Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 1500 only => Topic started by: CousinVinnie on June 24, 2018, 08:28:52 AM

Title: What month did Kawasaki chnge the VIN designator J1 to J2
Post by: CousinVinnie on June 24, 2018, 08:28:52 AM
OK, gang, here goes:  I just picked up a "2000" Drifter from a friend in Wichita.  As I was going thru the paperwork to get it retitled I noticed that it was a J1.  I double checked the frame and Identi-plate and its definitely a J1.  The plate says it was made in August 1999.  The last 5 numbers are in sequence for a 2000 model. That being said, the bike is in Pearl Beige!  So is it a 99 frame with the 2000 colors?  Just when (if anybody knows) did the J1 go to J2? Any of you digit chasers please answer me back.

ONE MORE THOUGHT: BE A RESPONSIBLE DRIFTER OWNER, IF YOU MUST SELL YOUR BABY, NEVER, EVER SELL IT TO SOMEONE WHO HAS NO INTEREST IN DRIFTERS.  IT IS A DISASTER IN THE MAKING!  My new acquisition spent 18 months with someone like that and now that I have bought it from its original loving owner, there are multiple issues that I am dealing with and ALL are TLC related.
Title: Re: What month did Kawasaki chnge the VIN designator J1 to J2
Post by: Pete on June 27, 2018, 05:45:57 AM
Quote from: CousinVinnie on June 24, 2018, 08:28:52 AM
  The last 5 numbers are in sequence for a 2000 model.

The last five numbers are simply a serial number allocated in a single year - the same five numbers could be issued every year.  In the current version of the VIN system, the character at position ten is the year code.
1999 = X
2000=Y

The date codes are list by year and not by, say, 1999/2000, so I assume that the change over date for the year code is 1st January.

This means that only Kawasaki can tell you an exact date when the code changed from J1 to J2.
Title: Re: What month did Kawasaki chnge the VIN designator J1 to J2
Post by: Troll on June 27, 2018, 07:34:11 AM
My R-1 was built in July of 2000....serial number 000099. Go figure.
Title: Re: What month did Kawasaki chnge the VIN designator J1 to J2
Post by: Pete on June 27, 2018, 13:14:24 PM
Quote from: Troll on June 27, 2018, 07:34:11 AM
My R-1 was built in July of 2000....serial number 000099. Go figure.

What is an R-1? And how do you know the month?
Title: Re: What month did Kawasaki chnge the VIN designator J1 to J2
Post by: Troll on June 28, 2018, 07:58:51 AM
The R-1 is the "chrome" model. The EPA compliance tag has the date of manufacture on it...it's the LAW!
Title: Re: What month did Kawasaki chnge the VIN designator J1 to J2
Post by: CousinVinnie on June 28, 2018, 20:45:08 PM
 To all who have replied....Here ya go!  My 1999 is a J1 and was built in Dec 98,  Parson Davs  2000 J1 was built in July 1999 and the 2000 J1 I just bought was built in Aug 1999. So ya got me on when the J2 moniker was put in place  My VIN is 010105, and the VIN on the 2000 is 010325.  Davs is like 010165.  Its a conundrum.
Title: Re: What month did Kawasaki chnge the VIN designator J1 to J2
Post by: RockinRollin on July 10, 2018, 12:20:47 PM
Mine's a 2000 built in August 1999.