Changing The Clutch on a 2005 Honda VTX 1800

Changing The Clutch on a 2005 Honda VTX 1800

[@chetk2133]

You had the answer to the missing part of the puzzle...The last plate! My 2007 VTX1800T2 has a vertically displaced notch. Your video addresses that. As well, taking time to do the cardboard placement is both insightful and the no-bozo approach. I see you do a lot of things by hand twisting, I appreciate that and also thank you for the Torque specs! Thank you for the highly detailed documentary!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@greggc8088]

Great video. Here's a pointer learned from 2 motorcycles and one being an 03 VTX 1800. When experiencing intermittent clutch slip, first clean the gunk out of the bottom or the clutch master cylinder and run a piece of wire through the relief port as blockage often causes residual pressure on the slave cylinder and causes slippage. Learned that one the hard way on a Vulcan 1600 and my VTX 1800. I've actually had to clean my VTX out about every 2 years.

[@funbro1]

Great tip, thanks for sharing. Thanks for watching and happy riding.

[@scottmisus4678]

Where's the relief port?

[@greggc8088]

@@scottmisus4678 Very bottom of the master cylinder. Just take the top off and use a few clean rags to soak the fluid out and a pic to scrape the port away. Also scrub any crud seen in the reservoir away. Plus, if you don't touch the clutch lever so as to move it, no air will get into the system while the reservoir is empty.

[@MadMexism]

Damn... Honda not only makes reliable everything, but they make them easy to work on to. Incredible.

[@funbro1]

I agree. Thanks for watching.

[@davidpiquette9267]

This is the standard on how a video should be made great job

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@gotosub562]

someone with skillful hands can do that too, because of the good presentation you gave. very informative video. everything explained excellently. i am also the proud owner of a vtx 1800 r 3 ac from 2006 (sc49). a very powerful motorcycle with extreme torque. therefore the clutch should always grip well ;-) the left hand for greeting from Germany / Bavaria

[@funbro1]

Thank you very much! Happy riding.

[@caseybowman926]

Nicely done brother and very good details this is a perfect step by step video

[@funbro1]

Awesome, glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and happy riding..

[@jamesdip2]

I have an 03 VTX 1800C. I LOVE your videos. Great info and easy to follow.

[@funbro1]

Awesome thanks for watching, enjoy that nice bike.

[@AnsleyBuilt]

I have a 2005 VTX1800N that I recently got. I always do my own maintenance and your videos have been a huge help. Thanks!

[@funbro1]

Great to hear!

[@Lapeerphoto]

Nicely done - Thanks for sharing!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching!

[@rahulrane1658]

Very well explained, similar to a good teacher

[@funbro1]

Glad you think so! Thanks for watching.

[@bigfootoutdoors90]

Awesome vid! And I will definitely be using the cardboard template for the bolts when I change the clutch in my 02 1800r!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching Happy riding.

[@kb9gkc]

Well Done and Merry Christmas.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@lancecooper17]

Thanks for putting out this excellent video!

[@funbro1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@lancecooper17]

@@funbro1 It will be VERY helpful when I get ready to change my clutch. I'm going to put the barnett clutch in my 05 VTX F model. It should install the same, dont you think?

[@funbro1]

Yea it will be the same.

[@rexmericle5068]

Great video! Love the cardboard template idea. I do the same thing for some work.

[@funbro1]

It works great. Thanks for the comment and Thanks for watching.

[@lukewalter8987]

Great video, thanks for simplifying it.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching, happy riding.

[@nathanstanley7002]

Great video. I personally couldn't find any torque specs for the right side case cover in my Clymer book. Probably just over looked it as I was trying to find it to add here. As I stated in your video for the clutch flush, quick and very informative. Much appreciated.

[@funbro1]

I had to go to the Honda dealer, they printed them out for me. Thanks for the view.

[@bklinedBK]

I love the cardboard template idea

[@funbro1]

Thanks, It was that or a picture. Just to help remember where the bolts went. Thanks for watching.

[@chetk2133]

SHIMS, do you think it really matters if you have shims since we have to torque down the springs anyway? Shims are spacers, are they not? I would think that the Springs are the component that delivers pressure to the plates that launch our asses forward. I am not trying to disgrace in any way. I am a novice mechanic. I don't want to chase rabbits either. I am in the middle of putting it all back together, but your reply may mean something to others. Again, thank you for taking the time to video post this! Rock on Bro!

[@funbro1]

I wouldn't bet a lot of $$$$ that the shims do much but I put a few in just because I thought it may stiffen the springs a little causing the clutch to grab better. That is just my thoughts, but it probably would do just fine without them. Happy riding, Thanks for watching.

[@suntzuwarsword1964]

Thank you sir..excellent video

[@funbro1]

Most welcome, Thanks for watching. Happy riding.

