Help for a 1991 Vulcan 1500

**mc88** · 11-26-2011, 04:36 PM

My Father-In-Law just bought a 91 Vulcan 1500 and it is running really rough. Lots of popping in the exhaust, hard to start, and just not running very good. He drained the old gas, put new in with some seafoam, ran that for a bit, drained it, and put fresh in. It's running better, but not by much. What should we start with? The plugs aren't in the greatest shape, but won't be able to get new until Monday, so looking for more things to try on Monday.

Also, just straight pipes with no baffles were added. Not sure if the jets were changed at the same time though. Could that make a difference? Any clue what jet should be in there and any recommendations if we should add baffles?

Lots of knowledgeable people on this forum, so hoping you guys could help me out!

Had lots of family stuff and a new job, so really haven't posted very much recently. Work on adding my Harley fairing has stalled and will probably stay that way till Spring... Winter is such a sad time to be a motorcyclist...

Monkeyman · 11-26-2011, 04:50 PM

Maybe rebuild the carbs if it's been sitting for a while.

cactusjack · 11-26-2011, 04:50 PM

I didn't know they made a Vulcan 1500 in 1991?

**cnc** · 11-26-2011, 05:28 PM

There is a link to the 1500 shop Manuel in the garage section
If it is a carbed model page 66 will give you all the carb specs. The stock main jet was #142. While you have the bowel off checking that I would clean the main jet, and pilot jet as a first start. soak them in carb cleaner and run a fine wire through each.

Hacksaw · 11-26-2011, 05:41 PM

I know this will sound strange but a friend told me to try it on my old Goldwing I bought after the previous owner had a stroke and it sat for a year.

1 gallon 92 octane gas
1 bottle Seafoam
1 bottle Marvel Mystery Oil
1 bottle Chevron Techron Gas Treatment

Mix it up good and let the bike run at high idle until it runs out of gas.
Worked like a charm for me.

**mc88** · 11-26-2011, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I didn't know they made a Vulcan 1500 in 1991?

Same here. They also call it a Vulcan 88 in some of the parts manuals.

**mc88** · 11-26-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Maybe rebuild the carbs if it's been sitting for a while.

I think that was going to be the next step. Especially since I'll need to find out what jets are in there.

**ringadingh** · 11-26-2011, 06:47 PM

Changing the plugs and adding Seafoam is a great idea. The popping exhaust is most likely due to the lack of baffles. You should find some to install them, it will run a lot better and have more bottom end torque with the baffles in. Id also change the oil and antifreeze. It sounds like its been sitting a long while.

Loafer · 11-26-2011, 08:18 PM

This might help.

This sounds similar to your problem.
http://viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=25464

This repair manual is on sale.
http://www.repairmanual.com/category/1991-kawasaki-vn1500-a5-vulcan-88-us-canadabrvn-15-a5-international/

This is a review of the 1995 model.
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/first-ride-1995-kawasaki-vulcan-1500-15073.html

**mc88** · 11-26-2011, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

Changing the plugs and adding Seafoam is a great idea. The popping exhaust is most likely due to the lack of baffles. You should find some to install them, it will run a lot better and have more bottom end torque with the baffles in. Id also change the oil and antifreeze. It sounds like its been sitting a long while.

We'll have to bring it past an exhaust shop. Bottom end torque isn't a problem though! That thing has some guts!

**MAS Tequila** · 11-27-2011, 07:54 AM

Have you had the carbs off yet?

Check the boot that the carbs mount to, these have a habit of cracking, thus allowing air into the manifold.

MT

Monkeyman · 11-27-2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mc88

Bottom end torque isn't a problem though! That thing has some guts!

The 88s or pre Classics were nicknamed BUBFs or Butt Ugly But Fast. I've ridden a few and they have lots of power.

**mc88** · 11-27-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

The 88s or pre Classics were nicknamed BUBFs or Butt Ugly But Fast. I've ridden a few and they have lots of power.

