[VegasVulcan500]

Hi all,

Bear with me:

I just purchased a 2006 Vulcan 500 used with about 800 miles on it. The woman I bought it from let it sit for several months without running it.

It starts up right away with the choke half way out, and after a couple minutes I can close the choke and it will idle without stalling. However, when I put it in first and try to take off it stalls. It will also stall if I try to rev it in neutral.

No matter how long it idles, I have to keep the choke half way open to start riding. After riding it with the choke half open for about a half mile, it warms up and I can close the choke. It runs just fine then.

I am new to riding, so I am wondering if this is a normal warm up procedure for a practically new 500. I know motorcycles can be particular, but it seems odd that I would need to choke it like this to ride it.

Someone suggested that it could be the gas which has been sitting in the tank for several months and that I should run the tank and the reserve empty to get the old stuff completely out. I also considered draining the tank. I put Sea Foam in it, which may have helped a bit. The bike it still under a dealership warranty and the Kawasaki extended warranty, so I also considered taking it into the dealer.

Any suggestions or advice?

Newbie Matt

 

[rldowns3]

I'm not an expert by any means, but it sounds like the carbs could use a good cleaning and perhaps an adjustment or two. Anybody else concur?

Did this person mention why they allowed it to sit for several months? Was this stalling problem why? And if it's under warranty then I wouldn't sweat it and just take it to the dealership to see if they'll honor the warranty on it. How was it stored when it sat for several months? Did they leave gas in the carbs when they let it sit for a long time?

 

[VegasVulcan500]

Thanks for the reply!

I'm pretty sure it was stored without any sort of preparation. It was kept in Palm Springs, so the weather was hot and never went below freezing (if that even makes a difference). She didn't mention that stalling was an issue prior to storage.

I'm not an expert by any means, but it sounds like the carbs could use a good cleaning and perhaps an adjustment or two. Anybody else concur?

Did this person mention why they allowed it to sit for several months? Was this stalling problem why? And if it's under warranty then I wouldn't sweat it and just take it to the dealership to see if they'll honor the warranty on it. How was it stored when it sat for several months? Did they leave gas in the carbs when they let it sit for a long time?

 

[okiecop]

Get some seafoam or BG Supercharge (BG would be the best), dump it in the tank, let it run for a while on choke. It might break up the crap that is clogging the jets. Also, as you let it idle, lightly tap on the side of the carb's bowls with a screwdriver. Old trick that works for me. Also, as you try to rev it up while in neutral, pull the choke lever all the way out to max and then rev it up. This flooding action helps wash the crap out of the carb that has built up while sitting.

Good luck!

 

[USAF Dad]

My old boss bought an 07 500Vulcan with the same problem. He rode all winter and had to leave the choke 1/2 on just to get to work. Then he complained about the mileage. Come summer, the bike was fine. I think it's just a 500 thing.

 

[Kawi-girl]

I don't know if this helps, but my 800 runs like that untill it's warm. That will depend on the day and the temps! But it DOES NOT like being cold!!
The bike is brand new, I've put 3500km's on the clock and it's not changed the "warm up" proceedure. I've also found that if it's over 90 degrees outside, it doesn't like to run that hot either...same problems. Only diff you don't seem to mention is my clutch point moves, when it's cold or too hot. Which may be causing your stalling problem.

 

[GeorgiaRider]

I have 3700 miles on my 2006 500 LTD and as long as I warm up the bike no problems. Rode yesterday for about an hour in the 40's (relatively low speed though).

 

[Black Hat]

I rode for 5 hours Sat morning on my 500. It does not need to have the choke out for more than a minute sitting in the drive way idling even when it's really cold. Be sure you change the oil on that thing. Filter too.

 

[MrWick]

I recently purchased a used 06 Vulcan 500 with 750 mileson it and have experienced a couple of problems with it but not the one you are seeing..I start mine up with the choke half way out if it hasn't been started in a few days,let it warm up for a short time,push the choke all the way in and off I go. I have never had it stall unless I did something wrong.It is still nice and warm down here so maybe that is a plus for my bike.

 

[rabbit]

Its not going to hurt to run the old gas out and get some fresh gas in the tank....but its also not a bad idea to have the carbs cleaned also to get any varnish or gum build up removed....No doubt in my mind this will make a difference!

 

[Classic]

Stock settings on carb'd bikes are always very lean so I'd suggest running a few tanks of gas with Seafoam through it before tearing into it mechanically. The bike is still well within the break-in period and probably just needs to be run.

 

[Crystalship1]

(+1) Solid advice. :smile:

Stock settings on carb'd bikes are always very lean so I'd suggest running a few tanks of gas with Seafoam through it before tearing into it mechanically. The bike is still well within the break-in period and probably just needs to be run.