[@lontejay9454]

Very nice video!! Also is very educational and helpful piece to my motorcycle repair "know-how". Keep up the good job God bless and Jesus loves you, John 3:16-17 (KJV)

[@funbro1]

Thanks for the kind words, glad to hear the video was helpful. Isn’t it great to know that we have a savior that lives us no matter what? John 15:9 (KJV) Happy riding.

[@jazlynn011]

Hallelujah

[@richardjeun]

I believe those spring washers or spaces are to bring back the clutch spring tension to original tension to eliminate clutch moaning problems with vtx bikes. I’ve heard the engine oil heat cause those springs to lose tension over time. Great video! I haven’t fixed my bike yet, but only thing that confuses me about your video is maybe there’s a missing part of the video because I didn’t see the alternating steel/fiber plates coming off when you were removing them. Also, the last plate has only one way it will fit (there’s no way to install it incorrectly)?

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@dlrpehd1]

잘 보고 배움니다 감사합니다 서울에서.

[@michaelsunsdahl5874]

Nice vid sir! Will be changing out my '05 Neo yet this season.

[@funbro1]

It makes a big difference. Allows all the power to be applied without any slipping. Thanks for watching.

[@treeguyable]

I'll be using grey Yamabond sealer. Hope I don't lose brownie points for that. 😆Great vid.

[@funbro1]

Nah, I’ve used that also, no points lost. Thanks for watching.

[@doughuntley2974]

As always, great video. I did have 1 question, why did you feel the need to replace the clutches? Was it slipping? I have almost 98,000 miles on my 2007 1800 and have never had a clutch issue. Granted I don't ride roughly. Just curious what issues you were having. Please keep up the great work!

[@funbro1]

On this one the clutch was slipping, with the new clutch I can now get the front wheel to come off the ground easily. Maybe if I didn’t ride so rough I could get it to last longer….nah. 😁 Thanks for watching.

[@IronBodyMartialArts]

Great.. I gotta 2005.. gonna do some work on it..

[@torkster90]

Great Video ❤

[@funbro1]

Thank you!

[@scottg429]

I didn’t think you could change out the clutch without draining or even spilling any oil. Any reason I couldn’t do the same on my 03 1800R?

[@funbro1]

I don’t see why you could not. You will want to change the oil soon after replacing the clutch. Thanks for watching.

[@kapone420]

Thanks H2B

[@funbro1]

Thank you for watching.

[@beowulfvladmax7710]

I put a Barnett Hi pro clutch in mine. Carbon fiber friction plates and stainless plates.

[@funbro1]

Nice, I bet that grabs good. Happy riding and Thanks for watching.

[@beowulfvladmax7710]

@@funbro1 Glad to see some try to keep this venerable bike alive. The vtx could have dominated heavy cruisers if Honda had been more bold. Introduce that techno cruiser of the Tokyo show into the lineup.

[@nathanallen4333]

Love this video, great explanation of what your doing. Two questions, what grit sandpaper were you using to scratch the metal disc's or does it matter and what oil was you using to soak the fiber disc's

[@funbro1]

It really doesn’t matter what grit sandpaper but a finer grit would be better because you don’t want big grooves in the disc. I use the same oil to soak the fiber discs in that I filled the bike up with. Hope this helps, happy riding.

[@troylawson8556]

Good video but did anyone else cringe when he was rotating the cover plate while it was laying on the concrete? I know it set my teeth on edge. I know it doesn't show, but I would have put it on some cardboard.

[@funbro1]

No cringe here. All is well. Thanks for watching.

[@video3ish]

I almost had to stop watching - I absolutely love this channel but I yelled to myself a bit at that part. If I don't have an old bath towel ready for re-purposing I just buy them for $5. They are great for that

[@elijahrhuems3080]

After you put your clutch in how many miles is break in? And is it normal for it to turn your oil grey? While during break in?

[@funbro1]

It will have some gray to it. I would recommend changing the oils after a few hundred miles depending on how it is ridden. Hope this helps, thanks for watching.

[@jeffreygwinn5081]

Is that the correct spec of 19ft lbs on the cover? I think it should be 9lbs, or 108in lbs

[@funbro1]

Sounds right. Thanks for watching.

[@davidsykes8648]

Hello sir great video. Was wondering what floorboards you found to fit thanks

[@funbro1]

The floorboards in the video for the driver are stock boards. The passenger are Kuryakin floorboards. Thanks for watching

[@scottg429]

I have an 03 and I want to take those chrome covers off to have them rechromed. Could I still ride around with just the 2 covers removed? It doesn’t seem like they’re attached to the oil at all thanks

[@funbro1]

I would not do that. Thanks for watching

[@victorjohnson2093]

Thanks I would try this one.

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@User-wo4vh]

Thanks for the video howtobob

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching

[@hmsbratx]

Great video thank you, I am just scared of doing 19ft# on the 15 right crank case cover bolts. Is that right ? They seems to be too weak for 19ft#.

