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Posted by retiredbosn
 - October 15, 2015, 16:04:00 PM

The reason I am converting is that these bikes are getting hard to find, as of right now I can't find one within 500 miles of here.

For those who wanted to see my Vulcan here she is, the 2006 Anniversary Edition

Posted by pcarrell
 - October 15, 2015, 09:32:30 AM
Quote from: LarryInSeattle on October 14, 2015, 23:08:41 PM

The fastest way that I know how to turn 2006 Vulcan Classic 1500 to a Drifter is to sell the Classic and buy a Drifter.  So much easier to do my friend.

Just my opinion.

That brings up a good point.

You'd be dollars, and headaches, ahead to just sell the Classic and buy a Drifter.

Posted by LarryInSeattle
 - October 14, 2015, 23:08:41 PM

The fastest way that I know how to turn 2006 Vulcan Classic 1500 to a Drifter is to sell the Classic and buy a Drifter.  So much easier to do my friend.

Just my opinion. 

Posted by 49Reo
 - October 14, 2015, 22:57:32 PM

So Bosn, why not stick with the classic swingarm and rear mechanicals, and just add the Oldy's fiberglas fenders? The fiberglas rear, with some internal gusseting of metal, will support a passenger, and you could still use the seats available for the Classics, which are less money, and more selection. Just a thought.....

Posted by pcarrell
 - October 14, 2015, 21:22:58 PM

.....and now you get the gist of how we funktion.....

Yes, as twisted as we all are, that's spelled correctly!

Posted by Troll
 - October 14, 2015, 19:47:39 PM

HEY...don't blame me for that one, it was already a tradition when I signed on here!    Yeah, no pics...no happen!

Posted by CDNRatMan
 - October 14, 2015, 19:18:54 PM

   Troll once said no pictures it never happened and he is one of the three Wise Men I trust......so enough said....

Posted by zig
 - October 14, 2015, 18:58:58 PM

you can tell us everything you do....but if you don't show us pictures every once and a while, it's not happening. ;)

Posted by pcarrell
 - October 14, 2015, 16:15:00 PM

BTW, you need not worry my well heeled new friend!  As you'll soon learn, there are many of us here who are well versed in the art of helping you out with that "problem" fat bank account!  ;)

Actually, the folks here have saved me tons of money over the years.

Posted by pcarrell
 - October 14, 2015, 15:20:05 PM

Well, for one thing, the swingarm on the Drifter is unique to the Drifter.  The rear fender is actually bolted to the rear swingarm and moves with it, whereas with your project you'll be mounting it differently since it's a Classic frame.  That's going to be the most tricky part.  You'll need to mount that rear fender and build some sort of supporting structure off of the Classic frame.  It will need good support around mounting points, but since the fiberglass is pretty solid, I'd suspect a lighter support could be used elsewhere.  From what I remember, when the Drifter owner who loaned Oldy's his fenders to make a mold of picked them back up, he checked out the Oldy's part and it was solid enough that he could stand on it without breaking it, which is more then can be said for the Kawasaki parts.

The rest should be pretty easy.

The seat can be custom made to your liking.  The headlight is a simple deep bullet 7" light, and can probably still be bought from Ron Ayers ( http://www.ronayersmotorcycles.com/fiche_select2.asp?category=Motorcycles&make=Kawasaki&year=2005&fveh=8991 ) and similar places, though a custom one is probably cheaper.

As for suggestions, since this isn't a rare Drifter you're working on, and it isn't supposed to look like a Classic when it's done either, I'd probably try and do a few special and unique mods to really set it apart from the crowd.  For example, what about fancy polished mag wheels?  What about taking those fiberglass fenders to a good body man and having him stretch and exaggerate those flowing fender lines a bit, adding to the art deco look even more?  You could rake the front forks too ( http://www.chopperkitusa.com/kawasaki-VN1500_classic_models2.htm ).  Maybe frenching in front and rear turn signals and brake lights, and don't forget the license plate too.  You could do all of that and with some custom paint, have one wild ride!  Just some thoughts......

Posted by retiredbosn
 - October 14, 2015, 14:35:54 PM

Hello all,

I'm a new member here and need some info, I recently purchased a 2006 Classic and I want to clone it to a Drifter.  I know obviously that means Fenders, seats etc.  The things you see, I'm wondering what I'm going to get into with the subframe and mounts.  I have checked and already know that the 2006 frame is the same as 2004, the swingarm will be fine, but I'll be needing allot of unseen elements to make this work properly.  pcarrel already gave me a source for the fenders, I'm just wondering what all I'll be needing to do this right.  Also I'm thinking 2 grand should cover parts, or do I need to budget more?  The source for fenders looks like about 6-700, I want the solo seat thinking 450, and the rest on subframe parts, head lights etc.  Any advice or suggestions are appreciated

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