500/750/800/900cc

[ramashkaus]

Originally Posted by jeffs99vulcan

Yes, there is!!! And I'm ALL OVER that concept... just not ready to do it until I have a second bike... I want to be riding while I'm modding... but in the mean time I've tracked just about every thread with any 800 "no commitment" bobber in it for that reason...

Here are a couple:

billymac814

El Skitzo

There are a TON of GREAT 800 bobbers out there, and this isn't to take away from any of the others, but these guys just did it with an emphasis on the "reversibility" of the work, and both went into extensive detail on how they did what they did.

There's some good reading in both of them and some GREAT results!!!



Ya. It wasn't a long drive for "some" people!!!

TX a lot, but I cant find how the bobber seat was mounted to the 800 frame in both cases. Where would i be able to buy such a seat and a mounting bracket or something of the sort?
P.S. I ordered rear and a front kit from scootworks. Do i need a bike lift to install it?

[roadmaster1957]

Got a couple Questions about my 2005 Vulcan Classic. First the previous owner put on an after market air-filter and cover, it sticks out quite aways. I am fairly short and am having a hard time keeping my feet comfortable on the pegs and it is nearly impossible for me to reach the rear brake pedal. Do they make a brake pedal, rider peg extension to get it farther from the bike, or am I going to have to find a stock filter assembly and replace the nice add on.

Second, my previous bikes had key locked seats (1978 Kawasaki KZ650, and 1981 Goldwing Interstate). Well I took the bolt out of the rear of the seat the other day thinking the seat on this would just pull off. I didnt want to jerk on it too hard but had no luck getting if off the bike. Is there a trick to taking the seat off, I would like to know before I need to access something under there. Thanks

[ramashkaus]

Originally Posted by jeffs99vulcan

I can't find the lowered 800 I'm thinking of... it's was a from a member that wasn't on very often, and I've been swamped this week... I'll try again when I can!

Your best bet for colour and paint is colorite.com, you can search by year, make and model of bike.

I'll have to check your first post for the pic to see if it's an A model or not...

EDIT: Yup, that's an A. Does the B fender (Classic) interest you? That might be the easiest, cheapest option!

BTW for someone else trying to find lowered 800 here is a link for a thread with the picture in it.

http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/fo...ml#post1584183

[cosmicsclassic]

Originally Posted by roadmaster1957

Got a couple Questions about my 2005 Vulcan Classic. First the previous owner put on an after market air-filter and cover, it sticks out quite aways. I am fairly short and am having a hard time keeping my feet comfortable on the pegs and it is nearly impossible for me to reach the rear brake pedal. Do they make a brake pedal, rider peg extension to get it farther from the bike, or am I going to have to find a stock filter assembly and replace the nice add on.

Second, my previous bikes had key locked seats (1978 Kawasaki KZ650, and 1981 Goldwing Interstate). Well I took the bolt out of the rear of the seat the other day thinking the seat on this would just pull off. I didnt want to jerk on it too hard but had no luck getting if off the bike. Is there a trick to taking the seat off, I would like to know before I need to access something under there. Thanks

Hello and welcome, with summer here replies get a little slow sometimes. As for your peg problem, I've never heard or have seen an extension as you describe, if you come up with one you could make a mint as this is a popular problem with most aftermarket aircleaners for the 800, and one reason (the other being cost) that most riders modify their OEM air box. Your seat, onest the screw is removed, should lift up and off with a little tug going towards the rear when pulling, yours may be sticking to the rubber mount pads, try again. Good luck.

[halfkrazy]

Originally Posted by roadmaster1957

Got a couple Questions about my 2005 Vulcan Classic. First the previous owner put on an after market air-filter and cover, it sticks out quite aways. I am fairly short and am having a hard time keeping my feet comfortable on the pegs and it is nearly impossible for me to reach the rear brake pedal. Do they make a brake pedal, rider peg extension to get it farther from the bike, or am I going to have to find a stock filter assembly and replace the nice add on.

Second, my previous bikes had key locked seats (1978 Kawasaki KZ650, and 1981 Goldwing Interstate). Well I took the bolt out of the rear of the seat the other day thinking the seat on this would just pull off. I didnt want to jerk on it too hard but had no luck getting if off the bike. Is there a trick to taking the seat off, I would like to know before I need to access something under there. Thanks

If you lift up on the back of the seat you can just see enough underneath with a light to see the catch and how it holds the seat down. (located just behind center of seat)
When i remove my seat I have to push down fairly hard in the middle (almost hitting it with the palm of my hand) as i pull towards the back of the bike to get it to release underneath.

