Kawasaki Vulcan S mods (shift link and reduce reach handlebars install)

[@kylekilgore8007]

Nice video Nick....inspired me to do the same to my Wife's Vulcan S. I did find out you can avoid the entire clutch cable issue by sliding the whole assembly off the end and onto the end of the new bars. Just don't take throttle housing completely apart and need to remove bar end and handle bars from mount. slide the assembly off the end of old bars and onto the end of new bars then mount to bike and tighten back up.

[@TechNickRides]

Excellent tip, thanks for stopping by Kyle 🙂👍

[@BlackphoenixEntertainment]

Great job Nick. Install videos can sometimes be tough, but you really nailed it down.

[@TechNickRides]

Thanks man, I appreciate the support 👍

[@KrakensGarageandAdventures]

A great job customizing Mrs. TechNick's bike to fit her better. I hope the ergonomics fit her much better. Keep up the great work on your channel. Eric

[@TechNickRides]

Thank you Eric

[@chribm]

Unfortunately I didn't find any good way to adjust the stock mirrors either. I'm 6'1" with broader shoulders and the stock mirrors are just too narrow. I got bar end mirrors (Fenrir) which I do like.

[@TechNickRides]

Great idea on the bar end mirrors option, I agree the stock mirrors leave very little room for adjustment.

[@Kephers7]

Just literally ordered these. I had the same problem.

[@TechNickRides]

@kephers7 yeah there terrible for any type of adjustment.

[@vjarndupreiz4529]

Can we get the length of the tie Rod tip to tip please

[@TechNickRides]

The reduced reach tie rod I use measures 180mm. www.kawasaki.com/Content/Uploads/Accessories/999940674/ii_999940674.pdf The regular size one measures 205mm and the extended one is 230mm.

[@Censuwine]

Do you think mirror extenders would give you sufficient swivel to get the mirrors to stay in the right place? I had some installed simply because I could not see past my own shoulders. Alternatively, what about bar-end mirrors?

[@TechNickRides]

I picked up some mirror extenders off amazon and tried them since the reduce reach bars changed the original mirrors angle position. They helped a little bit, but still the viewing appears limited. I haven't try bar end mirrors, so not sure how they would do.

[@donvanmeter4057]

I'm confused. I saw you put in the new shift rod but I didn't see you move the actual foot peg so what was the point?

[@TechNickRides]

Foot pegs was already moved from previous owner. The intent of the shorter shift rod is part of the parts ergo fitment for riders under 5’7”. While you can use the normal shift rod, as before, I went with the shorter one to clean up how the shifter seemed to work better.

[@GlidingOnTwos]

Great tech tips Nick! 👏🏾 👍🏾

[@TechNickRides]

Hey Nore, Thanks man, and thank you for stopping by. 😎👍

[@Lugumaniak]

Didn't show the bike ?

[@alangriff1]

Why do you need to change the position of the lever on the spline shaft? Also you didn't explain that the shift lever position changes when you fit the shorter shaft....or does it automatically put the gear pedal in the correct position after fitting the shorter shaft? - sorry...a little confused.

[@TechNickRides]

My apologizes the pedal along with the gear shifter was already moved back when I got the bike from the previous owner. It looks like they used the existing normal size shift rod and moved that shift linkage back a bit to make it work. I mean it still shifted gears but just seemed a bit awkward shifting to me. The shorter shift rod helped to correct it. An from what I read on the reduced rider comfort from Kawasaki that was one of the items to use.

[@larry68hd11]

Hello Nick. Great install 👌 👍.

[@TechNickRides]

Thanks you Larry 👍

[@fredsmith2518]

Looking to get a Vulcan s, so what did changing the shift linkage length do? Move the shift lever closer or further to the rider? If so, which way did it move? And what was the reason (If it was to move the shift lever) why is one position better than stock position?

[@TechNickRides]

The change I did to the shift linkage was part of fitting it up for a shorter rider (under 5'7) If you're getting a Vulcan S, Kawasaki offers an ergo-fit option of accessories regarding the bikes handlebars, seat, peg positioning and foot shift selector positioning depending on the height of the rider. If they're under 5'7, consider the reduced reach option, however, if the rider is between 5'7 and 6'1 the standard options that come with the bike are fine.

[@leonidm3367]

Great Job! Did you moved the right side assembly with rear break pedal?

[@TechNickRides]

I don’t recall.

[@vinnyveltri2276]

will the reduced reach stuff work on a vulcan 900 SE

[@TechNickRides]

I dont think it will. From what I’ve read Kawasaki ergo-fit appears to be specifically for the Kawasaki Vulcan S lineup. Best option is to reach out to your local Kawasaki dealer and ask. I’m sure there’s options out there to help you fit comfortably for your bike.

[@nsarut9230]

Can this reduce handlebar put on 2015 Vulcan s ?

[@TechNickRides]

Yes

[@Neuguy69]

Nice video

[@TechNickRides]

Thanks 👍

[@Ojeramup12]

What brand of windshield did you get on that bike? Bought where?

[@TechNickRides]

That’s a Puig New Generation Touring Windshield it actually came with the bike when we bought it. The previous owner put it on. puigusa.com/en/tuning-motos/windshields-specific-for-non-round-headlights/new-generation-touring?bike=23739 You can purchase it from Revzilla: www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/puig-naked-new-generation-windscreen-kawasaki-vulcan-s-2015-2017

[@ChopperFett]

Nice job Nick. I wish my Z had some customizations like that, instead I’m fabricating my own hahaa.

[@TechNickRides]

Thanks Brett, yeah it’s pretty neat almost like the Swiss Army knife of motorcycles, lol

[@pinecone76]

I think you misunderstood the point of the reduced shit link/rod. When installing this rod, you're not supposed to adjust the 'shift linkage arm." Instead you're supposed to move the entire shit level/foot peg assembly (there are two bolts holding it to the bike) towards the rear of the bike to reduce the reach of the rider's leg/foot. Pro tip: find the video entitled "How to Adjust Kawasaki Vulcan S650 Foot pegs" by IBF Garage; those guys are showing how's it's done except since they actually did not have the reduced rod, they made an adjustment at the shift linkage arm (something you do not have to do). Hope this helps.

[@TechNickRides]

Thanks for the tip PineCone I went back and watched the IBF Garage guys and it looks like they were moving the pegs from the extended to the standard position and re-using the standard shift rod, with just a slight move of the shift linkage arm. They were almost going to cut and weld it (cheap way to make a shorter one, but no welder for me) but instead used the standard one as normal. The pegs position on our bike were already set in the reduced reach position holes when we got it, except they to used the standard rod but just moved that shift linkage arm back. It can be used that way, but I found that you end up running out of threads when trying to make any extensive adjustments on the foot shifter. I think that’s why the shorter rod is favored when the pegs are set in the shorter position or longer one for the extended reach position. Everything just seems to line up better shift tie rods sit more horizontal and give more threading between both threaded ends for adjustments.

[@pinecone76]

@@TechNickRides For sure, if your pegs were already in the reduced position then using a reduced rod was/is a right choice. From your video, this one fact was not super clear; hence my comment.

[@vjarndupreiz4529]

So there's no need for a short shift rod? Just adjust the arm?

[@NonaMaryGrace1952]

Hello Nick catching up today. 💕NonnaGrace

[@TechNickRides]

Hey NonnaGrace, thank you for stopping by