I need help on general maintenance on a Kawasaki Vulcan 800?

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El Rambo Nica

New member
I'm a new rider who just bought a used bike. The thing is, I don't know anything on motorcycle maintenance.
I want to change the oil and coolant, because the fan keeps turning on mostly every time I stop at a red light, and I hear a small, tiny clicking sound coming from the motor when I begin to slow down. The weird thing is that the sensor lights don't indicate that there's a problem.
Is my bike okay?
its an 2002 model.
 
Your bike sounds fine. I used to have an '02 Kawasaki Vulcan 800. The owner's manual suggests that you change the oil every 3,000 miles and the oil filter every 6,000 miles. Use a four stroke or motorcycle oil, SAE 10W30, SAE 20W40 or Semi-Synthetic SAE 5W40. Check your oil level in the sight glass located near the kickstand with the bike held upright, not resting on the kickstand. The warm oil level should sit between the high-low marks. Small, tiny clicking noises from the motor are normal. Loud clicking, ticking, or pinging sounds are bad.

The owner's manual suggests to have a dealer change the coolant, but I have topped off the coolant with the green automotive antifreeze when the level dipped a little below the low mark. It's totally normal for the fan to kick on while you're sitting in traffic. It's also normal, after long rides or on hot days, for the fan to run awhile after the motor's been shut off.

If your warning lights come on for a few seconds when the key is turned to on, then go off, then they are working correctly.
 
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