Converting 2003 Classic to a Drifter '99

Started by drifter-paul, October 28, 2025, 21:22:25 PM

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drifter-paul

Thanks OR Seedman ,

That's very definitive .

I stripped it to the bare frame (had frame sand blasted and repainted , along with all black bits over a decade ago) . So, I wasn't looking at doing it the quickest way then .

I stripped from the top down , but saw a photo here of someone who had removed the 4 bolts from the manifold or the regulator and lowered the engine . The tank was off , but I can't remember how much more they had taken off up top .

Guess I will have to find out , just like to do the shortest way when possible .

I may be able to get a J1 engine with 61,000K (38000 miles) , so that will be the way to go - given your input .

Thanks heaps

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

OR Seedman

there are some real frame differences between the two....for instance the way the saddle bags mount to the frame is completely different between them.  Just swapping the rear swingarm won't solve that issue....Wiring harness are different too...and the way the fuel connect from the tank to the injector manifold it completely different...lots of little issues would be cropping up.  I suggest, as others have, just swapping the motors.  Not really very hard to do...as long as you have a rolling floor jack for a motorcycle, one person can do it.

OR Seedman

drifter-paul

Hoping it might be easier than taking the engine out of both . Clymer says remove everything including the horns ..

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

Bucko

Why not just swap the motor from the classic into the Drifter frame?


drifter-paul

#1

My '99 Drifter has done the big end .
I am looking at a 2003 Classic, and swapping the Drifter parts , fenders , tank , solo seat .
I found a thread on this in the forum , but can't locate it again .
Not in Mods .
Anyone able to supply the thread ?
Thanks heaps .
P.S.
I'm thinking of using the '99 swingarm to retain the fender mount points & swapping the '99 front forks into the Classic for the same reason .

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

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