99 Drifter 1500 compatible engine

[Troll]

  I bought a '57 Panhead 'cause the clutch hub nut worked loose, made a knocking noise, and finally sheared off the woodruff key to the trans main shaft...noises and then no more moving...and when the key sheared, the kick start ('57...no electric) wouldn't work any more. Got the bike for $500 and spent about $10 to fix it.....Yours could have a similar problem. How many miles on this bike? I have 78500 on mine now, and it runs perfectly.

[dakuhosu]

Not to be crass but I would have already had that thing out and rebuilt by now. Seriously it's not as hard as you think and if there is any talk of parting it out you should just dive in there yourself and see what's wrong. Sell it to me and I'll do a build thread on it.

[greenbarn]

I agree with a lot of what has been said - why not get a good quote on a rebuild or repair before throwing in the towel.  Troll is right - it could be pretty minor.

[49Reo]

Did I read right that you paid only $400.00 for it? For that, a total rebuild(if it needs that) it would still be a cheap bike. Like it has been said, the knock could be caused by several different things gone wrong or happening; not all are fatal. Drifter Paul in Aussie-Land, is a good member to talk to about overhaul; he has recently done a major on his 1500. He (along with others here) may have some helpful insight. Personally, I would hesitate to sell it or part it out until you know the full issue.

[water buffalo]

If you do decide to part it out, can I get dibs on the ecu?

[Troll]

I'm still thinking you need to find out what's wrong with this engine first....I just turned 78,000 on mine and it's just like new...so unless the previous owner ran it without oil or something equally stupid, you're probably best off fixing what you have...Send me an email at my address: troll@charter.net   and I'll outline some diagnostics for you.

[DC]

From everything I've read on this thread, my advice would be to part it out and use the money toward buying a good running Drifter.  If you're patient and not in a big hurry, there's some good money to be made on this bike.

Even with the engine not running, there's some good stuff on there that can be sold.  Heck, someone local might even take the dead block off your hands.

[Cally]

Yes the Drifters are VERY rare at salvage auction.  In all the years I have been buying and dismantling I have only seen a handful.  I have parted a bunch of Classics and Nomads, but never a Drifter.

That being said if you do lean to trying a different motor let me know and I will try and source one out for you.

One issue you may run into is 1500 Classic/Nomad are carb bikes and the Drifter is Fi.  Which will require a car kit to swap (ECU/harness/Ect)

If memory serves me right though the late model Nomad 1500s were Fi... just before they went to 1600.  So a late 1500 Nomad may be an option.

Cally

[greenbarn]

Thanks for the info guys. I did think about parting it out. I would definitely make a killing own this as I got it dirt cheap. I'm talking $400 cheap. So either way I would win but this is a bike I have had my eye on for a long long time and I love Kawasaki's and I love that this bike has its own SWAG. Im not in the position to do an all out rebuild and pit thousands of $$$ into it now but with the price I got it for, I couldn't pass it up and finally owning one. ( lol running or not)

With all that said, is it possible to throw an older engine in? BUBF engine from 92..... It's 1500. I know I mentioned it in the beginning but will this work if I took my heads and placed it on the  older engine? From what I've gathered, the 1500e had a longer stroke?... Considering I can get everything I need from a donor bike and using what i ave now, will it work?

Kawi, I hate to break the news to you, but it sounds like a lost cause.   If I were you, I'd just unload it.  Want to double your money???

[chief]

Maybe you have said... but why replace the engine? Can it not be rebuilt?

The drifter engine is a bit unique, I suspect you could replace it with another model... almost anything can be done with the money, time and expertise... but I'd want to try and keep the drifter engine if possible.

[Kawi636lex]

Thanks for the info guys. I did think about parting it out. I would definitely make a killing own this as I got it dirt cheap. I'm talking $400 cheap. So either way I would win but this is a bike I have had my eye on for a long long time and I love Kawasaki's and I love that this bike has its own SWAG. Im not in the position to do an all out rebuild and pit thousands of $$$ into it now but with the price I got it for, I couldn't pass it up and finally owning one. ( lol running or not)

With all that said, is it possible to throw an older engine in? BUBF engine from 92..... It's 1500. I know I mentioned it in the beginning but will this work if I took my heads and placed it on the  older engine? From what I've gathered, the 1500e had a longer stroke?... Considering I can get everything I need from a donor bike and using what i ave now, will it work?

