[kleinedikken]

Hi, since a 6 months I bought a second-hand VN800 classic 1997 bike.
It's a very nice and handsome machine.

But I have two questions:

1) I don't have a user manual. Is it possible to find it on the web?

2) I have to choke even in summer to start ,and choke is needed for at least 2 or 3 km. This makes the bike a thirsty one.
For a Harley this seems normal but a Vulcan looks only like a Harley and uses modern technology, so I wonder if maybe something is wrong.
Once the motor is warm, it runs smootly New sparkplugs didn't solve the problem.

Thanks

 

[woodchucks800]

Congrat's on the new ride. Buy some extra toothpaste to get the bug's out of your teeth.<BG> Now the question about the manual, get on ebay an hunt up vulcan's ,I was on there last night an they had plenty of new manuals for $20 or $21 bucks. Make sure it's a clymer's . It's much better than Hayne's. You might even call Beartooth if you want someone to order you one? hope this helps

 

[bikeaholic]

re

is the bike stock? i don't run my choke that long even on the harley :lol:

check the carb and the fuel mix and don't ride it with the choke engaged
let it sit to warm up - in fact i like to keep it running with the throttle if possible and use the choke sparingly :wink:

 

[woodchucks800]

Run a can or two of sea foam thru it , it help's clean out the carbon in the motor an also cleans out any tarnish on the inside of the carb.Then you can check the air filter (maybe replace?)The reason I mentioned the sea foam is because of the age of the bike an I don't know the maintence that's been done on it?? If you run the sea foam thru it you might want to think about changing the oil. I don't know for sure but some rider's talk about some of the carbon ending up in the oil. Sound 's like it cleans it up pretty good!!

 

[jukief]

I have to use the choke when I start mine up, even when it's warm. I usually start it and let it run while I get my gear on. By then I can tell from listening to it that it's warmed up, and I close the choke when I take off. I'm getting nearly 55mpg, so I don't think the warm up with choke is consuming all that much fuel.

Julie

 

[jukief]

Sorry for my ignorance, but what is sea foam? I did a Google search on it, but I couldn't find anything. Where do you get it?

 

[kleinedikken]

If I understood well, my motor is dirty so I have to use the choke for long time and this makes my motor more dirty and so on...I shall try to ride without choke after a short warm up, even if it's running not smoothly. If this doesn't work, i'll try the method with the seafoam (or a special motorcleaner if I don't find any)
Thanks all for the help.
Greetings from a rainy Belgium (a small kingdom by the sea between France and Germany)

 

[bluestringer]

Most 800's are cold natured. Mine gives a little sputter on take off even after riding a mile. This with the choke off. There is a carb adjustment you can make to stop this. Someone on the VROC group can tell you how it's done.

bluestringer