I guess I'm safe with my secret on this video: The VN750 is a great bike! I like reasonable bikes. I don't want bikes that are better on a track, or in the dirt, or in a museum, or in a parade, or the centerfold of Iron Horse magazine, than on the street. I want bikes that are best on the street, and on a twisty mountain road, and an occasional farther destination. The VN750 is lacking when I just look at the numbers, but it ticks a lot of boxes when I ride it. I've been riding since 1975. I have a couple of dozen bikes, I know, I'm working on thinning the herd. And last year I set out to find the best all around cruiser for me. And I took a Goldilocks approach: Not too big or little, heavy or light, reasonable price, power, sitting position, and gas mileage, etc. A motorcycle that I'm not afraid to ride and park somewhere, ride in the rain, or just plain use it. Although I've ridden a lot of cruisers over time, I went out and bought six different models to fix up and compare. I liked them all, but in side by side comparisons the VN750 was just right in most of the categories. I now have two rideable, and two parts VN750's. And would pick up another if I had extra moula. (Owned/Compared to: two Shadows, four Magnas, two Intruders, three Viragos, and one MG California) It's an every day driver, a weekend cruiser, an afternoon three hour ride up the mountain and back kinda bike. And I'm likely to hop on it if I just need to run an errand. And I'm not even a cruiser guy! My favorite categories are: Standard/Naked bike like the CB750 Nighthawk, Liter Sporty bike like the 919 Hornet, Light Weight Sporty like the SV650, Dual Purpose/Weekend Adventure DR650 and FS650G, and Light Weight Dual Purpose like the XT225!
Thank you for this lovely account for the VN750. I think you are right, compared to the cruiser bikes that you have owned, I think I would say the closest ones are the Virago and the Magna. I havent had an MG California, but these two are both quick, nimble, and powerful - e n o u g h - to get you where you need to be :) Again - thanks so much for stopping by - I hope you enjoy some of my other videos as well. Mike
The ticking sound is most likely caused by a hydraulic valve lifter that is losing motor oil after the engine is shut off. When the lifter is not fully charged with oil, the result is excessive clearance between the lifter and rocker arm (causing the ticking/clattering sound) until oil can refill the lifter when the engine is started the next time. The condition is generally more noticeable when ambient temperatures drop. Cold oil is more viscous so it takes longer to fill the lifter and restore proper valve lash. You could replace a lifter, but you have to remove the motor from the frame (significant cost or difficulty). Instead, change the oil and filter and use a lower viscosity oil that is appropriate for the current ambient temperatures where the bike is being operated. The ticking sound may be annoying, but should not result in engine damage as long as the noise goes away as the engine warms.
@@ACECafeBikes I can totally attest to that fact. I bought the same bike in close to mint condition for 100 bucks. I had the same issue. I pulled the cam tensioners, cleaned with mystery oil and put back on the bike. It runs and sounds perfect. So far it's the cleanest vn750 I have ever seen.
I don't recommend using anything but 20w50 oil. Yes it says 10w40 on the filler cap, but that's an EPA thing. Maybe an extra mpg. If it rarely gets above the mid 40s F, the 10w40 might work. I live in AZ, where it is HOT. 20w50 is like water when you drain it out while the engine is hot. That is not a lifter tick. It sounds more like cam chain noise than lifter noise. It could also be an exhaust leak, they can sound similar. The automatic cam chain tensioners are a defective design. They tend to fail after about 10,000-15,000 miles, followed by broken cam chains and catastrophic engine failure. I notice that bike still has the oem cam chain tensioners on it, and they are likely failing. You can get manual cam chain tensioners on eBay which will solve the problem permanently. The engine does NOT have to be at TDC to replace the cam chain tensioners. It can be in any position. You just have to make sure it doesn't get moved with the tensioner out. I would do that before anything else. I have 129,000 miles on a bought new 2002 Vulcan 750, I swapped out the oem cam chain tensioners for manual tensioners after the first few hundred miles, and also did a final drive spline lube. As I expected, the splines were dry. I would disassemble and lube the final drive splines with moly grease. Most of them were never lubed at the factory (these bikes were actually built in the U.S. at Kawasaki's factory in Lincoln, Nebraska) By the time the 10,000 mile final drive service became due, there was often significant damage to the splines. For the cam chain tensioners, something like this is what you want tinyurl.com/ywfstfjt DO NOT try to keep, repair, or adjust the oem tensioners. They are JUNK, and will destroy the engine.
