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Posted by Old Drifter
- March 08, 2017, 15:25:02 PMQuote from: Adventure_Boy on March 08, 2017, 14:03:27 PMNo, just the plugs with a wire brush. Since you're getting new ones, just install the new ones.Oh thank goodness. I wasn't sure but it didn't look good.
What exactly do you mean by clean? I've ordered new NGK spark plugs. Do you mean clean the spark plug housing?
Posted by Adventure_Boy
- March 08, 2017, 14:03:27 PMOh thank goodness. I wasn't sure but it didn't look good.
What exactly do you mean by clean? I've ordered new NGK spark plugs. Do you mean clean the spark plug housing?
Posted by Old Drifter
- March 08, 2017, 13:09:55 PMThey look normal for a bike that has been sitting. Don't overthink this, just clean, re-gap them and put them back in.
Posted by Adventure_Boy
- March 08, 2017, 12:20:54 PMHey Everyone,
So it looks like I may have some bad news. I took the spark plugs out and the tips look like there is rust on them. Does this mean there is a leak or broken seal and water may have gotten into the head? What should I do from this point?
Posted by Pilgrim
- March 07, 2017, 18:56:02 PMI'm happy with this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WJX3R6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Posted by Adventure_Boy
- March 07, 2017, 11:42:26 AMThank you for the responses! I actually have my uncles Yuasa battery in my garage but it's no longer holding a charge. Is there a way to repair the battery?
Also I was going to pick up some parts today but got confused when I read a comment about spark plugs. Is there a particular spark plug to use? The bike had NGK's but I read a comment that someone had said that you are supposed to set or make sure of the correct size gap on the spark plug before putting it in? What spark plugs do you guys use?
Posted by drifter-paul
- March 07, 2017, 02:33:02 AMYou want big cranking amps, these are 4" pistons. Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) CCA is a rating used in the battery industry to define a battery's ability to start an engine in cold temperatures. ... The rating refers to the number of amps a 12-volt battery can deliver at 0°F for 30 seconds while maintaining a voltage of at least 7.2 volts.This will be listed in the battery catalogue at your supplier, can't remember the numbers, 320 seems familiar.
Regardless of the numbers, a 12V 14 Ah will be fine for a 4 cylinder 1000cc, for a big twin you need 12V 18Ah.
Posted by Trall
- March 06, 2017, 18:23:20 PMQuote from: Troll on March 06, 2017, 16:22:25 PMYusa are my pic for best battery but watch out for fakes and knockoffs online. A original Yusa is going cost at least 70 on up.I'm running a 20 from Yuasa. AGM is acid glass mat....a sealed battery...like this one. You can find them cheaper if you look around. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yuasa-HP-Maintenance-Free-Battery-1999-2005-Kawasaki-VN1500-Vulcan-Nomad-Drifter-/391296126340?hash=item5b1b110d84:g:yXkAAOSwnDZUBhVl&vxp=mtr
My local dealer was $90 for mine.
Posted by Troll
- March 06, 2017, 16:22:25 PMI'm running a 20 from Yuasa. AGM is acid glass mat....a sealed battery...like this one. You can find them cheaper if you look around. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yuasa-HP-Maintenance-Free-Battery-1999-2005-Kawasaki-VN1500-Vulcan-Nomad-Drifter-/391296126340?hash=item5b1b110d84:g:yXkAAOSwnDZUBhVl&vxp=mtr
Posted by Adventure_Boy
- March 06, 2017, 15:28:21 PMWalmart carries a 12V 14Ah is this not powerful enough? The manual says 12v 18ah but when searching for that particular battery the 12v 14ah comes up and says it fits in the 01 Drifter.
What is an AGM battery?
Posted by Bucko
- March 05, 2017, 22:41:29 PMGet the most powerful one that will fit and make sure it's an AGM battery.
Posted by Adventure_Boy
- March 05, 2017, 15:11:19 PMDoes anyone recommend a certain battery to replace in the Drifter? Do you need a specific 12V 18Ah or will any do?
Posted by Adventure_Boy
- February 28, 2017, 22:53:52 PMThanks to everyone continuing this post this is awesome information!
I definitely was not planning on starting with the Drifter as it is a BEAST! I am definitely going to take the MSF course to help me learn to ride as well as to hopefully get a discount on insurance. Getting a Trail Bike was a thought I had considered as my front yard is literally Desert and Mountains and I used to ride my buddy's Honda 600cc Trail Bike but he ended up selling the dang thing to someone else when I told him I would buy it from him. 
I had a hard time with his 600cc not because it was a big and very fast bike but the uneven ground was difficult to maneuver in and I kept slipping on the dirt. I'm sure that was my technique though. Again not very experienced. I live in California and am also in the Desert so any off road motorcycles or vehicles are very pricey and hard to find that are still in good shape. Unfortunately I do not have the funds to fix up 2 different motorcycles while also trying to keep up with the maintenance on my current vehicles.
If I could find something cheap then I will definitely give it a go. Any recommendations on any certain trail bikes? What about Dual Sports? or Scramblers?
Thanks for the websites for the parts!
Posted by Old Drifter
- February 28, 2017, 20:15:48 PMX3 on what JagLite said! The roads are a very dangerous place today with all of the distractions.
Posted by DC
- February 28, 2017, 18:54:05 PMWelcome to the forum. Yes, please take the MSF course if you are starting out riding. They put you on smaller bikes to start with, whhich is the safest way to go.