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Posted by OR Seedman
- August 10, 2019, 06:58:21 AMWelcome back to the forum.....regarding your issue, does the engine produce a loud whining sound when decelerating? Especially on the left side? If so, it could very well be the front bevel gear bearing...not a hard fix to do if you have room to work on the bike yourself...
In any case, I would definitely have it checked by a professional Kawasaki mechanic....someone with some 1500 Vulcan engine experience...a replacement engine in good shape with low miles is going to be expensive..and you never really know what you are getting.
Best of luck and keep us informed on how it's going....
Posted by Isch
- August 08, 2019, 19:19:05 PMI haven't specifically checked the final drive aspect. The vibration characteristics tend to increase in severity more in relation to which gear it's in than with the actual speed of the bike. It's definitely worse at higher speeds, but I can shift into a different gear at the same speed and get it to sound different. That's what makes me think it's transmission related.
I will check out the driveshaft though, because there may be something to your suggestion. I considered it myself and dismissed it because I had just checked it last season, and everything in there looked fine. Changed the oil, and called it good. I'll post back on the results.
Posted by chief
- August 08, 2019, 17:21:10 PMwelcome back. Post over in the Where Can I Find area for you motor. May get a little more attention.
https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?board=29.0
Posted by Old Drifter
- August 08, 2019, 14:06:01 PMWelcome back! Are you sure that you need another engine? It sounds like it could be in the drive shaft (universal) or possibly the bevel gear. I'm sure that someone else will chime in here. Good luck.
Posted by Isch
- August 07, 2019, 17:55:51 PMHey guys. Just wanted to say hey. I joined this site back when I first acquired my scooter. Have moved twice and something like six years have passed since then, but I have enjoyed the heck out of her since then. Don't know what happened to my old log in, but I just registered again.
Not being a tech savvy sort, I hope to figure out how to upload a picture or two, but at the moment I have another challenge. I need to find a motor for my '99 1500 Drifter.
Earlier this year I rode to Ohio for the semiannual national meeting for the club I ride with (Shameless plug: Sons of God MC, Manassas VA) and about 75 miles outside of Dayton, I started noticing a serious vibration, then a rattling noise coming from the transmission. It was most predominant in 4th and 5th gears. I didn't want to chance trying to ride home to VA, so I rented a trailer and got one of the brothers to hook it to the back of the cage they came up in.
Due to a number of circumstances, I have yet to be able to either crack it open, or come up with the funds to have someone else dig in and fix the problem. For one thing, I haven't yet found a mechanic that I feel confident about to fix the thing, at any price. Talking to them, I get the sense that they don't know much more than I do about these bikes. I have a pretty good sense about mechanical things, in general, and I'm confident that I could dig in and fix it myself, if I had the time.
Right now, I'm looking for a motor, so that I can get back on the road (I'm sick of not being able to ride, and this season is almost over). Also, with a spare motor, I can take my time and do the rebuild right. Engine is strong, with only 75k miles, and this bike has been such a joy to me, that I want to keep riding it forever. I'll never sell it and I want to find a way to keep it functional within my means.
Anyone got any suggestions or leads on a motor that will fit?