I have a 2001 1500. I need a new gas cap. After I fill my tank and park the bike in the typical 100+ heat here in southeastern NM. My cap vents the vaporized gas from around the circle where you insert the key to unlock it. I end up with a puddle of gas in the depression where the key goes in. I looked in the store attached to the main page but didn't see any gas caps, even tried the local (80 miles away) Kawasaki dealer that sold the bike to it's previous owner, but they couldn't get me one. Does any one know where I can order one from? Or if there is one from another line of bikes that will fit the Drifters system?
Thanks
Allan
AKA: Big Ugly
Before you look for a new cap, there are 4 small phillips head screws that come loose after a while and let the very thin rubber gasket inside the lock mechanism leak. You will have to remove and disassemble the cap, but it's way easier to do that than replacing the whole thing. Mine started to do the same thing late last year, and I figured it out this Spring...no leaks in over 9,000 miles since I tightened everything up. As a side note, I believe that the Classic EFI cap with the 5 gl. tank is the same, and probably so is the nomad cap. These "lock sets" show up on eBay all the time.
Did you check the Mods/Tips area of the web site for information? A new cap is going to have to come from Kaw... but before you start replacing stuff...
Read this...
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/gascap.html (http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/gascap.html)
I spent a few minutes yesterday taking the cap apart, and about two dang hours putting it back together. And thanks god I covered the tank hole. Those 6 little springs are a pain to find once they hit the ground, even on a clean garage floor. I checked everything but it's still venting from around the key hole plate. The plate is extremely loose and I couldn't figure out how to tighten it up. Guess the search for a new cap begins.
Troll and Chief thanks for your help.
Allan
Big Ugly
Be sure you only fill to the lower screen level... don't let it get up into the neck.
A new one isn't hard to find. Kaw used the same cap on most of their cruiser models from about 2002, including the 2012 models...
Part Number 51049-0003
MSRP is about $85, but places like RonAyers.com sells them for $65. I expect your local Kaw dealer will have one in stock.
Thanks for the info Chief.
There is a VERY thin rubber gasket between the lock assembly and the chrome cover plate. If yours is missing or damaged, that would explain the whole problem . When I took mine apart, the 4 screws were just loose, and the gasket was intact. I don't think this is a servicable part, so a new cap is probably the only alternative. I had to replace my Ign. switch, so I have 2 keys...one for all the locks and one for the ign. You will end up with the same problem, except your's will be reversed...
This seems to be a common problem on Drifters and I haven't escaped this dilema.
I bought my Drifter 1500 this Jan in LA...I live in San Antonio.
2 mos. after i got it the gas cap problem started. I took the cap(carefully!!!) apart and then reassembled it exactly as it should. No LUCK!!!!
Bought another on ebay within a week. Installed it in Mar/April and now in Aug...the problem is BACK!!!
This was a crappy ass design by Kawasaki and I wish i could just go to a generic gas cap design that screws on just like an old Indian...or...?
The price for these caps as well as some other "accessories" are friggin' ridiculous too.
Oh well...guess it's a case of how much you wanna ride....hmmm..
The only time I have ever had a problem is when I overfill the tank... I fill to the bottom of the strainer and no higher.