Kawasaki VN1500 Valcan (1995-98)

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The Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic was a motorcycle produced between 1995 and 1998. It had a four-stroke, 50-degree V-twin engine with a capacity of 1470 cc and a compression ratio of 8.8:1. The bike featured liquid cooling and 2x Keihin CV 40mm carburetors. Its maximum power output was 64 hp at 4700 rpm and it had a maximum torque of 112 Nm at 3000 rpm.

The transmission was a four-speed with a final drive shaft. The frame was high-tensile steel with a double cradle, and the bike had a 41mm cartridge fork front suspension and dual air-assisted shock absorbers with four-way rebound damping adjustment in the rear. The front brakes included two 320mm discs with six-piston calipers, while the rear brake was a single 270mm disc with a two-piston caliper.

The wheelbase was 1605 mm, and the bike had a seat height of 705-720 mm. It weighed 292 kg dry and 313.0 kg wet, and had a fuel capacity of 16 litres. Its braking distance from 60-0 mph was 14.7 metres, and from 100-0 mph it was 41.5 metres. The Kawasaki VN1500 Vulcan Classic could do a standing quarter-mile in 15.0 seconds with a top speed of 169.7 km/h.

Technical specifications:

Make Model: Kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Classic

Year: 1995 – 98


Engine: Four stroke, 50 degrees V-Twin, SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Capacity: 1470 cc / 89.7 cu-in
Bore x Stroke: 102 x 90 mm
Cooling System: Liquid cooled
Compression Ratio: 8.8:1
Induction: 2x Keihin CV 40mm carburetor
Ignition: CDI
Starting: Electric
Max Power: 64 hp / 46.7 kW @ 4700 rpm
Max Torque: 112 Nm / 82.6 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Transmission: 4 Speed
Final Drive: Shaft
Frame: High-tensile steel, double cradle
Front Suspension: 41mm cartridge fork
Front Wheel Travel: 150 mm / 5.9 in

Rear Suspension: Dual air assisted shock absorbers with 4-way rebound damping adjustment
Rear Wheel Travel: 100 mm / 3.9 in
Front Brakes: 2x 320mm discs 6 piston calipers
Rear Brakes: Single 270mm disc 2 piston caliper
Front Tyre: 130/90-16
Rear Tyre: 150/80-16
Rake: 32.0 degrees
Trail: 177 mm / 6.9 in
Wheelbase: 1605 mm / 63.2 in
Seat Height: 705 mm / 27.8 in / 720 mm /. 28.3 in
Dry Weight: 292 kg / 643.7 lbs
Wet Weight: 313.0 kg / 690.0 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 16 Litres / 4.2 US gal
Braking 60 – 0 / 100 – 0: 14.7 m / 41.5 m
Standing 1/4 Mile: 15.0 sec / 139.3 km/h
Top Speed: 169.7 km/h / 105.4 mph

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