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#4,521 ·
Check you owner's manual to see if a Vulcan 800 has (automatic) hydraulic valve-lash adjusters like the VN 750 or VN 900. If not, a VN 800 may need the valve clearances checked manually and adjusted at a local shop per the mileage maintenance schedule. Vulcan's are generally very reliable bikes with the usual care and planned maintenance.
 
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#4,522 ·
Hey guys. Just but a 1998 kawasaki en500. Has 6 Thousand miles. I'm new to motorcycles. What all should I get to get it spring ready nice and fresh? Also, if you have a favorite site for aftermarket parts please share that info as well. And how much does it cost on average to get the carbs cleaned? Thank you in advance for your help
 
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#4,523 ·
Kawasaki Vulcan 500 gas octane is recommended as follows: Regular unleaded fuel, U.S. and Canada, per 87 [(R+M)/2 rating method or 91 octane or higher.

High octane gas (93-95) is usually needed for high-performance engines, such as those with compression ratios > 10:1. Otherwise, regular unleaded gas 87-91 octane should do just fine in terms of performance for most bikes.
 
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#4,524 ·
I managed to do the same thing to myself by overfilling the engine with oil. The excess was coming out the bottom of my air filter when the engine was running. I love my 2010 VN900. My only issue with the bike is replacing the fuel filter/strainer/pump. I tore my fuel filter/pump out of my bike yesterday because it was plugged. I must have had a bad batch of gas at one time and it gummed up the filter. 2 screws and it comes apart into 3 seperate pieces. The top piece is the filter, the bottom 2 are the pump and screen. Why this isn't sold as separate pieces is beyond me. the pump as a whole unit is $495 Canadian. That's just stupid. Should be a kit to repair this unit (new "O" rings, both filter and screen and maybe pressure valve) It's not rocket science after all, yet I can't find the seperate parts anywhere. I managed to find a new unit on EBay for under $100. Hope it's the right one..........
 
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#4,528 ·
Hi All,

The stock wheels on my vn800 B1 classic have been cleaned, wire brushed, treated, re-treated, primed and spray painted, but still the rust keeps on coming!! I know that there are no/little after market wheels (besides Scootworks, but can't afford them if they still even do them!) for the 800 due to the rear hub.

To be honest, I want to go with solid wheels and was thinking that some of the other stock VN range might have interchangeable wheels? Or at least possible with minimal work? Or any other bikes or any size/make/etc?

I know it's possible to do a mod with bits from the Drifter, but don't want to go down that route if possible.

Anyone able to some light on the subject or offer advice please? All thoughts greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Tim
 
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#4,530 ·
I have a 1996 Vulcan 800 Classic that has been mostly trouble free. It started making a noise recently, when taking off and less when riding at speed it sounds like something is rolling around. Pull the clutch in, it goes away.
I am assuming it's clutch noise. It made the same noise once when the petcock leaked fuel into the crankcase. I tried changing the oil but no difference.
If it is the clutch I am going to replace it. Anyone have a recommendation on what clutch kit to get? Any opinions on EBC?
Thanks!
 
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#4,531 ·
Vulcan69 said:
I have a 1996 Vulcan 800 Classic that has been mostly trouble free. It started making a noise recently, when taking off and less when riding at speed it sounds like something is rolling around. Pull the clutch in, it goes away.
I am assuming it's clutch noise. It made the same noise once when the petcock leaked fuel into the crankcase. I tried changing the oil but no difference.
If it is the clutch I am going to replace it. Anyone have a recommendation on what clutch kit to get? Any opinions on EBC?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Barnett.
 
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#4,532 ·
I put premium in all of my machines. Aw, just a few cents more for so few gallons. Why? Because the premium holds its octane value longer and does not degrade as quickly as "cheap" stuff. Also, sometimes I don't ride one machine or another for a few months, and the premium is less likely to be degraded. Also, we still have frauds on the market, big and small. It's harder to cheat on premium because an engine that requires premium will let you know loudly when you're feeding it crap, OR, as in my BMW, it will power down.
 
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#4,534 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hey guys,

I got a 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 and have a slight issue. When I bought it I never noticed because I was alone, but once a passenger got on the bike I noticed the rear tire keeps scraping against something, especially when going through speed bumps, but often just on the regular street.

I adjusted the shocks to the tightest setting and it didn't help. I also got some used Vulcan 750 shocks and adjusted those to the tightest settings - didn't help either. Have any of you encountered a similar problem? Are there any better shock alternatives made by some other manufacturer? I need this solved, as I often have a passenger.
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Edit: this is a duplicate post. Please GO TO THIS THREAD to reply. Thank you.
 
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#4,536 ·
Hey, I've got a 95 Vulcan 800 had it for one year and no issues all last summer, last winter it was winterized and put in proper warm storage. I came to take it out for the first time the other day, fired first time, had to leave it on choke for a while to warm up as its still quite cold 6/7 degrees C, topped up the fuel with fresh fuel took it for a ride and its started running on only one cylinder (front) there is pressure coming from the exhaust but it isnt heating up at all and a tiny bit of white smoke came out but stopped. Now im the first to admit being my first bike i dont really know a great deal about these types of engines and carbs etc so im a bit stuck, thought i'd ask here trying to get it to a garage.

Thanks :)
 
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#4,537 ·
One thing I would recommend would be getting a service manual or one of those repair manuals for your motorcycle and number two definitely take it to a shop it sounds like you might have some severe engine problems as far as seals and gaskets after a while they get old you need to be replaced

Sent from my SM-J327P using Tapatalk
 
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#4,539 ·
Shakli said:
What gas are you using? I just purchased an 02 Vulcan 500 used. Someone told me it has a high performance engine so I should use premium gas. Is this correct?
Click to expand...
I have a Vulcan 800 Classic 1997 and use 87 no problems, give it a try if you get some ping go to 89.
I am running a Thunder S&S Air Kit, Thunder Jets, Power Commander, and Cobra Pipes.:cool:
 
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