Kawasaki VN1500A/D/G Oil Change Guide
If you are planning on changing the oil in your Kawasaki VN1500, we've got all of the information you need to get the job done. Below we've got instructions for your Kawasaki VN1500 oil change, all of the service information you'll need, fun facts, and a video to walk you through your VN1500 oil change step-by-step.
For more help, we offer motorcycle oil change kits to give you everything you need for your oil change: 4 quarts of 10W-40 synthetic oil, an oil filter, a crush washer, a funnel, and an oil change reminder sticker.
Check out the Factory Racing Parts Kawasaki Vulcan Oil Change Kit for your VN1500.
HOW TO VIDEO
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
- 10W-40 engine oil
- Oil filter
- Crush washer
- 17mm wrench or socket and ratchet
- Drain pan
- 65mm oil filter wrench (57001-1249)
- Rags
- Funnel
- High-flash solvent (like brake cleaner, acetone, or paint thinner)
Oil Change Instructions
- Start the motorcycle and bring it up to operating temperature. This is best done by taking the bike for a quick ride.
- Situate the motorcycle so that it is vertical after warming up the engine. Place the oil pan beneath the engine.
- Remove the engine oil drain plug to drain the oil. Replace the drain bolt washer with a new one and tighten the drain bolt.
- Remove the oil filter with the oil filter wrench. Apply a thin coat of oil to the new filter O-ring before filter installation.
- Locate the oil screen plug near the left rear of the engine and remove.
- Remove the screen along with the spring, washer, and grommet.
- Clean the oil screen in a high flash point solvent and then reinstall in the reverse order of disassembly.
- Pour in the specified amount of oil and check oil level.
- Start engine, check for leaks, add oil if necessary.
Get Everything You Need In One Box
A Factory Racing Parts Oil Change Kit comes with the oil, filter, crush washer, funnel, and oil change sticker you need to change the oil on your VN1500.
Learn More
SERVICE INFORMATION
- Viscosity: SAE 10W-40
Capacity: 2.5L (2.6 qt) (When filter is not removed.)
2.7L (2.9 qt) (When filter is removed.)
- Coolant Capacity: 0.7 gal.
Oil change interval: 3,000-7,000 miles depending on riding conditions
- Air Filter: 11013-1122 (Vulcan 88)
- Air Filter: 11013-1249 (Vulcan SE)
- Air Filter: 11013-1248 (Classic, Nomad)
- Battery: 26012-1187 (88, SE)
- Battery: 26012-1371 (Classic, Nomad)
- Oil Filter: 16097-0008
APPLICATIONS
1987 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88
1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88
1989 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88
1990 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88
1991 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88
1992 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88
1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88
1994 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88
1995 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88
1988 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88 SE
1989 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 88 SE
1990 Kawasaki Vulcan 88 1500 SE
1996 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
1997 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Classic
1999 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Nomad
2000 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Nomad
DID YOU KNOW?
- The 1984 GPz900R was the first Kawasaki Ninja. It was developed and built in the US with the US market as its target and continues to be one of the best selling sportbikes in the US. The bike is famous for being Maverick’s bike in the 1980s movie Top Gun.
- The paint that is used in the Ninja H2 and H2R contains pure silver as an ingredient and requires the precision of a robot to apply it. The final layer involves a chemical reaction that leaves no chance for any corrections.