Kawasaki Vulcan Forum banner

1996 Vulcan 500 LTD - stalls when clutch is released

3113 Views 23 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Phreon
Hi All,

I bought this bike a few weeks back and have had a problem since. The bike idles fine but when I put her in gear and release the clutch she dies on me. I can get her in gear, begin to roll and then when I just about have the clutch released the RPMs drop and then dies on me.

I have replaced the kick stand switch, clutch switch and other maintenance items (oil change, spark plugs, ect).

Any suggestions please send them my way, I am completely at a loss with this issue.

Thanks,
Randy
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
See your previous thread on this same subject, post #5.

Just replacing stuff usually ends in failure and the issue has to be troubleshot.

At this point, it is not known if it is electrical or some other problem.
See your previous thread on this same subject, post #5.

Just replacing stuff usually ends in failure and the issue has to be troubleshot.

At this point, it is not known if it is electrical or some other problem.


I uploaded a video to youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3ooOKuG4yw

I've been troubleshooting this for a few weeks and any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.

Thanks,
Rpeach72
1. Why is it idling so fast?
2. Still recommend raising rear wheel and testing.
1. Why is it idling so fast?
2. Still recommend raising rear wheel and testing.
Apparently my co-worker was messing with it last night, I adjusted the idle back to normal.

I will take your suggestion and raise the wheel and see if that helps.

Thanks for the recommendation!
OK. Post back with results.

Maybe it is in two gears at once and when you raise the wheel, it will still stall. Need to know that.
OK. Post back with results.

Maybe it is in two gears at once and when you raise the wheel, it will still stall. Need to know that.
Ok, got the wheel off the ground and she appears to shift fine.

Thanks for the suggestion!

If you know what I need to attack first let me know.

Thanks,
Rpeach72
Are you SURE it is in first gear?

Yes I went through all gears just to be sure.
On your video, you do not give any more throttle when the clutch starts to grab. Have you tried that?
As an add, are both exhaust pipes getting hot about 6" down from cylinder head?

Can you post a video of normal idle speed and an attempted take off in first.
On your video, you do not give any more throttle when the clutch starts to grab. Have you tried that?
Yes I have given it more throttle when the clutch is engaged but still same result.

Thanks again
What about the pipes and the idle?

If you cannot get it to idle properly without cranking up the idle screw, there is the problem.
What about the pipes and the idle?

If you cannot get it to idle properly without cranking up the idle screw, there is the problem.
Damn, you're good. The one pipe is cold as can be. Guess my first step is to pull the plug out and test the coil. From there I think I am lost.

Thanks again!
RPeach72
Damn, you're good. The one pipe is cold as can be. Guess my first step is to pull the plug out and test the coil. From there I think I am lost.

Thanks again!
RPeach72
Oh, and the idle is still kind of high. Still need to investigate that.
It is only running on one cylinder. That is why it has no power to launch and the idle has to be cranked up.

First step is to check for spark on cold cylinder. Do not take anything apart until that is done.

Post back with results or questions.
It is only running on one cylinder. That is why it has no power to launch and the idle has to be cranked up.

First step is to check for spark on cold cylinder. Do not take anything apart until that is done.

Post back with results or questions.
Hey, I'm not sure what you mean by no taking anything apart, where you referring to the idle knob? I was planning on removing the plug, while still attached to the coil to see if it sparks.

Am I going about it the wrong way?
You are on the right track.

When you said "test the coil", I was unsure what you meant by that.
I am so curious as to how this turns out! Sfair, you are a good man (and patient) to be helping out!
You are on the right track.

When you said "test the coil", I was unsure what you meant by that.
I swapped the coils, then the plugs. Now both pipes are steaming hot, but same result. Idle is still high, do you think that has something to do with the problem?
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top