22 Years Sitting In Grandpa's Shed, Will It Run?

I hauled this 1987 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 back from Wisconsin to Seattle on my trip to pick up my grandpa's 49 Ford grain truck. A quick power wash and we'll roll it into the shop and see if I can make it run.

[@kicks_one_eight]

Love seeing old bikes come back to life 💪🏼

[@rcnelson]

Seeing the Vulcan fire up was more exciting than pon farr.

[@TomMcClean]

Love this kind of video. Love the low rider, laid back, styling on these older bikes. I'm 69 and have an American import VT600 Honda Shadow. I'm on it most days. Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills of Northern Ireland.

[@davidsharpe7644]

Making the seats nice and wet, what a hero!

[@russparker71]

"So I'm gonna power wash it". Yep - that was your first mistake right there!

[@stevewhite7875]

BEST video yet on how to get the carbs out of a 88 :) the only thing you need to do is strip the carbs in half to give them a REALLY GOOD CLEAN & I mean a really "GOOD CLEAN " They are a PAIN in the ARSE to get right ! (ask me how I know LOL ) Also check the diaphragm's on the side off the carbs they may be stuck !! Regards Steve

[@bryco32]

Always liked these. Comfortable.. Fast enough and reliable. I need to look for one again..

[@spacetruckin6555]

It ran, you win. Nice job and congrats on a cool old bike!

[@coplandjason]

Nice one, I had a 1995 Vn15SE, same colour as your bike, very similar in all respects. Great bikes

[@garethjudd5840]

Looks great. Just needs a good clean and service 👍

[@stevetealey2804]

Still a nice-looking bike for its age well done getting it up and running.

[@kevin34ct]

Great job. I bought a 2004 Vulcan Classic 1500 this year. These bikes are great. Love riding it. I put 8K miles on it this year. I ride as often as possible, even take it to work a couple days a week. Can't wait to see what you do to clean up some of the Chrome. I have some corrosion on some parts and need some pointers on how to clean it up.

[@paulfairbrass4424]

Just caught your video, love the vulcans. As you know carbs left that long will have varnish everywhere. And ive found at my cost, not clearing the fuel system completely over winter just causes fuel to go to jelly. Hope it goes well with the tank, that's some job itself.

[@richcxx]

Damn man that pressure washing was painful to watch! Well good luck….

[@johnpage1922]

Nice, well done on getting her fired up a bit, pilot jet probably still blocked on one carb or a sticky float needle too. These are really nice bikes to ride once sorted only 4 speed but mega torquey. I'm a sports bike guy but was getting a bit older so thought I'd try a cruiser and was really surprised how much I enjoyed it! It's not fireblade but was plenty quick enough and handled OK too. Good luck on sorting ye olde bubf out.

[@rodneykandel3162]

YES.. I used to have a bike just like that one. It was a good old bike. It was a torque monster and pretty quick and nimble. It a bike I wished I would have hang on too. Thou I am a big guy and it was a little small for me. But it was so fun to ride.

[@specialse]

Bike dry stored for decades....better totally submerge it in water before attempting to start it .......i have an 88 SE , was about the same condition as yours when i got it. much work but do like it. good luck .

[@chrisgaskill7923]

Your destroying things with that high pressure

[@mertensworkins9128]

I assure you my little electric craftsman hardly has enough pressure to clean the bed of my truck, I’m not gonna lose sleep over it:)

[@13yearsaprepperr.jtilbury.51]

finally some one that washes first ,, i see so many that leave 2 inches of mouse shit on things ,,,, well done mate , Rob NSW Australia

[@mertensworkins9128]

Thanks friend! I’m not a fan of working on things filthy if I don’t have to lol

[@kev1163]

the first video ive seen of yours, i subscribed to see if you get it running right.

[@juslytinah1978]

Very good sir

[@geraldscott4302]

Wow. I have a 1997 Vulcan 1500 almost exactly like that that I bought brand new. Almost the same color, and it has the cast wheels. I have put 67,000+ miles on it. It looks a lot better than that one, but is beginning to show its age. It still runs great, but it's getting hard to find parts for. Many of the rubber parts have started to deteriorate, and ethanol gas has done a lot of damage to the fuel system. It's getting hard to find fuel system parts for it. Be aware that these bikes have a plastic oil pump gear which was VERY failure prone in the Vulcan 1500 Classic, but seems to hold up a lot better in the BUBF (Butt Ugly But Fast) bikes like that one. I'm surprised mine has not failed yet.

[@JohnSmith-cf4gn]

I'm surprised too that your oil pump gear lasted that long. Mine stripped on me at 27,000 miles. I have a 1995 1500 Vulcan.

[@johney4484]

Power washing is probably the worse thing you can do. All that high pressure water gets into the electronics.

[@mattivirta]

ALL bike and car need first pressure wash good before start repair anythink. not newer open any parts if not has before all clean good .

