Vulcan 1600 Classic versus Mean Streak

Brooks · 12-10-2004

Can anybody tell me what Kawasaki did different on the Mean Streak to get more horsepower out of it than what the 1600 Classic has? I have a 1600 Classic and want to do some upgrades and thought some of the Meanies changes might be viable for my Classic.

Thanks,
Brooks
2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic, Black

Phatboy · 12-10-2004

I beleive the cam is different between the Classic and the meanie motors. Someone might come in and correct me, but I beleive the Classic is set up for low end torque and the meanie is set up for more high end hp.

You'd be better off looking at intake/exhaust/pcIII if you want some more power.

Phatty

*bikeaholic* · 12-10-2004

mostly a different valve and cam setup

head work on the 1600 is not cost effective for the power produced

omega5 · 12-10-2004

Larger throttle body also.

pms07 · 12-10-2004

Different exhaust, FI mapping and throttle body, cam and valves. It appears viable to gain a few extra HP if you made the mdodifications but I don't think it would be very cost effective. Just pricing a few of the parts is impressive $$$.

pms

*ispeed77* · 12-13-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phatboy

I beleive the cam is different between the Classic and the meanie motors. Someone might come in and correct me, but I beleive the Classic is set up for low end torque and the meanie is set up for more high end hp.

You'd be better off looking at intake/exhaust/pcIII if you want some more power.

Phatty

to my knowledge, Phatty is right on. i believe you would defnitely be better off with the bolt-ons that he mentioned. cheaper, more reliable and it keeps your power band where it was intended. just my $0.02

shooter · 12-18-2004

Larger valves, larger throttle bodies, and different cam grinds. I think the streak also has a different gear ration, but Im not sure on that.

Shoedog · 08-21-2008

Just kind of thinking out loud here,

I wonder if the Classic would benefit from the larger Meanstreak throttle bodies?

Actually, would like to find a wrecked Meanie or get a good deal on a low mile Meanie engine and install it my Vulcan 1600.....if, and this is a big if, it wold be worth the hassle and expense.

Or maybe just swap the heads and the throttle bodies, if possible. I wonder what's been done.

The more power bug is biting me lately, and I really cannot afford a V2K and all of the accessories right now. Besides that the Vulcan is such a doggone beautiful bike in my opinion, it has a lot of heritage from the past. If I could get 80 - 85 HP I would not entertain any notions of committing adultery with another bike.

RichLockyer · 08-22-2008

The larger throttle bodies will make it a bit quicker in the 3,000-6,000 rPM range, but will hurt bottom end torque.
The Nomad throttle bodies are smaller still due to it's need for more torque.

Keep in mind that the Meanie is nearly 50 pounds lighter than the Classic (and most people "dress" their classics out with another 100 pounds of chrome), so even swapping in a Meanie engine would not likely make a significant difference.

There are also gearing differences in the Meanie... it's geared lower than the Classic and Nomad.

Shoedog · 08-22-2008

Thanks Rich. So maybe instead of more power, a gear change perhaps would be the most cost effective route to better acceleration. Very, very, interesting. I've done the Coyote mod and removed the restrictions in my stock pipes ( the Cobra Speedsters were too loud for me ) and added a PCIII. She runs great, but I always want more. I will definitely look at what changing the gear ratio a bit entails. Now that you mention it, years ago I changed the counter shaft sprocket on CB350 Four to accomplish the same thing and it worked great. I'm excited about this, thanks again.

*ispeed77* · 08-23-2008

not sure if anyone offers a different gearset for the Vulcans. if you find one, let us know. otherwise, maybe look into a big bore kit.

Shoedog · 08-29-2008

Well I looked around and I couldn't find anything to reduce the final drive gear ratio. There are some used final drives on Ebay, but I don't have any shop manuals (got to change that) so I don't know if a 1500 FD would fit a 1600, nor if the gear ratio would be beneficial.

So much for the quick and easy acceleration mod. But the big bore kit Ispeed mentioned sounds awesome though.

100 HP would produce a grin I couldn't wipe off.

RichLockyer · 08-29-2008

Pretty sure the 1500/1600 gearing is the same.
IF there is a difference, it's in the trans, not in the bevel gear assemblies.

