Maintanance problems with different cruisers

 

I have heard that on Yamaha V-star 1100 you need to remove the muffler
to get to the oil filter. I have also heard that on Roadstart 1600 you
need to remove the muffler to get to the oil fill plug and the guy puts
his bike on the side and fills it up with oil through the oil drain
plug to avoid the hassle. Could you please tell if there are similar
hidden obstacles with other bikes when it comes to regular maintanance?
Something you will discover only after you have already bought the
bike?


On the positive side I have heard that some cruisers (Kawasaki-?) don't
require valve adjustment. Is that true? Any other examples of
simplified maintanance that you know of? So many cruisers from
different manufacturers look so similar and cost about the same that I
was thinking that the ease of maintanance can be the deciding factor.

Thanks,
Yan

 


I just got an 05 Vulcan 1500 Classic. The Owner's Manual says no valve
adjustments needed.

"Both of the big V-twin's cylinders have four valves actuated by a single
overhead cam (SOHC). Hydraulic valve lash adjusters automatically maintain
valve clearance for smooth engine performance, reduced noise and low
maintenance while automatic cam chain tensioners keep cam timing accurate."
http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/vulcan-1500-classic.php

The shaft drive is also less maintenance than a chain.

Richard

 



As someone reminded me about the Vulcan (I've got one and HAD forgotten).

 The drive shaft *MAY* be less maintenance hungry, but if you don't check
the splines at BOTH ends of the drive shaft, they will go rusty and they
WILL fail, and when they do, the whole of the system is borked, so ... think
on (or bear that in mind when you need to pull your rear wheel for any
reason)

Keep an eye on the oil level in the final drive too.



--
Beav

Reply to "beavis dot original at ntlworld dot com" (with the obvious
changes)

 

On Sat, 8 Oct 2005 00:07:27 +0100, Beav let slip this dark secret:


The Vulcan has hydraulic lifter, so no adjustements. And if you get
the fuel-injected model, no carb sync either! You save a few $$ right
there.


Never once even looked at both ends of my drive shaft in 20 years, and
one bike was over 20 years old. But mine were Yamahas.


Of course.

--
"Sun worship is fairly simple. There's no mystery,
no miracles, no pageantry, no one asks for money,
there are no songs to learn, and we don't have a
special building where we all gather once a week
to compare clothing.
- George Carlin

 

about carb sync - I have a one cylinder now, so I never had to do that?
is it a big pain? do you have to do it often?