Honda introduced the US market to the Shadow line in 1983 with the Shadow VT500 and Shadow VT700. The Japanese version of the 1984 Shadow was actually 750cc but heavy tariffs imposed to protect the sales of large American V-Twins forced Honda to reduce the bore to 699cc. The following year the US lifted the tariff and Honda was able to import the VT1100C and since then Honda has expanded the Shadow family to include bikes ranging from 500-1100cc.
Honda introduced the VT1100C Shadow in the US market in 1985. The big water-cooled V-twin cruiser's styling resembled the popular Harley Davidson Dyna and became an instant hit. The VT1100C had many refinements over the legendary US made cruisers which made the Shadow more comfortable, safe and reliable. To reduce the vibration Honda used a offset dual-crankpin design to help balance the large displacement pistons. The Big Shadow also had an electronic ignition that provided more precise spark and timing over the old Points style ignitions. To transfer all the torque to the ground Honda used a driveshaft instead of a chain drive which reduced maintenance and provided an extremely smooth ride. To help slow the beast Honda also installed Disc Brakes upfront. Honda dropped the Shadow 1100 from the line-up in 2007 after nearly 25 years in production.
In 1988 Honda added the Shadow VLX a 600cc 52 degree V-twin to the Shadow Line-up. The VLX has one of the lowest seat heights available on a factory cruiser making it a popular choice for new riders. The VLX has a 4 speed manual trans which provides great power around town but limits the cross country tour abilities. The small peanut style tank and traditional american style cruiser lines the VLX enjoyed 20 years of production with very few changes until Honda pulled it from the line-up in 2008.
One of the biggest changes in the Shadow series came in 1995 when Honda went full blown USA while creating the new A.C.E. or American Classic Edition. Honda assembled the new Shadow A.C.E. in Marysville Ohio making it a true American made cruiser. The bike had classic cruiser styling, longer fenders, a big fat gas tank, wide pull back bars, staggered dual exhaust, and chromed covered everything. The bike definitely had the look but Honda wanted it to feel like an American Cruiser. To accomplish the feel portion Honda installed a single pin crank to achieve that distinct uneven lope similar to the American V-twins. The Standard Shadow VT1100C remained in production with the double pin crank and in 1997 Honda rebranded it the Shadow Spirit.
In 1998 Honda went full retro with the introduction of the Aero. With long low fenders and a 2 into 1 exhaust the Aero resembled Indian's from the forties. The Aero as such a timeless look the 750cc version remains in production to this day.
In 1998 Honda also introduced the 750 version to the Shadow line that has grown into 4 distinct versions with styling to fit almost any personality.
Shadow Aero -
Long and low fenders, fat tank and front forks with classic retro styling
Shadow Spirit -
Narrow front wheel, smaller diameter front forks, gunfighter seat, short bobber style fender and sporty styling
Shadow RS -
Modeled after old-school flat trackers this sporty cruiser features a small"Peanut" style fuel tank, a taller and flatter seat, higher foot-pegs for improved ground clearance, and more upright aggressive handle bars.
Shadow Phantom -
Blacked out motor, wheels, forks and controls with bobber styling cues and some serious attitude.
