Vulcan 900 Crankcase Breather

For those of you who have opened your air intake box, you've probably noticed that it had some oil drip/pour out. I have seen anywhere from a teaspoon to 1/2 cup of oil in air boxes. This is normal. It's just oil vapors from the crankcase ventilation system. The crankcase is connected to the airbox/breather so the fumes get reburnt and not vented to the air. Some oil will collect in the cover and not stay a vapor.

If you want to help your air filter last longer, and if you don't want the oil vapors to be reburnt, you can add a crankcase breather.

On the 900 it is very simple. Remove the coil cover on the left side. Disconect the tubing from the back of the air box and Rotate it, keeping it attached to the crank case (approx 90 degrees). Attach a breather--you can either leave it straight up, supported by the tubing, or mount it to the bike like I have.

Crankcase breathers can be purchased online or at any auto parts store. They cost around $8-$15.

The Gremlin/Guardian Bell

Have you noticed that some riders have a small bell hanging off their motorcycle frame or handlebars? Have you wondered what the purpose is? Well, you have come to the right place. That little bell is more than decoration, it serves a very important purpose – it wards off gremlins, also known as evil road spirits.

You see, there are motorcycle gremlins that LOVE to ride, but they are also mischievous little devils and they cause all sorts of problems for you while you are riding. Some say they are responsible for that old lady in the minivan not seeing you and cutting you off in traffic. Or, you may be having trouble shifting smoothly, your battery goes dead, your turn signal suddenly refuses to work, an oil spill appears out of nowhere, you hit a patch of black ice, etc – you get the idea. Those little gremlins look for trouble and try to steer your bike towards it.

Now, once you get a bell on your scoot – it wards off these attacks from the little gremlins, not allowing any more to get onto your bike. If you already have some gremlins riding with you, they will get trapped in the hollow of the bell, and the constant ringing will drive them insane – causing them to lose their grip and fall to the roadway.

Do you have the protection of a gremlin bell? If you buy a gremlin bell of your own, the power works. If you receive the gremlin bell as a gift – the powerful magic of the bell is doubled. Do you have a friend who does not have a gremlin bell yet? Why not be the person to give them one, they'll thank you! The bell, and a good preventive maintenance program by the bike's owner, will help eliminate the gremlins.

VROC ---- Vulcan Riders and Owners Club

I wanted to direct all those that ride Vulcans to the largest vulcan group on the web.

VROC

How to remove the back tire off of a Vulcan 900

Step by step, how to remove the back tire off of a vulcan 900. It is very easy; only taking about 20 minutes.

Get the jack placed under the bike in the correct spot but there's no reason to lift it yet.

PICTURE ONE: Remove the upper chrome belt guard and remove the screws from the lower belt guard. The lower guard wont come off yet.

PICTURE TWO & THREE: Remove the two allen head bolts hold the brake caliper. Allow the brake caliper to rest on you exhaust.

PICTURE FOUR: Remove the cotter pin from the right side of the axle.

PICTURE FIVE: Remove the four nuts that help you set the tension and a line your tire.

PICTURE SIX: With a wrench on both sides of the axle, loosen the right side crown nut.

PICTURE: SEVEN, EIGHT & NINE: After you have the crown nut completely off, jack the back tire slightly off the ground. While sitting on the ground directly behind the bike lift some of the weight off the axle and pull it out from the left side. Be careful. As you are removing the axle a few space, etc will fall.

PICTURE TEN: With the axle removed lift your bike carefully (remember it's not balanced with the tire off) up into the air until you are able to get the tire from underneath the fender.

Lake Powell and back in one day

The last long ride I was able to make during 2008 was to Lake Powell and back. It was a long day but through some beautiful parts of the state. Without the addition of a Mustang seat and proper gear, I don't think I would have been able to make it.

Vulcan 900 Engine Guards

I think engine guards are one of the smartest mods or additions that can be put on a bike. Depending on the style you are going for, it might not always look great. It can, and most likely will, pay for itself 5 time over.

I added the Cobra engine guard because I got a great deal on it. $75. Any guard will do what it is made for and if you ever slip on gravel, you'll sure be glad that you have one.

VN 900 Oil Change

Why would you ever pay your dealer $80/hour to do something that is as easy as removing six bolts, opening a jar, and filling up a glass?

STEP ONE: Remove the bolt on the bottom of your engine and let it drain into a pan. Once the oil slows to a trickle, put your bike in an upright postition so that the oil on the kickstand lean drains completely out. (You can also remove the oil screen)

STEP TWO: Remove the two bolts holding the rectifier cover on.

STEP THREE: Remove the two rectifier mounting bolts.

STEP FOUR: Remove the bolt circled in red and only loosen the green circle bolt and allow the mount to swing to one side or all the way off like I did.

STEP FIVE: Remove your oil filter. This is what it will look like with the filter removed.

STEP SIX: Put a little oil on the oil filter (black o'ring) to lube it up and pour a little oil inside the filter. This helps when taking it back off on your next oil change. Tighten the new filter back on as tight as you can by hand. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN. Now just put everything back on as you took it off. Now put the drain plug back in.

STEP SEVEN: Now it’s time to add oil. Find the oil fill hole on the left side of bike. Start adding your oil. I used just about 3-1/2 quarts of oil to fill it to the right spot. Put the oil filler plug back in and fire up the bike. Let it idle for a few minutes. Then turn the bike off. Level your bike. You may need a second person to get it level to check it or tie the bike down in an upright position or you can use a mirror. If you try and check it on the kick stand it will be way way short of oil when riding it. Now look at the oil sight glass (left side bottom of motor) to see and make sure it’s at the right level between the marks on the sight glass sides. You can see the marks in the picture. Try to keep the oil between those marks.

Remember, don’t put too much oil in because it’s a lot easier to add than it is to take out. Put your oil filler plug back in and you’re ALL DONE. See how easy that was. Now go for ride and feel your new oil working. Take care and ride safe folks.

(I got these pictures/info from the delphiforum's knowledge base)