[rbentnail]

Mike Campbell here, recently purchased my first cruiser, and am now legal for the first time thanks to a MSF class taught at my local Harley Davidson shop.

Bought a 96 Vulcan VM1500D with a Mustang seat, Cobra pipes, and I'm adding a K&N filter and E3 plugs next weekend.

Great bike so far, lots of fun, and a great summer to ride here in SW Michigan.

I do have some questions, when I enter my vin into various sites online it says its a VN1500, but when i look for parts the only D I find is a "Classic"(which actually lists ad a VM1500D1?) my bike doesn't have any Classic badging, how can I tell?

Also it has an air cleaner housing on both sides but only has an air cleaner on the left side, right housing is empty? Was considering using the existing cleaner (that I'm replacing with the K&N) on the other side? thoughts?
I thought I found a kit to replace the unused housing but now I cant find it anymore?

Thanks for providing a place to discuss issues, problems, etc. and I look forward to being a part of this forum for years to come.

Mike

So as to not clog up this tread please post your questions in the "cruiser" section. Thx!

 

[vincentegonzalez]

this will be helpfull........we all will try our best to answer any questions

Did anyone say questions? Well guys, my name is Greg and I have a 1996 Kz 1000p. Got it about six months ago. The clutch started slipping so I got friction plates, springs, new bolts and washers and put it together. I used valvoline Ht racing oil and now it really slips. When cold you have to put the bike into gear release the clutch and rev the engine. After about 30 sec it will start to engage, maybe get you up to 30 MPH. As the bike warms up eventually the clutch starts to grab but not like it should. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Greg

 

[Jose_is_Insane]

Hello From Greece, Friendly Group glad I could join.

I am 29 years old and I have been riding for some months.

I am intreasted in buying the vulcan 650. Yes, i like cruisers. (the vulcan looks A M A Z I N G )
But i do have one question. The reason i want to buy a motorcycle is to make trips. Asphalt trips. I dont want it for every day use or going to gravel sections etc.
Touring across Europe, like crossing the Alpes or crossing Italy is my future plan. And the question is ,
can i travel like 500km per day or maybe more within 7 hours with that bike? It has to do with comfortness. Is that bike capable of traveling at speeds round 120/130 km/h and provide a "relax" ride? Or my spine and my booty are going to suffer? Of course all the trips are going to be made on highways or in provincial roads. Touring in Alpen villages is amazing experience!

Thank you in advance folks

Cheers

 

[Rune Skiaker]

Thank you for the warm welcome.

Rune is my name, living in Norway. Owned a GPZ600R "Ninja", 1987, for 15 years and have had some good times on my bike, but unfortunately a lot of troubles. I'm here to figure out the problem and maybe help others With theirs.....

 

[MrsNiss]

Hi All.
as a new rider i'm still learning the ins and outs of my bike (ninja 300 SE 2013) and i think this idea is BRILLIANT. trust me i will be dropping questions
Such as...
maintaining my bike... i have that chain lube stuff (not that it looks like i need it yet) but what about brake fluid and engine oil, where do i get this from? is it only sold by bike shops or can i go to a car shop (like supercheap auto)

From Sydney Australia if that helps

 

[rbentnail]

Hi All.
as a new rider i'm still learning the ins and outs of my bike (ninja 300 SE 2013) and i think this idea is BRILLIANT. trust me i will be dropping questions
Such as...
maintaining my bike... i have that chain lube stuff (not that it looks like i need it yet) but what about brake fluid and engine oil, where do i get this from? is it only sold by bike shops or can i go to a car shop (like supercheap auto)

From Sydney Australia if that helps

Brake fluid- any old brake fluid will do as long as it's the spec listed in your owner's manual. This is very important as different types (here in the States it's DOT3, DOT4, etc.) are not compatible with each other or with some of the seals and o-rings on your bike.

Engine oils and filters are a whole 'nother ball (or cricket ) game. What to use depends on who you ask. Again, consult your owners manual for weight specs and buy whatever you like. That's my opinion, other peoples' will vary greatly. I have used nothing but "automotive" oil, e.g., non-motorcycle specific oil, in my bike for the last 98,000 miles (157,715 km) with no detrimental effects at all.

 

[dalexander1219]

Hey all, we have added a new subsection dedicated to new riders who are just getting started and have lots of questions and concerns. From what bike to ride to what gear to purchase and anything in between including MSF training and other tips and techinques can all be good topics of discussion.

 

[WFO-KZ]

Well actually this subsection was added in 2008 and was last used in 2017, but thanks for the revival. It's a good thread.

 

[Guyver]

Question about Gas,
in my area there are several gas stations with higher ethanol % gas. even the regular unleaded has 10%. but some stations also have like 15% with a octane of 88 compared to the 87 of regular unleaded. the note on the pumps states the 88 octane is for newer cares ( 2010 + ) ... but in the owners manual it clearly states use the 87 regular ...
any suggestions ?? i use the 88 in my car and i do get a little bit better gas mileage. but i'm not sure about using it in my new bike ?

thanks

 

[WFO-KZ]

I avoid ethanol entirely if possible. If not possible then I look for the lowest % ethanol possible.
If it were me, I would use what your manual states and enjoy the lower price.

 

[rbentnail]

Question about Gas,
in my area there are several gas stations with higher ethanol % gas. even the regular unleaded has 10%. but some stations also have like 15% with a octane of 88 compared to the 87 of regular unleaded. the note on the pumps states the 88 octane is for newer cares ( 2010 + ) ... but in the owners manual it clearly states use the 87 regular ...
any suggestions ?? i use the 88 in my car and i do get a little bit better gas mileage. but i'm not sure about using it in my new bike ?

thanks

Yep, read your owners manual. You will likely find something like this

Modern bikes are designed and built to be compatible with ethanol fuels. Do not be afraid to use it and save money. I would not however venture into the 15% + range as you've done with your car. In my last 5 bikes (since 2003) I have used nothing but 10% ethanol with no detrimental effects, including my 2007 140,xxx mile Yamaha. Other people are much more anal about it, obviously .

 

[WFO-KZ]

100% agree. The owner's manual will tell you if ethanol may be used and what % it was designed to handle.

But for us folks that ride vintage cars and motorcycles which were designed and built long before anyone dreamed of putting ethanol into gasoline, it's a different story for us. Ethanol-free fuel is getting harder and harder to find. Thankfully in my area, Shell V-Power is still ethanol-free.

 

[rbentnail]

100% agree. The owner's manual will tell you if ethanol may be used and what % it was designed to handle.

But for us folks that ride vintage cars and motorcycles which were designed and built long before anyone dreamed of putting ethanol into gasoline, it's a different story for us. Ethanol-free fuel is getting harder and harder to find. Thankfully in my area, Shell V-Power is still ethanol-free.

Absolutely, vintage vehicles are different but the latest poster has a 2022. 10% ethanol won't be a problem for him.

 

[Kawasakian]

A lot of modern weed whackers with the fake rubber O--rings, this goes for virtually anything carburated, will deteriorate if High Methanol gas is used. My Stil Chain Saw ans Weed whack stated to use non ethanal gas where possible. I felt like writing them and telling them to use real rubber O-rings all the time.

 

[rbentnail]

Methanol reacts with rubber compounds differently than the commercially available ethanol in gasoline. One must always be sure the correct fuel for any engine is being used. This discussion has nothing to do methanol, e.g. racing fuel. Outside of special applications, IMHO there's never any reason to use methanol in any street motorcycle, chain saw or weed whacker.

 

[Kawasakian]

I mis-posted, I mean to post "Ethanol", my bad, sorry!