[@funbro1]

I would recommend using the manufacturer recommended torque specs. Thanks for watching.

[@hgodtx]

Just curious what mileage I should expect from my original clutch?

[@funbro1]

This was changed about 23,000 miles. Hope that helps, Thanks for watching.

[@jimd7241]

Steel plates? Sharp side in toward engine or out towards pressure plate?Which is best? Thanks

[@funbro1]

They can go either way as long as they are all facing the same way, it is a preference thing. Thanks for watching.

[@Oyez10]

Great video!!!

[@funbro1]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching.

[@Coyotelilly]

Your side cover rolling around on the concrete made my cringe. 😬 Lol

[@Irish_Goose]

How often should this be done? I bought a 2002 vtx1800c with 17k mi...I just changed the final drive and it did not look like it was done ever... My clutch seems to be a little heavy but I'm used to a 750cc Shadow, so I'd assume it would be heavier. Also, how often do you change your clutch and break fluid? I'm planning on getting them changed here next.

[@funbro1]

The short answer is whenever it needs to be done. That will depend on how the bike has been ridden, has it been ridden city or highway mostly, ridden 2 up vs 1 up, and how it has been maintained. The clutch is heaver on this bike because of the torque so if you feel any slipping of the clutch then it is time. For the fluid changes, they should be done when the fluids start to turn a darker color. better to do it more often than less. Hope this helps, Happy riding and Thanks for watching.

[@peteryucius9802]

great video! thanks!

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@vtxvick1333]

Hi there, does the bike has to be on gear when changing the clutch, And what gear? Did everything you video says but bike doesn’t want to shift gears the pedal is not changing?

[@funbro1]

It does not have to be in gear when changing the clutch, that should not make any difference at all. I’m not sure what you have going on inside there as it is hard to tell without seeing the actual bike. I wish you the best, thanks for watching.

[@billygillette9509]

Damned foreigners...................

[@bogerbloger2409]

Hello, may i ask you about which brand you installed ? and is there a difference among them? Thank you

[@funbro1]

That’s like asking what type of oil should I use or what are the best tires. It’s a personal preference. These are MTC, I bought them because they came with the shins and were supposed to be heavy duty drag racing parts. With the torque this thing makes I figured they would be good. So far I don’t regret the decision. Thanks for watching.

[@chetk2133]

I have a2007 VTX1800, only thing out there at this point, 1/14/2021 seems to be Barnett

[@seamansj]

Just in case you see this, I have a 2005 VTX 1300S. Would the clutch on them be similar to the 1800? I’m not having any problems but was just wondering just in case. Very good video.

[@treeguyable]

Yamaha R1 has the last clutch disc offset like that, must be a lot of them do, as more of a stationary backing plate for grabbing?

[@funbro1]

Thanks for watching.

[@TignoRice]

Want part # is the exhaust gasket for the replacement so I can find the exact one I need please and thank you! Also thank you for the vid I need to do the same

[@funbro1]

18291-MR5-801

[@lontejay9454]

Hey funbro1, am working on a 1300 vtx and saw in the video where you took a piece of wood to knock off the case cover. i tried the same thing with mine and it just seems to not budge. Any suggestions in going forward with this job at hand? Thanks in advance for any suggestions to the issue. Thanks and God bless!

[@lontejay9454]

In the case of this situation, I just used a 2lb. rubber mallet and popped it about 3 times and off it came with little to no effort. :o)

[@funbro1]

Good to hear that it worked, because that is always what I have done. Thanks for watching. Happy riding.

[@TignoRice]

Have you had any issues with some of the clutch bolts breaking

[@funbro1]

Only if they are over torqued. Thanks for watching.

[@dennisrowe3860]

Is the MTC clutch still available? Do you have to get it from MTC directly?

[@funbro1]

I believe it is. I ordered directly from them. Thanks for watching.

[@jellerolandboot945]

Great video. Did you raise the front wheel of the rear wheel. Did you use 2inch blocks? Thx for the howe too

[@funbro1]

In my case I used the garage floor which is about 2” higher than the driveway. I put the front tire in the garage and it was the perfect lean for this bike. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching.

[@jellerolandboot945]

@@funbro1 thank you.

[@cowdudeable]

Is that a stock exhaust? Mine is a 2 into one system which I never liked to look of. Where can I get one like yours?

[@funbro1]

This is a stock exhaust as far as I know. Thanks for watching.

[@steveparsons5015]

If you have a 2 into 1 exhaust, you have a 1800c

[@scottg429]

What size are those Allen bolts on the outer chrome covers?

[@funbro1]

Are you asking about the wrench size or the actual bolt size?

[@caseybagley8261]

Great video. Where did u get those rear foot pads

[@funbro1]

I ordered them on the internet. Here is the install video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5bMY4iLrpx7m8k Thanks for watching.