[halfkrazy]

does anyone experience a spark knock with there bike? I have a vn800a. and at low speeds reving up or turning on throttle going up a hill it makes a noise like a spark knock...and i'm not really lugging the motor either. I have started using the high grade gas in it. no change...wondering about trying the seafoam everyone talks about.

[halfkrazy]

here is a pic of my second love

[Wiscblue]

Originally Posted by roadmaster1957

Got a couple Questions about my 2005 Vulcan Classic....
<pedal problems>
<seat question>

1) The kuryakyn longhorn brake pedal can replace the stock brake pedal and it is a bit longer so it's easier to get if you are reaching around something.
I guess I don't have any pictures of mine on my bike but if you look it up you'll see what I mean by the size difference. part no. 8044

2) take the rear bolt out and then where the passenger seat meets the driver seat smack the crap out of it in the direction of the rear of the bike, it takes some force.

[Wiscblue]

Originally Posted by halfkrazy

here is a pic of my second love

nice looking bike! It's like the 800A version of my 800B! (as far as the color)

are the handle bars raised?

[halfkrazy]

Originally Posted by Wiscblue

nice looking bike! It's like the 800A version of my 800B! (as far as the color)

are the handle bars raised?

thanx....they are the original bars.

[rustygunner]

Originally Posted by cosmicsclassic

Hey Rusty, First the carb still has a butterfly (throttle plate), the throttle cables attach to the butterfly shaft to which the butterfly plate is attached, which when opened up causes the slide to lift open, your right about no choke plate (butterfly) and how the carb has an enrichener instead. Next, sorry to hear about your float valve problem ( I thought I had read you had replaced it once already, guess I'm mistaken) but yes the ethanol can take it's toll, another potential problem could be using to much seafoam (or other carb cleaner) in a too stronge mixture,or too often. I work for a chemical company and gasket/seal shrinkage/swellage is a problem that happens often with different chemicals. The next problem I think we'er going to see is carb diapham problems (swelling) related to this also, but I hope not (fingers crossed) for I have a carb, and the potential related problems, too.

OK, you got me on this; There is a butterfly valve, what I was trying to imply is that the butterfly does not *directly* control air/fuel mix, or act as a choke. The throttle cable is in fact attached to a butterfly throttle valve. The atmospheric pressure differential between the engine and butterfly creates a vacuum that sucks against the rubber diaphram, pulling it up. As it does, it lifts the slide and needle, giving the engine more air/fuel.

I should really take more time with thinking out my answers though.

[rustygunner]

Originally Posted by Wiscblue

How did you know that was your problem? - How does the performance change that suggests a sticking float?

And they want to mix more ethanol in the gas! People don't realize how much ethanol sucks in many aspects.

Peeing gas all over the side of the engine case. If I had the stock intake, gas would be coming from the overflow tube instead.
Hard starting (flooded) and low/erratic idle, gas smell are symptoms as well as poor fuel economy.

[jeffs99vulcan]

Originally Posted by Bowbender

I just read Jeff's odyssey with his chain. Not everything mind you, just the highlights and the grand finale. Live and learn I guess.

Yep... learned a LOT. Not only learned a TON about several other systems on the bike (I was QUITE new at the time), and have been able to pass on that info to others, I learned that there are a TON of really decent people on here, that they have infinite patience, will see a problem through to it's completion, and become great friends in the process...

Almost makes ya wanna unevenly stretch your chain...

Originally Posted by Wiscblue

Jeff - I think the best way to start a bobber project is to buy an "A" to sit next to your "B"

My Classic is staying Classic but I'd love to pick up another bike some day and rat/bob is out - or at least do what I can with it for fun.

Yep... it REALLY does. I assume that if I ever get a second, it will be a bigger, more highway capable cruiser, but the 800 is part of my soul now... and if I had an A and B, I think I'd be happy with that too!!!

Originally Posted by Bowbender

Well, I have an update.

Seafoam rocks!!!

It is running beautifully and I'd like to thank you guys for you suggestions and help.

Yes, it does. It's amazing what ailments it's solved over the time I've been on here... it seems, nearly without exception, that any bike that has either been sitting, subjected to bad gas, changed ownership, or is running unusually rough, benefits from a shot of the venerable Seafoam. Glad things are better!

