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Kawasaki Vulcan 1500A and B until and including 1997 models
"Probably" covers 98 and 99 models as well
(I "think" the C model (AKA "L") has the same specs as the A (except
things that concern handlebars and wheels), but don’t take my word for it)
VN1500A
aka Vulcan 88 (US and Canada)
aka VN-15 (Others)
VN1500B
aka Vulcan 88 SE (US and Canada)
aka VN-15 SE (Others)
Gear Ratio Change for 1997 1500A
| 1500A |
A1-A10 |
A11-A13 |
| 1st |
2.500 (40/16) |
2.500 (40/16) |
| 2nd |
1.590 (35/22) |
1.375 (33/24) |
| 3rd |
1.192 (31/26) |
1.035 (29/28) |
| 4th |
0.965 (28/29) |
0.781 (25/32) |
Year to Model
1987 A1 B1
1988 A2 B2
1989 A3 B3
1990 A4 B4
1991 A5 B5
1992 A6 B6 |
1993 A7
1994 A8 C1
1995 A9 C2
1996 A10 C3
1997 A11 C4
1998 A12 |
Items |
VN1500 A1-A11 |
VN1500 B1-B6 |
| Dimensions |
|
|
| Overall length |
2390mm, (A)(F)2385mm, (E)2410mm, (I)2435mm |
2370mm, (E)2375mm |
| Overall width |
895mm |
Same |
| Overall height |
1190mm, (A)(E)1180mm |
1210mm, (E)1195mm |
| Wheelbase |
1605mm |
1635mm, (E)1630mm |
| Road clearance |
150mm. (A)(E)135mm |
165mm, (E)160mm |
| Seat height |
720mm, (A)(E) 750mm |
750mm, (E)745mm |
| Dry weight |
252kg, (Cal)252.5kg, (E)257kg, (G)256kg |
248kg, (Cal)248.5kg, (E)249kg |
| Curb weight front |
126kg, (E)128kg |
121kg, (Cal)121.5kg |
| Curb weight rear |
154kg, (Cal)154.5kg, (E)157kg, (G)156kg |
154kg, (E)155kg |
| Fuel tank capacity |
16L |
12L |
| Performance |
|
|
| Minimum turning radius |
3.0m, (A)(E)2.7m |
3.0m |
| Engine |
|
|
| Type |
4-stroke, SOHC, V 2-cylinder |
Same |
| Cooling system |
Liquid-cooled |
Same |
| Bore and stroke |
102.0 x 90.0 mm |
Same |
| Displacement |
1470mL |
Same |
| Compression ratio |
9.0:1 |
Same |
| Maximum horsepower |
"Too much typing tonight" |
Same, *1 |
| Maximum torque |
"These are long ones" |
Same, *2 |
| Carburetor system |
Carburetors, Keihin CVK36 x 2 |
Same |
| Starting system |
Electric Starter |
Same |
| Ignition system |
Battery and coil (transistorized) |
Same |
| Timing advance |
Electronically advanced |
Same |
| Ignition timing |
5° BTDC @800 r/min (rpm) |
Same, (W)5° BTDC @900 r/min (rpm) |
| Spark plug |
NGK DPR7EA-9 or ND X22EP-U9
(A)(I)(U)NGK DP7EA-9 or ND X22EP-U9 |
Same |
| Cylinder numbering method |
Front to rear, 1-2 |
Same |
| Firing order |
1-2 |
Same |
| Valve timing |
|
|
| Inlet Open |
22° BTDC |
Same |
| Inlet Close |
66° ABDC |
Same |
| Inlet Duration |
268° |
Same |
| Exhaust open |
66° BBDC |
Same |
| Exhaust close |
26° ATDC |
Same |
| Exhaust Duration |
272° |
Same |
| Lubrication system |
Forced lubrication (wet sump) |
Same |
| Engine oil |
|
|
| Grade |
SE, SF, or SG class (do not use SH) |
Same |
| Viscosity |
SAE 10W-40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20W-50 |
Same |
| Capacity |
3.5L |
Same |
| Oil change |
