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Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (1981–2008) maintenance schedule & recalls

VNAN

All years 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

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Maintenance schedule

General guidance

Typical intervals, not model-verified. Confirm against your owner’s manual.

Service Interval
Oil & filter every 4,000 mi or 6 months
Chain & sprockets every 600 mi or 3 months
Brakes every 12 months
Valve adjustment every 16,000 mi or 24 months
Battery every 12 months
Spark plugs every 8,000 mi or 24 months
Fluids/coolant every 24 months

Recalls

NHTSA · refreshed 1 day ago
99V338000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings affects 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. THE FUEL HOSE FROM THE FUEL FILTER TO THE THROTTLE ASSEMBLY CAN RUB AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL PUMP PLATE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL HOSE WITH A MOLDED HOSE THAT CURVES AWAY FROM THE FUEL PUMP PLATE. ALSO, A NEW BRACKET AND GROMMET WILL BE ADDED TO HOLD THE NEW HOSE IN POSITION. THE FUEL RETURN HOSE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED.

99V067000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System affects 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES (VN1500-J1/L) EQUIPPED WITH A DIGITAL FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM AND A VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR. THIS FEATURE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FROM CONTINUING TO PUMP FUEL IF THE MOTORCYCLE FALLS DOWN, BY SHUTTING OFF THE IGNITION AND FUEL INJECTION PUMP. DURING BATTERY MAINTENANCE, THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR CAN BE DISLODGED FROM ITS NORMAL MOUNTED POSITION. IF THE SENSOR IS OUT OF POSITION, THE MOTORCYCLE MAY NOT START OR MAY STALL DURING CERTAIN DRIVING MANEUVERS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER MOUNTING OF THE SENSOR AND RE-INSTALL IF IT IS NOT IN THE CORRECT POSITION. DEALERS WILL ALSO AFFIX TO THE MOTORCYCLE FRAME, A WARNING LABEL THAT PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONS ON REPOSITIONING THE VEHICLE-DOWN SENSOR AFTER SERVICING THE BATTERY.

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Common questions

How often should the oil & filter be serviced on a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (1981–2008)?

Service every 4,000 mi or 6 months for the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (1981–2008) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).

How often should the chain & sprockets be serviced on a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (1981–2008)?

Service every 600 mi or 3 months for the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (1981–2008) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).

How often should the brakes be serviced on a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (1981–2008)?

Service every 12 months for the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (1981–2008) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).

How often should the valve adjustment be serviced on a Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (1981–2008)?

Service every 16,000 mi or 24 months for the Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 (1981–2008) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).