Messages

I put '59 caddy tail lights on my 1500 it was great for while but with the weight of them it turned out to be a bit of a problem that required frequent attention. I went to chrome bullet style tailights with cool retro fins on them.

UPDATE-  Since adding the Caddy tail lights last riding season, I am having the same issues with them moving, up or down after a ride.  Last ride one side was pointed downward almost.  Haven't had anytime to figure anything out to remedy from rotating......The Caddy lights look awesome just need a fix from rotating.

If you have a pics/link to who sells your chrome bullet with cool fins sounds cool?

I always stuck with OEM Kawasaki.  Can't go wrong. You can find them online. 

Thx.

Also I forgot the Drag specialist chrome standoffs need a Allen wrench for the screws for turn signal lights.
The issue is the two Allen wrench screws are in a very difficult tight spot and hard to get to. The bottom screw was tougher to get to then the top screw.
So I had two problems first thing is the Allen wrench took forever to tighten them down.  I had to bend my Allen wrench in an angle to get it to fit and tighten. The second issue was the screws that came with one side worked the first time then after removing them and then re-tightening screws it wasn't biting the second time.  So I went to the local hardware store and bought the next length screw 10/20 Thread, 1" screw size up to bite more and tighten better.
Those worked fine.

If anyone does the same set up in the future buy an offset Allen wrench set to make the job a lot quicker.  I just Bought this set off Amazon.

Well, I get them installed. I kept them as incandescent Caddy lights the way they come.
Summary of install-

Followed Greenbarn's write up.

My basic drill press and holesaw would not cut a clean proper aluminum spacer with the 1/4 inch flat stock.

So, I took him to a local machine shop and they used their water jet machine to cut up my aluminum spacers. They were pricey and the bill was 250 bucks. From the flat stock I had they made me four spacers. I have two extras now, if I ever got a future Drifter or if anybody wants to pay half the cost and buy them.

I got the Caddy lights, Drag Speciality items that Greenbarn suggested from eBay. See pic. The chrome signal standoff make sure to order two. Also used 1 1/2" washers as Greenbarn did. My 3/8" Bolts were  2 1/2" with a locking nut.

I painted my spacers metallic maroon.

My Caddy lights wiring came with a red wire and the green wire going to Dual filaments incandescent lightbulbs that came with it.

The green wire pulls right out and just left the red wire behind making it back into using single filament with the dual filament bulb. The Drifter is a Single filament original one. Red wire goes to the 2001 Drifter gray wire for power. I added the green wire to the drifter black wire with yellow line which is the ground.  I then added a ring connector and adding my ring connected to the screw that mounts the Caddy base housing screw that mounts to the aluminum spacer. That makes my ground complete.
After install was complete And test drive my caddy lights would slightly lower downward from riding. Had the same problem with the stock lights they would rotate downward even though the bolt and nut was cranked down as tight as I could get it.

So to remedy I was going to use some gorilla glue on inside of bolt thats inside the factory's housing sleeve.
Could not find my gorilla glue so I just used a light coating of JB Weld to prevent the bolt and light housing from rotating downward  from road vibration.

After that, it fixed the issue and kept them in place.

The Cadillac lights  was on my bucket list of Drifter mods for the past couple years.  After seeing several Beautiful Drifters on this forum have them.

They look incredible.  I wished I would've done it sooner

Just art deco awesomeness.  Thanks Greenbarn for your write up.

Happy Independence Day!!!

P.S.  Iam not a wiring expert but I could've simply wired the green and red wire from the Cadillac Light together since it's a dual filament lightbulb and spliced it into the drifter gray Power wire. Then add wire and run the drifter black wire with yellow line ground to the same spot I did as outlined above.   The only difference if I did that would be the blinker would have both filaments lighting up when turns activated.  It's bright enough just running single way like I did it but that's an alternative way.

Sounds easy enough.  Thx

I'll stop by my local Napa and get some.
Thanks

What is the proper way to remove the three light housings to install in a new dash plaque on the 1500.

The dash lights are for high beam , turn signal and neutral.

I don't want to break them but since there twenty years old.

Bought a new Dash plaque

Thanks
Here the old dash plaque and new one pics

Troll,

Is the the type of Lubricate oil you use?

[quote  ONE thing to keep in mind when replacing ANY cable, and as a normal maintenance ritual...LUBRICATE THE CABLE CORE!!!!I use lubriplate...same stuff I use on all my guns...NO CABLE will last if run dry!!!
[/quote]

That's good to know. Will buy today. Thx

In case your still looking for a speedo cable for your 2000.

On EBay search this-
New Kawasaki VN 1500 J2 Drifter 2000 (1500 CC) - Hi-Quality Speedo Cable

A business out of the UK is making them with shipping for around $20.

I ordered one for my 2000 to have a backup On hand just in case. 

Sweet find. Looks awesome.  I have VH pipes and really a nice rumble. I don't know if they neighbors agree. 

