Claw

2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000

Day 0 - 02/20/04 As purchased
Day 1 No stinking badges or stickers Easybrackets/saddlebags installed Electric vest wires installed Kuryakyn mirrors will not fit, bummer Heel shifter removed Silly relfectors removed Chrome plate backing installed Oil topped off (I hate dipsticks)		Day 5 - 02/25/04 Windshield Installed Day 7 - 02/27/04 Levers Installed Mirrors Installed Grips & Gear Installed
	Day 11 - 03/02/04 Corbin Seat Installed
	Day 19 - 03/10/04 Passenger Floorboards installed Day 22 - 03/13/04 Thunder Odyssey Fluted Breather Kit Thunder Lightning FI Module Day 25 - 03/16/04 Sue Hopper Paint Day 27 - 03/18/04 Old Windshield Bag

Day 44 - 04/04/04 Passenger Backrest Day 47 - 04/07/04 Corbin Passenger Backrest Pad Day 49 - 04/09/04 Luggage Rack New Windshield Bag Day 50 - 04/10/04 B-Man Drilled Riser Cover 4 in Straight Risers Live to Ride Clamp
Day 71 - 05/01/04 Toolbag on front forks Day 118 - 06/17/04 Engine Guard - Cobra Fatty Low pegs - Kuryakyn Pilot High pegs - Kuryakyn small ISO			Day 155 - 07/24/04 Low pegs - Stiletto High Peg - Stiletto Stirrup
			Day 284 - 11/30/04 Kawasaki attempts to explain oil level check technique again.
		Day 302 - 12/18/04 Thunder Pipes No heatshields yet
		Day 313 - 12/29/04 Dyno Run in SAE Thunder Odyssey Airkit Thunder Pipe Thunder TFI Lightning set @ 3 3 8 1.5 Pot 3 setting is screwy. TFI is junk
	Day 329 - 01/14/05 Dyno Run in STD Thunder Odyssey Airkit Thunder Pipe PCIII Baseline run map = Rollin's personal bike Final Run = Custom Map (Map File) Overall custom map took fuel out vs Rollin's		Day 372 - 02/26/05 Heatshields on Thunder Pipe Cutoff Riser Cover
		Day 420 - 04/15/05 HCR recognizes Claw Runt entered the bike MaKaw reps gave her second The People gave her first Above cost many $ and much wimpering Claw is now retired from comp
	Day 778 - 04/08/06 Progressive 420 Standard Length Shock	Day 1119 - 03/15/07 Tradein day

Aftermarket Stuff
Description	Manu	Part Number	Source	Date
Ghostbracket	Ghostbracket	AJ104	Oldman Ordered	12/6/03
Bags & Duffles	Leatherworks	110BOXBBL & 110D	PKS	12/11/03
Toolbag	Leatherworks	95BB	PKS	12/22/03
Ride Bell	BikerJewelry	BL017-B	Web	12/23/03
VN2000	Kawasaki	Claw	PKS	02/20/04
Grips	Kuryakyn	6235	Web	2/23/04
Stiletto Grip Ends	Kuryakyn	6249	Web	2/23/04
Throttle Boss	Kuryakyn	6250	Web	2/23/04
Windshield	Rifle	17 in Classic Clear	Web	2/23/04
Mirrors	Ness	970-375 & 970-374	J&P Cycles Web	2/23/04
Levers	Iron Braid	0051	Web	2/25/04
Seat	Corbin	Dual Tourer with Wildfire Stich/Inlaid Flame	Web	3/2/04
Passenger Swept Floorboards	Cobra	06-4963	PKS	3/10/04
Sissy Bar Luggage Rack	Cobra	02-3501	PKS	3/10/04
Breather Kit	Thunder Mfg	Odessey with Fluted Cover	Oldman Ordered	3/13/04
ECU	Thunder Mfg	Lightning FI	Oldman Ordered	3/13/04
Paint	Sue Hopper	Claws	Sue Hopper	3/16/04
Windshield Bag	Auburn Leather	Off of old bikes	Garage Shelf	3/18/04
Standard Sissy Bar w Pad	Cobra	02-5463	PKS	3/30/04
Driver Backrest & Sissy Bar Pad	Corbin	Off of old bikes	Garage Shelf	4/07/04
Windshield Bag	Leatherworks	91BB	Web	4/08/04
4 in straight risers	Buff	5000717	J&P Cycle Web	4/08/04
Live To Ride Clamp	??	5000515	J&P Cycle Web	4/08/04
Fatty Freeway Bar	Cobra	01-2463	PKS	6/17/04
Small ISO Pegs	Kuryakyn		Garage Shelf	6/17/04
Pilot Pegs	Kuryakyn		Garage Shelf	6/17/04
Stiletto Pegs	Kuryakyn	4475	Web	7/24/04
Stiletto Pegs/Stirrup	Kuryakyn	4477	Web	7/24/04
2:1 Pipes	Thunder		Oldman	12/18/04
Sage Brush Engine Guard Chaps	Sage Brush Design	2K, Cobra Fatty bar, no studs, no pocket	Web	01/07/06
Progressive Shock	Progressive	420 Standard Length	Grapevine Kaw	04/08/06

