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Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (1990–2009) maintenance schedule & recalls

ENVC

All years 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

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Maintenance schedule

General guidance

Typical intervals, not model-verified. Confirm against your owner’s manual. Factory-verified schedule coming soon.

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 3 days ago
04V023000 · Engine And Engine Cooling affects 2003, 2004

ON CERTAIN 2003 VULCAN 1500 CLASSIC, 1500 DRIFTER, 2003-2004 1500 MEAN STREAK, 2003 1600 CLASSIC, AND 2003-2004 NOMAD FL MODEL MOTORCYCLES, HIGH OIL PRESSURE UPON A COLD START-UP CAN DEFORM THE OIL FILTER CARTRIDGE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL FILTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 2, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KAWASAKI AT 1-949-770-0400.

97V233000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission affects 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTORCYCLES. AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION GEAR CAN CAUSE WEAKENING AND EVENTUAL BREAKAGE OF AN ADJACENT GEAR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THESE MOTORCYCLES AND REPAIR AFFECTED UNITS.

95V096000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft affects 1995

THE DRIVE CHAINS HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY HEAT-TREATED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE THE CHAIN SIDE PLATES TO CRACK AND ULTIMATELY FAIL.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DRIVE CHAINS ON THE MOTORCYCLES INVOLVED IN THIS RECALL.

10V507000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages affects 2009

KAWASAKI IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 VULCAN MOTORCYCLES. THE ENGINE MAY STALL IF THE RIDER IS COASTING WITH THE CLUTCH PULLED IN DUE TO AN IMPROPER SETTING OF THE ENGINE CONTROL UNIT (ECU).

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECU WITH ONE CONTAINING REVISED SETTINGS TO ADDRESS THE ENGINE STALLING. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KAWASAKI CONSUMER SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 1-866-802-9381.

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Common questions

How often should the oil & filter be serviced on a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (1990–2009)?

Service every 4,000 mi or 6 months for the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (1990–2009) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).

How often should the chain & sprockets be serviced on a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (1990–2009)?

Service every 600 mi or 3 months for the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (1990–2009) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).

How often should the brakes be serviced on a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (1990–2009)?

Service every 12 months for the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (1990–2009) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).

How often should the valve adjustment be serviced on a Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (1990–2009)?

Service every 16,000 mi or 24 months for the Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (1990–2009) (general guidance; confirm against your owner's manual).