Cruiser Wrench

Oil and Filter Change on a Honda Shadow Spirit 750 (VT750C2, 2007-2009): Specs, Parts, and Steps

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Shadow Spirit 750 in the garage

The oil change on a Spirit 750 is a 30-minute job with basic tools. Get the oil, the filter, and the washer right and torque two fasteners. That's it.

The specs (2007-2009 VT750C2)

Item Spec
Engine oil SAE 10W-30, JASO T 903 MA, API SG or higher (Pro Honda GN4 or equivalent motorcycle oil)
Capacity, drain + filter 2.7 US qt (2.6 L)
Capacity, drain only 2.6 US qt (2.5 L)
Honda OEM filter 15410-MFJ-D01
HiFlo filter HF204 (black), HF204C (chrome), HF204RC (race)
K&N filter KN-204-1 (black), KN-204C (chrome)
Drain bolt Honda 92800-14000 (14 mm)
Drain bolt sealing washer Honda 94109-14000 (14 mm), replace every change
Drain bolt torque 21 lbf·ft (29 N·m)
Oil filter torque 19 lbf·ft (26 N·m)
Interval 600 mi first, then every 8,000 mi or 12 months

Skip energy-conserving car oil. Honda says oils with the circular "energy conserving" API label, or with graphite or moly additives, can hurt the wet clutch. Look for MA on the bottle.

Parts list

Before you pay, check that the listing names the exact part number above.

Tools

Step by step

  1. Warm it up. Start the engine, let it idle a few minutes, shut it off. Warm oil drains faster and carries more junk out with it.
  2. Sidestand, level ground. Honda's procedure drains it on the sidestand, not upright.
  3. Pull the filler cap/dipstick. That lets the oil drain without vacuum.
  4. Pull the drain bolt and washer. Drain pan goes under the left front of the engine. Let it drain completely.
  5. Pull the filter. Let the rest drip out.
  6. Prep the new filter. Coat the O-ring with clean oil. Honda also says to put a little oil on the filter threads.
  7. Install the filter. Torque to 19 lbf·ft (26 N·m).
  8. Install the drain bolt with a new 94109-14000 washer. Torque to 21 lbf·ft (29 N·m). Don't reuse the old washer.
  9. Fill. About 2.7 qt. Go a little short, then top off.
  10. Check the level. Start it, idle a few minutes, shut it off, wait a couple minutes. On the sidestand, check the dipstick against the upper and lower marks. Add to the upper mark. Don't overfill.
  11. Look for leaks at the drain bolt and filter.

Take the old oil to a parts store or recycling center. Don't dump it.

While you're down there: final drive oil

The Spirit is shaft drive. The final gear case has its own oil, on the same 8,000-mile interval.

Item Spec
Oil Hypoid gear oil, SAE 80
Capacity at drain 5.4 US oz (160 cc)
Filler cap and drain bolt torque 9 lbf·ft (12 N·m) each
  1. Drain with the final drive warm. Remove the filler cap, then the drain bolt and sealing washer.
  2. Reinstall the drain bolt with a new sealing washer, torque to 9 lbf·ft.
  3. Fill until oil reaches the lower edge of the filler hole, with the bike on its sidestand on level ground.

  4. Put a new oiled O-ring on the filler cap and torque it to 9 lbf·ft.

  5. SAE 80 hypoid gear oil on Amazon

Sources: Honda, 2008 VT750C2 Shadow Spirit 750 Owner's Manual (acura.com/assets/OWNERLINK-Temp/OWNERLINK/Model/own_man/powersports/motorcycle/2008/08_VT750C2.pdf), oil recommendation, capacities, final drive oil, maintenance schedule; Honda VT750C2 Shadow Spirit Service Manual 2007-2009, pp. 1-10, 4-13, 4-14, and final drive oil page (manualslib.com/manual/806066), oil spec, capacity, filter and drain bolt torque; Hiflofiltro catalogue, VT750C2 OEM 15410-MFJ-D01 to HF204 (hiflofiltro.com/catalogue/model/9342, /9403); K&N, VT750C2 Shadow Spirit oil filters 2007-2009 KN-204-1/KN-204C (knfilters.com/oil-filters/honda/vt750c2-shadow-spirit); Honda parts fiche, 2008 VT750C2 crankcase, 92800-14000 drain bolt and 94109-14000 washer (funcountrypowersports.com Honda parts finder).