20 Most Recent 1996 kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Classic - Page 8 Questions & Answers

Both upper and lower fork tree has a bolt that clamps the fork to the tree. Some times you have to remove the top plug to get them to slide down threw the tree.

YES

back fires through exhaust too rich
back fires through carb/air box too weak..
if the front cyl is falling away sound like its not getting fuel? weak..?

ok buddy you need to find the plug on top off cylinders take it out with a socket and ratchet and then hold the wire with the plug in the end against the engine and start the bike and see if you can see a spark if not replace the plug still no spark email me through here 

I'm not familiar with this exact bike, but all others I've seen have two wires going to the switch. You would simply connect the two to close the circuit thus bypassing the switch. For the record this is not a good idea.(Had to say it.) :)

i believe your oil pump is not working properly or dead .
have a good look at the oil as well if its a bit thin and burned , you will " cook " your engine .
i am pretty sure that it is a oil pressure issue and the pump is faulty .
do not ride it as you will damage your bike more and cease the motor .
you might have already done damage with the lack of oil pressure .
i am sorry .

Back firing is often a sign of a lean mixture, more than once I've delt with carbs thinking all was well only to find a small blockage. Did the bike by chance sit with gas i the carbs for a time before this problem showed up? If so, try carb cleaner and lots of compressed air in all the openings especially the idle jet passages. Does not take much to make a difference. Hope this helps. Not always the cure but a good palce to try and very little cost if you do the work yourself.

Try some JB weld 2 part epoxy or purchase a new bowl. If a new bowl is not available find a used carb at a bike salvage and use that bowl.

you will need to put more fork oil in.

try this buddy on a 2005 vulcan cant be much diffrenece bud http://www.duckweedmafia.com/access/?q=node/25

did you put different pipes on, possibly not enough backpressure, or might have to just adjust carb a little

Not sure why it does not have a siteglass but i would advise you empty the sump and then refil the engine with correct amount of oil..

Remove the instrument cluster located on the gas tank. There should be one 8mm bolt in the center holing it on. After removing the bolt, gently push the housing forward. Underneath you will see a small reservior with a radiator cap on it.

if no ispction glass on the side of the motor then open the filler plug!
As long as you can see oil & no gears its ok
Cheers Rob

Okay, if I'm not mistaken, you have to remove the silver bar completely. On the underside of the bar should be a nut where the turn mounts to the bar. Just remove the nut and it should pop right off,

dear susan shock adjustment for the rear shock are done with c wrench. you will notice at the top of the shocks there is a ring with 3 adjustment cams. the wrench is placed in the two holes you see on the shock opposite each other this is where the wrench fits you simply turn either direction for softer or harder ride. this adjustment puts more or less tension on the spring. i own a 96 vulcan as well hope this will help you jim

http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/How_a_carburetor_works:_Carbs_explained keihin cvk40 is the model carburetor on your bike try the link above or google search "keihin cvk40"

Hi Des, Im am Irish too, howya doin? The oil you want is SAE 10W-20. and 445ml if you are changing the oil. It can be more accurately checked with the fork removed and fully compressed and the spring removed, the oil will be 120mm from the top ot the stanchion.
The manual will give you more info on this and any other future problems so here is a link to it. Good luck to ya, and please rate me if I've helped you. Thanks
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VN1600 manual...
http://www.scribd.com/doc/9607829/Kawasaki-VN1600-A1A2-Vulcan-03-Service-Manual-ENG-by-MosuenoPW

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/kawasaki-motorcycle-vulcan-88-vn1500a6-us-1992-clutch/o/m4620sch62090

this schematic list the brake breather. I hope this helps.

You probably have a short in the circuit going to the engine computer...odds are you won't be able to correct it without tracing ALL wires in the system....sometime the dealer is the best bet.