Recently, I’ve been having a major issue with my Honda Shadow. The rear wheel is completely stuck and won’t turn at all. This is causing a huge headache for me, as I can’t ride my bike like this. What should I do to fix this?
Response
Try cleaning and then lubricating the pivot points. This should free the rear wheel on your Honda Shadow.
Solutions that worked for users
| Solution | Users Who Found Success | Approx. Cost (USD) | Time Needed (Minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleaning and Lubricating Pivot Points | 3 | $10 (for lubricant) | 30-60 |
| Adjusting the Brake Pedal Bolt | 3 | $0 | 5-10 |
| Inspecting and Cleaning the Drum | 3 | $0 (if DIY) | 30-60 |
| Checking for Interference with Add-ons | 2 | $0 | 10-20 |
| Cleaning the Brake Lever Pivot | 2 | $10 (for cleaning supplies) | 20-30 |
Symptoms
- Rear wheel of the Honda Shadow motorcycle is completely immobile.
- Difficulty in moving the bike due to the stuck wheel.
- Possible resistance or unusual stiffness in the brake pedal.
Possible Causes
- Dirt and grime buildup in pivot points.
- Over-tightened brake pedal bolt.
- Misalignment or damage within the drum brake system.
- Interference from motorcycle add-ons.
- Lack of lubrication in the brake lever pivot.
Solutions that Worked
- Cleaning and Lubricating Pivot Points
- What I Did: Cleaned and lubricated all pivot points related to the rear wheel and brake system.
- Outcome: The wheel began to move freely again.
- Personal Experience: After a thorough cleaning and lubrication, the stiffness in the wheel was gone.
- Estimated Cost: $10 for lubricant
- Time Needed: 30-60 minutes
- Steps:
- Remove the rear wheel for better access.
- Clean all visible dirt and grime from the pivot points.
- Apply lubricant generously to all pivot points.
- Expert Tip: Regular cleaning and lubrication of pivot points can prevent many wheel sticking issues.
- Adjusting the Brake Pedal Bolt
- What I Did: Loosened the bolt that goes through the brake pedal slightly.
- Outcome: The brake pedal moved more freely, and the wheel was no longer stuck.
- Personal Experience: A simple adjustment of the brake pedal bolt made a huge difference.
- Estimated Cost: $0
- Time Needed: 5-10 minutes
- Steps:
- Locate the bolt on the brake pedal.
- Adjust the tightness of the bolt, ensuring it’s not too tight.
- Expert Tip: Over-tightening the brake pedal bolt can cause the wheel to stick. A slight adjustment can often resolve this.
- Inspecting and Cleaning the Drum
- What I Did: Removed the drum to inspect and clean it.
- Outcome: Found and rectified misalignments and dirt inside the drum.
- Personal Experience: Cleaning the drum revealed hidden issues causing the wheel to stick.
- Estimated Cost: $0 (if DIY)
- Time Needed: 30-60 minutes
- Steps:
- Carefully remove the drum from the wheel.
- Inspect for any misalignments or damage.
- Clean the inside of the drum thoroughly.
- Expert Tip: Regular inspection and cleaning of the drum can prevent issues with the wheel sticking.
- Checking for Interference with Add-ons
- What I Did: Inspected for any add-ons like highway bars that might interfere with the brake pedal or linkage.
- Outcome: Adjusted add-ons to eliminate any interference.
- Personal Experience: Found that an add-on was slightly touching the brake pedal, causing the issue.
- Estimated Cost: $0
- Time Needed: 10-20 minutes
- Steps:
- Inspect all add-ons near the brake system.
- Adjust or remove any that are causing interference.
- Expert Tip: Always check for any modifications or add-ons that might be interfering with the bike’s original mechanisms.
- Cleaning the Brake Lever Pivot
- What I Did: Cleaned the pivot point of the brake lever.
- Outcome: The brake lever moved more smoothly, releasing the wheel.
- Personal Experience: A thorough cleaning of the brake lever pivot was all it took.
- Estimated Cost: $10 for cleaning supplies
- Time Needed: 20-30 minutes
- Steps:
- Access the brake lever pivot.
- Clean off any dirt or grime.
- Apply lubricant for smoother movement.
- Expert Tip: Keeping the brake lever pivot clean and lubricated is essential for smooth operation.
Motorcycle Models Where This Worked
- Honda Shadow VT750
- Honda Shadow VT1100
- Various other Honda Shadow models