HONDA SHADOW 750 CROSS REFERENCE
MODEL | YEARS | NAME |
VT700C | 1984-1987 | Shadow 700 |
VT750C | 1998-2000 | Shadow 750 ACE |
VT750C | 2004-2014 | Shadow Aero |
VT750C2 | 2007-2014 | Shadow Spirit |
VT750C2B | 2010-2014 | Shadow 750 Phantom |
VT750C2F | 2007-2014 | Shadow Spirit |
VT750CA | 2004-2014 | Shadow Aero |
VT750CD | 1998-2001 | Shadow 750 ACE Deluxe |
VT750CD2 | 1998-2001 | Shadow 750 ACE Deluxe 2 Tone |
VT750CDA | 2002-2003 | Shadow 750 ACE Deluxe |
VT750CDB | 2002-2003 | Shadow 750 ACE Deluxe |
VT750CDC | 2002-2003 | Shadow 750 ACE Deluxe |
VT750CDD | 2002-2003 | Shadow 750 ACE Deluxe |
VT750CS | 2004-2014 | Shadow Aero |
VT750DCA | 2001-2009 | Shadow Spirit |
VT750DCB | 2001-2009 | Shadow Spirit w/Flames |
VT750RS | 2010-2013 | Shadow RS |
Honda Shadow Specs
Tires, Battery, and Spark Plug
Honda Shadow 500 Specs
1983-1986 VT 500 C
Front Tires 3.5x18
Rear Tires 130x90x16
Battery YB12A-A
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 600 Specs
1988-1989, 1991-1997 VT 600 C (VLX)
Front Tires 100x90x19
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery YTX9-BS
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 600 Specs
1999-2007 VT 600 C (VLX)
Front Tires 100x90x19
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery YTX9-BS (1999-2003)
Battery YTZ10S (2004-2007)
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 600 Specs
1993-2007 VT 600 CD (VLX Deluxe)
Front Tires 100x90x19
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery YTX9-BS (1993-2003)
Battery YTZ10S (2004-2007)
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 600 Specs
1999-2000 VT 600 CD2
(VLX Deluxe 2-tone)
Front Tires 100x90x19
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery YTX9-BS
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 700 Specs
1984-1985 VT 700 C
Front Tires 110x90x19
Rear Tires 140x90x15
Battery HYB16A-A
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 700 Specs
1986-1987 VT 700 C
Front Tires 100x90x19
Rear Tires 140x90x15
Battery YB14-B2
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9
Honda Shadow 750 Specs
1983 VT 750 C
Front Tires 110x90x19
Rear Tires 140x90x15
Battery HYB16A-A
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 750 Specs
1997-2003 VT 750 C/CD/CD2
(Shadow, ACE, Deluxe)
Front Tires 120x90x17
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery YTX14-BS
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 750 Specs
2004-2013 VT 750 C (Aero)
Front Tires 120x90x17
Rear Tires 160x80x15
Battery YTZ12S
Spark Plug DPR6EA-9 (2004-2009)
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9 (2011-2013)
Honda Shadow 750 Specs
2007-2013 VT 750 C2 (Spirit)
Front Tires 90x90x21
Rear Tires 160x80x15
Battery YTZ12S
Spark Plug DPR6EA-9 (2007-2009)
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9 (2012-2013)
Honda Shadow 750 Specs
2010-2013 VT 750 C2B (Phantom)
Front Tires 120x90x17
Rear Tires 160x80x15
Battery YTZ14S
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9
Honda Shadow 750 Specs
2001-2003, 2005-2007 VT 750 DC
(Shadow Spirit)
Front Tires 110x80x19
Rear Tires 160x80x15
Battery YTZ14S
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 750 Specs
2010-2012 VT 750 RS
Front Tires 100x90x19
Rear Tires 150x80x16
Battery YTZ14S
Spark Plug DPR8EA-9
Honda Shadow 800 Specs
1988 VT 800 C
Front Tires 100x90x19
Rear Tires 140x90x15
Battery YB14-B2
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9
Honda Shadow 1100 Specs
1985-1986 VT 1100 C
Front Tires 110x90x18
Rear Tires 140x90x15
Battery HYB16A-A
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9
Honda Shadow 1100 Specs
1987-1996 VT 1100 C
Front Tires 110x90x19
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery HYB16A-A
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9
Honda Shadow 1100 Specs
1997-2007 VT 1100 C (Spirit)
Front Tires 110x90x19
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery HYB16A-A (1997-2000)
Battery YTX14-BS (2001-2007)
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9
Honda Shadow 1100 Specs
1995-1999 VT 1100 C2/D2 (ACE)
Front Tires 120x90x18
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery HYB16A-A
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9
Honda Shadow 1100 Specs
2000-2007 VT 1100 C2 (Sabre)
Front Tires 120x90x18
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery YTX14-BS
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9
Honda Shadow 1100 Specs
1998-2002 VT 1100 C3 (Aero)
Front Tires 140x80x17
Rear Tires 170x80x15
Battery HYB16A-A (1998-2000)
Battery YTX14-BS (2001-2002)
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9
Honda Shadow 1100 Specs
1998-2001 VT 1100 T (ACE Tourer)
Front Tires 130x80x18
Rear Tires 170x70x16
Battery HYB16A-A
Spark Plug DPR7EA-9