20 Most Recent 1996 kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Classic - Page 4 Questions & Answers

Try Babbitt's; www.babbittsonline.com

It sounds like you have a fouled spark plug and possibly bad spark plug caps. Try replacing the spark plugs and the spark plug caps. The spark plug caps simply unscrew off of the ends of the wires. You can test them with a voltage meter. They should read 5000 OHM's no higher or lower. Buy NGK brand replacement caps. They are what come standard on your machine and will cost about $5 each instead of $20 each from Kawasaki. Hope this helps.

This is an easy one...remove the seat, unsrew the bolts that were under the front of the seat--- that is the only thing holding it on. Push the tank forward a bit, then lift up, the tank sits in a couple of slotted holders....There are breather tubes under the tank. be careful, they are difficult to get back on depending on the length...A few of the 1500's have 1 bolt in the front and 1 in the back(by the seat)...so look to see what yours has. I hope this helps.

will send diagram asap. thanks.
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FixYa Support

Sounds like you have a bad battery. Have you taken it off and tried to trickle charge it? Make sure you test it and watch to see how fast the voltage is dropping. I suspect though, that the batter is bad or your charging system isn't giving it any juice. If you charge the battery, it should still run for 20-30 minutes even if the charging system is bad. That way you know if it's the battery or the charging system. Good luck!

Most modern bikes will not start unless the battery is charged. Battery is probably dead, and you rectifier is most likely dead too. change those out with ones known to work and see if that changes it.

my 2000 did the same thing. bleed it at the master cylinder where the line attaches. as soon as i did that it worked perfectly

You can do it if you catch tdc on the correct stroke, but it's always better to rotate the engine after each adjustment.

when i ride the coolent light comes on and the bike dies turn of the key and turn on and the bike goes again, if the bike sits and idles it,s all OK

There was a recall in 99 I had mine done... theres a way to doit without the cost, no splitting the cases heres a link for clutch install which shows where the plastic oil gear (POG) is. Near the bottom of page theres a note about Judges oil gear (JOG). Then save the page it's a Fount of knowledge.
http://www.gadgetjq.com/clutch_spring_replacement.htm

heres the home page save it! http://www.gadgetjq.com/gadgetsfixitpage.htm

Hi, the recomended oil type is 10w40sg, and the capacity is 2.7 litres, this is for a vn1500 classic 1996-98, the earlyer 1987-93 modelhas the same capacity bus uses 10w40 se/ sf grade, worth geting 3 litres for topping up with

try this link http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/howto/122_0306_hydraulic_clutch_service/index.html read this fully if you are not accustom to bleeding procedures. do buy a new can of brake fluid . you can also try gravity bleeding which should work. With this procedure DO NOT operate the clutch lever while bleeding.To do this )1 - remove all fluid from the fluid reservoir. 2) Fill with fresh fluid and replace the cap LOOSELY, you just want to cover the reservoir from any contaminants but loose enough to allow air to enter. 3) find the bleeder screw on the slave cylinder and open slightly, enough to get a drip of fluid. catch the fluid as any spilt can be corrosive. 4) let the fluid drip continually and be sure to watch the fluid level in the reservoir, keep filling as level gets low. Don't allow the res to go empty as you will draw air into the system again. Any pause in the drip is when air is leaving the system. 5) once a steady drip is acheived and the fluid looks clean tighten the bleeder screw and make sure the reservoir level is full, tighten the res. cap. Give the clutch a try. you should feel the normal resistance .

hi,this might help,without looking at the bike it sounds like either the kickstand switch or the clutch lockout switch has failed,either switch failing will cause the problem you describe as they are both linked in the wiring harness..hope this helps...cheers ian

Clutch plates are shot.Need new clutch.

sounds like your cluch heats up and slips like a pig when it gets hot
time to do a visial on the cluch buy the manual and start wrenching hays seams to be the book for newb's
trust me you want the easy one with lots of pics

It sounds like the battery is weak or the starter may be on its way out.

Hi, I believe the oil is not the problem but change it anyway and the filter. The problem is the clutch may need to be replaced or adjusted. Also check gear box for noises there maybe more trouble. Good luck.

Hi,,sounds like you might have a tight valve,,check your valve clearances.

You need to have the valves adjusted. If they are not done soon you will have to replace more parts. Also do a oil change and filter change.

i would try getting the outer seal you should be able to that on the bike but it may have a inner seal leaking and it might require engine removal