Tire History
Date Install	Odometer @ Install	Miles Got	Tire	Reason/Comment
02/20/04	00000	7722	1 - Front - Bridgestone BT020 150/80	Slight cupping, replaced since it was in shop for rear. Could have got a few more miles. Only Metzler front is bias and X don't mix bias and radials.
		3092	1 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020 200/60	Replaced with 1000 miles of tread left due to 1600 mile trip
03/27/04	03092	4630	2 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Rear was shot.
05/19/04	07722	7368	2 - Front - Bridgestone BT020 150/80	Prepping for trip - Had a few more miles
		4927	3 - Rear - Metzler ME880XXL	Had some left, needed to changed for July 4 trip.
07/02/04	12649	2441	4 - Rear - Metzler ME880XXL	Prepping for trip - Turns out it had a spike in the tire that had no quite punched through
07/24/04	15090	8935	3 - Front - Bridgestone BT020 150/80	No cupping, down to the wear bars
		4853	5 - Rear - Metzler ME880XXL	Center of tire bulged out. Dealer said belts broke and replaced tire for free. This was the Sturgis trip => heavy load
08/13/04	19943	4082	6 - Rear - Metzler ME880XXL	Miles left, prep for trip
09/23/04	24025	9482	4 - Front - Bridgestone BT020 150/80	Slight cupping, down to wear bars
		4390	7 - Rear - Metzler ME880XXL	Center bulged out like rear #5 with added bonus of going from tread to cords in 500 miles. Switched back to BS
11/08/04	28415	5092	8 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Even wear, center was almost a slick/no tread pattern
02/17/05	33507	7028	5 - Front - Bridgestone BT020 150/80	Replaced rear and replacement was free to drawing win. Going to Hill Country so could not wear it down.
		3058	9 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Picked up a roofing staple in Leakey TX. Plug held for the 400 mile ride home. 'Ride' was <70 mph, no lean in turn, and smooth roads. Free replacemnt due to drawing win
03/28/05	36565	3970	10 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Sigh - Nothing special, only 4K. Going to Hill Country so could not wear it down.
05/06/05	40535	9517	6 - Front - Bridgestone BT020	Some tread left, strange bumpy pattern developed and it was shaky im curves. Replaced for ES trip
			11 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Replaced for a trip with 2622. Put it back on later.
06/15/05	43157	5430	12 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Trip to Kanab. Wore fairly evenly, down to smooth.
08/04/05	48587	4087	11 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Replaced for a trip with 2622. Put it back on and got 1465 for a total of 4087
09/22/05	50052	9143	7 - Front - Bridgestone BT020	Slight scalloping, tread almost gone
		4748	13 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Down to slick
11/10/05	54800	4395	14 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Down to slick
02/10/06	59195	8340	8 - Front - Bridgestone BT020	Some left, replaced for trip
		4243	15 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Replaced before HCR. Had a few hundred left but not more
04/24/06	63438	4097	16 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Some left, replaced for trip
06/13/06	67535	7937	9 - Front - Bridgestone BT020	Some left (not much), replaced for trip
		3576	17 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Replaced before blast back from PA to TX. May have had enough to do 1400 back but did not want to risk it.
06/30/06	71111	4361	18 - Rear - Metzler ME880XXL	Bridgestones backordered, on trip, had to go back to Metz. Part of tread gone.
08/29/06	75472	8745	10 - Front - Bridgestone BT020	Traded in 03/15/07 @ 84217. Tires were shot.
		4823	19 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Was going to try 180 Elite III but it was backordered. Down to wearbar, replaced for Thanksgiving trip
11/21/06	80295	3922	20 - Rear - Bridgestone BT020	Traded in 03/15/07 @ 84217. Tires were shot.

