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Posted by chief
- July 18, 2013, 11:50:45 AMYou know, as bad as I hate to say it, you may be better off parting out the current drifter and buying another one! Or, perhaps finding another one, transferring the engine and parting out that one.
Posted by DC
- July 17, 2013, 07:36:49 AMI would have tried a salvage yard too, but then again this is a rare bike.
Posted by Drifter1500
- July 17, 2013, 05:27:37 AMPosted by Kawi636lex
- July 15, 2013, 15:17:58 PMThanks Philip.
From some experienced friends of mine who have been riding for a while, they said it sounds as if it needs a good rebuild. So now i'm definitely in the market for a new engine or having this rebuilt. I've been told by the dealer it would cost at least 2400 in parts to replace everything not to include labor.
Can anyone recommend a good shop in San Diego/SoCal to do the build or a good starting point for reputable shops/online that will sell a rebuilt motor. I've also looked a junk yards but I'm having a hard time locating these bikes.
any info will help. Thanks all
Posted by pcarrell
- July 10, 2013, 09:13:00 AMAs others have said, I'd find the problem with your engine first and determine if it's fixable. Drifter engines are a bit different then the other vulcans. First, all of the Drifter 1500's are fuel injected. They also run a different cam grind that gives more torque on the bottom end. They also run a single stator. Swapping to a FI Classic, Nomad or Meanstreak engine will give you a duel stator (don't forget to add a second rectifier for the extra stator) which will cure the somewhat lightweight electrical system, but you will lose the special cam grind and the tractor-like bucketloads of low end torque that come with it. Also, the 1999 & 2000 Drifters had unique engine surface finishes, so even if you swap over some of those parts it will be hard to keep the look like stock.
Posted by Kawi636lex
- July 10, 2013, 08:58:43 AM@ DC: No smoke. it was clear out the exhaust
@ Troll: I'll see if I can get it running again. I'm just worried if I keep it going for a while, it will throw a rod through the engine case (i'm not sure if that happens in bikes or not). Plus, out here in San Diego, its kinda warm. It felt like high 80's low 90s yesterday. Good link... i'll be sure to read through it today and run through the check list of common noises.
Thanks guys.
Posted by Troll
- July 10, 2013, 07:34:02 AMThere are some issues with the clutch basket on early 1500s.
http://www.gadgetjq.com/newbie.htm#expect
knock noises are pretty common with the engine cold, and the colder it is, the worse it is. When I start mine and it's below 40 deg, it sounds awful, but when it's above 80, it's pretty quiet, even when cold. Make sure it's running the correct idle speed, and check to see if the noise changes with the clutch.
Posted by DC
- July 10, 2013, 06:57:22 AMWhen you had it running, did the exhaust look clear?
Posted by Kawi636lex
- July 10, 2013, 00:44:21 AMThanks for the info guys.
So... This afternoon I found out the battery was dead. I jump started it with my truck ad she fired up. I heard the knock the PO described and it actually drowned out the stock exhaust and the sound of the motor itself. After a few seconds, I went to rev it hard to listen in and the engine shut off. I'm not sure if this is a carb'd or FI. Maybe the carbs need adjusting? From what I found in specs, these are FI. 15000 mi on a compete bike and everything works, I think i got a good base to work with.
Anyone know what type of engine knock might cause it to shut off?
Posted by John Hopkins
- July 09, 2013, 12:41:26 PMQuote from: Kawi636lex on July 09, 2013, 09:52:46 AMGet a large screwdriver, push the blade against the outside of the engine and the other end against the bone above your ear, then move it to another part of the engine and you will soon locate the engine noise..I haven't had it checked out yet.
Total cost..nothing...
Time taken..five minutes..
John.
Posted by Troll
- July 09, 2013, 12:17:12 PMThe trans is part of the engine assy. What is going to be more important is what will connect to the injection system.
Posted by Kawi636lex
- July 09, 2013, 09:52:46 AMI haven't had it checked out yet. I was told by a dealer service department it could cost at least 2400 in parts to do a full rebuild not including labor. I afraid if they open it up at a dealer shop, I'm going to be shelling out some dough.
I'm hoping to find a bike that has an engine that uses the same motor (ie Vulcan, nomad, or meanstreak) or something that bolts up to transmission and drop it in.
What bikes models and years would work? I'm constantly searching for parts bikes or project bike for cheap but not too sure what will work?
Posted by DC
- July 09, 2013, 07:01:07 AMDid you have anyone look at the engine to see what is causing the loud banging? Maybe if it's simple, it can be fixed for a reasonable price.
Posted by John Hopkins
- July 09, 2013, 03:55:57 AMTo find an exact swap just look up the part numbers for the two years..
Google kawasaki vn1500 spare parts.
John.
Posted by Troll
- July 08, 2013, 14:22:53 PMAny of the injected 1500s should fit. I read somewhere about a guy who bolted in a mean streak engine with no issues. The older engines are NOT going to work There are usually a couple of engines on eBay. One of the newer members here works for a cycle salvage company...Starfruit Bongwater .....He might be able to provide some insight, as well as a source for parts.