Converting a 2006 Vulcan Classic 1500 to a Drifter

[Troll]

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

[retiredbosn]

All I know is that the Kawasaki dealer told me that the Drifter and Classic share the same frame and swing arm. The difference is in the subframe, the Drifter has allot of modular sub frame pieces that can be bolted to the Classic frame.

[pcarrell]

I had previously been led to believe that the F.I. Classic frame and the Drifter 1500 frame were basically the same from the motor compartment forward, with only the back half being different.  Is that true, or not?

[Troll]

The frames are VERY DIFFERENT!!!! There is no rear section behind the seat to support the fender, and there is more gusseting in the frame to add stiffness.

[Bucko]

I'm surprised to read the frames are the same.  The Drifter has that goofy dual seat horseshoe bracket which bolts to the frame - does the Classic frame have allowance for bolting on that same horseshoe but has something else bolted to it in the Classic version?

[retiredbosn]

Another reason is I'm converting the bike is customizing your bike is allot of fun. When I get finished I'll have a bike that is uniquely me and mine.

So Bosn, why not stick with the classic swingarm and rear mechanicals, and just add the Oldy's fiberglas fenders? The fiberglas rear, with some internal gusseting of metal, will support a passenger, and you could still use the seats available for the Classics, which are less money, and more selection. Just a thought.....

I Ann seeing the advantage of this, plus it will make accessorizing with bags easier.

[pcarrell]

The reason I am converting is that these bikes are getting hard to find, as of right now I can't find one within 500 miles of here.

There's one in Simpsonville (that's only 100 miles from you) that looks pretty nice and is loaded with extras.  The mileage is the only issue, but even with that mileage it's still just getting broke in.....just ask Troll!  He has over 100k on his Drifter, and I've got almost 60k on mine!  http://greenville.craigslist.org/mcy/5208003107.html

There's also a blackout bike that could use a little loving up in Leicester, NC.  The prices is a pretty smokin' deal on a low mileage bike.  It needs some love, but you'd have a rare blackout bike then, and it's only 180 miles away!  http://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/5236449737.html

[pcarrell]

I looked for a good 6 months before I found mine in Chicago.  I live in the Indianapolis area, so Chicago was still a few hours away.

You might want to just wait a short while, because riding season is about over and bikes tend to come up for sale as we head into winter.  Mine came up for sale in November.

By the way, the Oldy's fenders are about half the price of official Ma Kawi fenders, but the Kawi fenders do come painted, and the 2005 Drifter 1500 came in an ebony and silver paint scheme that would match your bike perfectly.  I'd figure out what painting is going to cost and do a price comparison.  http://www.ronayersmotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=389736&category=Motorcycles&make=KAWASAKI&year=2005&fveh=8991

[49Reo]

Very nice bike. You could put a set of Oldy's fenders on it and not have to change anything else. Unless you wanted too.....

[retiredbosn]

The reason I am converting is that these bikes are getting hard to find, as of right now I can't find one within 500 miles of here.

For those who wanted to see my Vulcan here she is, the 2006 Anniversary Edition

[pcarrell]

The fastest way that I know how to turn 2006 Vulcan Classic 1500 to a Drifter is to sell the Classic and buy a Drifter.  So much easier to do my friend.

Just my opinion.

That brings up a good point.

You'd be dollars, and headaches, ahead to just sell the Classic and buy a Drifter.

[LarryInSeattle]

The fastest way that I know how to turn 2006 Vulcan Classic 1500 to a Drifter is to sell the Classic and buy a Drifter.  So much easier to do my friend.

Just my opinion. 

[49Reo]

So Bosn, why not stick with the classic swingarm and rear mechanicals, and just add the Oldy's fiberglas fenders? The fiberglas rear, with some internal gusseting of metal, will support a passenger, and you could still use the seats available for the Classics, which are less money, and more selection. Just a thought.....

[pcarrell]

.....and now you get the gist of how we funktion.....

Yes, as twisted as we all are, that's spelled correctly!

[Troll]

HEY...don't blame me for that one, it was already a tradition when I signed on here!    Yeah, no pics...no happen!

[CDNRatMan]

   Troll once said no pictures it never happened and he is one of the three Wise Men I trust......so enough said....

[zig]

you can tell us everything you do....but if you don't show us pictures every once and a while, it's not happening.

[pcarrell]

BTW, you need not worry my well heeled new friend!  As you'll soon learn, there are many of us here who are well versed in the art of helping you out with that "problem" fat bank account! 

Actually, the folks here have saved me tons of money over the years.

[pcarrell]

Well, for one thing, the swingarm on the Drifter is unique to the Drifter.  The rear fender is actually bolted to the rear swingarm and moves with it, whereas with your project you'll be mounting it differently since it's a Classic frame.  That's going to be the most tricky part.  You'll need to mount that rear fender and build some sort of supporting structure off of the Classic frame.  It will need good support around mounting points, but since the fiberglass is pretty solid, I'd suspect a lighter support could be used elsewhere.  From what I remember, when the Drifter owner who loaned Oldy's his fenders to make a mold of picked them back up, he checked out the Oldy's part and it was solid enough that he could stand on it without breaking it, which is more then can be said for the Kawasaki parts.

The rest should be pretty easy.

The seat can be custom made to your liking.  The headlight is a simple deep bullet 7" light, and can probably still be bought from Ron Ayers ( http://www.ronayersmotorcycles.com/fiche_select2.asp?category=Motorcycles&make=Kawasaki&year=2005&fveh=8991 ) and similar places, though a custom one is probably cheaper.

As for suggestions, since this isn't a rare Drifter you're working on, and it isn't supposed to look like a Classic when it's done either, I'd probably try and do a few special and unique mods to really set it apart from the crowd.  For example, what about fancy polished mag wheels?  What about taking those fiberglass fenders to a good body man and having him stretch and exaggerate those flowing fender lines a bit, adding to the art deco look even more?  You could rake the front forks too ( http://www.chopperkitusa.com/kawasaki-VN1500_classic_models2.htm ).  Maybe frenching in front and rear turn signals and brake lights, and don't forget the license plate too.  You could do all of that and with some custom paint, have one wild ride!  Just some thoughts......

[retiredbosn]

Hello all,

I'm a new member here and need some info, I recently purchased a 2006 Classic and I want to clone it to a Drifter.  I know obviously that means Fenders, seats etc.  The things you see, I'm wondering what I'm going to get into with the subframe and mounts.  I have checked and already know that the 2006 frame is the same as 2004, the swingarm will be fine, but I'll be needing allot of unseen elements to make this work properly.  pcarrel already gave me a source for the fenders, I'm just wondering what all I'll be needing to do this right.  Also I'm thinking 2 grand should cover parts, or do I need to budget more?  The source for fenders looks like about 6-700, I want the solo seat thinking 450, and the rest on subframe parts, head lights etc.  Any advice or suggestions are appreciated