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Hey @moto

If I were you, I'd take the motorcycle to a local mechanic or motorcycle shop and have them listen to the noise.

It might be a minor issue, but it's always better than getting stranded on the side of the road if something breaks down along the way.

Do the two motorcycles have exactly the same settings?

For example, if one of them has a higher idle speed than the other, it might feel smoother during low-speed maneuvers or when you release the throttle between gear changes.

Other settings (e.g., handlebars, tires, clutch lever adjustment, etc) could slightly affect how one bike handles compared to the other and make it feel smoother or less smooth.

Unfortunately, I had a similar experience with them earlier this year.

I'm looking for a Fire & Steel solo rack like the one in the photo.

The F&S part number for the black version should be K53020-309, while the one for the chrome version is K53020-323.

Thanks

I just measured both hoses as accurately as possible, using electrical wire.

The front brake line was easier to measure and should be fairly accurate.
The clutch line is a bit of an estimate, but it shouldn't be too far off.

- Front brake line: 121 cm or 48" - It is definitely shorter than the 53.25" measurement reported in the post quoted below.

- Clutch line: approximately 185 cm, which is very close to the 72.5" measurement published previously.

Mine is an R1 model. I don't know if there are differences between the J and R models regarding brake line length, as there are with the throttle cables.

The good news (hopefully) is that the clutch hose seems to have a bit of extra length hidden behind the rear cylinder, so there's a chance it'll be long enough even with the new 4" risers installed.

It's a whole different story with the brake hose. It would have been much better if it had been 53.25" instead of 48"... Well, once the risers arrive, I'll see if there's a way to reroute it somehow.

[Clutch - 72.5"]

Hi @chief

I hope you can help me with this post of yours.

https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php/topic,59666.msg124952.html

• Hose Lengths for 1500 Drifter -  Hose Lengths for Drifter 1500. Clutch - 72.5"  Front Brake - 53.25"  Rear Brake - 43.25"

Are the hose measurements you mention in your post for standard hoses? If so, are you referring to the total length or the distance between the centers of the two banjo bolts?

Thank you!

That's a very nice and unique Drifter 1500... err ... Drifter 1600

Thank you.

Last year I installed a wider handlebar as well (Baron Starbar - 36" wide), and the hoses are barely long enough.

Now I'm waiting for a set of 4" pullback risers, and I'm concerned that the hoses might end up being just a bit too short.

If the following OEM hose measurements are correct, I could simply order a new set of 200 cm and 150 cm hoses.

OEM clutch hose - 72.5 inc. (185 cm)
OEM front brake hose - 53.25 in. (135 cm)

Hi @Bucko

I know I'm replying to an old post of yours. I was just wondering if you ever found an answer.

I just ordered a set of pullback risers, and I'm afraid I'll have to replace both tubes with longer ones.

Thank you

Update on this issue.

Here is a photo showing the before and after. On the left, a pair of new spark plugs after about 20 miles (before the TPS adjustment); on the right, a set of new spark plugs after 130 miles following the TPS adjustment. Fuel consumption has decreased significantly.

Let me know what you think of the spark plugs on the right side of the photo.

Troll, you're a legend!

It was the TPS - the one thing I hadn't checked.

While the value at WOT was 4.59 V DC (just within the upper limits specified in the service manual), the value at idle was well outside the range. I didn't write it down, but I believe it was around 0.784 V DC or something similar, whereas it should be between 0.584 and 0.604 V DC.

I tried to adjust the TPS settings a first time using a multimeter and ended up with an AFR that was way too lean. Poor acceleration, hesitation at low speed, a lot of afterfiring on deceleration, and spark plugs that looked like bleached after just a few miles.

I quickly realized what I had done wrong: while I was taking measurements with the multimeter, I took a shortcut and connected the ground lead to one of the cylinder head covers. This caused the meter to read a higher voltage than the actual one.

So I checked the voltage again, this time connecting the ground to pin 21 of the ECU, as indicated in the service manual.

