Messages

Is one brand if antifreeze better than another for use in a 99/1500J?? I have done some reading,and Prestone AF2100 50/50 mix seems like a good way to go for me. Its a 50% antifreeze Coolants and 50% Demineralized water(Distilled)! Seems like it should work well in the bike! Any Ideas? Also..what are your feelings on Red Line Waterwetter added to the mix? Any/All Ideas will be helpful!
(I've been having a overheating problem(in another post here) bought all new cooling parts..just want to do thing right!) Thanks.Respects. Magoo.

Good info Mr. Pete. Thank You! Found the thermostat was stuck..causing me another problem! I'll get one from Kaw Tuesday. Got the 2 radiator switches yesterday. I plan on flushing the system also. I hope that all this stuff works! This is my first water cooled motorcycle! Respects. Magoo.

I see many different brands of plug wires out there..but..is there one brand better than the others for a 99/1599J..??

Would you put fuel injection cleaner in your tank? or..Wrong Idea..?

Thanks. Magoo.

Pilgrim: Will flush out the cooling system and change antifreeze once the switches arrive! Thanks. Magoo.

Yes Sir Mr. Troll...it was that Fan Switch on the bottom of the Raidator...Kaw wants $169.00 for a Fan Switch & Warning Switch!
Found them both on line New for $37. Hot wired the fan switch to a toggo switch until the new part arrive! Thank You TROLL! Respects. Magoo.

Have not been going too far on the Old Drifter..into town & back(about 20 miles) and it seems to run fine..but..the other day went out and around 83 miles away from home the bike started to go slower..downshifted did not help..pulled off the road and the motor   was hotter than a pistol..let it cool down for 1/2 hour..then was able to go another mile or so to my destination. Lost my Headlights
found that was a fuse..but found the fan was not working to cool the engine. Trailered it home the next day. Pulled the fuel tank..drained the radiator..pulled off the fan and ran 2 jumpers to see if it spins..with the hot wire test the fan operated..checked all my wires..put everything back together..Still Do Not have a Fan! Any/all ideas will help...I'm Stuck! Thanks.Magoo.

Each to their own, but I would not want to turn my old street dog 1500 Drifter into a bobber or café racer type! The bike by its self makes many riders stop and stare..and it was designed to look like the old Indians of the 40s-50s..and trying to change it into some chop job is not my idea of a Kaw Drifter! Just My Opinion..

I think it really looks Great!

I had a problem with the original gas cap..could not get it to unlock. Took a small punch and drove the pin out and opened the cap in reverse. Replaced mine with a OEM cap. I did some checking and could not find another gas cap that would work properly.FYI.

Thanks for the info. I can deal with the Clutch Lever as it is. Thanks.Magoo.

Replaced the Clutch and Spring with Barnett..the clutch was out (guess my brother cooked it) with 45K on the clock. It runs and shifts fine..but I have to release the Clutch Lever about 1/2 way of travel before the bike moves! On other cycles that I have owned, you could adjust the lever by the clutch cables..for travel and grab! The bikes a 99/1500J. I was wondering if this is normal,or is there some way to obtain faster clutch release with less lever pull? Thanks. Magoo.

I want to thank everyone for their Ideas and information on my No Start Problem. Borrowed a meter and found the handlebar kill switch was bad..and something happened with the Ignition Switch also! Replaced both with parts off of a salvage parts bike that my neighbor has. Tried to buy the bike for parts..but he told me "Just Take What I Need" That was very nice of him to do so! I read a older post of ECU Problems which gave me the Ignition Switch info...and between everything I tried..it really helped..theold bike is back up and starting/running..have to fix the right side turn signals..must of pulled to hard on a wire or plug or something..but that should be a easy fix! My Thanks to Everyone on this site for all the Good Information...and saving me from taking it to the shop and saving me $$$ and time! RESPECTS. Magoo....

I checked all the wires and plugs that I could, only visual inspection of all the fuses(I do not have a Multimeter)have to have a open short somewhere! when ever I went to start the bike the lights always came on..now no lights/no crank/no start. I have no choice but to take it to the local bike shop and let them troubleshoot the problem! Thanks to Everyone for all the info..I'm a old guy and now I have no course but to take it to the shop. Thanks All...Magoo.

Went out to start the 1999J Drifter to heat it up tp change the oil(its due) The bike started up fine yesterday(Thursday). Put in the key and turned it to start it up, Pulled the chock out, hit the starter button..and heard the electric fuel pump kick in..but..No Start and No Lights! Thought the Battery was down..but its hot(charged). Checked all the fuses and all are good. No start,No Lights..I'm Stuck!
Bike does not crank/start/no lights! All Ideas on my problem will help! Hope I can fix the problem,Instead of taking it to a shop(trying to save some money) Thanks. Respects.

