The Kawasaki EN 500 Vulcan or VN 500 was produced in 1990 – 91 and was powered by a four-stroke, parallel twin-cylinder engine with DOHC and four valves per cylinder. Its engine had a capacity of 498cc and a compression ratio of 10.2:1. The bike was liquid-cooled and used a wet sump lubrication system with induction via two Keihin CVK34 carburettors. The bike had a maximum power of 60 hp or 43.7 kW at 9800 rpm (with the rear tyre producing 54.2 hp at 9500 rpm) and a maximum torque of 46 Nm at 8500 rpm.
The clutch was wet plate, transmission was 6-speed with a final drive belt. The front suspension used 36mm Telescopic forks while the rear suspension used dual shocks that were preload adjustable. The front brakes were a single 300mm disc while the rear brakes were an 180mm drum. The front tyre was 100/90-19 and the rear tyre was 140/90-15.
The bike weighed 186.0 kg / 410.1 lbs dry and 169 kg / 372.5 lbs wet, and had a fuel capacity of 11 litres (2.9 US gal).
Technical specifications:
Make Model: Kawasaki EN 500 Vulcan / VN 500
| Year | 1990 – 91 |
|---|---|
| Engine | Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder. |
| Capacity | 498 cc / 30.4 cy-in |
| Bore x Stroke | 74 58 mm |
| Cooling System | Liquid cooled |
| Compression Ratio | 10.2:1 |
| Lubrication | Wet Sump |
| Induction | 2x Keihin CVK34 carburetors |
| Ignition | Coil |
| Max Power | 60 hp / 43.7 kW @ 9800 rpm (rear tyre 54.2 hp @ 9500 rpm ) |
| Max Torque | 46 Nm @ 8500 rpm |
| Clutch | Wet Plate |
| Transmission | 6 Speed |
| Final Drive | Belt |
| Front Suspension | 36mm Telescopic forks |
| Rear Suspension | Dual shocks preload adjustable, |
| Front Brakes | Single 300mm disc |
| Rear Brakes | 180mm drum |
| Front Tyre | 100/90-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 140/90-15 |
| Dry Weight | 186.0 kg / 410.1 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 169 kg / 372.5 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 Litres / 2.9 US gal |
