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2000 VS1400

Discussion in 'Other Motorcycles' started by Timbox, May 5, 2021.

  1. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Been looking for a good looking older V twin on marketplace for some time. One popped up and I had to make the almost three hr trip to get her. I am looking forward to going through this bike and see what is up.
    [​IMG]200 vs1400 by Tim Brown, on Flickr

    I have a group of friends that all ride HD's. They are a great bunch of people and we get a long well. We razz each other over the metric and the HD thing. I just can't see spending $$ for a older sporster when you can pick on of these up for under $1k.

    Need to go through her now and get some new shoes on her. This is my second or third one of these and this one will stay in the stable.
     
  2. tj.

    tj. Active Member

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    Cool lookin bike, nice colour scheme. Torquey no doubt. 5 or 6 speed? FI?

    I have buddys on Harleys that razz me as well. Can't afford one they say...I reply that I can't afford the tools...or the belt buckles...or the boots...or the garage stools...etc etc.
     
    Timbox likes this.
  3. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    What's up is a solid engine that makes torque.
    She's a smexy beast.
     
  4. k-moe

    k-moe Pie, Bacon, Bourbon. Moderator Premium Member

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    A friend of mine likes to tell the tale of a wekend trip at a campground where they traded the use of their tools (riding a Honda Gold Wing) to the HD riders in exchange for beer. :)
     
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  5. FJ111200

    FJ111200 Active Member

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    I'd been looking for a v-twin for a while too. Always wanted one of these when i was a despatch rider in London but settled on a Honda VT500. This came along on ebay and i won the auction. It couldn't really pull the skin off a rice pudding but it's nice to poodle about on. It's got the silencer on the left, Dutch affair, but i've got a twin set up arriving this week.
    [​IMG]WP_20210502_16_29_04_Pro_LI by Billy Bananahead, on Flickr
     
  6. Franz

    Franz Well-Known Member

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    Nice clean bike, it will be slow compared to your Yamaha fours.
     
  7. Fuller56

    Fuller56 Well-Known Member

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    I had a VX800 for awhile. I loved the look and the shaft drive of them. The 1 I got relatively cheaply was way past it's sell by date. I did make it run but not well, it was rusted and tired. They have the oddest carb to carb secondary cable set up. I got frustrated and traded it off and ended up with an XJ900 that was much better. I still like the look and concept of the VX though.
     
  8. FJ111200

    FJ111200 Active Member

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    Tell me about it. It had me foxed for a couple of days but once i realized how to set it up and sync it was alright. The previous owner didn't really know what he was doing but kept it looking nice-ish.
     
  9. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    I know the VS1400 has the "Y" throttle too. Two carbs and they are both different size. I have the shop manual on order and in the mean time will go through the bike. The batter box is under the bike and the lid is bent. I will have to get the bike on the table and jack up the rear to remove the box and make it operational.

    This 1400 is a 5 speed, I wanted to make sure I got the 5 speed version as I had a 4 speed some time ago and was not happy with it.

    The 800 above looks nice but I love pulling my arms out of their sockets, so have to have a lot of torque with my bikes.
     
    Last edited: May 6, 2021
  10. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Got to put in a few hrs on the 1400 today. Just tried to start it and no such luck. Pulled the bottom carb and yep needed it, all green and non of the jets were open. I removed the bottom carb from the bike and cleaned it on the table. I did the top carb with the carb still connected to the throttle cable. I just pulled it out of the boot, rotated it and did the work in place. The top carb was not bad at all. The bets were plugged a little but not too bad.

    Reason I left the top carb linked to the throttle, just so I would not have to mess with trying to sync it that way. I am sure I will have to do some type of sync on it but I didn't want to play with the throttle linkage.

    Bike turns over well, had good compression and has spark. I drained the gas tank and will be adding some inline filters before I put gas back in and try to fire her up.

    The old gal really needs new tires front and back, but that will have to wait until after I get her up and running.
     
