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750 history

17K views 25 replies 16 participants last post by  OleDirtyDoc 
#1 ·
does anyone know a site which shows the history of the 750 vulcan and changes thru the years??
 
#2 ·
Don't know of one, but with as few changes as these bikes have had in 20 years there would'nt be much to report on.
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks to 750 forum...

Changes in the VN750 over the years

If you have additions or corrections to this document:
- Contact: banton@austin.rr.com
or
- a forum moderator

.............
New Cost:
$5,500 (1985)
$5,500 (1987)
$5,500 (1988)
$_,___ (19__)
$6,090 (1995)
$6,090 (1997)
$6,090 (1999)
$6,190 (2000)
$6,190 (2002)
$_,___ (20__)
.............

Air adjustable forks
- '85-'88 = only years

Brake master cylinder
- '85-'90 = rectangular
- '91-'06 = round

Brake Lever
- '85-'90 = same (dog leg shape as per OlHossCanada)
- '91-'06 = changed (flat throughout length--OHC)

Clutch lever is the same for all years

Engine color
- '85 only = black
- '86- up = natural aluminum

Engine displacement
- '85 only = 699cc
- '86- up = 749cc

Fuel Cap latching
- '85-'87 = close without key
- '88- up = need key to close ????

Fuel Control Valve
- '85-'__ = RES - ON - PRI (Prime)
- '__-'__ = RES - ON - OFF

Fuel Tank rear vent tubes
- '85-'87 = none
- '88-'98 = tubes
- '99- up = none ????

Grab rails, Sissy bar, Passenger footpeg mounts
- '85-'86 = aluminum
- '87- up = chrome

Instrument bezels
-'85-'__ = aluminum
-'03-'up = chrome

Mirrors
- '__-'__ = rectangular
- '__-'__ = round (at least until 1991 as per OHC))

Oil filter
- '85-'94 = larger size 2.95" diameter
- '95 up = smaller size 2.76" diameter

Oil filter (mating) plate
- '85-'93 = 13169-1921 = 2.95" (75mm)
- '94 = 13169-1921 = 2.95" (75mm)
- '94 = 13270-1170 = 2.76" (70mm)
- '95 up = 13270-1170 = 2.76" (70mm)

Shock absorber
- '85-'98 = 45014-1304
- '99- up = 45014-1710 older ProTac brackets may interfer with air valve
reported by Jim "Pick" Foster

Side covers
- '85-'86 = Ebony
- '87-'98 = Chrome
- '99-'00 = Gray
- '01 only = Bronze
- '02 only = Black
- '03 only = Red
- '04 only = Ebony
- '05 ____ = _____
- '06 ____ = _____

Wheels
- '85-'86 = painted black
- '87-'up = natural

Wiring harness
- '85-'88 have a Turn Signal Control unit
- '89- up Turn Signal Control unit eliminated.

- '85-'88 are NOT interchangeable with 1989 and up
Won't work by leaving the signal circuit open

__________
- '__-'__ =
- '__-'__ =

__________
- '__-'__ =
- '__-'__ =


Paint color listing:
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/MKNSQ_...ImuqSr1GH9sg2oU-Ao6Z48vwhC05bJ-D08M/color.xls

A # Year Tank colors Side cover
--- ---- ---------------------- ----------
A 1 1985 _______ / _____ Ebony _____-____ & ____
A 2 1986 Black / Red L.V. Red 36002-5183-P5 & 5184-P5
A 2 86 Black / White Ebony 36002-5181-H8 & 5182-H8
A 3 1987 Black / Gray Chrome 36001-1359 & 1360
A 4 1988 Ebony / Gray " " " "
A 5 1989 Ebony " " " "
A 6 1990 Maroon / Black " " " "
A 7 1991 Maroon / Black " " " "
A 8 1992 Blue / Blue " " " "
A 8 92 Green / Green " " " "
A 9 1993 Blue / Gray " " " "
A 9 93 Green / Green " " " "
A10 1994 Green / Blue " " " "
A10 94 Red / Red " " " "
A11 1995 Green / Blue " " " "
A11 95 Red / Red " " " "
A12 1996 Red / Gray " " " "
A12 96 Blue / Silver " " " "
A13 1997 Red / Gray " " " "
A13 97 Ebony / G. Silver " " " "
A14 1998 Bronze / Red " " " "
A15 1999 Ebony / Gray P.C. Gray Blue 36001-1284-VK & 1285-VK
A16 2000 Ebony / Gray P.C. Gray " " "
A17 2001 Graystone / Bronze M.D. Bronze 36001-1284-7R & 1285-7R
A18 2002 Black / Silver P.G. Black 36001-1284-86 & 1285-86
A19 2003 Red / Graystone L.V. Red 36001-1284-2T & 1285-2T
A20 2004 Ebony / Silver Ebony 36001-1284-H8 & 1285-H8
A21 2005 Ebony / Silver Ebony " " "
A22 2006 Ebony/ Persimmon Red _______ -
 
#6 ·
I think two vent tubes are on all later California gas tanks.
 