After a relatively short ride, it seems the motorcycle is now running smoothly. I then checked the spark plugs, and they appear to be healthy.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I need help from forum members who have more experience than I do.
Here's a brief description of my problem:

I got myself a 2001 Drifter 1500 about a year ago, ans the bike has always been running all too rich:

- very high fuel consumption. Low mileage between 25-30 mpg (11–13 km/l)
- spark plugs fouled with black soot (dry carbon deposits, not oily) that eventually cause misfires and starting problems
- a smell coming from the exhaust and black smoke when revving

Actions taken so far with no results:

- replaced the fuel pressure regulator with a standard one, since the previous owner had installed an FPR with higher pressure
- replaced the vacuum hoses with new ones
- replaced the air temperature sensor, the coolant temperature sensor, and both MAP sensors
- I tried several injector/system cleaners
- I repeatedly removed and cleaned the spark plugs, only to see them get fouled again shortly afterward
- I replaced the spark plugs with new ones - I also tried hotter spark plugs, with no improvement
- The service shop also had the injectors cleaned and tested by a specialized company, as well as  they checked and cleaned the fuel pump and fuel filter
- The ECU shows no error messages when following the procedure outlined in the maintenance manual and on this forum

I've run out of options.

Does anyone have any ideas about what I could do next?

Thank you!

This is exactly what I'm looking for (in black). I just noticed that it was sold over a month ago... 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/389603458135

Damn, damn, damn 

I make my own.

Looks good!

Take a look at the following link:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/396572817117

They are selling a set of L+R brackets.

In the end, I purchased a set of NOS Fire&Steel struts (K53021-098) from CMSNL in the Netherlands. The set included parts for both solo and double seats. M10 bolts were also included. I only had to rethread the holes for the bag loops in order to use standard M8 bolts.

Then, instead of attaching bag loops to the struts, I ordered the following brackets (KF0002N) from a Swedish shop:
https://www.xlmoto.it/product/supporto-borsa-laterale-customacces-universal-nero_pid-PIA-245294

This is the direct link to their UK website:
https://www.xlmoto.co.uk/product/customacces-universal-saddle-bag-support-black_pid-PIA-245294

The brackets are sturdy and long enough to cover the entire length of the bags, preventing them from sagging and hitting the rear fender.

[maybe I'm crazy]

Seems to me that the F&S rack struts that I have are drilled and tapped for screws to hold on the bag loops, but maybe I'm crazy as I've never had the loops on - I'll have to dig through the garage and take a look .

I hereby declare that you are of sound mind.  😅
The struts I received have threaded holes for the bag loops. The holes are spaced exactly 6" apart and have imperial threads. I had to re-tap them in order to use 8 mm metric bolts.

I was able to find the following product codes for the rack:

F&S Solo Rack for VN1500J/T (Chrome): K53020-323

F&S Solo Rack for VN1500J (Black ? To be confirmed): K53020-309

OEM/F&S luggage racks connected to the backrest not the fender etc. because of the floating fender.

The luggage rack in the photos I sent below attaches to the OEM saddlebag mounts (which I have), not to the rear fender.

Hi there,

Can anyone confirm whether the luggage rack shown in the photos below is (was) a Kawasaki OEM accessory (Fire & Steel)?

If so, does anyone know the part number?

Thank you!

Thank you @53Indian

Hola @VintageRider

Welcome aboard. I look forward to seeing your drifter after the updates!

Ciao
Fab

Thank you!

Hello from a wet and windy uk, just bought a 2003 1500 drifter, also rebuilding a 900 custom and have a classic for the wife.

Looking forward to getting to know you all and asking you lots of questions about modifications
😆

Hey mate, welcome aboard!

Looks like this is your ride:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIWF6FkUkf0

Nice one indeed!

Hi there,

Are any of you familiar with saddleline.com?

I'm currently looking at their bag mounts for the Drifter 1500, which appear to be a 1:1 copy of the OEM mounts:
https://saddleline.com/product/1500-saddleline-kawasaki-1500-vulcan-drifter-saddlebags-mounting-brackets/

Does anyone know if the product is well made?

Thanks!

Thank you!