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
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......
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.
you can tell us everything you do....but if you don't show us pictures every once and a while, it's not happening. ;)
Troll once said no pictures it never happened and he is one of the three Wise Men I trust......so enough said....
HEY...don't blame me for that one, it was already a tradition when I signed on here! Yeah, no pics...no happen!
.....and now you get the gist of how we funktion.....
Yes, as twisted as we all are, that's spelled correctly!
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.....
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.
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.
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
Very nice bike. You could put a set of Oldy's fenders on it and not have to change anything else. Unless you wanted too.....
I looked for a good 6 months before I found mine in Chicago. I live in the Indianapolis area, so Chicago was still a few hours away.
You might want to just wait a short while, because riding season is about over and bikes tend to come up for sale as we head into winter. Mine came up for sale in November.
By the way, the Oldy's fenders are about half the price of official Ma Kawi fenders, but the Kawi fenders do come painted, and the 2005 Drifter 1500 came in an ebony and silver paint scheme that would match your bike perfectly. I'd figure out what painting is going to cost and do a price comparison. http://www.ronayersmotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=389736&category=Motorcycles&make=KAWASAKI&year=2005&fveh=8991
Quote from: retiredbosn on 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.
There's one in Simpsonville (that's only 100 miles from you) that looks pretty nice and is loaded with extras. The mileage is the only issue, but even with that mileage it's still just getting broke in.....just ask Troll! He has over 100k on his Drifter, and I've got almost 60k on mine! http://greenville.craigslist.org/mcy/5208003107.html
There's also a blackout bike that could use a little loving up in Leicester, NC. The prices is a pretty smokin' deal on a low mileage bike. It needs some love, but you'd have a rare blackout bike then, and it's only 180 miles away! http://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/5236449737.html
Another reason is I'm converting the bike is customizing your bike is allot of fun. When I get finished I'll have a bike that is uniquely me and mine.
Quote from: 49Reo on 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.....
I Ann seeing the advantage of this, plus it will make accessorizing with bags easier.
I'm surprised to read the frames are the same. The Drifter has that goofy dual seat horseshoe bracket which bolts to the frame - does the Classic frame have allowance for bolting on that same horseshoe but has something else bolted to it in the Classic version?
The frames are VERY DIFFERENT!!!! There is no rear section behind the seat to support the fender, and there is more gusseting in the frame to add stiffness.
I had previously been led to believe that the F.I. Classic frame and the Drifter 1500 frame were basically the same from the motor compartment forward, with only the back half being different. Is that true, or not?
All I know is that the Kawasaki dealer told me that the Drifter and Classic share the same frame and swing arm. The difference is in the subframe, the Drifter has allot of modular sub frame pieces that can be bolted to the Classic frame.
He's wrong, I'm sorry about that, but if you go to Partzilla and look at the two frames, it will be quite obvious
Quote from: Troll on October 15, 2015, 20:50:00 PM
He's wrong, I'm sorry about that, but if you go to Partzilla and look at the two frames, it will be quite obvious
On Partzilla they are identical, down to the screws, washers etc. Same part numbers, same frame, same swingarm. Where they differ are seat mounts and rear fender mounts. If I am looking at the schematics wrong please let me know, I posted the url link to each schematic. I'm thinking that I can work with Oldys to get a rear fender that I can mount using the classic hardware, which will allow me to do a couple other things that I'm wanting to do.
2005 Drifter Frame :
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2005/VN1500-R5+Vulcan+1500+Drifter/FRAME/parts.html
2005 Drifter Swingarm:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2005/VN1500-R5+Vulcan+1500+Drifter/SWINGARM/parts.html
2006 Classic Frame:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2006/VN1500T6F+Vulcan+1500+Classic/FRAME/parts.html
2006 Classic Swingarm:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2006/VN1500T6F+Vulcan+1500+Classic/SWINGARM/parts.html
Bosn, you will need to gusset the inside of the fiberglas fender with metal, or fasteners will end up cracking out the holes. By having a metal strap inside the fender, it will help support passenger seats and saddlebags. Remember, the seat mounts to the fender, which is supported by the fender struts. On the classic fender this isn't an issue as the fender is metal, but the fiberglas fender will need some extra support, unless they build it in. Just don't try it with a Drifter fender.....lol.
Yes, a Drifter fender is plastic, and kind of flimsy.
