Brought my Baby Blue home for the first time

Dudester · 09-30-2006

Well, I did it !! Came home today with my new/old 97 Vulcan Classic 800. Had to drive an hour and a half to get her, but that also meant I had an hour and a half of riding to get her home. This bike is extremely sweet, and compared to my old 83 Virago, it's totally a different beast. This Vulcan is the bike for me. I just hope it will give me miles of safe and reliable riding.
One question though, the seller told me he had just had a tune up done on it, replacing oil etc, but when I got home, I noticed the motor would miss when I came to take off from a stop sign. It idled perfectly, ran great too when cruising, but if I took off from a dead stop, the first little throttle I'd apply, would make the engine miss a bit. I am somewhat mechanically challenged, but could it be the gas filter or something ? It just feels like it's not getting it's gas properly when the throttle is given from a dead stop. On the highway, no problem, it reacts well to throttle.
Anyway, here are some pics of my bike which I've named "Ole Blue"

vulcan500rider · 09-30-2006

Wow, what a great looking bike. Pipes look like they give off some sound.

Dudester · 09-30-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by vulcan500rider

Wow, what a great looking bike. Pipes look like they give off some sound.

Thanks ! Yah the pipes are sweet, they're VH straight-shots, and have a nice growl to them, but not the annoying kind that would pi$$ off neighbours unless I really wanted to. The seller also gave me the stock oem pipes which are in mint condition as well as the oem stock seat which I don't think was ever used.
This bike will definitely be a keeper for me......or at least for awhile !

anrfknm · 09-30-2006

nice looking bike, i like the color. it looks like it's set up nice with a mustang seat and all.

Chuckster · 09-30-2006

Great looking bike!

Might try replacing the plugs?

Tbone800b · 10-01-2006

Very nice Dudester. Looks like it's nicely modded. I'm having to get many of those same items one at a time as budget will allow. It's amazing how much money those mods add up too. Looks like you scored a great deal.

**Spok** · 10-01-2006

nice ride, score!

Dudester · 10-01-2006

Thanks everyone. I'm in the same boat, as I would have only been able to add accessories as budget would allow. (other priorities, mainly my wife the accountant lol ) By buying this used one, somebody else paid for the accessories. My buddy tells me that I have about the same value of accessories as what I paid for the bike, so he tells me the guy threw in the bike in for nothing lol. I love the look and feel of this bike. Now if I can just find what's making it miss when I gently apply throttle.
Chuckster~ Getting to those spark plugs is not an easy task. Not much room on either side even to get my big mitts under there, especially the front carb directly under the gas tank. Is there a trick to removing the plugs on these bad boys ?
Thanks

*anamosity* · 10-01-2006

very nice looking. Congrats on YOUR new machine

Rainbow · 10-03-2006

Nice looking bike mate. Congrats.
The blue is cool. Is that a stock colour?

Dudester · 10-03-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rainbow

Nice looking bike mate. Congrats.
The blue is cool. Is that a stock colour?

Thanks Rainbow and anamosity~ No this isn't the stock color for this bike. When the original guy went to buy it, he wanted that shade of blue. The dealer told him they didn't come in that color. Once the bike arrived at the dealership, the owner had the whole thing re-painted to the color he wanted. Whoever did the paint job did an excellent job, as it really looks authentic. I'm getting a lot of compliments by other bikers as well on it's color. In the sunshine, the color with the chrome make a nice combination. Definitely an eye catcher, but most importantly, I love the ride.
The engine missing problem doesn't seem as bad now. It does take the engine a bit of time to warm up when it's cold in the morning (13c or 50 F) but once it warms up, it's a little better, although it does still slightly miss a bit from a dead stop. Once moving, it has no problem accelerating and takes the throttle smoothly. You really have to hold onto the handlebars, as it's got lot's of torque. Someone on here told me that the Vulcans are cold blooded, so I guess it's normal she act this way when the engine is cold on a cold morning/night.
To be sure, I'm taking it to a bike mechanic this Saturday, and I'll have the carbs adjusted as well as new plugs installed and air breather checked. Hopefully that will make it accelerate smoother. She just needs a little tweeking and TLC.

D-Day · 10-03-2006

Nice bike, man. Unique color for sure.

Dudester · 10-03-2006

Thanks D-Day

**2WheelFun** · 10-06-2006

Great looking bike!

The blue just glows!!!!

Dudester · 10-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2WheelFun

Great looking bike!

The blue just glows!!!!

Thanks 2WF, appreciate the kind words.

*Svetlana* · 10-06-2006

Have some fun with that! Looks clean and is a beauty for sure!

**2WheelFun** · 10-06-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudester

Thank you so much 2WF, appreciate the kind words.

It is a beauty for sure!!!

As for the idle problem. You might try some SeaFoam in the gas as it's one product that works very good with anything related to carbs/fuel. You can buy it at Napa Auto Parts stores for around $6.50-$7.00 a can. Add 1 ounce per gallon of fuel...a little more wont hurt and then go for a nice hour ride. See if that helps clean up the idle. many times that's all that is needed to help clean up the fuel system. Many here use it with great results.

Good luck!

SilverEagle · 10-13-2006

Great color Dudester, I didn't like my shade of pearl white on my bike when I restored if from salvage. So I found the best shade of blue I could find.......and made it so.

Dudester · 10-14-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverEagle

Great color Dudester, I didn't like my shade of pearl white on my bike when I restored if from salvage. So I found the best shade of blue I could find.......and made it so.

Thanks SilverEagle. Yours is the first bike I've seen that is the same color as mine. It is a very attractive color of blue, and matched with a little chrome, it looks even that much sweeter. That is one nice 1600 you got there. You even have the same leather bib on the tank as I do. Be safe.

Let the good times roll.