[chief]

You know, as bad as I hate to say it, you may be better off parting out the current drifter and buying another one!  Or, perhaps finding another one, transferring the engine and parting out that one.

[DC]

I would have tried a salvage yard too, but then again this is a rare bike.

[Drifter1500]

check out this auction.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2008-KAWASAKI-VN1500N8F-VULCAN-CLASSIC-FRAME-AND-ENGINE-CLEAN-STRAIGHT-/111119224440?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19df38ce78&vxp=mtr

[Kawi636lex]

Thanks Philip.

From some experienced friends of mine who have been riding for a while, they said it sounds as if it needs a good rebuild. So now i'm definitely in the market for a new engine or having this rebuilt. I've been told by the dealer it would cost at least 2400 in parts to replace everything not to include labor.

Can anyone recommend a good shop in San Diego/SoCal to do the build or a good starting point for reputable shops/online that will sell a rebuilt motor. I've also looked a junk yards but I'm having a hard time locating these bikes.

any info will help. Thanks all

[pcarrell]

As others have said, I'd find the problem with your engine first and determine if it's fixable.  Drifter engines are a bit different then the other vulcans.  First, all of the Drifter 1500's are fuel injected.  They also run a different cam grind that gives more torque on the bottom end.  They also run a single stator.  Swapping to a FI Classic, Nomad or Meanstreak engine will give you a duel stator (don't forget to add a second rectifier for the extra stator) which will cure the somewhat lightweight electrical system, but you will lose the special cam grind and the tractor-like bucketloads of low end torque that come with it.  Also, the 1999 & 2000 Drifters had unique engine surface finishes, so even if you swap over some of those parts it will be hard to keep the look like stock.

[Kawi636lex]

@ DC: No smoke. it was clear out the exhaust

@ Troll: I'll see if I can get it running again. I'm just worried if I keep it going for a while, it will throw a rod through the engine case (i'm not sure if that happens in bikes or not). Plus, out here in San Diego, its kinda warm. It felt like high 80's low 90s yesterday. Good link... i'll be sure to read through it today and run through the check list of common noises.

Thanks guys.

[Troll]

There are some issues with the clutch basket on early 1500s.
http://www.gadgetjq.com/newbie.htm#expect
knock noises are pretty common with the engine cold, and the colder it is, the worse it is. When I start mine and it's below 40 deg, it sounds awful, but when it's above 80, it's pretty quiet, even when cold. Make sure it's running the correct idle speed, and check to see if the noise changes with the clutch.

[DC]

When you had it running, did the exhaust look clear?

[Kawi636lex]

Thanks for the info guys.

So... This afternoon I found out the battery was dead. I jump started it with my truck ad she fired up. I heard the knock the PO described and it actually drowned out the stock exhaust and the sound of the motor itself. After a few seconds, I went to rev it hard to listen in and the engine shut off. I'm not sure if this is a carb'd or FI. Maybe the carbs need adjusting? From what I found in specs, these are FI. 15000 mi on a compete bike and everything works, I think i got a good base to work with.

Anyone know what type of engine knock might cause it to shut off?

[John Hopkins]

I haven't had it checked out yet.

Get a large screwdriver, push the blade against the outside of the engine and the other end against the bone above your ear, then move it to another part of the engine and you will soon locate the engine noise..

Total cost..nothing...

Time taken..five minutes..

John.

[Troll]

The trans is part of the engine assy. What is going to be more important is what will connect to the injection system.

[Kawi636lex]

I haven't had it checked out yet. I was told by a dealer service department it could cost at least 2400 in parts to do a full rebuild not including labor. I afraid if they open it up at a dealer shop, I'm going to be shelling out some dough.

I'm hoping to find a bike that has an engine that uses the same motor (ie Vulcan, nomad, or meanstreak) or something that bolts up to transmission and drop it in.

What bikes models and years would work? I'm constantly searching for parts bikes or project bike for cheap but not too sure what will work?

[DC]

Did you have anyone look at the engine to see what is causing the loud banging?  Maybe if it's simple, it can be fixed for a reasonable price.

[John Hopkins]

To find an exact swap just look up the part numbers for the two years..

Google kawasaki vn1500 spare parts.

John.