New '99 Drifter

[Troll]

Ya know...just having the grease fitting in doesn't mean he greased it. I pump mine until it comes out on the top and the bottom and then clean it up. If it comes out, the only way it can get out is by going through the bearing.

[Beach Bum]

There's already a grease zerk in the neck.  Don't see how the grease got into the bearings though as the stem wass full but the bearings were dry.  Thinking you have to have the lock engaged or at least the bars in the opposite direction so the lock hole doesn't line up.  I live 8 blocks off the ocean so I am intimate with waterproof grease.  We have to use it in just about everything to prevent rust.

We'll see how she rides once I get things put back together and take it from there.  Between the brakes and the steering being stuck in the straight position, I'm not exactly thrilled with the experience thus far.  Still looking for a baffle as I just don't dig the noise anymore.  If the can turns out to be a 4" diameter I think I can use a baffle out of a rice burner can which one can buy for around $20.  Or, I can fabricate one.  I really don't want to put more work into the bike than it's worth and the market for these is pretty soft around here.  Most people don't like spending too much dough on bikes with high mileage, regardless of their reputation.  I still haven't checked to see if all the plugs are firing correctly.  Couldn't ride it long enough to do a plug chop.  I have heat in both jugs but the vibration just doesn't seem right.  I'm also going to look at fabricating a rubber mount for the exhaust.

[Troll]

I put a grease fitting in the neck when I did mine, and I'm using high temp. waterproof grease for boat trailers. Around 35,000 miles since I did it and no problems. Grease the bearings every other oil change.

[Beach Bum]

Busy morning today.  Got my rotor ordered last night and opted for the "correct" piece for the year (solid).  Seller accepted my offer so it's on it's way for $40.  Hope it's straight.  Found my steering bearing kit and ordered it this AM as well.  Had to call All Balls to verify the part # as the correct part as listed on their web site was showing as incorrect on Amazon.  FYI the correct part number is 22-1031.  On it's way for $31 shipped.  Spent the rest of the morning tearing the front of the bike off.  The bottom bearing race was so galled that I could feel the vertical ridges in the face with my fingernail.  I went to weld a bead on the races to get them out of the neck then realized its time to get some argon and wire for the mig.  Almost a good thing the wire was stuck in the tip and I was out of them as well.  Would've sucked running out halfway through the job.

So here I am once again in parts limbo, with Biketoberfest less than a week away and my only ride missing the front end.  I've also decided to take the opportunity to repaint the forks and covers as there are some unsightly stone chips that aren't visible in the pictures, but really bug me.  The weather's going to be shitty for the next couple days so hopefully I can get the mig all squared away, the paint done and the bike ready for reassembly.  Be nice to take a ride down to Daytona this weekend.   

[dakuhosu]

I see you don't have the standard disc and you say it's warped too? I would think the drilled would run cooler and be less prone to warpage. I personally never ride fast enough to have to slam on the front brake because I'm too busy styling and waving to everybody

[DC]

Welcome to the Forum, Beach Bum!  Great looking ride.  Sounds like a solid machine.  Hope you get the few issues sorted soon.

[pcarrell]

The front forks on your bike are the same a F.I Classic 1500 (look for the 2000 model year F.I. Classic as it was the first year for F.I. on that model), except obviously the chrome vs. blackout thing.  (Carbed models are different)  The rotor you seek could be sourced off of that.  If you have a wrecking yard that does bikes you might find a cheap one there.  If you're looking for new parts, I've dealt with Ron Ayers ( http://www.ronayersmotorcycles.com/fiche_select.asp )quite a bit and they are fair priced with pretty quick shipping.  They have a parts page that not only gives you part numbers and prices, but exploded views of the parts.  Here's the page for your bike: http://www.ronayersmotorcycles.com/fiche_select2.asp?category=Motorcycles&make=Kawasaki&year=1999&fveh=8971

Your bearings show up in the frame section ( http://www.ronayersmotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=388627&category=Motorcycles&make=KAWASAKI&year=1999&fveh=8971 ) and list for $48 each.  The front brake disc is a bit more pricey at $365.60 ( http://www.ronayersmotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=388653&category=Motorcycles&make=KAWASAKI&year=1999&fveh=8971 ), so a trip to the junk yard or Ebay might be worth it.