[@walterherrera6614]

i have the 1996 and still works good

[@MasterCorporalK.Storch]

The bike that’s sitting in my grandpas shed has been sitting for 30 years, it’s a old 1968 suski k15p and we have to tear down a wall to get the bike, hopefully we are going to get the bike running

[@iluvmondays]

ihavent seen an actual model liked this. but its a beauty. i have a vulcan s

[@kevinpollard1550]

Iv always fancied one i had a 1500 drifter 15 years ago

[@bigdubb_t9563]

The rear carb probably needs the float removed and the needle valve most likely has debris in it, take it out and flush it with brake cleaner and a little compressed air. With the amount of rust in that tank it wouldn't surprise me and stale fuel varnishes up internals quite badly.

[@MegaTroyhamilton]

More updates please.

[@dutydruid9375]

Properly cleaning the carbs would have been a good start.

[@michaelwilliams4974]

First thing I would’ve done with change the oil

[@dale5303]

Never put new oil in something if dont know if itll run or atleast pop off

[@michaelwilliams4974]

@@dale5303 It’s called doing a compression check first if that’s good and you got spark you know it’ll run!

[@dale5303]

@@michaelwilliams4974 oh good so youd do that first then not change the oil.

[@hakim9821]

@@dale5303 lol😂

[@treadhead]

TAKE THE GAS TANK OFF & USE AN AIR COMPRESSOR HOSE TO BLOW OUT FOREIGN MATTER , *** CHANGE THE. ENGINE OIL , SPARK PLUGS , IF ABLE TO START ADD CARBURETOR CLEANER TO MIX WITH. FRESH GAS . ( NO START / IDLING ISSUES , REMOVE CARBURETOR ( S ) AND REBUILD / CLEAN - VARNISHED NEEDLE VALVES / FLOAT BOWELS ? )

[@Bassman1999]

Bad bad idea using a power washer with such a concentrated powerful jet! Common sense should tell you that!!

[@xcboothmanxc1]

Matters the GPM of the pressure washer not the stream, obviously wasn't a big pressure washer and didn't hurt anything lol

[@bobvido9875]

@@xcboothmanxc1 LOL. It seams you never used a pressure wash! 🤣🤣🤣

[@mattivirta]

pressure washer have perfect clean old bike before start repair anythink. if i repair my bike or car i first alltime pressure wash all car or bike perfect clean, not newer open any parts if not has first clean all good.

[@superbears7562]

Just bought one and having issues getting the bike to crank via the kill switch when I jump the relay it cranks any thoughts also do you have to hold the clutch to crank the bike ? ..

[@BAtadCrazy]

Wish there was an update. Oh well.

[@oranumics]

I currently own one,that motorcycle is a headache

[@francisgiles8623]

I got a 94 If it ever needs a good home Git ahold of me😊

[@jorgemorais4005]

Do you know someone who exports these vehicles to other countries, with their own shipping system?

[@mrcru53]

Does the Vulcan run now? What was the issue?

[@nilseckerbom6826]

It is Jpanese quality bike, so it will start very easy after oil and battery change

[@stephenwalsh8184]

🏍👍

[@likeablelabradoodle4035]

My grandpas Yamaha rx100 started after like 1hr of kicking after 27years

[@markduncan6690]

Could it be the Fuel Pump?

[@geebopbaluba1591]

You should just walk away because of the timing chain and sliders are so bad about failing because of poor quality and the engine has to be removed and disassembled to replace all the parts. I had one and it was way to much work and money. I’m just giving you my personal opinion and experience.

[@redminote6pro291]

Seems like you're a quitter.

[@johneldred1515]

Note it is a 1200 cc so may not be the same deal sounds like you may have it and the new batt good.

[@oledirtydoc3001]

It's a 1500

[@davidmiller2811]

Cranked it on unlubed cylinders

[@brianjacobsen8878]

You need a better tank . There's no cleaning and tank coating that can fix that.

[@markduncan6690]

It best to keep that water spray away from the Electrical Components!

[@stephenblack7168]

Almost died on one of these after the throttle locked up lkl

[@michaelc9128]

Man watching you pressure wash that bike like that hurt my eyes....

[@markduncan6690]

That “Idle” doesn’t sound correct!

[@chrisgaskill7923]

Too much starting fluid robs the cylinder and rings of oil .......

[@oledirtydoc3001]

They make starting fluid with upper cylinder lubricant

[@thomaslemay8817]

Your Tank is rust held is place by paint. I would not waste a lot of money or time on it . Get something else. You could go rat bike and convert a beer keg into a fuel tank. Learn to weld in the process.

[@sbsb4995]

That is a terrible way to wash the bike. A very lazy way.

[@mertensworkins9128]

Just knocking the dust off friend.

[@chipblanc6037]

Wonderful bikes! I have 3, a 550 and two 900s and all are salvage titles. I'm currently rebuilding my 2021 I just bought with a pushed in front end. I'm excited for you and this beauty. And Yes, @ Sb Sb, that is the ONLY way to 1st wash a 22 yr old barn find or a 2021 wre k, lol.