12-10-2004	#1 (permalink)
Brooks Newbie Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 5	Vulcan 1600 Classic versus Mean Streak Can anybody tell me what Kawasaki did different on the Mean Streak to get more horsepower out of it than what the 1600 Classic has? I have a 1600 Classic and want to do some upgrades and thought some of the Meanies changes might be viable for my Classic. Thanks, Brooks 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic, Black

12-10-2004	#2 (permalink)
Phatboy Rides a lazyboy on wheels BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,564	I beleive the cam is different between the Classic and the meanie motors. Someone might come in and correct me, but I beleive the Classic is set up for low end torque and the meanie is set up for more high end hp. You'd be better off looking at intake/exhaust/pcIII if you want some more power. Phatty __________________ Phatboy 04 1600 Classic Black 02 Dodge Cummins

12-10-2004	#3 (permalink)
bikeaholic Sick & Twisted Moderator Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: edenton north carolina Posts: 4,352	re mostly a different valve and cam setup head work on the 1600 is not cost effective for the power produced __________________ 2004 - 1600 classic 1997 - 1200C harley sporty 1985 - 750 Honda Shadow VROC# 20171 Chromaholic #512

12-10-2004	#4 (permalink)
omega5 Dano BTK Intermediate Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 217	Larger throttle body also. __________________ 2006 Nomad

08-22-2008	#9 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 20,103	The larger throttle bodies will make it a bit quicker in the 3,000-6,000 rPM range, but will hurt bottom end torque. The Nomad throttle bodies are smaller still due to it's need for more torque. Keep in mind that the Meanie is nearly 50 pounds lighter than the Classic (and most people "dress" their classics out with another 100 pounds of chrome), so even swapping in a Meanie engine would not likely make a significant difference. There are also gearing differences in the Meanie... it's geared lower than the Classic and Nomad. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Classic Member CORVA, BRC Patriot Guard Rider

12-10-2004	#5 (permalink)
pms07 Finally Got Into First Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Illinois Posts: 69	Different exhaust, FI mapping and throttle body, cam and valves. It appears viable to gain a few extra HP if you made the mdodifications but I don't think it would be very cost effective. Just pricing a few of the parts is impressive $$$. pms

12-18-2004	#7 (permalink)
shooter Still On The Kickstand Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Southport, North Carolina Posts: 25	Larger valves, larger throttle bodies, and different cam grinds. I think the streak also has a different gear ration, but Im not sure on that.

08-21-2008	#8 (permalink)
Shoedog Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 15	Just kind of thinking out loud here, I wonder if the Classic would benefit from the larger Meanstreak throttle bodies? Actually, would like to find a wrecked Meanie or get a good deal on a low mile Meanie engine and install it my Vulcan 1600.....if, and this is a big if, it wold be worth the hassle and expense. Or maybe just swap the heads and the throttle bodies, if possible. I wonder what's been done. The more power bug is biting me lately, and I really cannot afford a V2K and all of the accessories right now. Besides that the Vulcan is such a doggone beautiful bike in my opinion, it has a lot of heritage from the past. If I could get 80 - 85 HP I would not entertain any notions of committing adultery with another bike.

08-22-2008	#10 (permalink)
Shoedog Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 15	Thanks Rich. So maybe instead of more power, a gear change perhaps would be the most cost effective route to better acceleration. Very, very, interesting. I've done the Coyote mod and removed the restrictions in my stock pipes ( the Cobra Speedsters were too loud for me ) and added a PCIII. She runs great, but I always want more. I will definitely look at what changing the gear ratio a bit entails. Now that you mention it, years ago I changed the counter shaft sprocket on CB350 Four to accomplish the same thing and it worked great. I'm excited about this, thanks again.

08-23-2008	#11 (permalink)
ispeed77 RIP Deron Harden :-( Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 30,712	not sure if anyone offers a different gearset for the Vulcans. if you find one, let us know. otherwise, maybe look into a big bore kit. __________________ In loving memory of Deron Harden, forever in our thoughts :-(

08-29-2008	#12 (permalink)
Shoedog Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 15	Well I looked around and I couldn't find anything to reduce the final drive gear ratio. There are some used final drives on Ebay, but I don't have any shop manuals (got to change that) so I don't know if a 1500 FD would fit a 1600, nor if the gear ratio would be beneficial. So much for the quick and easy acceleration mod. But the big bore kit Ispeed mentioned sounds awesome though. 100 HP would produce a grin I couldn't wipe off.

08-29-2008	#13 (permalink)
RichLockyer Patriot Guardian Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 20,103	Pretty sure the 1500/1600 gearing is the same. IF there is a difference, it's in the trans, not in the bevel gear assemblies. __________________ - Rich 2006 1600 Classic Member CORVA, BRC Patriot Guard Rider

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