Want to get a 454 LTD, but uncertain...

[jamesrs2007]

Hello all,

I am very interested in getting a Kawasaki 454 LTD, but have recently read that it is very difficult to get parts.  Now I've had several bikes, and one of them was a Vulcan EN500 and it didn't seem to difficult to get the parts I needed for that.  But I didn't need that many as the bike ran very well with few issues for the time that I had it.

I have always like the style of the little 454, and although it is a small bike for me, (I'm 6' tall, 190 lbs) I really liked the nimble feeling they have in traffic.  I figured the 454 would feel very similar, and since this was a look that I have always like, this is the perfect time to get one.  But reading about the parts issue, I am uncertain.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

James

[eaglerider]

The 454 "evolved" into the Vulcan 500 in 1990. The 454 engine was enlarged to 500, and used in the Vulcan as well as the Ninja, with the engine detuned some for the Vulcan. Some parts will interchange, but not all, and some 500 parts will work on the 454. My suggestion is to get another Vulcan 500, and if you want it as close to a 454 as possible, find a good 1990 thru 1995 model, belt driven like the 454, and the size is very close.

[jamesrs2007]

Thanks for the reply.

I actually had a 1990 Vulcan 500 and liked the bike.  Should have kept it, but you know how that goes.    So you recommend I get another because of parts availability?

[eaglerider]

On ebay, the Vulcan parts are more plentiful, and less costly. Since the 454 is no longer made, And most parts discontinued, availability is not so good, that also makes prices of even used parts, rather costly. So yes, that would be my suggestion. The Vulcan 500 is very close to the 454, the frame being slightly longer. Later model Vulcans went to chain drive, and (I forget what year) when the 800 was discontinued, they used the 800 frame, etc, and put the 500 engine in it, to sell as the vulcan 500.....advantage was a larger gas tank, but they also used smaller CFM carbs, also a slightly larger bike.

[jamesrs2007]

Well guys, I hate to be the person that didn't listen to sound advice but I just could not resist the appeal of the 454 LTD.  I came across a deal I just could not resist and so I took the leap and am now the PROUD owner of a 1986 454 LTD!  I was able to acquire this wonderful machine for $650 and I could not be more pleased.  I am now in the process of starting to take it apart so that I can fix a few little issues, and restore it to the glory it deserves.  Will start with rebuilding the carbs and adjusting valves to get it to run a little better than it is, and will also sync them after all is re-assembled.  (I will also be doing something about the paint.  Anybody have a Gas tank they want to sell with factory colors?  Looking for Burgundy or Black) 

[eaglerider]

Looks good...as far as the paint, a lot of us customize or "personalize" our bikes, by painting the tank & rear fender. That paint job, at least in the pic, looks pretty nice, in my opinion. Looks like that bike has been pretty well taken care of.

[jamesrs2007]

Ya, the bike is in pretty good condition and I'm happy to have found it.  The paint on the other hand looks much better in the picture than it is in person.  I may try to tint the tank a little darker and then clear coat it if I cant find a good factory tank in my searches.

[blacksmith]

I don't think it is regretable.  I picked a lemon up last summer and it became a great learning experience.  In the words of a friend, "you couldn't pay someone so little money and learn as much as you have." Sometimes, buying a "hard to find parts" bike turns into something unexpected.