Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Twice I have had the problem of my kawasaki 500 vulcan stalling when I release the clutch. Once in June, I had warmed up my bike, it was idling fine, then I put it in gear and released the clutch, rolled on the throttle, and then the bike stalled. I started the bike up, it idled just fine, then stalled again when I released the clutch and let on the throttle.

Second time was last week. On my morning commute (~8 miles) I stopped to get gas at the station just down the road from my office. I filled up the gas tank, and then the same put the bike in gear/release the clutch/ roll-on throttle/stall problem occurred. The only thing I could think of to do was to pull out the choke and idle the engine on high. After that the bike worked okay, but for all I know the same might have happened if I had just waited 5 minutes. Any thoughts as to what might be going on? Could this be vapor-lock?

Vapor lock is unlikely to occur on the first few miles into your morning commute, or after warming up in the driveway (unless you live in Saudi Arabia).

It's hard to tell without observing, but it sounds like the bike may be fuel starved for some reason. Idling takes very little fuel flow, but when you roll on the throtlle and release the clutch, fuel flow requirements rise dramatically. I think you were on the right track with the vapor lock guess (also starves the engine of fuel), but the conditions aren't right. I would pull the fuel filters, petcock screen and check the fuel lines for kinks or obstructions. It's the easiest (and cheapest) place to start.

I have a 1997 kawasaki vulcan 1500 classic, and I just bought it, I am having the same problem sometimes. But when I shut it off and rest for a bit and restart it , problems gone. It will back fire and stall trying to pull away in gear. It seems like it's in a high gear. DO you have any ideas....

Well, after a call to the orginal bike owner, I found out my problem. It's been awhile sence I have owned a bike and it never dawned on me that having the kickstand down the bike won't go anywhere, what I dumb "O Ring" I was lol. My bike works so good and shines like a new dime.... Thanks guys, this forum is great.

Actually my problem turned out to be a faulty kickstand switch.
Just a possibility.

Good Luck