BamaBob · 10-14-2006

Congrats to ya! That's one sweet lookin' scoot! Great color!

09-30-2006	#1 (permalink)
Dudester Can ya hear me now ? BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ontario Canada (east of Ottawa) Posts: 1,154	Brought my Baby Blue home for the first time Well, I did it !! Came home today with my new/old 97 Vulcan Classic 800. Had to drive an hour and a half to get her, but that also meant I had an hour and a half of riding to get her home. This bike is extremely sweet, and compared to my old 83 Virago, it's totally a different beast. This Vulcan is the bike for me. I just hope it will give me miles of safe and reliable riding. One question though, the seller told me he had just had a tune up done on it, replacing oil etc, but when I got home, I noticed the motor would miss when I came to take off from a stop sign. It idled perfectly, ran great too when cruising, but if I took off from a dead stop, the first little throttle I'd apply, would make the engine miss a bit. I am somewhat mechanically challenged, but could it be the gas filter or something ? It just feels like it's not getting it's gas properly when the throttle is given from a dead stop. On the highway, no problem, it reacts well to throttle. Anyway, here are some pics of my bike which I've named "Ole Blue" __________________ 03-Vulcan Classic 1500 If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular ?? Last edited by Dudester : 04-18-2007 at 05:37 PM.

09-30-2006	#2 (permalink)
vulcan500rider 2006 Suzuki C90 BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Beautiful Uptown Long Beach Posts: 1,872	Wow, what a great looking bike. Pipes look like they give off some sound. __________________ 2006 Suzuki C90

09-30-2006	#4 (permalink)
anrfknm humble pie consumer BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: california mountains Posts: 3,434	nice looking bike, i like the color. it looks like it's set up nice with a mustang seat and all. __________________ vroc #13815 - rolling blunder #182 AMA member http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/anrfknm

09-30-2006	#5 (permalink)
Chuckster Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 917	Great looking bike! Might try replacing the plugs? __________________ 2003 Vulcan 1600 Classic - *"Black Betty"*

10-01-2006	#6 (permalink)
Tbone800b Skullhead Donkey Puncher Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Martinez, GA Posts: 1,049	Very nice Dudester. Looks like it's nicely modded. I'm having to get many of those same items one at a time as budget will allow. It's amazing how much money those mods add up too. Looks like you scored a great deal. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/tbone800b 2005 Vulcan 800 Classic V&H Cruizers Hi-Five Air Cleaner

10-01-2006	#7 (permalink)
Spok Whatever Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, Washington Posts: 33,679	nice ride, score! __________________ 2005 V2k Beartooth Kawasaki for all your needs 1-800-556-3098

10-01-2006	#8 (permalink)
Dudester Can ya hear me now ? BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ontario Canada (east of Ottawa) Posts: 1,154	Thanks everyone. I'm in the same boat, as I would have only been able to add accessories as budget would allow. (other priorities, mainly my wife the accountant lol ) By buying this used one, somebody else paid for the accessories. My buddy tells me that I have about the same value of accessories as what I paid for the bike, so he tells me the guy threw in the bike in for nothing lol. I love the look and feel of this bike. Now if I can just find what's making it miss when I gently apply throttle. Chuckster~ Getting to those spark plugs is not an easy task. Not much room on either side even to get my big mitts under there, especially the front carb directly under the gas tank. Is there a trick to removing the plugs on these bad boys ? Thanks __________________ 03-Vulcan Classic 1500 If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular ?? Last edited by Dudester : 10-03-2006 at 06:18 AM.

10-01-2006	#9 (permalink)
anamosity zx14000000000000000000000 BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lolo, MT Posts: 13,739	very nice looking. Congrats on YOUR new machine __________________ '08 ZX14 '07 V2K LT - For Sale, PM me for details if interested. May '07 MOM

10-03-2006	#10 (permalink)
Rainbow Off to see the Wizard! BTK Intermediate Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Island of New Zealand Posts: 143	Hey Dudester... Nice looking bike mate. Congrats. The blue is cool. Is that a stock colour? __________________ Somewhere over the rainbow Skies are blue... 2002 VN1500 Mean Streak

10-03-2006	#12 (permalink)
D-Day Dead man walking BTK Expert Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northwest Ohio Posts: 1,923	Nice bike, man. Unique color for sure. __________________ Live fast, die young, and leave a good looking corpse.

10-03-2006	#13 (permalink)
Dudester Can ya hear me now ? BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ontario Canada (east of Ottawa) Posts: 1,154	Thanks D-Day __________________ 03-Vulcan Classic 1500 If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular ??

10-06-2006	#14 (permalink)
2WheelFun the "fun old" guy Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Albion, Washington "Pacific Northwest" Posts: 30,082	Great looking bike! The blue just glows!!!! __________________ *KING KAHUNA* *2007 V2K LT* ****PICS** 2007 Brute Force 650i **PICS** I love the smell of SeaFoam in the morning**

10-06-2006	#16 (permalink)
Svetlana Sunshine Mod Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Seattle, USA Posts: 6,579	Have some fun with that! Looks clean and is a beauty for sure! __________________ aka Bonnie '06 Yellow Ninja250 '97 Moto Guzzi 1100 Sporti Photos

10-13-2006	#18 (permalink)
SilverEagle 1999 1500 Drifter Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Montana Posts: 3,723	Great color Dudester, I didn't like my shade of pearl white on my bike when I restored if from salvage. So I found the best shade of blue I could find.......and made it so.

10-14-2006	#20 (permalink)
BamaBob Midnight Venture Rider Forum Supporter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Meridianville, Alabama Posts: 6,722	Congrats to ya! That's one sweet lookin' scoot! Great color! __________________ BamaBob *BTK Womens Azz Size Study Rep, U.S. Dept. of Posterior*