Kawasaki Vulcan 500 Straightaway Speed Run

[ylism]

My En500 says EX500 on the motor pad, Is this right or did they run out of EN 500 blocks and use the Ninja block. I have a ? Just changed the oil and the motor seems to be louder now, With a ticking noise around the top part. It now has 5K + miles do the valves need adjusting at this point ? Or does the oil filter have to high PSI of release spring. Need help, Have another filter I may try. I read some of the filters made in Mexico are suspect.

I learned afterwards. Mine is made in Mexico.

[bedsheetmonkey]

@ylism My engine also has EX500 vin # on the block, I was wondering the same thing, I guess if you call Kawasaki they can tell you. I haven't gotten around to calling yet myself. I have a tapping noise myself, and never considered the oil filter... mine sounds like it comes from the left side, either from the valves or the cam chain. the repair manual says the valves have to be checked at 10K miles. the tapping is usually loud when the bike is started (cold) and goes away as the bike warms up.

[ylism]

@bedsheetmonkey Sounds like mine. Did yours start after a oil & filter change, Mine did, Same area for sounds. This seems to be normal problem for Kawasaki bikes. There's a webpage on "oil filter burping" to help with that, It happens at changing only. Sometimes they get air trapped in the lines, and if not fixed fast can do damage, They say not to fill the filter with oil when replacing it. I did as norm, The oil light went out fast. Mine not as loud now. Marval mystery oil is good to add. yl

[ylism]

It does a little worse when using fuel cleaner in it. It's was around 55. At 230 I am no light weight. But the bike pulls good. I can keep up with just about any size cruiser bike easy. That is in the mountains of TN,NC,VA. Most of the time I get way better mileage then them as well.

[ylism]

My EN 500 will do 100mph easy, and that's with a windshield. There's just no need to go that fast thou. It's a good bike for the longer trips. I get 66mpg. I read they would get around 50 mpg ,Mine does way better. Is that normal to get 65+ mpg ?

[bedsheetmonkey]

@ylism yea i've read in a lot of places that it's about 50-55mpg, but i have seen other people say they got 65. Before i did a bunch of repairs on mine i was getting like 45mpg, but now i'm getting around 55mpg. I think theres a lot of factors that go into it, weight/size of rider, condition of the engine/carbs/sparkplugs/etc...

[deathbyzergling]

@ylism Lucky you, I'm averaging about 45-55 mpg on my old 454 LTD. (Predecessor to the Vulcan, based on a 908 engine, with two cylinders instead of 4). Would you recommend an engine rebuild?

[ylism]

@deathbyzergling Mine was done the same way. Help me understand why you would ask, maybe we can help it some.The fuel alone can change the MPG big time. Most of the time I get my fuel from the same place, When I changed that, It dropped way off and started skipping a little, The gas was bad. Not going back. Filled It again it used 3 gal for 173 miles dropped down to around 57mpg, with the bad gas. When was last time it had a tune up.Does it smoke, use oil, What's the mileage on it,Those are good

[deathbyzergling]

@ylism

I was using premium due to the high compression, but plus is a VERY nice balance between better MPG and lack of knock. I'm now averaging '50s with a passenger and somewhat spirited riding and city driving.

[ylism]

@deathbyzergling Mine was done the same way. Help me understand why you would ask, maybe we can help it some.The fuel alone can change the MPG big time. Most of the time I get my fuel from the same place, When I changed that, It dropped way off and started skipping a little, The gas was bad.Filled It again it used 3 gal for 174 miles dropped down to around 57mpg, W- the bad gas. When was last time it had a tune up.Does it smoke, use oil, What's the mileage,Those are good motors.

[deathbyzergling]

@ylism Also, forgot to mention, I've got 30k miles on it, well worn-in, but garage kept and well serviced. A loose belt didn't help matters, nor did saddlebags. No smoke, and no use of oil as far as I can tell. No leaks, either.

[bennyleo7]

it slow!!

[bedsheetmonkey]

@bennyleo7 well its a vulcan 500cc... not a hayabusa :)

[lagranhorabruja]

@bedsheetmonkey I have a En500 and is a great motorcycle is very confortable and very fast on the top speed, for a custom motorcycle is very fast :)