New to me 04 MS 1600!

[rekit]

First post. I currently am riding a Vulcan 900 Custom 07 model, but mine shakes too much for me above 70, so I am buying the 1600. I'm hearing that they are smooth on the highway, what do you ghuys think? It already has V&H Longshots, Hypercharger, and a PC. Previous owner laid it down in the grass and broke off the throttle body, which has since been replaced. He said it has an off-idle hessitation that I'll be looking into. Maybe an intake air leak? I checked the available maps and was surprised to not find this combo listed. Anyone have one? I also am gonna need a windshield. I'm 6'2. Any suggestions? I have a Memphis on the 900 that is real nice, but there is a Falcon that has hand protection I'm looking at. Anyone have one of those? The bike also needs rear turn signals and somewhere to mount the plate. I'll probably go custom now or later, so if anyones got some ideas? In the meantime I need to get this thing inspected and on the road, so if anyones got their old plastic rear fender part with the signals that they could unload, let me know, I might buy them. I'm a little worried the Hypercharger is gonna get old rubbing my leg-how's it working for you guys? Can I just widen the peg a little? How did you do it? I live close to Houston, Texas. Thanks, Dennis

[trikebubble]

Welcome to the forum. I used to ride a MS and found that I played around with some of the available maps on the Dynojet and Thunder Mfg. sites and found one that seemed to work quite well (even though it wasn't specifically for my set-up). I also am 6'2" and had a Memphis Shades Alley Cat windshield that worked and looked great. It has a quick release mech. so you can easily remove it when you want.
Best of luck setting your bike up the way you want, and make sure to drop some pictures here along the way too.

cheers.

One Thunder Mfg. map available - Map Vn16m
Power Commander available maps - Power Commander Downloads and Product Purchases, Maps, Installation Guides, Accessories

[Duffy]

Welcome. I ride a 1500 Classic so I can't help with the Meanie questions.

[vtwinrider]

Wecome,and be sure to post some pics!

[MJScore]

[rekit]

Video on youtube now.
YouTube - Mean Streak On pallet 2009 11 05 17 11 22
Got to see it at the shippers warehouse a while ago, and crank it up. As the seller told me, it has an off idle miss-you can hear it towards the end of the clip. If you give it a slight bit of throttle it gets no fuel and will die. Give it a bunch and it sounds good. The throttle body was replaced. Also I noticed it take a second to drift back down to idle after revving. OK guys, start typing those suggestions. Power Commander, V&H pipes, Hypercharger. Don't know yet as far as idle solenoids etc. yet.

[V-Twin]

I just installed a new monitor and could not hear the sound four the youtube video. I guess its time to go to sleep now. This monitor does not have built in speakers...

Nice bike

[Rubbe]

Congrats on the new bike! That is one Mean S.O.B.!

A personal opinion though - skip the windshield on a MS! It's like putting on snow chains on a Ferrari, it just doesn't fit...

Regarding to widen the pegs, do as I and out highway pegs on an engine guard. (See pic) I hardly ever have my feet on the original pegs.

[#1 Kawboy]

I made my own air cleaner. My meanie had a thunder air kit that hit my leg ( I'm 6'4") and it works nice. It matched my brushed steel "look" so I didn't polish it. This could be polished to chrome like pretty easily, or painted. It's all tig welded. I've got close to 700 miles on the new 'cleaner. If you wanna buy it, I'll make you one- or you can pay $300 for a Baron's !!



This last pic shows how tight it fits, doesn't stick out at all.
PM me if you want one.

[GreenDragon]

Originally Posted by Rubbe

A personal opinion though - skip the windshield on a MS! It's like putting on snow chains on a Ferrari, it just doesn't fit...

I agree! (no offense to anyone with a windshielded meanie)

The only one I can handle is the one on mine. LOL! Well.. its not really a windshield.. its just a little nubbin that keeps wind off your chest. Does nothing for your neck or face.

[#1 Kawboy]

Are those VTX 13 or 18 shocks ? How much did they lower your sweet lookin' Meanie ? Lookin' to do the same !

[GreenDragon]

Originally Posted by #1 Kawboy

Are those VTX 13 or 18 shocks ? How much did they lower your sweet lookin' Meanie ? Lookin' to do the same !

I used them from a VTX 1300. I honestly never 'measured' how much it dropped the bike, but it was significantly. I think I have comparison photos.. gimme a minute..

Here we go:

[#1 Kawboy]

Sweet Lord !!! Looks like at least 2.5 -3 inch drop !! Thanks !!

[GreenDragon]

heh heh, yeah, its definitely a drop. And you pay for it in the way of loosing some cornering clearance.. but personally I love it. Its the way I feel the bike should look from the factory.

[rekit]

Thanks all. Windshield? My truck windshield has about 8 rockchips on it, and I saw those big *******s hit over the years. Scary ****! So, if I have to be unfashionable to save my eyes, so be it. Most of my riding (99%) is highway. Regarding the throttle problem it has-if I give it just 1/4" of throttle it seems like the fuel just cuts off-it'll die. If I twist it more than that it still sounds like no fuel, but recovers and sounds strong after it passes thru that dead spot. Toward the end of the video you can hear me throttling thru that dead zone. I still haven't got the bike here yet to check it out. I got an official Kawasaki manual, but unlike others, it doesn't describe what some of the parts do. What do the ISC's do? (I think I spelled that right, my manual is at work now). I've seen where some folks remove them, so not much I guess. Thanks for the replys so far, keep 'em coming.

[wayno]

The screen height is best if its below the chin.I had a Eagle screen on my 1500 drifter (model nb04) & my head was bobbin around like it was on springs at 75 mph.Ive since sold that screen & have ordered a new low screen from eagle screens called a eagle eater.should be here in a couple of days. Check if your bike has a air(vacuum ) leak spray CRC or WD40 around the intake manifold & see if the ile changes,if it does youve got a leak. & check if the throttle position switch is correctly set.wayno 1500 drifter

[rekit]

Found a link to the Factory manual:

Kawasaki VN1600 A1,A2 Vulcan 03 Service Manual ENG by Mosue_noPW

Check at your own risk

[rekit]

The manual gives only voltage and resistance checks, and adds "Dont f... with it or drop it. No adjustments on the throttle sensor or other sensors-buy a new T. body is their only advice($1000.00). Let's all try and come up with more useful tips than that!

[h2o]

Dude, You have a good lookin bike. Congrats.

[Rubbe]

Originally Posted by rekit

Found a link to the Factory manual:

Kawasaki VN1600 A1,A2 Vulcan 03 Service Manual ENG by Mosue_noPW

Check at your own risk

I thought links to downloadable content was forbidden by the stasi-mods. At least that was the case when I made a link...

Anyway, pm me for service manuals if the link is removed later.