Cruisers
1983Honda VT750C Shadow
37 fields on record
The 1983 Honda VT 750 C Shadow is a pioneering cruiser that established Honda's presence in the custom motorcycle segment. Its liquid-cooled V-twin engine and shaft drive deliver reliable, low-maintenance performance ideal for riders seeking accessible cruiser styling without sacrificing practicality. The Shadow became known for comfortable, upright ergonomics and dependable engineering that appealed to both cruiser enthusiasts and practical-minded motorcyclists.
- Capacity
- 749.5 ccm
- Engine
- V-Twin, four-stroke
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Dry weight
- 210.9 kg
- Seat height
- 700 mm
- Power
- 68.0 HP (50.7 kW) @ 7500 RPM
Other years
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built for relaxed cruising and casual road riding rather than outright speed or sport performance.
- Built for
- A laid-back V-twin cruiser with shaft drive smoothness, offering easy torque delivery and a classic custom bike feel.
- Not ideal for
- Not a good fit for riders seeking sharp cornering ability, high-speed thrills, or any off-road capability.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Will it fit you?
Worked out in your browser - nothing is sent to usEngine
- Capacity
- 749.5 ccm
- Power
- 68.0 HP (50.7 kW) @ 7500 RPM
- Torque
- 67.0 Nm (6.8 kgf-m)
- Engine type
- V-Twin, four-stroke
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.3224 HP/kg (dry)
- Bore x stroke
- 79.0 x 75.5 mm
- Compression
- 9.8:1
- Cooling system
- Liquid
- Fuel system
- Carburettor
- Starting
- Electric
- Ignition
- Electronic
- Valves per cylinder
- 3
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Shaft
- Clutch
- Sprague
Dimensions & weight
- Wheelbase
- 1524 mm
- Overall length
- 2192 mm
- Overall width
- 861 mm
- Overall height
- 1199 mm
- Seat height
- 700 mm
- Dry weight
- 210.9 kg
- Wet weight
- 250.0 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 12.50 litres
- Ground clearance
- 150 mm
Chassis & suspension
- Front suspension
- 41mm telescopic fork, 116mm axle travel
- Rear suspension
- Dual conventional dampers with 5-step adjustable spring preload, 90mm axle travel
- Rake (fork angle)
- 32.0°
- Trail
- 139 mm
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Double disc
- Front brakes diameter
- 296 mm
- Rear brakes
- Expanding brake (drum brake)
- Rear brakes diameter
- 180 mm
- Front tyre
- 110/90-19 62H
- Rear tyre
- 140/90-15 70H
Other
- Color options
- Black or Candy Wineberry Red.
Specs last verified against published sources: .
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1983 | 1999 | 2004 | 2010 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 750 cc | 745 cc | 745 cc | 745 cc | 745 cc |
| Dry weight | 211 kg | 229 kg | 236 kg | — | — |
| Seat height | 700 mm | 700 mm | 658 mm | 658 mm | 658 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 12.5 L | 14 L | 14 L | 14 L | 14 L |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Honda VT750C Shadow?
The 1983 Honda VT750C Shadow has a Capacity of 749.5 ccm (45.74 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Honda VT750C Shadow have?
The 1983 Honda VT750C Shadow has a Power of 68.0 HP (50.7 kW) @ 7500 RPM.
How many gears does the Honda VT750C Shadow have?
The 1983 Honda VT750C Shadow has a Gearbox of 6-speed.
What is the torque of the Honda VT750C Shadow?
The 1983 Honda VT750C Shadow has a Torque of 67.0 Nm (6.8 kgf-m or 49.4 ft.lbs).
How much does the Honda VT750C Shadow weigh?
The 1983 Honda VT750C Shadow has a Dry weight of 210.9 kg (465.0 pounds).
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