Quote from: retiredbosn on October 15, 2015, 22:25:29 PM
On Partzilla they are identical, down to the screws, washers etc. Same part numbers, same frame, same swingarm. Where they differ are seat mounts and rear fender mounts. If I am looking at the schematics wrong please let me know, I posted the url link to each schematic. I'm thinking that I can work with Oldys to get a rear fender that I can mount using the classic hardware, which will allow me to do a couple other things that I'm wanting to do.
2005 Drifter Frame :
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2005/VN1500-R5+Vulcan+1500+Drifter/FRAME/parts.html
2005 Drifter Swingarm:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2005/VN1500-R5+Vulcan+1500+Drifter/SWINGARM/parts.html
2006 Classic Frame:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2006/VN1500T6F+Vulcan+1500+Classic/FRAME/parts.html
2006 Classic Swingarm:
http://www.partzilla.com/parts/search/Kawasaki/Motorcycle/2006/VN1500T6F+Vulcan+1500+Classic/SWINGARM/parts.html
Everything from the swing arm pivot forward is the same, but the rear of the frame has no mounting horns for the fender. The swing arm on the Drifter has some tabs and misc mounting holes that the classic frame does not. The Drifter final drive housing has two mounting points on it for the fender support that the others do not. They are close, but not the same, and last but not least, the rear brake caliper mounts under the disc rather than above it...and the mounts for that are VERY different. Not saying you can't do what you want to do, but it's not going to be a bolt on for anything. The front fork sliders have extra tabs on the bottom for the front fender mounting that aren't on the classic, and the bolts for the fender go through from the outside for the mounting yoke.
My plan for the rear fender are far from complete. Oldys has an Indian style fender that's universal and according to the website designed for passengers. They also have a multi piece design, I really don't know how I'm going to accomplish what I want. I am lucky enough to have a few custom makers and specialty shops. I'm planning on doing a bachelor bike anyway, so a fender able to hold passenger isn't important.
Right now I'm thinking of having what is essentially a fender cover. Using plastics or glass over the existing metal. I can glass the pieces together. Or making the Shields and tall extension out of metal and arc welding the pieces to the factory metal fender. I can do body work and am confident I can find a solution that allows me to use the existing fender and swingarm
Quote from: Troll on October 16, 2015, 07:56:51 AM
Everything from the swing arm pivot forward is the same, but the rear of the frame has no mounting horns for the fender. The swing arm on the Drifter has some tabs and misc mounting holes that the classic frame does not. The Drifter final drive housing has two mounting points on it for the fender support that the others do not. They are close, but not the same, and last but not least, the rear brake caliper mounts under the disc rather than above it...and the mounts for that are VERY different. Not saying you can't do what you want to do, but it's not going to be a bolt on for anything. The front fork sliders have extra tabs on the bottom for the front fender mounting that aren't on the classic, and the bolts for the go through from the outside for the mounting yoke.
Thank you for the info, everyone has been very helpful and I do appreciate it. This modification is going to be very challenging. I will update with photos and progress.
Keep the info and suggestions flowing, I am learning.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/121787864702?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c5b1f567e:g:HLsAAOSwo0JWFYir&item=121787864702
Quote from: retiredbosn on October 15, 2015, 22:25:29 PM
On Partzilla they are identical, down to the screws, washers etc.
I must be missing something. When I look at the frame diagrams in the Partzilla links, they're not identical at all. Keep in mind the number on the parts diagram is just an index, you need to find that index number in the pats list to get the full part number (which doesn't seem to be shown on the Partzilla list). The Drifter frame part number is: 32160-1680. The Classic frame number is: 32160-1679
Quote from: LarryInSeattle on October 17, 2015, 01:25:00 AM
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/121787864702?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c5b1f567e:g:HLsAAOSwo0JWFYir&item=121787864702
Now, that's somebody who REALLY knows his Drifters.... :o
Quote from: Troll on October 17, 2015, 14:46:51 PM
Now, that's somebody who REALLY knows his Drifters.... :o
Yeah, right?
I hate when people just flat out lie in their ad's.
I saw a Craigslist ad the other day for a 1974 Porsche 914 with a "rare" 5 speed tranny (https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5242839131.html ). Now Porsche made 914's from mid 1969 through 1976, and every last one of them, except 2 of them was a 5 speed. The 2 other ones were factory prototypes for a proposed automatic version that never materialized. One prototype was destroyed in testing and the other became Butzi Porsche's (Dr. Ferdinand Porsche's son) personal car for a few years before he added it to the collection at the Porsche Museum, where it resides to this day. As for the 5 speeds, there were two different shift linkages used over the years: known as the "tail" shifter and the "side" shifter. 1970 through 1972 got the tail shifter, and 1973 though 1976 got the better side shifter, so his 1974 is still not "rare".