2.5L (2.64 US qts) |
Same |
| Oil and filter change |
2.7L (2.85 US qts) |
Same |
| Drive Train |
|
|
| Primary reduction system |
|
|
| Type |
Gear |
Same |
| Reduction ratio |
1.517 (85/86) |
Same |
| Clutch type |
Wet, multi-disc |
Same |
| Transmission |
|
|
| Type |
4-speed, contant mesh, return shift |
Same |
| Gear ratios |
|
|
| 1st |
2.500 (40/16), (A11 on) 2.500 (40/16) |
Same |
| 2nd |
1.590 (35/22), (A11 on) 1.375 (33/24) |
Same |
| 3rd |
1.192 (31/26), (A11 on) 1.035 (29/28) |
Same |
| 4th |
0.965 (28/29), (A11 on) 0.781 (25/32) |
Same |
| Final drive system |
|
|
| Type |
Shaft |
Same |
| Reduction ratio |
2.619 (15/21 x 33/9) |
Same |
| Overall drive ratio |
3.838, (A11) 3.105 @ top gear |
Same |
| Final gear case oil |
|
|
| Type |
API GL-5 Hypoid gear oil
SAE90 (above 5° C)
SAE80 (below 5° C) |
Same |
| Capacity |
200 mL |
Same |
| Frame |
|
|
| Type |
Tubular, double cradle |
Same |
| Caster (rake angle) |
31° |
33° , (E)32.5°
|
| Trail |
128mm |
138mm, (E)132mm |
| Front tire type |
Tubeless |
Tube |
| Front tire size |
100/90-19 57H |
Same |
| Rear tire type |
Tubeless |
Tube |
| Rear tire size |
150/90-15 74H or 150/90-15 M/C 74H |
Same or 150/90B15 M/C 74H |
| Front suspension |
|
|
| Type |
Telescopic fork |
Same |
| Wheel travel |
150mm |
Same |
| Rear suspension |
|
|
| Type |
Swingarm |
Same |
| Wheel travel |
100mm |
Same |
| Brake type front |
Single disc |
Same |
| Brake type rear |
Single disc |
Same |
| Electrical Equipment |
|
|
| Battery |
12 V 20 Ah |
Same |
| Headlight type |
Semi-sealed beam |
Same |
| Headlight bulb |
12 V 60/55 W (quartz-halogen) |
Same |
| Tail/brake light |
12 V 8/27 W x 2, (A)(E) 12 V 5/21 W x 2 |
Same |
| Alternator type |
Three-phase AC |
Same |
| Alternator rated output |
25 A @6000 r/min (rpm), 14 V |
Same |
| (A) Australian |
(F) French |
(Sd) Swedish |
| (Au) Austrian |
(Fi) Finnish |
(U) US |
| (Cal) California |
(G) German |
(UK) UK |
| (E) European |
(I) Italian |
(W) Swiss |
Fuel System until and including 1997 models
Item |
VN1500-A |
VN1500-B |
| Throttle grip free play |
2-3mm |
2-3mm |
| Carburetors |
|
|
| Make, type |
Keihin, CVK36 |
Same |
| Main jet front |
#112, (Cal) #118 |
#130 |
| Main jet rear |
#112, (US)(C) #115, (Cal) #118 |
#132 |
| Jet needle front |
N53S, (Cal) N53U, (W) N67F |
N36P, (Cal) N36R, (W) N77D |
| Jet needle rear |
N67A, (US)(C) N53T, (Cal) N53V, (W) N67G |
N36Q, (Cal) N36S, (W) N77D |
| Pilot screw |
1 ½ turns out, A3~ : 2 ¼ turns out, (US) : - |
Same |
| Service fuel level front |
2.2 ± 1 mm |
Same |
| Service fuel level rear |
4.2 ± 1 mm |
Same |
| Idle speed |
750 – 850 r/min (rpm) |
Same
(W) 850-950 r/min (rpm) |
| Sync vacuum |
Less than 2.7 kPa (2 cm Hg) |
Same |
| (US): US Model |
(C): Canada Model |
(Cal): California Model |
| (W): Swiss Model |
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