Problem/Service History Very very short and very very minor for a totally new model
Date	Odometer	Problem	Reason/Comment
02/20/04	00000	Kickstand is too short	Kawasaki wants to limit sales by giving potential buyers the false impression the bike is a fat pig
		Checking oil level is rocket science	Kawasaki has issued 3 different and slightly contridictory instructions on how to check oil. Enough said
		Bulbs	I have replaced the tailight bulb three times, the low beam bulb six times, and the front turnsignal once
		Rattles	Headlight rattles, this rattles, that whines, etc. Buy Thunder Pipe and earplugs.
02/23/04	00655	Left floorboard fell off	Plano Kawasaki improper new bike prep
		Front Axle bolt was loose	Plano Kawasaki improper new bike prep
09/03/04	21442	Replaced rear bearing	Replaced nonsealed bearing with a sealed bearing based on multiple reports of noise/bearing destruction
09/13/04	23541	"Clank" from drivetrain	Ugly noise. Dealer "greased front pulley and splines" and it went away
12/??/04		Fuel pump is making nonconsistent whine	Not the standard 'fuel pump noise'.
??/??/05		Clutch/Drivetrain noise	Not sure what it is. Been doing it a long time.
03/??/05		Front fender has stress cracks	Looks like the 2005 models have rubber mount to address front fender cracks.
04/08/06	61,1xx	Rear shock too soft	Not really a problem but shock was shot. Increased sag caused increase scraping in curves. Unacceptable.
04/24/06	63438	Brake Pads	Again, not a problem. Both front and rear pads were totally shot. If they were designed to wear equally under proper braking technique, I could write a book.
		Front Pulley	Based on 'pulley strip' reports, had it checked. They say it looks brand new.
		Oil consumption	Seem to have started burning some oil. Ongoing moniter.
07/05/06	72700	Front Pulley recall check	Looks brand new. The 09/13/04 noise/pulley check may have saved me.
		Oil consumption	3 qts added on 5K mile trip. Ongoing moniter
		Steering head bearing	Flat spot in steering bearing right at dead center. Makes anything under 30 MPH a slow oscillation. Parts ordered, left town/came back, installed 07/18 @ 72950
		Front springs	Springs have gone soft, too much diving under braking. Parts ordered, left town/came back, installed 07/18 @ 72950
07/21/06	73000	PowerCommander	Bike started sputtering. Went from slight to 'will I get it home' in 100 miles. PCIII replaced, old custom map reloaded
08/04/06	73700	Ignition Switch Wire	Bike totally dead/nothing. Dealer says igntion switch wire shorted. Spliced connector, off to Arkansas
08/13/06	74800	Right front turnsignal	Right front turnsignal housing (23040-0039) cracked. Either snapped off from rock or fatigue. Applied electical tape (red) and motored on.
09/22/06	77771	Battery	It died in Eureka Springs. 2.5 hours of searching and one delivery to hotel later, we rolled
12/22/06	81910	Headlignt Rim	Headlight rim nut that accepts one of the 2 mounting bolts stripped out. Ran with one bolt for weeks until rim came in. Warranty/Zero cost.
01/03/07	82607	Cooltant O Ring	Coolant hose runs between the cycliunders on right side. O ring on rear jug went and leaked. Warranty/Zero cost.

Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 21:23:40 -0600

- Piper Performance Racing is the site. We like this place, dude seemed
   knowledgeable. He let us turn '4 runs for $25' into a 2 hour 3 bike tuning
   session. Must of done near 20 runs. Will go back.
- Thunder recommended settings: 3 3 1 11    X remains of the opinion
    that the 11 is wrong.
- Oldman leads off. He can post his numbers. Overall a good experience
    as the TFI performed as expected meaning it changed the air/fuel curve when
    you twisted the dials and it moved it the way you would expect. We confirmed
    that pot 4 cuts off pot1 and turns on pot 3. We halfway confirmed that old
    thread about 'pot 4 setting being 1/2 the RPM changeover point on V2Ks'
    since setting of 1.5 seemed to switch around 3K RPM. Limitations of TFI
    prevent perfect settings.
    Old ends up at 6 3 3 1.8 with his Hurricane Kit and Thunder Pipe
- X starts off with same setting as Old. Miserable experience as fuel curve scoffed
   at all twisting of the worthless TFI. We confirmed that X has a broken TFI.
   Graphs @ http://www.xarden.com/claw.html
   X ends up @ 3 3 8 1.5 with his Odyssey Kit and Thunder Pipe
- B-Man finishes up. Experience is halfway between Old/X as he can get some
   movement but cannot prevent rich condition at high end.
   B-Man ends up @ 5 3 3.5 2 with his Tornado Kit and HK Pipes. This
   seems fairly consistent with Old's settings.
- Review of torque curves:
       - All roughly the same @ 2K RPM,
       - B-Man steepest slope, maxes and then starts to fall due to too rich
       - Old catches B around 2700, pushes higher max and then stays flat longer
       - X equals B-Man @ 3000 and then stays flat like Old,
- Observation:
    - 'Max HP=zzz' - Who gives a shit? What is important is the torque/HP in the
      mid range which is where we live.    (Course having that top terminal speed is
     good for safety purposes.)
- X's next step:
     - Try the new chips that George sent B-Man
     or
     - Get a power commander and have Piper place map it
    or
     - Live with it
    Goal would be better looking fuel curve and better midrange
-------------
X                 VROC #111            Bloodclot Red VN2000A1 (Claw)
Home Page - http://www.xarden.com/

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