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Another Bike Choice Question.

7977 Views 23 Replies 18 Participants Last post by  tomk2
a) first



b) it's not worth your $500, your time or the space it would take up in the garage
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How good are your wrenching skills? Double check if the front was raked. That would be the hardest to correct. $500 sounds OK for what it is.



peace,



CDM
If you want a bike, no. If you want a project, probably still no. There are better project bikes available.
$200 and you're alright. Parts are easy. Just be sure you want to put money into a $500 bike.
$200 and you're alright. Parts are easy. Just be sure you want to put money into a $500 bike.
Do you mean he will pay you $500 to take it away? Don't think it is worth it unless you need $500 and have room to bury it. The dump around here charges more than that to dispose of large contaminated scrape meta.l
If your question had included any other bike, I would have said no. But the Kawasaki Vulcan VN750 is destined for cult bike status and deserves your mechanical worship.



First off, and not many folks know this, the 1988 Vulcan 750 is actually a rebadged Suzuki V700 Madura, stroked out 50cc after the tarrifs were lifted. You're probably very familiar with the Madusas, as they've achieved cult bike status as the the hottest bike to be seen on in 1986.



Well, Kawasaki acquired thousands of Madusas to rebadge, and this was actually the first time Kawasaki and Suzuki worked together to bring products to market. As you may know, the spawn of this union was the Vulcan 750, and set the stage for the work the two companies would do together in the late 90s up 'til now.



In order to maintain their reputation for powerful engines, Kawasaki stroked out the Madusa engine to 750, giving it higher compression in the process. They massaged the bump sticks in the 4 valve heads, giving more lift and duration, providing satisfying power all the way out to 7500 RPM.



When Scotty Parker starting winning Grand Nationals on his Vulcan 750, they began to be hard to find in the showroom. Lucky you for landing one!
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I work in a motorcycle shop. We are authorized dealers for all four Japanese marques. There are certainly bikes that I personally prefer over others, but that is a matter of personal preference. Of all the bikes we sell, there are only a few which I would not recommend to a friend, based on objective facts, not simply my opinion. The Vulcan 750 is one such bike. The mechanics at the shop hate working on this model. We have had several brand new ones which developed problems shortly after purchase (fortunately, covered under warranty...but warranties don't cover you for frustration and inconvenience). My two cents: don't throw good money after bad only to end up (many dollars later) with a bike which is not only an old design, but not a particularly good one.
The Manura was a V-4, the Kawasuki a V-twin, are you on earth?
Save your money, that thing was a POS when new, now? Forget it!
I personaly would look for something older and cooler, ducati, triumph, norton, bsa or a nice honda 4 from the 70's. thats a lot of stuff to throw money at for a bike thats not even 20 years old
Always remember,if the bike looks like a dog, it probably is a dog. Like its external appearance ,the mechanicals are probably just as neglected.The lack of servicing and maintainance will cost you dearly in replacment parts when it comes to fixing up any project bike.Be afraid,very afraid!
Usually I would say listen to yout heart but in this case I would listen to the predominant tone of the reponses.



Run Forest! Run!
Some cult bikes are best left to the zealots.
I'm impressed by your deep and wide ranging knowledge of moto-trivia, brother!



Yes, the Kawasaki Manudo was a V4-- Suzuki siamesed the bores to adopt the oval piston technology of the 1979 NR500.



I should know what I'm talking about-- my daily commuter is a Vulcan 750 twin motor in a 1968 Amen Savior frame.
I think you need to get back on your medication. Clearly, the voices have returned. Maybe you're the "mechanic" who is selling the bike?
To quote Fred Sanford: "Are you crazy?"



Financial decisions like these will keep you on a 1985 Shadow for another 20 years.
Re: He's payin' U right?

It's absolutly worth $500. It'll probably only cost $50. or so to scrap it out and you'll still be able to pocket $450. Plus whatever the salvage yard pays out per pound for scrap metal. If someone was paying me $500 totake that POS to the boneyard I'd do it. Even after I rented a truck I'd pocket at least $400...
Re: Too many Bike/Life Choice Questions.

Paint the whole bike silver with a rattlecan, (like Billy Pilgrim's boots) and only ride it at night. Wear a black cape & jodhpurs. Change your name to Migelito. Do not walk, but "leap" everywhere you go. Tatoo the Virgin of Guadalupe on your chest. Sport a black pencil thin moustache and soul patch. Have a fencing scar. Lisp when you say "moto guzzi".
Dave, Dave... now you are implying that Suzukis had oval pistons and dual connecting rods? Oh boy, I wish I had some of that stuff you are smoking!!!
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