Old rider with new toy

[puckothewilde]

This is the story of how I came to own a Vulcan 500.

At 2:30am Wednesday 2.22.12 I hit a deer with my Honda Shadow 1100 going about 60mph. I was just at the Azle, Tx citly limits when I suddenly hit what seemed like a big, brown, hairy wall. 2nd deer hit in my riding career. 1st was about 20 yrs ago. My wife Lisa says I need to stop calling her from the side of the road with all the traffic noise in the background. Called her a couple of years ago when a car clipped me on the way to work.

http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z83/ ... vs%20Deer/

So. Now the poor Honda needs work. But it has 120k commuter miles on it so is it really worth fixxing? I fgure a new bike is in order and I wanted something that gets good mpg since it will be my daily commuter. I started hitting craigslist. I only had $2000, but I thought I might get lucky.

Then this last week a red 2002 Vulcan 500 came up. It had a windshield, bags, siisybar with luggage rack, and engine guards. For only $1750! I called Lisa and tod her this was the one I wanted. I went and picked it up on April, Firday the 13th. I have good luck Friday the 13th. I think this is my 26th bike in 40 yrs of riding. So far I really like it. Except it feels so small after the Shadow.

http://s190.photobucket.com/albums/z83/ ... can%20500/

Kevin Smith

[Turbojoe]

Welcome to the forum Kevin! You didn't say if you were injured. I hope not. From the looks of your riding gear I doubt you escaped without at least a few scrapes and bruises though. The only thing I've ever hit on a bike was a cat a few weeks ago and that almost made me crash. Hitting a deer? I don't think I ever want to go through something like that!

You're going to love your Vulcan. Looks like you got a great deal. I see at least $600-$800 worth of accessories. Bike looks to be in great shape too.

Joe

[puckothewilde]

Lots of bruising. Mostly healed. My left shoulder is still messed up. That was my fault. As I was rolling down the road I suddenly thought, "I need to grab on to something to slow down." Like that was going to work at 60mph. You can think "tuck and roll" all you want, but when it actually happens what runs through your mind isn't the same. I would have been ok if I hadn't stuck my arm out. Now I'm hoping to see a specialist, it isn't getting better on it's own. But as you saw from the pix, if it wasn't for the gear I probably would not have gotten up.

I've gotten more and more ATGATT in my old age (53).

But I just had to have a bike. Been riding most of my life. My Dad and most of my uncles rode old Brit bikes, so it just seemed like My brother, cousins and I were always going to ride.Can't imagine not riding.

Kevin

[Triangles]

That's a hell of a good deal! I see the PO also swapped the stock mufflers for some Harley mufflers. Anyway welcome to the forum.

[puckothewilde]

That's a hell of a good deal! I see the PO also swapped the stock mufflers for some Harley mufflers. Anyway welcome to the forum.

Ah, that might be why it seems kinda louder than I expected.

Kevin

[puckothewilde]

Should I check to see if it has been rejetted? Or does it need it?

[Triangles]

As long as the intake was not modified you shouldn't need to re-jet. One thing you may notice is popping when you let off the acceleration. This is normal but you wouldn't hear them with the factory mufflers. The engine has what is called the "Kawasaki clean air system" Which injects the air into the exhaust thru the hose ports on the top of the engine. This is done to ignite and burn up the unburned gas in the exhaust pipes before it leaves the exhaust. Some people have found various methods to block off this system because they don't like the exhaust popping and some people speculate that the popping leads to failure of the welds that hold the inner exhaust pipe to the outer chrome pipe near the cylinder head.

[GeorgiaRider]

Great looking ride Kevin! It looks like it was kept in great shape. You'll love the power and the gas mileage of the 500.

[puckothewilde]

As long as the intake was not modified you shouldn't need to re-jet. One thing you may notice is popping when you let off the acceleration. This is normal but you wouldn't hear them with the factory mufflers. The engine has what is called the "Kawasaki clean air system" Which injects the air into the exhaust thru the hose ports on the top of the engine. This is done to ignite and burn up the unburned gas in the exhaust pipes before it leaves the exhaust. Some people have found various methods to block off this system because they don't like the exhaust popping and some people speculate that the popping leads to failure of the welds that hold the inner exhaust pipe to the outer chrome pipe near the cylinder head.

Good to know. My Shadow had Cobra aftermarket pipes and rejetting. Sometimes the popping on decel sounded like cannon fire. Haven't had any popping with the 500 yet.

Kevin

[puckothewilde]

Great looking ride Kevin! It looks like it was kept in great shape. You'll love the power and the gas mileage of the 500.

It has several dents & scrapes. It was the guy's wife's 1st bike. She dropped it a few times. She got a Can Am Spyder. I got it for the gas mileage, not concerned about a few dents.

Kevin