[@mattivirta]

best way wash old bike,car,etc first.

[@_andamentolento_]

Come non lavare una moto... per di piu ferma da anni..

[@unokarpa4405]

v-образные моторы это уже давно анахронизм, на заре мотостроения эта схема позволила дёшево поднять мощность добавив второй цилиндр используя запчасти от одноцилиндровых двигателей, защита американским правительством от зарубежных конкурентов компании Харли-Давидсон позволило десятилетиями выпускать эту неэффективную схему. Харли-Давидсон смогли сделать из бага фичу и эти неустойчивые моторы вошли в моду, этот Кавасаки - технологическое подражание, позор высокотехнологично повторять неэффективную схему только ради моды, помимо прочего эту схему неудобно обслуживать.

[@Daniel-nh8qn]

following this strange logic of yours, then also the v6, v8, v12 of noble car manufacturers, are they wrong engines? The v2 in line, allows for a two-cylinder of narrow dimensions (like a mono) offering less aerodynamic resistance. And if you like straight six cylinders, that's another matter .... But the honda cbx or the Kawa z 1300, they were not very graceful and manageable motorcycles ....

[@unokarpa4405]

​@@Daniel-nh8qn v6 и v8 по эффективности оправданные схемы для грузовиков, v12 - оправданная эффективность только для гигантских судовых и тепловозных двигателей потому что большие нагрузки на изгиб коленчатого вала должны быть поддержаны размером детали, рядный двухцилиндровый двигатель жидкостного охлаждения - самое эффективное решение для мотоцикла-круизёра, лобовое сопротивление в данном случае несущественно, для гонок лучший мотоцикл будет иметь рядный четырёхцилиндровый двигатель жидкостного охлаждения, эндуро - одноцилиндровый, для автомобиля эффективна рядная четвёрка, хотите быть самым быстрым - вам нужен электромобиль со всеми ведущими колёсами, хотите скоростную машину для дальних поездок - постройте по тепловозной схеме: бензиновый или дизельный двигатель вращает электрогенератор а колёса имеют электропривод. американские мотоциклы Харли-Девидсон просто модные, они неэффективны, японские подражания чуть лучше с точки зрения эффективности но они смешны. п.с. дюймовый крепёж - это зло. )

[@Daniel-nh8qn]

@@unokarpa4405 They are points of view .... The V engines (from 45 ° to 180 °) are also installed on racing cars that run at very high revs. Ferrari Porsche AMG, Audi Lamborghini all have V engines. But if effective, you mean cheaper and easier to produce engine, you are right. The ducati gp, the honda Gp, have V-engines and I don't think they are inefficient ... the in-line four cylinders usually lag behind and if they are close it is only because they give the ignition timing irregular just like a 4v (big bang yamaha) ... If you travel with a big air-cooled V2 in the summer in the heat, a trip can become very annoying due to the heat between your legs, with the water-cooling problem partially solved. Harleys are certainly in fashion, but they are also excellent cruising motorcycles, with their flaws, but with a personality that other bikes do not have and never will have .... then they are undoubtedly beautiful (especially those up to a decade ago). .. For inch bolts ... they are simply made in the USA ... and each state has its own rules and regulations ... but one buys the motorcycle for the emotion .... for the rationality you buy a refrigerator ...

[@Daniel-nh8qn]

however I have a VN1500 if since 1990 with which I have traveled all over Europe. It has always worked very well. A fifth gear would be needed, it consumes a little oil, but it has always given me good emotions .... Perhaps other cruisers were more aesthetically pleasing, but the performance of the VN1500 with two carburetors remains unmatched ...

[@unokarpa4405]

​@@Daniel-nh8qn у обычного человека нет своей гоночной команды которая будет обслуживать его мотоцикл или автомобиль, это десятки часов работы, это дорого, эти гоночные v-двигатели - просто мода, без должного обслуживания они начнут ебать мозг своему владельцу, c 2000 года изменилась политика всех корпораций, больше нет массового надёжного продукта, теперь задача продать модную вещь которая прослужит гарантийный срок и начнёт сыпаться на 1000 частей, в этих машинах и мотоциклах сложнаяч компоновка и спрятаны слабые детали глубоко внутри, это ответ на продолжающийся с 1990х мировой кризис перепроизводства, а теперь ещё кончилось пространство для расширения капитализма и финансовый фондовый пузырь должен оглушительно лопнуть, его можно медленно сдуть но это будет социализм которого так боятся те кого с детства пугают коммунизмом оболгав суть идеи.

[@marcomalo02]

You're uncle didn't like you much.

[@coreyfuchs730]

Horrible bike

[@davidmiller2811]

Power washing a bike is THE WORST way to clean it ,you force water into EVERYTHING, DUMB THING TO DO!

[@nigelbeaumont1109]

Oh…. It’s a Diesel.