#9 ·
Here's a little Vulcan history with an offshoot model that existed for to production years early on. Kawasaki actually put out the ZN700A Vulcan LTD in 84' and '85 and it was the Vulcan body with a vertical air cooled four engine in it. I think that the 550 LTD started off as a KN designation, but someone else might could confirm that.
Thanks,
 
#10 ·
any one know if the '94-'95 A10 has a temp gauge or just a warning lght, and does it make a difference which sender unit is used?
 
#11 ·
I would think they'd have the temp gauge. As far as I know, all VN700/750's had them (atleast here in the States)
As for the sending unit, I haven't a clue. :confused:
 
#15 · (Edited)
This one is in our gallery...
That is just a garden varity KZ700LTD. It was never called a Vulcan by Kawasaki.

But one thing that it can do is provide the parts if someone was willing to try a rear disk brake modification as the swing arm and rear wheel (on some models) are the same as the VN750. The only real problem would be trying to find a place to put the brake res... I've just never had the balls to try that drastic of a mod...

The VZ750 that I've heard of looks just like a Vulcan 750 that we all know and love but with minor differences to the rear seat rail (shorter) and a chrome front fender. From what I'm told is that it was available in Japan, Australia but not released in the US. It was, once again from what I was told, a V-twin but was the early production model made in Japan in the 80's. The history on this model is vauge at best...

 
#16 ·
Cheers hyper!!

Much appreciated!!!
 
#18 ·
Even with that, there was still never a ZN700 Vulcan. The Vulcan name started with the 1985 VN700/750 model.
 
#20 ·
Interesting stuff on the ZN & VZ bikes.
I couldn't find any info on them anywhere. :hitanykey:confused:

Did you guys happen to notice the post about the ZN was from a year ago?
 
#21 · (Edited)
Found another change/upgrade that Ma Kaw made on bikes from the 1991 models onward.

The gear shift tie rod between the shift lever shaft and the change lever/change lever shaft assembly was subject to bending on early models.
Part # 39110 in this diagram:
http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1991-kawasaki-vulcan-750-vn750a7-us/o/m4555#sch51723

It was strengthened by increasing size from approximately 5.2 mm diameter to 8 mm begining with the A7 (1991) model.

Roach`s video #17 of the engine teardown and rebuild shows the difference in size of the two tie rods at the very begining of the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_ib5k7Fa1Q
 
#22 ·
The '86 and up engine was not natural aluminum, it is painted silver. I know because a lot of the silver paint has come off my engine from cleaning it with carb cleaner over the years. The '85 model was the very first "Vulcan" or "VN" ALL LTD models with inline fours were KZs. The parallel twin 454LTD was called an EN, as were the parallel twin Vulcan 500s that followed it.

To my eye, the KZ---LTD was a much better looking bike than the Vulcan, and it's inline four had a lot to do with that. I had a Suzuki GS850L, which looked a lot like the LTDs, and loved that look.

As for Vulcan 750 history, what I would like is some history of the bike BEFORE it was introduced. The Vulcan 750 is loaded with contradictions, paradoxes, and a lot of just plain weird design and engineering. It's hard to believe it is the result of a "clean sheet" design. Looks like it was redesigned and modified several times before it actually entered production. Would be nice if say, a retired Kawasaki employee would come forward with the real details of it's origin.
 
#23 ·
Brake master cylinder
- '85-'90 = rectangular
- '91-'06 = round

Brake Lever
- '85-'90 = same
- '91-'06 = changed
Just thought it would be nice to define what the change was in the later brake lever for the '91-2006 models.

The early models with the rectangular master cylinder have a hand lever with what I call a "dog leg bend" downward, perhaps 15*, to line up with the hand grip.

The '91-2006 models with the round mc have a lever which is basicly "flat" horizontally.

The rectangular and round master cylinders are interchangeable between all models as long as the correct corresponding hand lever is used too. :smiley_th
 
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