Hi My name is Mike and I am new to this forum... I hope someone can give me some helpful info on the problem I am having with my bike...

I bought my bike new in 1996. It is a Vulcan 1500 Classic D. I have 7000 miles on the bike. I have V&H Pipes and rejet kit for the carb. I also have a coyote kit air cleaner on the bike.

3 years ago the bike sit for one season. THe next year when I started the bike it had a miss at about 1/4 throttle. I was told that the carb was gumed up from gas sitting for so long. I have tried Yamaha carb cleaner with very little success. Then I tried Seafoam and this worked better but still the miss did not go away.

Now I have the bike at the local dealer where I bought the bike and they have had it for a month. They said the bike was fixed and for me to come pick it up yesterday. They rejected the carb and replaced the diaphragm. When I arrived to pick up the bike they assured me the problem was resolved. When I started the bike this miss was still there. I asked the shop manager if he heard it. She said yes but the mechanic that worked on it assured her that if you let the bike warm up it will go away. She asked me to take it for a ride and it will clear up. After about 10 minutes it was worse than when I dropped the bike off.

Does anyone have an idea what might be the problem? Let me add, before I took the bike in I had the air filter off to test if the carb was lean. I cupped my hand over the carb (like a choke) and the miss cleared up…

Please help a newbeee…..

 

Welcome to the forums, Mike. I was trying to think of a way to put a positive spin on your dealer experience, but.....let's just say no dealer gets near my bike.
I would start at the beginning and take the carb off, drain, clean everything including jets; check springs, float, seals, linkage, check your tank for any goop, and clean the fuel filter (install one if you don't have one). See what your spark plugs tell you. Double check the actual fuel flow from the tank; make sure venting is good at/near the cap (although I don't think this is the problem.)
Is there some sort of automatic choke or something which "changes" after the bike is warm? Sorry, Vulcans aren't my specialty. There's probably some guys on here who can give you better advice. (Anybody help?) Keep us posted though, OK?
Welcome, again!

 

Welcome To Kawasaki Forums.
Turn On Same Tunes And Enjoy The Ride.

 

Welcome to KF Mike

I will not bad mouth your dealer experience. Not everyone will hit the nail on the head on the first try. But I still think that the carb may be abit off still. There are some good people out there and that work in dealerships that honestly take the job seriously.

 

Hi Jeff and everyone that welcomed me...

I forgot ot add this info.... I have had the carb off and cleaned it... Also new plugs and a new K&N air filter....

THings that came to mind that I haven't checked are fuel pump, & fuel filter....

I have done some research and saw that if the valuves are a little tight it will have a miss like this that appears to be a carb issue.....

Any input will be helpful...

Thanks to all...

 

For the record, here is my beef with dealers I have experienced:
Let me be clear, I understand, appreciate, and am fully willing to pay for training and expertise. T and E (no, Worlok; not T and A) is what gives value to any dealer service department. I can handle the majority of bike-related problems. It's not the T and E I'm after when I go to a dealer for a repair. It IS about the convenience. For rebuilds and "split-the-cases," I consult my friends. One or two of those friends have incredible mechanical chops I would rather pay dealer service rates to, than the seemingly "trainees" (I have experienced) actually at the dealers. And, my friends refuse to let me pay them. I have directly experienced the "customer = problem," or "customer = idiot" mentality; "it's $100 to diagnose" (even though I just told them exactly what is wrong and probably have the part number.) So, I have acquired a multitude of tools over the years and have learned to appreciate the value of the inconvenience. Like I suggest to many posters: Don't pay someone else for the opportunity to learn something about YOUR bike (or car, or whatever.) Especially with sites like this one!!
Just my own personal opinion.

 

Sounds like the the pilots (idle) jets will need a good cleaning to me. This will require a full carb tear down. Make sure the pilot jets are clean. Stick a very thin wire thru to verify they are clear. I agree 1000% on not using the dealer for this service. I have had major issues due to improper assembly because as stated, noobs tend to get the job. I would try to find a good mechanic that you can trust. that is tough though. But ask other riders in your area who they use if they don't do the work themselves.