The best things in life are...
 

... Free.

I am now the owner of a Honda Shadow Spirit...

ONSSP's mom bought it new a few years ago and after crashing 2-up in Yellowstone (her ex's Goldwing) last year she has no desire to ride it... Instead of selling it, she gave it to us! Rode it home last night... felt pretty good...

Needs a bit of carb work though... I think a float is stuck or something because it spews gas like a motherfucker while running from the petcock area(didn't investitage too closely yet), idles like shit, and hesitates/sputters when you yank the throttle at speed. It had been sitting for about a year so I figure it just needs a good cleaning...

Pics as soon as I'm not lazy...

Here's a stock pic - looks exactly like this:
http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/cro...--3_460x0w.jpg

Bobber?

I recently got a 2003 Honda Shadow 750 ACE in a similar manner. It had been sitting for 3 years and wouldn't even start because the carbs were in such bad shape.

I pulled the carbs over the weekend, cleaned them up, put everything back together, and test rode it last night. Fun bike!

Not sure of your experience level with carbs, but if you need any help, feel free to PM me. I also did a video of the teardown that I still need to put on Youtube if that would help you out.

What year is it? I found a service manual online for '02-05 I *think* ? I'll have to verify the years, but if it fits what you have, I'll gladly send it to you. Definitely came in handy.

I doubt it. I'll probably keep it a couple of years and sell it... I don't need another project - with the Tiller in pieces and a list of shit to do around the house as long as my arm, I'm busy enough. I'll get it going and commute with it, maybe do some quick weekend runs...

If anything I'll put some pipes on it, a K&N filter, and re-jet it... I'm sure there's some free mods out there just like anything... airbox mod probably... :idk:

I don't know anything about carbs... The old man was a mechanic so I may trick him into helping me... I figure it can't be too hard and with manuals/videos available online, I've been able to figure pretty much anything out so far...

It's a 2008... I will certainly be hitting you up if I get elbow deep in this thing and start losing my mind.

My cousin rides one of those. He made his totally custom. Not a bad bike.

Good bike. My buddy used to have one till it commited suicide

ride it to TN...

I'm still loving my '01. For what its worth, I go to hondashadow.net and shadowriders.net for tech topics, spare parts and mods. They have some pretty detailed posts buried if you search for any issues you may come across, especially the first place.

Before you go tearing into it too much, drain every bit of gas and throw in some BP 93. Had a set of pressure washers I bought years ago that sat underneath an uncovered deck for 2 years. Started up first pull but ran like shit. Drained the gas and went to the gas station for new gas and it runs like a champ ever since.

Sweet score!

Always check for bad gas.