Nice find, I'm sure your friend will like it. Cool story too, never know what kind of treasures and interesting projects are hidden away in garages, all with stories attached to them. 👍
@@ACECafeBikes He definitely knows his stuff from what I heard in the video because I've only known about 6 people who completely restored a Model A to almost original condition👍
Sim, eu acho que você poderia colocar pneus de carro, mas isso não é recomendado. Os pneus da motocicleta têm um grande raio para melhor manuseio ao virar. Se você usar um pneu de carro - pode ser inseguro. Ou pelo menos - menos seguro. Yes, I think that you could put car tires on but this is not recommended. Motorcycle tires have a large radius for better handling when turning. If you use a car tire - it could be unsafe. Or at least - less safe.
You're right about the acct it can get tired over time. Google the "grambo trick" can release it. Also super easy to change for manual camchain tentioner.
I guess I'm safe with my secret on this video: The VN750 is a great bike! I like reasonable bikes. I don't want bikes that are better on a track, or in the dirt, or in a museum, or in a parade, or the centerfold of Iron Horse magazine, than on the street. I want bikes that are best on the street, and on a twisty mountain road, and an occasional farther destination. The VN750 is lacking when I just look at the numbers, but it ticks a lot of boxes when I ride it. I've been riding since 1975. I have a couple of dozen bikes, I know, I'm working on thinning the herd. And last year I set out to find the best all around cruiser for me. And I took a Goldilocks approach: Not too big or little, heavy or light, reasonable price, power, sitting position, and gas mileage, etc. A motorcycle that I'm not afraid to ride and park somewhere, ride in the rain, or just plain use it. Although I've ridden a lot of cruisers over time, I went out and bought six different models to fix up and compare. I liked them all, but in side by side comparisons the VN750 was just right in most of the categories. I now have two rideable, and two parts VN750's. And would pick up another if I had extra moula. (Owned/Compared to: two Shadows, four Magnas, two Intruders, three Viragos, and one MG California) It's an every day driver, a weekend cruiser, an afternoon three hour ride up the mountain and back kinda bike. And I'm likely to hop on it if I just need to run an errand. And I'm not even a cruiser guy! My favorite categories are: Standard/Naked bike like the CB750 Nighthawk, Liter Sporty bike like the 919 Hornet, Light Weight Sporty like the SV650, Dual Purpose/Weekend Adventure DR650 and FS650G, and Light Weight Dual Purpose like the XT225!
Thank you for this lovely account for the VN750. I think you are right, compared to the cruiser bikes that you have owned, I think I would say the closest ones are the Virago and the Magna. I havent had an MG California, but these two are both quick, nimble, and powerful - e n o u g h - to get you where you need to be :) Again - thanks so much for stopping by - I hope you enjoy some of my other videos as well.
Mike
The ticking sound is most likely caused by a hydraulic valve lifter that is losing motor oil after the engine is shut off. When the lifter is not fully charged with oil, the result is excessive clearance between the lifter and rocker arm (causing the ticking/clattering sound) until oil can refill the lifter when the engine is started the next time. The condition is generally more noticeable when ambient temperatures drop. Cold oil is more viscous so it takes longer to fill the lifter and restore proper valve lash. You could replace a lifter, but you have to remove the motor from the frame (significant cost or difficulty). Instead, change the oil and filter and use a lower viscosity oil that is appropriate for the current ambient temperatures where the bike is being operated. The ticking sound may be annoying, but should not result in engine damage as long as the noise goes away as the engine warms.
Thanks so much for this great description. I'll definitely give this a try.
@@ACECafeBikes I can totally attest to that fact. I bought the same bike in close to mint condition for 100 bucks. I had the same issue. I pulled the cam tensioners, cleaned with mystery oil and put back on the bike. It runs and sounds perfect. So far it's the cleanest vn750 I have ever seen.
@@GeemailMailboxx Perfect, totally doing this!!!
