1997 Kawi Vulcan 500 EN

ToSlow

ToSlow

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Was looking at one for my daughter, The bike has sit since 2011, but still clean has 50k on it Has some rust at the very top of the tank and a couple L/S signals will need replaced. The carbs will need to gone through and other minor items i would think

other than that the bike is clean,

Wondering what a fair offer would be?
 
$1500 would be my top dollar. Personally I'd look at the air cooled Star 650 or Suzuki LS 650 - simpler, reliable like a hammer, and lots of aftermarket parts.

The Star and Suzuki have lower seats and are easier for beginners with their traditional cruiser rake and high torque engines. Harder to stall, stall, easier to handle for beginners.
 
Running, or not running?

Minor digging finds ads for that model that are claimed to run well, but with lower mileage, for $2400 - $3000, knock something off that for the real price as opposed to the advertised price, knock something off for known parts needing to be replaced (how old are the tires??), knock something further off for higher mileage. That's if it runs nicely. If it runs, but poorly, figure on a few hours for going through the carburetors ... expect to find more problems. If it's a non-runner, I'd pass unless it's so cheap that you could recover the sale price by selling a few parts.

I acquired a non-runner EX500 (same engine) for free about 20 years ago because it was dead as a doornail. Low compression due to seized/rusted piston rings. Pulled the engine ... removed cylinder head ... new piston rings, deglazed cylinders, new head gasket, cleaned fuel system, new battery ... had the bike tentatively sold before I had the engine assembled and running. We got it running well before the prospective buyer showed up. (He bought it)
 
Brian P said:
Running, or not running?

Minor digging finds ads for that model that are claimed to run well, but with lower mileage, for $2400 - $3000, knock something off that for the real price as opposed to the advertised price, knock something off for known parts needing to be replaced (how old are the tires??), knock something further off for higher mileage. That's if it runs nicely. If it runs, but poorly, figure on a few hours for going through the carburetors ... expect to find more problems. If it's a non-runner, I'd pass unless it's so cheap that you could recover the sale price by selling a few parts.

I acquired a non-runner EX500 (same engine) for free about 20 years ago because it was dead as a doornail. Low compression due to seized/rusted piston rings. Pulled the engine ... removed cylinder head ... new piston rings, deglazed cylinders, new head gasket, cleaned fuel system, new battery ... had the bike tentatively sold before I had the engine assembled and running. We got it running well before the prospective buyer showed up. (He bought it)
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Not running since 2011, i figure i would need to spend 500 to put it on the road safely for my daughter. i was thinking around 1300 to 1500 would be a fair price
 
ToSlow said:
Not running since 2011, i figure i would need to spend 500 to put it on the road safely for my daughter. i was thinking around 1300 to 1500 would be a fair price
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You're more generous than I am. Not running for more than a decade on a bike few want has less than three digits in the price for me. Tires, rubber bits, rebuild carbs and you exceed the market value of the running bike.
 
I take it you looked inside the fuel tank. What's in there? Was it empty (good)? If not, and especially if it smelled like varnish inside, that needs to be cleaned out before you even think about seeing if it runs.

It will need:
Broken stuff replaced (doesn't look like much)
Tires (MANDATORY if they are 15 years old, regardless of wear)
Battery almost guaranteed if it has been sitting that long
Brake fluid changed (easy)
Coolant changed (easy)
And that's on top of all the usual: brakes, chain and sprockets, steering head bearings, do all the lights work, does the horn work, etc

If someone has their heart set on it, bring a battery and booster cables, see if it cranks, and check that everything electrical does what it should.

A selling price with four digits starting with a 1 should only be if you can pour fresh fuel in the tank and it starts and runs with nothing more than a battery boost.
 
Yeah, I open the tank, it has rust in it, plus it stank like varnish big time. Battery was completely dead. I’m going to check it out more thoroughly before I say yes
 
Since I looked one up on FB. More pop up

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2001 14k $1500

“Tires are in good condition Original brakes-still work and are in good shape Small dent in gas tank can be fixedNew battery, spark plugs and carborators were just cleanedJust changed the oil and oil filterComes with saddle bags and windshield ”
 
GVH said:
Since I looked one up on FB. More pop up

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2001 14k $1500

“Tires are in good condition Original brakes-still work and are in good shape Small dent in gas tank can be fixedNew battery, spark plugs and carborators were just cleanedJust changed the oil and oil filterComes with saddle bags and windshield ”
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Might be a winner, Thanks
 
Doubt that thing is still for sale.

How come you never came to see that 2009 Vulcan 500 you DM'd me about? Also mint (tank dent and couple scratches aside), all service records, recent full service, 32k km, with safety, it went for $1700 after I stopped hearing from ya.
 
adri said:
Doubt that thing is still for sale.

How come you never came to see that 2009 Vulcan 500 you DM'd me about? Also mint (tank dent and couple scratches aside), all service records, recent full service, 32k km, with safety, it went for $1700 after I stopped hearing from ya.
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My daughter was on the fence about buying a bike,

Now she seems interested again.
 
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