Yes. The kit came with the Spring/Kevlar Friction Clutches/New Steel Plates and a Primary Gasket!

I did some more checking into the specs on the fiber clutches/steel plates..I guess what gave it away for me was the discolored steel plates(Black&Blue mainly) and the fiber clutches were worn down badly(it was my Brothers bike & I really know nothing about it)..!
I Bought Barnett Carbon Fiber Clutch Pack..went back together fairly well..it gave me a much firmer clutch handle pull..but I can deal with that..got tons of clutch and with the new Syn oil & fiter..I'm sure that I can scratch this off the to do list!
Got Good Info from Everyone. Thanks to all...Respects

I did not realize that you can not adjust a Hydro Clutch(I'm used to oil bath clutches in my old HDs)
As far as the Clutch Spring..I hear and have read that many riders put in a Meanstreak Spring/and others have used the Barnett Spring! Is one better than the other?? I'm going to mike the clutch plates as long as I'm into the clutch end..maybe they need to be replaced also! Thanks for your Time...

Have a 99/1500J Drifter..has been sitting for a while..did the brakes and desided to take it out for a putt..clutch either does not grab or slips! I have no idea of when the oil was changed..and I do not know if its possible to adjust that clutch?? The bike has 44K on it and I have No Idea of what was done with it in the past! I'm going to flush/re-fill the Clutch Fluid, drain and change the oil tomorrow.. to see if it helps. Whats Your Idea on my clutch problem?? Thanks.

I have a Correction on swaping parts. I have been having front brake problems on my 99/1500J Drifter. I picked up a complete fron brake set up..caliper/line/master cylinder from a 02 Vulcan 1500..but could never get the brake to pump up with the Vulcan system.
Did some more checking(and a lot of cussing)and found out that the bore on the master cylinder of the Vulcan is 1/2..and the bore on the master cylinder for the 1500J Drifter is 14MM! It seems to me(after much trial and error)the 1500J needs to be a bigger bore because it requires more pressure to operate the front brake properly. I have the original 1500J system back on the bike..with a rebuilt caliper/pressure tested brake line/and master cylinder rebuild kit installed. Filled it up with new DOT4,pumped up the line, put on my one way brake bleeder..and presto..firm lever and plenty of front brakes. to all..sorry for the wrong info prior! Respects.

Took the front caliper over to a friends shop this morning..installed new Caliper Rebuild kit..polished up the pistons to look like shiny new dimes..pressure tested the brake line(for leaks)and rebuilt the master cylinder with a new kit. Put everything back together, hooked up the one way bleeder tool..fresh DOT4..pumped it up and pressure started to build..got a firm lever..took it for a short ride
and PRESTO...Lots of Front Brakes! I want to Thank Everyone for their input on my brake problem..it was all Good Information!
Respects. Magoo.

That was one heck of a deal on that 1500! I'm happy for you! I only hope one day mine could look 1/2 that good!

I'm going to order a front master cylinder rebuild kit and that hydraulic brake bleeder one way valve and go from there! Will let you know if it works...

Been working on the drifter a little at a time..being on SS does not leave much room for anything..I try the best with what I got!
Replaced starter relay,repaired several broken wires and got the motor up and running..installed new battery,replaced all turn signals
and all lights work and the electrical seems to be ok. Rebuilt the rear caliper/installed new brake pads..rear brakes work ok. Took it for a ride,checked out the gears..everything seems to work ok up to there. I have not the slightest Idea of what is going on with my front brakes! Rebuilt the front Calipers/new brake pads..no matter what I do..I can not get any pressure on the lever(Mush) I got so mad that I bought a complete front end brake set-up off a 02 Vulcan 1500 from a salvage yard close to me..but still.. I can Not get any front Brakes! I do not know what I'm doing wrong! It will not pass state inspection with no front brakes..so I'm stuck until I can figure out what I'm doing wrong! Any Ideas will be helpful! Thank You!

I had a Damaged front caliper with a stuck piston and the handlebar master cylinder had severe road rash. I replaced the entire front brake system with one off of a Vulcan Classic. Mine was a 99 1500 Drifter and the replacement was from a 02 Vulcan Classic. During the replacement I observed that the Caliper Holder for the Vulcan Classic is flat, and the Caliper Holder on the 1500 Drifter has a 1 3/8 stand off....otherwise the 1500 Vulcan Classic and the 1500 Drifter are the same! Change out the Caliper Holder and your good to go! FYI.

Will the Ignition Switch and Locking Fuel Cap from a Vulcan Classic work/fit on a 99 Drifter J..? Are parts inter-changeable between the two models..and what years will fit what? Thanks.