Yeah that seems to be an appropriate name for them. When we get it running right, it will be a nice bike

**mc88** · 11-27-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

Have you had the carbs off yet?

Check the boot that the carbs mount to, these have a habit of cracking, thus allowing air into the manifold.

MT

Not yet, carbs will come off next Sat. Will look then

**MAS Tequila** · 11-27-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

The 88s or pre Classics were nicknamed BUBFs or Butt Ugly But Fast. I've ridden a few and they have lots of power.

Both models were 88s and produced at the same time. The 1500A is affectionately called a 'BUBF' where the classic has the lesser known nick 'GBIS' gorgeous but it's slow.

The 'A' cams are the best power producing cams that MaKaw has producued, and they will fit in all of the 1500's and 1600's. The biggest difference between the older and newer style engine is the design of the rear head. But the newer style will bolt right on the older engine.

All of the 1500's are 88's.

MT

11-26-2011, 04:50 PM	#2
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	Maybe rebuild the carbs if it's been sitting for a while. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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11-26-2011, 04:50 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	I didn't know they made a Vulcan 1500 in 1991? __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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11-26-2011, 05:28 PM	#4
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	There is a link to the 1500 shop Manuel in the garage section If it is a carbed model page 66 will give you all the carb specs. The stock main jet was #142. While you have the bowel off checking that I would clean the main jet, and pilot jet as a first start. soak them in carb cleaner and run a fine wire through each. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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11-26-2011, 05:41 PM	#5
Hacksaw Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northern Kentucky Posts: 457	I know this will sound strange but a friend told me to try it on my old Goldwing I bought after the previous owner had a stroke and it sat for a year. 1 gallon 92 octane gas 1 bottle Seafoam 1 bottle Marvel Mystery Oil 1 bottle Chevron Techron Gas Treatment Mix it up good and let the bike run at high idle until it runs out of gas. Worked like a charm for me. __________________ Harley Ultra Classic VBA# 01712 VROC# 37712 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

11-26-2011, 08:18 PM	#9
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	This might help. This sounds similar to your problem. http://viragotechforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=25464 This repair manual is on sale. http://www.repairmanual.com/category/1991-kawasaki-vn1500-a5-vulcan-88-us-canadabrvn-15-a5-international/ This is a review of the 1995 model. http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/kawasaki/first-ride-1995-kawasaki-vulcan-1500-15073.html __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email] Last edited by Loafer; 11-26-2011 at 09:15 PM.
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11-26-2011, 04:36 PM	#1
mc88 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sioux Center, IA Posts: 228	Help for a 1991 Vulcan 1500 My Father-In-Law just bought a 91 Vulcan 1500 and it is running really rough. Lots of popping in the exhaust, hard to start, and just not running very good. He drained the old gas, put new in with some seafoam, ran that for a bit, drained it, and put fresh in. It's running better, but not by much. What should we start with? The plugs aren't in the greatest shape, but won't be able to get new until Monday, so looking for more things to try on Monday. Also, just straight pipes with no baffles were added. Not sure if the jets were changed at the same time though. Could that make a difference? Any clue what jet should be in there and any recommendations if we should add baffles? Lots of knowledgeable people on this forum, so hoping you guys could help me out! Had lots of family stuff and a new job, so really haven't posted very much recently. Work on adding my Harley fairing has stalled and will probably stay that way till Spring... Winter is such a sad time to be a motorcyclist... Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-26-2011, 06:47 PM	#8
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Changing the plugs and adding Seafoam is a great idea. The popping exhaust is most likely due to the lack of baffles. You should find some to install them, it will run a lot better and have more bottom end torque with the baffles in. Id also change the oil and antifreeze. It sounds like its been sitting a long while.
	0

11-27-2011, 07:54 AM	#11
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	Have you had the carbs off yet? Check the boot that the carbs mount to, these have a habit of cracking, thus allowing air into the manifold. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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