  11. tj.

    tj. Active Member

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    With a 4 speed you would always be looking for 5th...I suppose that could be said for 5 speeds as well tho.:D
     
  12. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    It all depends on the kind of driving you are doing. With my Bandit 1250 she has 6 gears, I am used to that. When I jump on my Valkyrie it only has 5 and I am glad that when I hit 5th gear the shifter movers freely up and you know you are in high gear. I am not too sure how it will work with the VS1400? Will have to see.

    From what I have read the VS1400 is not a bike for high speeds, I think it will not run much more that 100 + mph. With that large engine I am hoping it will get to that speed very fast, I love toque more than I like high speeds. Many little things to do to this bike before she is on the road. Need to order tires, tubes, spoke strip. The air boxes have been removed and K&N filters are on the bike. Cleaned the filters yesterday, they were filthy. All the electronic hardware under the seat needs to be secured to something. With the air box removed there is nothing to keep them in place. Some type of foundation will need to be fabricated to anchor the brain box, starter solenoid and all the other items are in float mode. They need to be anchored to something.
     
  13. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Did a little work on her over the last two days.
    [​IMG]DSCN0001 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
    [​IMG]DSCN0002 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
    This is the mess when the PO removed the air box. I will have to fix this up and mount some type of splash guard between rear fender and compartment.
    [​IMG]DSCN0003 by Tim Brown, on Flickr[/IMG] DSCN0002[/URL] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
    This is the the location of the battery. The battery box was so out of wack from PO not having the bottom in correctly.
    [​IMG]DSCN0005 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
    This is after it was reshaped. I think the drop door had come open and then got jammed up on something. Bent the heck out of it.
    [​IMG]DSCN0004 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
    After the fix and a little paint. Rear tire is off the cycle shop for a new one. Will have to do the same to the front once I get the back on. She cleaned up okay more work to do.
    [​IMG]DSCN0007 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
    [​IMG]DSCN0006 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
     
  14. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]DSCN0003 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
    This is the air box area.....that will be fun to clean up. Nice gap between rear fender and this area.
     
  15. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    New rear tire is on, now front one is getting changed. I have made a rubber backing that fits over the rear fender that will block nature from getting into the last pic above. New 6 puck 2001 ZX600 caliper came in the mail. Seems to be a really nice fit. Looking forward to getting it mounted and the fluids flushed and bled. Turn lights are on order I will post pics of the trouble shooting with one of them later. Planting at the marsh tomorrow so no bike work for a day or so. Need that front time on to make me feel comfortable even to work on the bike.
     
  16. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Brakes are on the bike, front and back OEM. I got the offset hole adapter in the mail today to change out the front caliper. That will be a nice mod that will help with safety. Bike gets fuel tomorrow and I hope to get it started. I still need one replacement turn bulb but I think I can manage hand signals for a while. This bike is really low, spaces the battery holder going up and down the Harbor Freight table I have. The weather here in Wisconsin is just starting to get to nice riding temps.
     
  17. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Filled it up with gas today and tried to start her. Well the fuel pump was running like a rabbit, so I knew no fuel was flowing. I messed around with the petcock under the tank and finally saw fuel run into the filter. After a few tries she runs! She is loud...took her out for a 8 mile loop and it will be a good bike. Loud but nice power as well. I thin it only gets about 100 miles before you have to go on reserve...but that is okay. Getting used to forward controls....that will take some time. Plate is in the mail but have all the other paper work in pocket.

    I would recommend one if you can find for a good price. I still have to do the front brake mod.
     
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  18. Uxbridge Brule

    Uxbridge Brule Active Member

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    I have an 07 S83 I'm doing the front brake mod soon just have to measure and order ss line and banjo fittings. I love the bike but found out the hard way last fall that the pegs don't touch down first there is a metal bracket that runs under the bike that holds the stock pegs that hits first. It didn't come into play during regular turns but I tried to take a turn onto a side street a little too aggressive and down I went. Have a look you have the forward controls but the chrome bracket might still be there. Other than that love the bike I get 190km(118 miles) to a tank before reserve. IMG_4073.jpg
     
  19. Minimutly

    Minimutly Well-Known Member

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    Is this like a HD where the bits don't keep falling off?
     