Sorry.........
/rant
pcarrel, didn't you post some pics a while back of a Nomad that the owner put the Drifter fenders on? FWIW my plans are to build a long distance touring bike, I am starting to think that this Classic isn't the bike to start from, as I'll probably end up moving the floorboards back , and I'll need to upgrade the stator (sp?) to handle the electronics. I really want the Drifter look on a Touring bike.
Jobear added a metal Indian front fender and a Drifter rear fender to a Nomad. He used the metal Indian fender because he got it for $99. He said it was a lot of work to make fit though, as he had to widen the fender to make it work. His web page has more info on it: http://jobear2.com/
Quote from: LarryInSeattle on October 17, 2015, 01:25:00 AM
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/121787864702?forcerrptr=true&hash=item1c5b1f567e:g:HLsAAOSwo0JWFYir&item=121787864702
....a 1997 Drifter, and only 1500 made......and only 100 in the states.....hmm......
Thought they only started to make them in 99.....ok we need to figure this out.
.....my point exactly.....
Those 97 Drifters are REALLY rare!
Quote from: pcarrell on October 17, 2015, 21:02:08 PM
Those 97 Drifters are REALLY rare!
Yes they certainly are. I would say it's probably the only one in existence.
Ok, here's my plan, let me know if its feasible. I want to use my classic as the base, I don't have much money in it, and I know its entire history. Its barely used one owner with less than 10 thousand miles, its in showroom condition. I will change the front fender with OEM fender pre painted, use a fender overlay on rear, I will either have it custom made, or use an OEM rear that I'll modify. This will allow for passengers/tour packs. Also can use standard hard bags with standard mounts. This will also hide most of the rear wheel/fender allowing the overlay joint to be hidden, if I have any difficulty with that.My plan is to have the joint under the seat so it will be invisible from any angle. I will also change the exhaust to a true bagger dual exhaust finished off with fishtails. I may or may not put a batwing fairing. I will be putting a light bar on. The seat will be switched to a solo.
I think utilizing this plan will eliminate any frame and swingarm issues. And still allow me to build a Drifter/Chief tribute bagger.
That might work, but remember that the stock fenders are simply plastic, so they can' hold any real weight on their own. You have to seriously reinforce them if they have to hold anything.
Quote from: pcarrell on October 18, 2015, 14:42:52 PM
That might work, but remember that the stock fenders are simply plastic, so they can' hold any real weight on their own. You have to seriously reinforce them if they have to hold anything.
This is why I was thinking it might be the best choice to use as an overlay. Its flexibility and being thin I think will allow me to cut and shave it to fit the clinic fender, essentially it will be a skin. My only worry is the shock mounting point, I don't know how the overlay will accept that modification.
That could be tricky. You could cut out holes in the overlay and poke the stock shock mounts through.
So I, thinking an update is required, Bosn, haven't heard much since last October. Jows your conversion coming?
There is a guy on the Facebook Drifters group that did this. His name is Rod Pimentels. He lists quite a bit about how he did it and what mods were needed.
Quote from: 49Reo on June 09, 2016, 14:36:31 PM
So I, thinking an update is required, Bosn, haven't heard much since last October. Jows your conversion coming?
He may be at a stand still, hasn't been on here since October 26, 2015.
Quote from: Troll on October 16, 2015, 07:56:51 AM
Everything from the swing arm pivot forward is the same, but the rear of the frame has no mounting horns for the fender. The swing arm on the Drifter has some tabs and misc mounting holes that the classic frame does not. The Drifter final drive housing has two mounting points on it for the fender support that the others do not. They are close, but not the same, and last but not least, the rear brake caliper mounts under the disc rather than above it...and the mounts for that are VERY different. Not saying you can't do what you want to do, but it's not going to be a bolt on for anything. The front fork sliders have extra tabs on the bottom for the front fender mounting that aren't on the classic, and the bolts for the fender go through from the outside for the mounting yoke.
Completely correct - if you are not in a hurry just follow ebay there were a couple 1500 J series up for parting ...
keep in mind you need the rear lights due to the fender (if OEM) and rear light 'harness' and - I think - the light cable plug is different
M
M