Originally Posted by ramashkaus

TX a lot, but I cant find how the bobber seat was mounted to the 800 frame in both cases. Where would i be able to buy such a seat and a mounting bracket or something of the sort?
P.S. I ordered rear and a front kit from scootworks. Do i need a bike lift to install it?

I believe the two guys in the links I sent you fabricated their own rear mounted seat brackets, but they were nothing more than a bent piece of metal... I'd have to try to dig through the million web site "favourites" I have to see if I can find a true bolt-on replacement...

Originally Posted by halfkrazy

does anyone experience a spark knock with there bike? I have a vn800a. and at low speeds reving up or turning on throttle going up a hill it makes a noise like a spark knock...and i'm not really lugging the motor either. I have started using the high grade gas in it. no change...wondering about trying the seafoam everyone talks about.

No Spark knock... hmmm. These bikes don't have pre-ignition sensors... so I can't say for sure what you mean. I can tell you though, that these bikes MUCH prefer the lower octane... 87... as it burns hotter, earlier and more completely and prevent carbon build-up and other headaches.

Is it an "every time" event you are experiencing?!

Originally Posted by rustygunner

I should really take more time with thinking out my answers though.

Nice. THIS, coming from the guy that is going to take responsibility for ME opening up the carb I've been terrified to do thus far?!

[rustygunner]

Jeff, that's about the only part of the bike you haven't opened up yet, isn't it???

[jeffs99vulcan]

Originally Posted by rustygunner

Jeff, that's about the only part of the bike you haven't opened up yet, isn't it???

It's like a big plate of your favourite supper... saving it for last!!!

[cosmicsclassic]

Originally Posted by halfkrazy

does anyone experience a spark knock with there bike? I have a vn800a. and at low speeds reving up or turning on throttle going up a hill it makes a noise like a spark knock...and i'm not really lugging the motor either. I have started using the high grade gas in it. no change...wondering about trying the seafoam everyone talks about.

What you maybe experiencing is carbon build-up in the cylinders, this artificially raises the compression ratio and causes hot spots in the cylinder causing knock. Try a tank full of gas/seafoam mixed per instructions and run the engine against the rev limiter in second or third gear a few times after you run about half the tank out,to blow out the carbon. Don't run hi-test gas, just regular, as this increases carbon build-up.

[tkuligowski]

Actually if your wanting to clean carbon out of the engine it's more effective to introduce seafoam directly through the carb inlet. Basically you pour it down the carb and keep the engine running high rpm (otherwise it will kill the egnine easily) while your pouring. You do this for awhile and then let the engine cough on it and die. By letting the engine die on the seafoam some of it is left unburnt and it's soaking into the carbon. You let it soak for awhile then when you start the bike back up you shoud have a smoke show going. This will be all the carbon being burned. I do this all the time with cars through vacuum lines.

I believe there are instructions on a can of seafoam.

[jarvis468]

Originally Posted by roadmaster1957

Got a couple Questions about my 2005 Vulcan Classic. First the previous owner put on an after market air-filter and cover, it sticks out quite aways. I am fairly short and am having a hard time keeping my feet comfortable on the pegs and it is nearly impossible for me to reach the rear brake pedal. Do they make a brake pedal, rider peg extension to get it farther from the bike, or am I going to have to find a stock filter assembly and replace the nice add on.

Second, my previous bikes had key locked seats (1978 Kawasaki KZ650, and 1981 Goldwing Interstate). Well I took the bolt out of the rear of the seat the other day thinking the seat on this would just pull off. I didnt want to jerk on it too hard but had no luck getting if off the bike. Is there a trick to taking the seat off, I would like to know before I need to access something under there. Thanks

Hello and welcome to the forum. I had the same problem with mine when I first got it. When you get the seat off just take the two bolts out of the bracket on the seat and don't worry about it. The front of the seat has a tab on it that slides under the tank and the back bolts down, so it's not going anywhere. I have put many thousands of miles on mine like that and its been fine. Good luck and be safe.

Sean

[rustygunner]

DeepCreep is areosol SeaFoam if you're wanting to spray SeaFoam into the intake.

[ridder1705]

Does anyone know where to get autosol from?
Like walmart, o'reilly, autozone???
I have some spots on my aluminum side covers that are oxidized by the bolts.
I figured I'd try it out.
ugh....
Thanks guys!