  20. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Yes is you ever thought of getting a HD sporter but love the metric bikes, this is the bike. Besides the interesting but easy to access carburetor designs and throttle linkage, love this bike. If you follow my projects I don't hand on to bikes to often. I buy them low work on them for fun and then they find a new owner normally the same yr. Not this one, it really is a nice Vtwin style bike.

    Low seat can be a plus but as stated above, this bike is low. My bike has extended front sets and I did catch my heal on the ground the other day at speed in a corner. The rake of this bike does make is feel like a HD when you are driving slow, but once you are at speed it is very smooth running bike.

    Looking for a gas tank option if you plan on taking this bike on long trips. The gas tank is just like some HD tanks that are split down the middle. The front cylinder air cleaner is tucked away under the gas tank and the tank has a tunnel down the middle of it that provides room for that air filter.
     
  21. dkavanagh

    dkavanagh Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Just looking back at pictures, is the vs1400 under-braked? It seems to have about the same setup in the front as my XJ550 Seca, but with a lot more weight.
     
  22. Uxbridge Brule

    Uxbridge Brule Active Member

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    As mentioned earlier there is a brake upgrade to a 6 pot front brake you need an adapter and new line. For the riding I do, country roads the braking is just adequate but with the engine braking from the large twin you can stop quick if needed. The tank is my biggest complaint looks great but too small and I have not seen anywhere that has a bolt and go option. There is a good site on these bikes with loads of info intruderalert.com if anyone is interested
     
  23. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Yes I have the brake upgrade and kit to make it all happen. I have not gotten around to it yet. Get a R6 front right caliber and the kit (offset upper bracket and extra bolt) and you are good to go. I have never been a big fan of a single disk brake up front but I will over look it on this bike.
     
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  24. Uxbridge Brule

    Uxbridge Brule Active Member

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    Did the 6 pot upgrade today wow what a difference 2 fingers can actually slow the bike now.
     
  25. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    You didn't have to get an adapter for the brake to the brake line? I guess I might have gotten a wrong yr caliper from ebay. It fits but the threads are not the same as the bikes OEM screw.
     
  26. Uxbridge Brule

    Uxbridge Brule Active Member

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    Had to use a regular banjo bolt(10mm×1.25) but I did upgrade to Russell SS lines(38"), straight banjo at the brake and 35° at the master. There is an adaptor for the stock line but I don't know where to find it. Hagar Moto on YouTube is where I heard about the upgrade and he is a good source for these bikes as well as https://www.intruders-alert.com/.
    My caliper is from an 06 ZZR6
     

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  27. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Yes that looks like what I will have to do. My top carb float bowl gasket decided to start to leak on me, the the VS1400 is back on the table. I guess I could just replace the line too. Only money right? lol
     
  28. Uxbridge Brule

    Uxbridge Brule Active Member

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    "Only money" that about sums up motorcycle ownership. Good luck
     
  29. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Swapped out the gutted OEM exhaust for some sportster ends. The bike is almost too quite now. Had to do some fabbing work and make some shims so the two pipes would fit together okay. Then came the exhaust hangers and where to put them. I think it will work out okay for now. The bike will need a louder horn now that the cars can no longer hear my loud exhaust.

    The SS front brake line came in, so the new 6 puck brake caliper is on! So happy with that upgrade. I would guess this bike will be sold in the spring. I am still looking for the perfect fit of sport touring.
     
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  30. Uxbridge Brule

    Uxbridge Brule Active Member

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    Nice to know you like the brake upgrade. I've thought about a more sport touring bike the older Kawasaki Concours are going for a good price and the people who have them seem to love them but I just brought home a parts bike Maxim and the garage is getting full.
     
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  31. Timbox

    Timbox Well-Known Member

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    Ya I hear ya, I have been kicking around the idea of a newer bike the may daily rider as well. It is a 2007 FI Bandit 1250s. I chose to get a better seat for it for now and see what else I can mod on it to make it more comfy for longer rides.

    The Concours and the FJR are wonderful bikes! You are right, they are coming down and price. Best of luck to you in your search for the next ride.
     
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