I don't recommend using anything but 20w50 oil. Yes it says 10w40 on the filler cap, but that's an EPA thing. Maybe an extra mpg. If it rarely gets above the mid 40s F, the 10w40 might work. I live in AZ, where it is HOT. 20w50 is like water when you drain it out while the engine is hot. That is not a lifter tick. It sounds more like cam chain noise than lifter noise. It could also be an exhaust leak, they can sound similar. The automatic cam chain tensioners are a defective design. They tend to fail after about 10,000-15,000 miles, followed by broken cam chains and catastrophic engine failure. I notice that bike still has the oem cam chain tensioners on it, and they are likely failing. You can get manual cam chain tensioners on eBay which will solve the problem permanently. The engine does NOT have to be at TDC to replace the cam chain tensioners. It can be in any position. You just have to make sure it doesn't get moved with the tensioner out. I would do that before anything else. I have 129,000 miles on a bought new 2002 Vulcan 750, I swapped out the oem cam chain tensioners for manual tensioners after the first few hundred miles, and also did a final drive spline lube. As I expected, the splines were dry. I would disassemble and lube the final drive splines with moly grease. Most of them were never lubed at the factory (these bikes were actually built in the U.S. at Kawasaki's factory in Lincoln, Nebraska) By the time the 10,000 mile final drive service became due, there was often significant damage to the splines.
For the cam chain tensioners, something like this is what you want tinyurl.com/ywfstfjt DO NOT try to keep, repair, or adjust the oem tensioners. They are JUNK, and will destroy the engine.
@@geraldscott4302 - Cam chain noise? Exhaust leak noise? Those noise sources won't change appreciably between cold and warm engine conditions.
Think Jon will love this bike. Enjoyed the visit today...with you and "Bill"! He's awesome. Really love his car. And his story!!!
Thanks, it was really fun talking to him.
I enjoyed the video, just you riding and talking about the bike and everything that went along with it! I follow you on IG as well!
Thanks, I think its a nice bike, he'll enjoy it.
I follow and watch you as well, looking forward to your build vids as the come out!!
Nice find, I'm sure your friend will like it. Cool story too, never know what kind of treasures and interesting projects are hidden away in garages, all with stories attached to them. 👍
Exactly, 'ol Bill sure was a nice guy too!
I would buy this (secondhand) or v800 soon. My 9 y/o daughter shares the same interest in cruiser bike. She rides with me a lot.
That is so cool, having someone to ride with makes it all the better. Hopefully she'll keep loving motorcycles when she can ride them on her own!!
@@ACECafeBikes i would build a small custom chopper and give it to her when she turns 16. She likes it red.
@@IkanGelamaKuning Best gift ever - she'll love it!!
Are you sure your done buying for the year? Hard to pass up a good deal.
I would like to think so, garage space is getting sparse - but you just never really know!!!!
Is the bike tall enough for 6ft rider?
Yes, I think you'll be comfortable, I'm taller than 6 ft and I was really comfortable on this bike
Solid ass intro
Thanks so much!
I know it's probably too early to know but if Bill watches this I definitely would like to know where he is at so far with the Model A!
I should reach out to him - I bet he has made alot of progress since we last talked. Such a cool project.
@@ACECafeBikes He definitely knows his stuff from what I heard in the video because I've only known about 6 people who completely restored a Model A to almost original condition👍
@@chrisnixon1991 I'll definitely have to pass this along. Thanks for the suggestion.
Vídeo ótimo
Thanks so much
Pergunta! Sabe me dizer, essa bicicleta aceita pneu traseiro de carro ? Vejo algumas com pneus de carro.
Sim, eu acho que você poderia colocar pneus de carro, mas isso não é recomendado. Os pneus da motocicleta têm um grande raio para melhor manuseio ao virar. Se você usar um pneu de carro - pode ser inseguro. Ou pelo menos - menos seguro.
Yes, I think that you could put car tires on but this is not recommended. Motorcycle tires have a large radius for better handling when turning. If you use a car tire - it could be unsafe. Or at least - less safe.
Are you gonna help him build it into a bobber or anything?
There has been some chatter about that, we'll see if and when, but possible, yes!!
@@ACECafeBikes Very cool!
@@MotoMango Nice, just checked out your channel, super fun, love the out takes and quick flips and jabs. Looking forward to watching more.
@@ACECafeBikes Thanks man :) I have a short attention span so I edit it how my brain works lol
You're right about the acct it can get tired over time. Google the "grambo trick" can release it. Also super easy to change for manual camchain tentioner.
Thanks for the tip
If you get real stuck pm me and I'll get you a vid explaining how the acct works in this bike and may be able to help you
Thanks so much, that would be helpful. Mike
People who whine about the wind noise on a motorcycle need to.........well, anyway.....lol
👍😉