Converting a 2006 Vulcan Classic 1500 to a Drifter

[Mak]

Everything from the swing arm pivot forward is the same, but the rear of the frame has no mounting horns for the fender. The swing arm on the Drifter has some tabs and misc mounting holes that the classic frame does not. The Drifter final drive housing has two mounting points on it for the fender support that the others do not. They are close, but not the same, and last but not least, the rear brake caliper mounts under the disc rather than above it...and the mounts for that are VERY different. Not saying you can't do what you want to do, but it's not going to be a bolt on for anything. The front fork sliders have extra tabs on the bottom for the front fender mounting that aren't on the classic, and the bolts for the fender go through from the outside for the mounting yoke.

Completely correct - if you are not in a hurry just follow ebay there were a couple 1500 J series up for parting ...
keep in mind you need the rear lights due to the fender (if OEM) and rear light 'harness' and - I think - the light cable plug is different
M
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[Old Drifter]

So I, thinking an update is required, Bosn, haven't heard much since last October. Jows your conversion coming?

He may be at a stand still, hasn't been on here since October 26, 2015.

[AZCaveman]

There is a guy on the Facebook Drifters group that did this.  His name is Rod Pimentels.   He lists quite a bit about how he did it and what mods were needed.

[49Reo]

So I, thinking an update is required, Bosn, haven't heard much since last October. Jows your conversion coming?

[pcarrell]

That could be tricky.  You could cut out holes in the overlay and poke the stock shock mounts through.

[retiredbosn]

That might work, but remember that the stock fenders are simply plastic, so they can' hold any real weight on their own.  You have to seriously reinforce them if they have to hold anything.

This is why I was thinking it might be the best choice to use as an overlay. Its flexibility and being thin I think will allow me to cut and shave it to fit the clinic fender, essentially it will  be a skin. My only worry is the shock mounting point, I don't know how the overlay will accept that modification.

[pcarrell]

That might work, but remember that the stock fenders are simply plastic, so they can' hold any real weight on their own.  You have to seriously reinforce them if they have to hold anything.

[retiredbosn]

Ok, here's my plan, let me know if its feasible. I want to use my classic as the base, I don't have much money in it, and I know its entire history. Its barely used one owner with less than 10 thousand miles, its in showroom condition. I will change the  front fender with OEM fender pre painted, use a fender overlay on rear, I will either have it custom made, or use  an OEM rear that I'll modify. This will allow for passengers/tour packs. Also can use standard hard bags with standard mounts. This will also hide most of the rear wheel/fender allowing the overlay joint to be hidden, if I have any difficulty with that.My plan is to have the joint under the seat so it will be invisible from any angle. I will also change the exhaust to a true bagger dual exhaust finished off with fishtails. I may or may not put a batwing fairing. I will be putting a light bar on. The seat will be switched to a solo.

I think utilizing this plan will eliminate any frame and swingarm issues. And still allow me to build a Drifter/Chief tribute bagger.

[Old Drifter]

Those 97 Drifters are REALLY rare!

Yes they certainly are. I would say it's probably the only one in existence.

[pcarrell]

Those 97 Drifters are REALLY rare!

[49Reo]

.....my point exactly.....

[CDNRatMan]

 Thought they only started to make them in 99.....ok we need to figure this out.

[49Reo]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/121787864702?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c5b1f567e:g:HLsAAOSwo0JWFYir&item=121787864702

....a 1997 Drifter, and only 1500 made......and only 100 in the states.....hmm......

[pcarrell]

Jobear added a metal Indian front fender and a Drifter rear fender to a Nomad.  He used the metal Indian fender because he got it for $99.  He said it was a lot of work to make fit though, as he had to widen the fender to make it work.  His web page has more info on it: http://jobear2.com/

[retiredbosn]

pcarrel, didn't you post some pics a while back of a Nomad that the owner put the Drifter fenders on? FWIW my plans are to build a long distance touring bike, I am starting to think that this Classic isn't the bike to start from, as I'll probably end up moving the floorboards back , and  I'll need to upgrade the stator (sp?) to handle the electronics. I really want the Drifter look on a Touring bike. 

[pcarrell]

Now, that's somebody who REALLY knows his Drifters....

Yeah, right?

I hate when people just flat out lie in their ad's.

I saw a Craigslist ad the other day for a 1974 Porsche 914 with a "rare" 5 speed tranny (https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5242839131.html ).  Now Porsche made 914's from mid 1969 through 1976, and every last one of them, except 2 of them was a 5 speed.  The 2 other ones were factory prototypes for a proposed automatic version that never materialized.  One prototype was destroyed in testing and the other became Butzi Porsche's (Dr. Ferdinand Porsche's son) personal car for a few years before he added it to the collection at the Porsche Museum, where it resides to this day.  As for the 5 speeds, there were two different shift linkages used over the years: known as the "tail" shifter and the "side" shifter.  1970 through 1972 got the tail shifter, and 1973 though 1976 got the better side shifter, so his 1974 is still not "rare".

Sorry.........

