In spite of being so satisfied with the performance this little Vulcan has given me for the past ten years, there is always some things that can be improved.. After all.. I'm still waiting for that "perfect" motorcyle .. For the past several years, I have ridden many different motorcycles and ridden with many of my friends who own motorcycles of every make, model and description.. Each one of those motorcycles leave something to be desired, but each one is accomplished in it's own right.. On the ride to Matamoros, the past week or so, I rode with a couple of Vulcans like mine.. Both of them newer models and both had belt conversion kits .. the Vulcan 800 being chain driven.. The earlier model kit wasn't what I'd be interested in, but the newer one was impressive.. We exchanged bikes for a while and after riding that belt driven bike, as well as the informative discussion about it's advantages and disadvantages, I decided to look into it in more detail.. The only disadvantage of the belt system was a very minor loss of torque .. That issue was offset by several benefits of the conversion.. The weight difference between the chain and sprocket and the belt system should compensate .. The mileage on the belt system, before replacement is inestimable because no one has replaced a belt, yet.. even though some of them have run the belts for more than 70,000 miles.. Compared to chain and sprocket replacement at 18,000 and 25,000 respectively.. The belt system is relatively silent on the highway and virtually eliminates chain vibration .. Damn.. I'm sure getting old.. lol.. Sheesh.. that outfit that holds the patent on that conversion system is sure cagey about the information they give you for your money.. My dealer, Grapevine Kawasaki.. tried to work with them for a week .. Finally, the owner of the dealership decided to avail me to his office and telephone and see if I could get more information.. We spent a considerable amount of time with the nice lady at the fabricator, on the telephone.. hmmm.. Although she would not budge on the price, I was able to persuade her to give me some more information, the finished product that I'd like and I did save myself about 0.00 on the deal.. The kit should be in the shop at Grapevine Kawasaki by next Wednesday or sooner, depending on which carrier will deliver it.. Between Dennis, the owner of that dealership and Dean, the shop manager.. we should have that kit installed on the Green Vulcan sometime Wednesday.. By the weekend, I should be able to report on the performance, or lack thereof ... that I'll see in the Green Vulcan.. The guarantee that I wheedled out of that nice lady, included my satisfaction.. money back.. As a side note.. I am always hesitant to recommend a dealer to anyone.. Over the years, I've found out that the dealer who works well and gives me good discounts, aren't always so accommodating to friends who I have sent there.. Some guys just don't understand that and have gotten mad at me for giving them a bum steer, or something.. lol... Anyway.. another of the long time posters on this newsgroup met Redshad and me in Grapevine yesterday.. I introduced him to all those guys out there and he visited with them while we worked on getting all my rat killing in order.. <chuckle> Although he rides a Honda product and this is a Kawasaki dealership, he later told me that he'd been well received and was impressed with everyone he'd met at Grapevine Kawasaki.. They offered to take care of most all his service needs .. Even though GK has a few Prima Donnas, as has every dealership I know.. Dennis and the shop manager, Dean are quite unique in their PR approach with the public.. Matter of fact.. Dean rides one of the sharpest custom Valkyries that I've seen.. It's customarily parked every day.. right by the service door entrance.. All told.. it was a satisfactory and productive day for me.. paid a visit to one of our better dealerships.. didn't get ripped off and two of my good friends commenced the process of developing a good dealer relationship.. I thoroughly enjoyed the days experience .. Regards Bill Walker Irving
