc (scoots rule!)
1988 Honda Lead 80cc (scoots rule!)