20 Most Recent 1998 kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Classic - Page 2 Questions & Answers

hello look at the kickstand if you have a alarm switch on the motorcycle it will be a switch near the kickstand maybe that is broken and it will not let you get a spark, follow the cable that goes to the switch and unplug the cable then in that cable it will be 2 wires just tape them together and it should work, you should get the service manual for the vn1500 vulcan from the below link it will help you when u have other problems:Download Link:http://goo.gl/S3IEvThanks

hi try another type of sparkplug.or see that the oil in engine is,for summer or winter.use oil for bolt.

The engines are the same, depending on model of the 2001 if its a classic then I'm sure it will, I would go to Vance & Hines's web site and check there fit on exhaust for a 1998 verses a 2001 you'll probably see that it carrys the same part number.

Yes it does...One is next to the sidestand pivot...the other is on the clutch lever

on the right had side of the motor there should be a glass site toward the bottom....get someone to sit on the bike and stand it up......look through the site and the oil should be between the two marks
hope this helps

It is possible that your head gasket is blown. If you blow your head gasket usually you will get water in the oil. The boiling of the water is not necessarily the water boiling as the compression from the cylinder getting pushed passed the head gasket. Causing bubbling. I would start by checking the oil. If the oil is white milky then for sure you have a blown head gasket. Not every time the oil will turn white. But usually it will.

To repair this problem properly engine must be removed.then gasket can be replaced.

Mine 98 did the same thing..If you are putting hi test gas in it change it to regular unleaded. After a tank or two mine stopped backfiring completely.

You have a wheel that is out of balance

its very difficult to change the oil pork cause it take time to remove the pork and its not easy to unbolt it..so better go to the nearest motocycle repairshop and ask them to change it..

you need to change the big main jet. the stock size will be stamped on the jet. Go for one or two sizes bigger. Your motorcycle shop dealer will help you out when you buy the jets.

ya destroy the altanator and starter gear on the starer and melt the battery.

try a new thermostat, check for leaks, old or dilute coolant will not cause overheating

i use 89, my cbr recommends 91 but i cant really feel a big difference but i do feel a slight power loss when using 86..but it does run fine!
Actually a higher compressive motor should use a lower octane.. it helps it start up easier , also using thinner oils like 5 or 10w will help for easier starting in colder climates. can i get a rating on this one..thanks!

Are using the correct spark plug heat range?
Check also your valve tming.

Contaminated fluid in the hydraulic clutch actuation system. Instead of a cable, your bike has a hydraulically actuated clutch. This system is great because it offers low maintenance and a relatively light clutch lever pull.
You will need to flush the system, refill with the appropriate fluid (check the owner's manual, but it is probably DOT4 brake fluid), inspect for leaks, and bleed.

i,m not sure about kawasaki, but honda change things slightly every 2 years ust enough to make this sort of thing hard to do,,if you can offer one up from a friends bike and see what it needs ,it might mean making some bracket changes,try a motorcycle breaker and see if they can help.

good luck

please visit this site www.xjbikes.com and go to 'other motor cycle ' forum.
:)

yes, something is loose, exhaust shield cover was a good guess. all you can do is check all bolts, fender or tank may be also loose. one way to check rattles is to start the bike when cold and try pressing different objects on bike by hand

Hi and welcome to FixYa,

It would appear that the Vulcan has multiple issues:

• hesitation at low RPM - possibly a very lean air/fuel mix. Confirm by checking the colors of the plugs. It would be lean if the plugs are light brown to almost whitish. This could indicate either too much air or too little fuel.  Too much air could be an air leak (airbox side) or the absence of the original airbox or the use of aftermarket open breathers/high flow versions (such as K & Ns);
  
• 2 small washers - should normally be on the air pilot screw set, after the spring before the rubber O-ring.  its purpose is to protect the O-rings from being damaged by the sharp coil end of the spring when the air pilot screw is being adjusted;
• 2 small washers - if ever installed on the jet needle would be below the lock washer. Its purpose is to raise the height of the jet needle at rest condition.  This is a method of increasing the needle's up movement to compensate for lean mix (increasing fuel);
• backfiring - is normally a timing issue. However given the other symptoms described, it would be a fuel delilvery problem hence back to the carbs;
•  spitting gas - not enough vacuum. Either a vacuum leak (most unlikely otherwise idle would be high) or too much air or no airbox;
• after market pipes - would result to a lean mix.  May not be necessary to rejet but the washer / spacer trick should be able to address;
• adjustment on the pilot screw - number of turns out would be largely dependent on the other conditions. Rule of thumb would be to adjust out from fully in till the idle would no longer increase;
• intermittent / recurring problem - check/clean the tank, fuel cutoff valve (petcock), fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel regulator  and all others involved in the fuel delivery to the carbs.

Good luck and thank you for asking FixYa.