California Model Vaquero

coffey67 · 01-20-2013, 05:06 PM

I live smack-dab in the Midwest. When I picked up my new 2013 Vaquero a while back I noticed a very small imperfection in the paint on the gas tank. The dealer insisted that I get a new tank so the bike would be perfect. I went in on Saturday for the install of the new tank. A while later the wrench came out an said that he ordered the wrong tank. He was unaware that I had a California emissions model bike. The tank connections are different. They are ordering a new tank again.

My question: What are the differences between a regular Vaquero and a California model. I know it had more emission controls but what does that mean for me in terms of power, maintenance, value, etc.? Did I get a more expensive bike for the money I paid? Did I somehow get screwed? Your opinions and information?

redjay · 01-20-2013, 05:17 PM

I would have thought the VIN number would have told them what tank to order and that Kawasaki would need the VIN number to authorize the replacement under warranty ?

Not sure if you got screwed with a California model or not.
Did they have to special order it for you ? If so maybe there was only a California model available ?

coffey67 · 01-20-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

I would have thought the VIN number would have told them what tank to order and that Kawasaki would need the VIN number to authorize the replacement under warranty ?

Not sure if you got screwed with a California model or not.
Did they have to special order it for you ? If so maybe there was only a California model available ?

They said the VIN did not have the normal letters that indicated a California model but that it certainly was one. Yes is was a special order. Good point.

dshelly · 01-20-2013, 06:03 PM

Personally, I wouldn't want a California model. Too much emissions crap. Just that much harder to get aftermarket parts for it if you wanted them that is ... If I were you I would find out exactly what is different than a 49 state legal bike.

Vulcan Hammer · 01-20-2013, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coffey67

I live smack-dab in the Midwest. When I picked up my new 2013 Vaquero a while back I noticed a very small imperfection in the paint on the gas tank. The dealer insisted that I get a new tank so the bike would be perfect. I went in on Saturday for the install of the new tank. A while later the wrench came out an said that he ordered the wrong tank. He was unaware that I had a California emissions model bike. The tank connections are different. They are ordering a new tank again.

My question: What are the differences between a regular Vaquero and a California model. I know it had more emission controls but what does that mean for me in terms of power, maintenance, value, etc.? Did I get a more expensive bike for the money I paid? Did I somehow get screwed? Your opinions and information?

As far as I can tell from reviewing the shop manual, the California Model also has an evaporative cannister. The cannister only collects the vapor from the fuel tank to prevent hydrocarbons from venting to atmosphere. The 49 State version and the Canadian version simply vents the tank to the atmosphere with a simple overflow drain hose.

That said, the California version should not impede performance one iota from the 49 State/Canadian version. It simply has more complicated and ugly plumbing.

**ringadingh** · 01-20-2013, 10:02 PM

The California bike won't have any less performance tha the regular bikes, just that cannister is installed.

RACNRAY · 01-21-2013, 12:34 PM

Yeasr ago there was a performance loss suffered by Skoots meeting California's stricter emmissions laws. Carbs had smaller bores, cams had milder specs and the ignition boxes had different timng specs as to static, full advance and the timing curve. Not so anymore. With the advent of the sophisticated electronics, clean air injection and catylizers on modern skoots there is no performance loss.

The Cali vehicles do have "evaporative emmissions standards" they must meet, which nessecitates charcoal canisters to capture those fumes that escape from the tank.

Obviously the tanks will have different fittings. A "California" model tank can be used on a non-Cali skoot as long as the vent port is used to vent the tank and the extra port on the
tank is plugged up. A non Cali tank can't be used on a Cali model if all the evaporative stuff is left on.

RACNRAY

01-20-2013, 05:06 PM	#1
coffey67 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Goreville, Illinois Posts: 202	California Model Vaquero I live smack-dab in the Midwest. When I picked up my new 2013 Vaquero a while back I noticed a very small imperfection in the paint on the gas tank. The dealer insisted that I get a new tank so the bike would be perfect. I went in on Saturday for the install of the new tank. A while later the wrench came out an said that he ordered the wrong tank. He was unaware that I had a California emissions model bike. The tank connections are different. They are ordering a new tank again. My question: What are the differences between a regular Vaquero and a California model. I know it had more emission controls but what does that mean for me in terms of power, maintenance, value, etc.? Did I get a more expensive bike for the money I paid? Did I somehow get screwed? Your opinions and information? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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01-20-2013, 06:03 PM	#4
dshelly Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgrade, MT Posts: 2,824	Personally, I wouldn't want a California model. Too much emissions crap. Just that much harder to get aftermarket parts for it if you wanted them that is ... If I were you I would find out exactly what is different than a 49 state legal bike. __________________ Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger 2014 Harley Ultra Classic 2007 1600 Nomad (Black) Shellenberger Machine Belgrade, MT Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter) VBA # 2395
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01-20-2013, 10:02 PM	#6
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	The California bike won't have any less performance tha the regular bikes, just that cannister is installed. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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01-21-2013, 12:34 PM	#7
RACNRAY Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SOUTH FLORIDA Posts: 1,210	Yeasr ago there was a performance loss suffered by Skoots meeting California's stricter emmissions laws. Carbs had smaller bores, cams had milder specs and the ignition boxes had different timng specs as to static, full advance and the timing curve. Not so anymore. With the advent of the sophisticated electronics, clean air injection and catylizers on modern skoots there is no performance loss. The Cali vehicles do have "evaporative emmissions standards" they must meet, which nessecitates charcoal canisters to capture those fumes that escape from the tank. Obviously the tanks will have different fittings. A "California" model tank can be used on a non-Cali skoot as long as the vent port is used to vent the tank and the extra port on the tank is plugged up. A non Cali tank can't be used on a Cali model if all the evaporative stuff is left on. RACNRAY __________________ "TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY"
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01-20-2013, 05:17 PM	#2
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,928	I would have thought the VIN number would have told them what tank to order and that Kawasaki would need the VIN number to authorize the replacement under warranty ? Not sure if you got screwed with a California model or not. Did they have to special order it for you ? If so maybe there was only a California model available ?
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