/rant

[Troll]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/121787864702?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c5b1f567e:g:HLsAAOSwo0JWFYir&item=121787864702

Now, that's somebody who REALLY knows his Drifters....

[Bucko]

On  Partzilla they are identical, down to the screws, washers etc.

I must be missing something.  When I look at the frame diagrams in the Partzilla links, they're not identical at all.  Keep in mind the number on the parts diagram is just an index, you need to find that index number in the pats list to get the full part number (which doesn't seem to be shown on the Partzilla list).  The Drifter frame part number is:  32160-1680.  The Classic frame number is:  32160-1679

[LarryInSeattle]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/121787864702?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c5b1f567e:g:HLsAAOSwo0JWFYir&item=121787864702

[retiredbosn]

Everything from the swing arm pivot forward is the same, but the rear of the frame has no mounting horns for the fender. The swing arm on the Drifter has some tabs and misc mounting holes that the classic frame does not. The Drifter final drive housing has two mounting points on it for the fender support that the others do not. They are close, but not the same, and last but not least, the rear brake caliper mounts under the disc rather than above it...and the mounts for that are VERY different. Not saying you can't do what you want to do, but it's not going to be a bolt on for anything. The front fork sliders have extra tabs on the bottom for the front fender mounting that aren't on the classic, and the bolts for the  go through from the outside for the mounting yoke.

Thank you for the info, everyone has been very helpful and I do appreciate it. This modification is going to be very challenging. I will update with photos and progress.

Keep the info and suggestions flowing, I am learning.

[retiredbosn]

My plan for the rear fender are far from complete. Oldys has an Indian style fender that's universal and according to the website designed for passengers. They also have a multi piece design, I really don't know how I'm going to accomplish what I want. I am lucky enough to have a few custom makers and specialty  shops. I'm planning on doing a bachelor bike anyway, so a fender able to hold passenger isn't important.

Right now I'm thinking of having what is essentially a fender cover. Using plastics or glass over the existing metal. I can glass the pieces together. Or making the Shields and tall extension out of metal and arc welding the pieces to the factory metal fender. I can do body  work and am confident I can find a solution that allows me to use the existing fender and swingarm

[Troll]

On  Partzilla they are identical, down to the screws, washers etc. Same part numbers, same frame, same swingarm. Where they differ are seat mounts and rear fender mounts. If I am looking at the schematics wrong please let me know, I posted the url link to each schematic.  I'm thinking that I can work with Oldys to get a rear fender that I can mount using the classic hardware, which will allow me to do a couple other things that I'm wanting to do.

2005 Drifter Frame :
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2005/VN1500-R5+Vulcan+1500+Drifter/FRAME/parts.html

2005 Drifter Swingarm:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2005/VN1500-R5+Vulcan+1500+Drifter/SWINGARM/parts.html

2006 Classic Frame:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2006/VN1500T6F+Vulcan+1500+Classic/FRAME/parts.html

2006 Classic Swingarm:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2006/VN1500T6F+Vulcan+1500+Classic/SWINGARM/parts.html

Everything from the swing arm pivot forward is the same, but the rear of the frame has no mounting horns for the fender. The swing arm on the Drifter has some tabs and misc mounting holes that the classic frame does not. The Drifter final drive housing has two mounting points on it for the fender support that the others do not. They are close, but not the same, and last but not least, the rear brake caliper mounts under the disc rather than above it...and the mounts for that are VERY different. Not saying you can't do what you want to do, but it's not going to be a bolt on for anything. The front fork sliders have extra tabs on the bottom for the front fender mounting that aren't on the classic, and the bolts for the fender go through from the outside for the mounting yoke.

[pcarrell]

Yes, a Drifter fender is plastic, and kind of flimsy.

[49Reo]

Bosn, you will need to gusset the inside of the fiberglas fender with metal, or fasteners will end up cracking out the holes. By having a metal strap inside the fender, it will help support passenger seats and saddlebags. Remember, the seat mounts to the fender, which is supported by the fender struts. On the classic fender this isn't an issue as the fender is metal, but the fiberglas fender will need some extra support, unless they build it in. Just don't try it with a Drifter fender.....lol.

[retiredbosn]

He's wrong, I'm sorry about that, but if you go to Partzilla and look at the two frames, it will be quite obvious

On  Partzilla they are identical, down to the screws, washers etc. Same part numbers, same frame, same swingarm. Where they differ are seat mounts and rear fender mounts. If I am looking at the schematics wrong please let me know, I posted the url link to each schematic.  I'm thinking that I can work with Oldys to get a rear fender that I can mount using the classic hardware, which will allow me to do a couple other things that I'm wanting to do.

2005 Drifter Frame :
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2005/VN1500-R5+Vulcan+1500+Drifter/FRAME/parts.html

2005 Drifter Swingarm:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2005/VN1500-R5+Vulcan+1500+Drifter/SWINGARM/parts.html

2006 Classic Frame:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2006/VN1500T6F+Vulcan+1500+Classic/FRAME/parts.html

2006 Classic Swingarm:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2006/VN1500T6F+Vulcan+1500+Classic/SWINGARM/parts.html