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Reason for editing: Last Edit: July 25, 2017, 15:07:54 PM by Bucko

[quote author=LarryBud link=topic=47413.msg105967#msg105967 date=1500894214]
Hello All,

New to the board.  I've run across the Drifter as I look to add a Cruiser to my garage. ( currently I ride a 650 Burgman ).

I love the classic look and have found one at a dealer.  Its a 2002 1500.  I've yet to do the personal inspection but have a couple of questions:

1) Aside from the  usual, anything specific on a 2002 to watch out for?
2) I'm a basic wrench ( oil change, plugs and the like ) but I'm not set up for, nor do I have the skills for in depth service and repair.  Is buying a 15 year old bike asking for trouble? ( I could by a $15K Indian I guess )
3) What do you think will need to be done to bring her into a condition of safe and reliable  service to the years to come. Cost?

Finally, I plan on using it to cruise around town, occasionally, the Mrs. will allow her hair to get messed up and join me.  Am I better off with a 800?  I'm a big man ( 6'4" / 240 ) and plan on keeping the 650 so I'm thinking 1500.  Make sense?

Thanks all,

Larry
[/quote]

The 1500 is a pretty heavy bike for 'around town' cruising.  I love my 01 1500 but it's definitely more at home on the open road.  Not sure if 800 is better; I don't have any experience with that but there are those on the site that have both - hopefully they'll chime in.

As far as thing to look out for on the 1500...

I've had my share of electrical issues, all related to connector pins breaking.  A royal pain in the ass but not that difficult to repair with the right tools (i.e crimper) and a good supply of connector pins (which I had to order from Japan).

My 01 tends to ping (i.e. detonate) when it's hot even with 94 octane fuel.  Been that way since new - I took it back to the dealer several times to investigate but they couldn't figure out what was wrong.  It got better when I replaced a bunch of ECU pins but it still pings.

I've always been very disappointed with the level of mechanical noise emanating from the engine.  It makes all manner of knocks, pings, tapping, and other embarrassing noises.  Other Vulcan 1500 owners say it's normal but if so, there's some shitty design in there somewhere.  The last few years I've had some loud top end noise (always been there but now it's louder) I suspect a lifter has gone south or there's a problem with the compression release.

It's not uncommon for the rear differential seal to leak at the drive shaft input.  Oil creeps up the swing-arm and drips from the rubber boot at the U-Joint.  Mine leaked early and was fixed under warranty and hasn't happened again.  If you can do the work yourself, I don't think it's an expensive or complicated fix (but I've never done it).

The clutches are a bit dodgy and a lot of folks have slippage issues.  Mine lasted about 60k kms before I had to put in upgraded springs from a Meanstreak (and I changed the fibre plates  - probably could have got away without doing that as the plates were well within tolerances).  It's a pretty easy job.  Some folks have installed a washer kit to put more pressure on the clutch springs which has a side effect of disabling the slipper clutch - not a good idea on such a torquey motor IMHO but some people prefer it that way.

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Topic summary

Posted by CDNRatMan

- July 24, 2017, 22:00:31 PM

Well seeing as you have the manhood swinging going on ...I am 5'11' and 245, and ride a Drifter 800 and am really happy with it......so there....

Posted by --Jerry S--

- July 24, 2017, 20:37:10 PM

Somewhat new to the Drifter world myself, bought a 1500 in May and picking up an 800 this Saturday. I am 235 6.0 and so far I am over the moon happy with the bike. I also have 1500 Valkyries and was pleasantly surprised with the awesome feel of the Drfter 1500. Smooth well balanced, just a joy to pilot. And not top heavy! Lastly I am starting to feel my way around this bike as fork parts getting PC and new paint the bike is in pieces. I like wrenching this Drifter much better than the Valks! I can see it is built very well and no you should not be overly concerned as this Japanese stuff is high quality.

Posted by LarryBud

- July 24, 2017, 06:03:34 AM

Hello All,

New to the board. I've run across the Drifter as I look to add a Cruiser to my garage. ( currently I ride a 650 Burgman ).

I love the classic look and have found one at a dealer. Its a 2002 1500. I've yet to do the personal inspection but have a couple of questions:

1) Aside from the usual, anything specific on a 2002 to watch out for?
2) I'm a basic wrench ( oil change, plugs and the like ) but I'm not set up for, nor do I have the skills for in depth service and repair. Is buying a 15 year old bike asking for trouble? ( I could by a $15K Indian I guess )
3) What do you think will need to be done to bring her into a condition of safe and reliable service to the years to come. Cost?

Finally, I plan on using it to cruise around town, occasionally, the Mrs. will allow her hair to get messed up and join me. Am I better off with a 800? I'm a big man ( 6'4" / 240 ) and plan on keeping the 650 so I'm thinking 1500. Make sense?

Thanks all,

Larry

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