[Washbrook]

Nice looking bike. Hope the issues resolve.

[Troll]

Did you look here?  http://www.bikebandit.com/all-balls-motorcycle-steering-stem-bearing-kits?m=149609

[Beach Bum]

Hey thanks for the input guys.  I looked for the All Balls bearings but can't seem to find them for the Drifter which is why I was wondering what parts crossed between bikes.  Main concerns right now are to get the rotor and the bearings done.  I do have a mig so if that's the easy way, I'll burn a bead on the races.  I've had ton of bikes but this is my first big twin.  Seems to throw a lot more weight around than an 1100.  I've mostly had 4's and this is also my first FI bike.  Hell, I thought it would be a piece of piss to get it going with no carbs to clean.  I have the feeling that the fuel pump tanked and the PO just put it up.

The worst thing is waiting for parts to come in the mail.  What about the rotor?  I saw one listed in an eBay link posted on here yesterday.  It's solid but mine resembles the rotor found on the other models.  I just want one that fits that won't break the bank.  I also need to find the baffle for that exhaust.  Not only is it loud, but I can't see an open exhaust like that being too good for the valves.  I guess I could weld one up but I'd rather have a Roadhouse baffle if I could find one.   Guess I'll continue my search for parts and hopefully get some ordered tomorrow or Monday. 

[Troll]

All Balls steering head bearings...The big problem will be getting the old races out of the tapered neck. Do you have access to a mig welder? Welding a bead around the center of each race, and when it cools, they almost fall out. I have almost 82,000 on my '01....stone reliable. Nice looking ride...you'll have that one for a long time, and yes, the solid mount pipes will induce vibration. Mine has a little "Harley shake" at 52-54 mph in 5th gear, otherwise, it's a magic carpet

[CDNRatMan]

  Very nice looking ride, we have people who will fix your issues on line...lol...they are that good at what they do.......I have Roadhouse exhaust on my bike and really like them (with the baffles in), but I really like that serrated section of pipe......wish I could find them....

[dakuhosu]

Great looking bike, the miles are not too bad. Everything you described can be easily fixed for cheap. Alarming to hear about the front brake, glad everything is cool though. I have the same bike and the vibration is noticeable at certain rpms on mine. There is a recent thread on replacing the steering bearings.

[Beach Bum]

Howdy folks...  Just picked up a new to me Drifter and am kind of nervous about the overall product.  I bought it from a local guy who had it stored in his garage for the last five years.  It looked good and he swore up and down that all it would need was a battery and fresh gas and it would start right up.  Soooo...  I installed the new fuel pump yesterday after a week of waiting and it finally fired .  Had to acid flush the tank to remove the rust wasn't as obvious with the bad gas in the tank.  BTW, the $23 eBay pump for a Ford Aspire worked dandy.

So I take it on a ride yesterday around the neighborhood and low and behold, the front caliper seizes up midway through a slow turn.  Grateful that crash bars work.  I went ahead and stripped down both calipers and did a full brake flush.  Okay now but the front rotor is warped beyond belief.  AAARRGGGHHH!!!  Now I've noticed that the steering head bearings have a hard spot at center, and I'm concerned by the amount of vibration this engine produces.

The bike is equipped with a Roadhouse exhaust, with no freaking baffles (LOUD!!!) that is solidly mounted to the bike.  Not certain if this would cause the vibration but it certainly does seem to smooth out with RPM's.  As this is my first 1500 Drifter I'm not sure what to expect.

My questions are, how much mechanical noise/vibration should I expect from this engine?

What parts are interchangeable between the VN series of bikes?  I've seen solid front rotors and the type found on the Classics.  I'm having a tough time finding aftermarket steering head bearings for the Drifter.

What type of longevity do these bikes have?

Does anyone know where to procure a baffle for this exhaust or should I just make one?