[@cma8165]

Thanks for the video Funbro1. Also, why'd you change out your clutches, were they slipping?

[@funbro1]

Yes, they were slipping and let me say what a difference it makes to change them out. Over time you don’t realize how bad they really slip but with a new set it grabs good. Thanks for watching.

[@cma8165]

@@funbro1 Your awesome video will enable me to replace the clutches in my 2002 VTX 1800 when it becomes necessary! Funbro1, thank you very much for all your troubles of making this very informational video, which should help out a lot of DIY guys like me!!

[@funbro1]

Once you change it you will notice a big difference. Stay safe and happy riding.

[@analiciaflanagan9012]

great video, would probably include a link to help find the clutch

[@funbro1]

I could but I am not endorsing any particular brand of clutch nor have I been reimbursed by any manufacturer and many people prefer a certain brand of clutch but they install about the same. Thanks for watching.

[@Colo2K]

I did this job and followed everything you did but my bike wont go into gear. Sometimes I can get in first but it won't move, the bike acts like if it was in neutral and I dont know what to check

[@funbro1]

It sounds like some of your clutch plates may not be aligned. I would take it apart and re-assemble it again. Hope this is an easy fix for you.

[@Colo2K]

@@funbro1 I will give it a try, thanks

[@funbro1]

Let us know what you find, thanks.

[@Colo2K]

@@funbro1 so I took everything apart in the clutch and re assembled it the same way ( it was perfect to begin with ) but I started thinking of everything involved in the transmission system so I decided to check my slave cylinder and found out that it was full of a slimey grease that had my piston locked closed. So I cleaned it up and now it works perfectly.

[@pastorjustin4181]

Again please, what SPECIFIC Torque wrench for accurate inch pound clutch bolts???

[@funbro1]

You should be able to use any torque wrench that meets the specifications. Again the choice is yours. Hope this helps. Thanks again for watching.

[@pastorjustin4181]

@@funbro1 thanks, no i need more help than that

[@funbro1]

Sorry I couldn’t be more help. Happy riding.

[@gearhead2786]

Great video, question about the shims behind the springs. What made you decide to use them at all or to use two of them?

[@funbro1]

When I first got the kit I wondered the same thing so I called tech support. Their advice was to use the shims to give a firmer clutch. I was worried about the clutch being too heavy and making the bike less fun to ride but as a mechanic friend of mine said it would not change that much since this bike has a hydraulic clutch. As it turned out the clutch does not feel too much different than stock maybe about 25% heaver and it grabs very strong. Hope this helps, Thanks for watching and happy riding.

[@chetk2133]

@@funbro1 If you have washers that fit...why not? Right? Would that actually improve anything since you are torque-ing to spec?

[@pastorjustin4181]

What model torque wrench is that specifically so i could purchase same??

[@funbro1]

The wrench used in the video was made by Tekton. Hope this helps, Thanks for watching.

[@pastorjustin4181]

@@funbro1 which specific tekton wrench please

[@wynnslothower4892]

What make is your engine guard on your bike?

[@funbro1]

I'm not sure. came like that. Thanks for watching.

[@anibalalamo1032]

is the same process for the vtx1300c 2005?

[@funbro1]

Should be very similar if not exactly the same. Thanks for watching.

[@scottmisus4678]

You don't need to wipe oil all over your clutch steels. They'll get coated with oil as soon as they touch the friction discs that have been soaking in oil all day. Wasted step.

[@funbro1]

Need vs. want in this case, kind of like many things. It doesn’t hurt so why not do it for a little piece of mind? Thanks for checking in.

[@jonathanmilland2867]

19 ft/lbs is incorrect. Do not torque to those specs

[@funbro1]

Do not use any specs, just do whatever, or just tighten it, it’ll work. Thanks for checking in.

[@Dinopetozz]

Your torque spec is wrong for the case cover its 9 ft lbs not 19. Snapped a bolt and overtorqued the rest and have to replace them. Thanks Bob

[@funbro1]

I have seen the torque at 9 ft. Lbs. on the internet, but just to be sure I went to the local Honda authorized dealer and they printed out the torque specs for me that shows 19 ft. Lbs. for the right crankcase bolts. I do know that 9 Ft. Lbs. is the correct torque for the clutch basket bolts.While I can't explain why this may have happened to you I am sorry that it did. As you can see in the video All of mine were torqued to 19 ft. Lbs. and fortunately none of them snapped off and I have no leakage. Hopefully it will be an easy fix and you can get back to riding. Thanks for watching.

[@Lonmaster]

Same thing here Broke two off

[@MadMexism]

Damn... Honda not only makes reliable everything, but they make them easy to work on to. Incredible.

[@funbro1]

Small engines from Honda are great. Thanks for watching.