Great to see that you're still around Trall! Good luck with your Caddy lenses, I know you can get it done!

Hey, Good to see you here too.  Working mainly 40 hours work weeks now and not working 60 plus work weeks, like the past 5 years.....A little more time for family, kids, grandkids, and of course the Drifter's.....Oh almost forgot wife too....In that order.....LOL...

Iam waiting on the materials. The Caddy lights came but waiting on everything else.

My plan is to use a drill press and hole saw to get them to fit. Fine tune with grinder if needed.

Will post updates once completed.

Thx

https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/mods/Caddielights/writeup75.pdf

Yes I'm going to give it a go and try Greenbarn's write up to install.

This past year I was working 20 Hours overtime each week and this year I've done only  20 hours for the whole year so I got more time on my Hands the try.

It's been on my bucket list of mods to do for my Drifter.

Thx, Wish me luck.

Their some awesome Awesome Drifters on this site with Cadillac Lenses.

Any Fabricators or Machinist doing the mod. and making the required adapters to install them?

Beyond my skill level.....If so PM me and I would happily pay you to make me a set of adapters for my Drifter 1500. 

Sweet looking two tone.   Enjoy.......

I looked and don't immediately see them still on Ebay, but they might still be there somewhere.  You can see it mounted on the top of the triple tree, to the right of the center nut.  I wanted something 1) unobtrusive and 2) easy to read going down the road at a glance.  This one does not give you a digital read out of the volts (e.g. 14.0 V), but has red and green LED lights that light up across the face.  I know which light is "normal" so it's easy to monitor.   There are a TON of gauges to pic from on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2057872.m570.l1313.TR6.TRC2.A0.H0.Xmotorcycle+volt+meter.TRS1&_nkw=motorcycle+volt+meter&_sacat=0

Good to know.  Great tip

Great fab work and high quality looks and style.  Price is a bargain for that set-up.  I would be a buyer but have OEM backrest set in box for two up seat use and OEM solo rack set up for solo seat. 

My repair manual does not have anything on replacing sender unit.

Looks simple enough, remove gas tank, then four bolts for sender unit.
Old Drifter-
I ordered the new gasket for it. Found a used supposedly working one on eBay.

Do you use any silicone in the new gasket?

I had a similar problem on my '99. Fuel gauge wouldn't work, on E constantly. Wound up being the in tank sender unit. The only problem I had was finding a new sender gasket 11009-1656, seems they are discontinued. Found one on ebay from Germany.

What......  Germany.  Thats crazy.  I just searched Partzilla and discontinued.  Checked Ebay and got one from Germany just to have on hand if needed.  Looks like the Sending Unit is no longer available either.  I'll have to look for a used one if needed.

Gene and Troll,  Thanks for the tips.  That will save me time ..............

Hi there. My 2001 Drifter 1500 fuel guage stopped working and  needle stays on Full mark the entire time.

My questions below after old post here -

I searched the forum and found this old post that Chief replied-

Anyway if you remove the speedometer cover, coming out of the tank, next to the triple tree there is a female 2-pin gauge connector. Disconnect that. Turn on the ignition and short the fuel level sensor wires... Gauge should read empty when connector wires are open, should read full when shorted.
The the gauge readings are ok, the fuel level sensor is bad. If you didn't get the right readings you need to check the guage and the wiring.  If the wiring and connectors are good, you have a bad gauge. This would mean you need the whole speedometer, it only comes as an assembly.
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Questions-

I have a manual and can find the fuel sensor connector.
How exactly do I short the wires on the 2 pin fuel sensor connector ? I have no idea.

If I have to change out sender unit (if that's what it is called) on tank, Is that easy and any tips?

Besides this short wire test, Is there anything else to check or do?

I have not had the tank off in a few years and the fuel gauge was working until last fall when I first noticed it's stuck on full,on a ride.  I always use fuel stabilizers and store bike with a full tank of gas.

I just got it out last Saturday from the winter storage and went over everything and went out for a 60 mile ride and the fuel gauge still stays on full mark.

Speedometer and trip meter work fine.  Just annoying not having fuel gauge function.

Thanks In Advance

Both of your bikes are beautiful colors and styles.  Enjoy the ride.  Enjoyed the write up and comparisons   

I just noticed in the Buy/Sell section 1500 seat brackets being made again and for sale.  Just a word of thanks to member OR Seedman for taking the time and effort to make available seat brackets for the 1500 Drifter seats.  Plus at a great price of under $14 with shipping.   I've only seen one set come up on Ebay and they guy wanted $60.  I passed on those since price was unreasonable.  I  just wanted another set  to save time when changing out seats and having to take off brackets to put on other seat.

Hats Off and Thank you

Trall

Killer Tank Indian skull and colors.  Sweet ride....

Sweet looking Harley.  Real nice set-up and ultra cool colors......