Vulcan drifters life expectancy

[darkdrifter]

averaging only a few hundred miles a year (if that, anymore), I'm probably the biggest "poser" on this forum.
I didn't buy mine for me, I bought it for a girlfriend at the time who thought she wanted to ride.  she went up the road and back with it once, and decided riding wasn't for her.  At 50,000 miles.  The oil is still very clean, and doesn't leak or burn. I use amsoil, just because.
I recently did the grampsize mod and I'd highly recommend it for any 800 Vulcan owner.
I don't ever really pay any attention to the 1500 drifters since I don't have one, but I'd say the 800 engine is gonna be around for awhile.  Using this engine in other models should only help with continued parts support and supply.

[pcarrell]

I can tell when I'm getting close to oil change time just because the engine seems to get noisier as I get closer to time.  It's subtle, but the little guy inside there with the hammer seems to get a bit more angry!

[Tfrank59]

I don't run synthetics. I've tried them and the only difference I have found is in the price.

Well I guess that means I'm not changing mine every 3000 miles . I actually think that 4000 is like twice as often as is needed with synthetic oil, but oh well.

[tj]

I don't run synthetics. I've tried them and the only difference I have found is in the price.

second that.

[Troll]

I don't run synthetics. I've tried them and the only difference I have found is in the price.

[Tfrank59]

Right now, 104,150 on my '01 1500....I don't baby it. Most of the miles I put on are at 70 mph or higher...I change oil every 3,000 miles, using Valvoline 4 stroke motorcycle oil (not V-twin oil) and a KAW filter. Runs perfectly, starts instantly, no leaks, ZERO oil consumption...I had 200,000 on my last H-D, but that was getting to the point it was going to need pistons. It still had the original ones, but I did re-ring it at 150,000....

I usually change my oil every 4000 miles – i'm running very same oil you are (it's the Valvoline full synthetic right?)– so should I do it every 3000?

[Tfrank59]

Well yeah checking them is simple, but as you say if you have to replace them, you have to get exactly right thickness shim and you have to somehow change it out, meaning remove the rocker arm or something right?  My KTM also had shims for the valve clearances, and mine were like .001 out of spec and I didn't bother with it ha ha. On that motor you had to remove the camshaft to change shims.

[CDNRatMan]

  I did the valve check or shim check on my at 35 because I was not sure if or when it had ever been done. I had never done this myself, so I asked the local Kaw mechanic who was laid off for the winter, if he would come over and help me do this check. So we did them and on the
IN the clearance is supposed to be 0.004 ~ 0.006 in. and mine were both at 0.005.
EX the clearance is supposed to be 0.008 ~ 0.010 in. again mine were 0.009
This is actually a very simple job to just do the check the real work is if you have to actually change shims.

[Tfrank59]

That's what I was looking for – a response based on experience, thank you. I guess one factor that will come in play at some point is I'll have to work on (adjust) those valves, and I understand with this Vulcan drifter it's shims, not screw adjusters. I guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Only 10 K on her now, and the valves don't make any noise at all.  And I can handle adjusting valves, but I don't want to do like pistons or rebuild the bottom end or anything that extensive, because well I'm just not that smart or ambitious

[Troll]

Right now, 104,150 on my '01 1500....I don't baby it. Most of the miles I put on are at 70 mph or higher...I change oil every 3,000 miles, using Valvoline 4 stroke motorcycle oil (not V-twin oil) and a KAW filter. Runs perfectly, starts instantly, no leaks, ZERO oil consumption...I had 200,000 on my last H-D, but that was getting to the point it was going to need pistons. It still had the original ones, but I did re-ring it at 150,000....

[Tfrank59]

So on the other forum I'm in for my other bike, there's this ongoing debate about how long those bikes last. The joke is from the time you buy it until it gets crashed, because the motors virtually never die, as long as they are maintained.

So with my Vulcan drifter 800, which I religiously maintain (OK I haven't changed the battery yet, if you read my last post on a different thread ), how long will this bike last? I mainly mean the motor, because this is my first V twin.  I run the full synthetic four stroke motorcycle oil, I don't beat on the bike – but I don't think you'd say I baby it – you could say I ride it "deliberately".  I respect it. I drive it like an owner – not like I stole it :-). But would anybody venture a guess like mileage or years or whatever? Are we talking 100 K, 200 K or perhaps not even close?  Yeah and I can already anticipate a variety of responses like "too many variables to say" or something along those lines. But in your experience, how long have Kawi Vulcans gone?  By the way, to narrow it down a little, I do mostly rural roads, in the 25 to 50 mph range, and very little freeway riding.