Difference between different Drifter 1500s?

[Harleymanz]

I like the black model a lot too.  But I also like the chrome a lot.  In different ways.  I want one of each, but THAT would be hard to justify.  Its hard to narrow it down.   Sometimes when I can't make up my mind it helps to look at intrinsic advantages....

I have one of each a 99 blacked out and a 2001 fully chromed and I mean chromed right down to the bolt kit.

[pcarrell]

Speedo:  Mechanical (J) vs. Electronic (R).   I think the mechanical is more nostalgic or retro, but is the electronic any more reliable?

Mechanical cables require more maintenance and are more prone to failures if you ask me.

Throttle Cable: longer on J - slight advantage? does it even matter?

If you're planning on adding large risers or beach bars or something then it's one less cable to buy maybe.

So what else? Seat configuration.  If I understand, for EITHER model, you MUST have the OEM 2-up brackets to mount ANY 2-up seat?  Is that right?   If that's right the J has the advantage, but if you buy an R that already has a 2-up (stock or otherwise) then this advantage is negated??  Somebody verify this...

I would say it's negated as all the same parts will be present on both.  The biggest difference then would be the seat.  J models came with the stock 2up seat that many have commented looks like a dead slug, whereas since the 2up was an extra on the R model, there's a good chance you'll get the Fire & Steel seat that looks much better.

[Mak]

I put the neck cover on the J1 - its easy but you need to drill 5 little holes into the frame and on the right side neck cover you need to cut out a nice round section to accommodate the lock.

[CDNRatMan]

  Then use your talents and skills and fabricate one.......

[dakuhosu]

Black was the decider for me. I wish I had a neck cover though.

[greenbarn]

I like the black model a lot too.  But I also like the chrome a lot.  In different ways.  I want one of each, but THAT would be hard to justify.  Its hard to narrow it down.   Sometimes when I can't make up my mind it helps to look at intrinsic advantages....

[CDNRatMan]

  I just like the blacked out look better and rather ride a bike I like the looks of then one I don't, so when I win the lottery I will purchase me a 1999 1500 Drifter.............perhaps I could buy 2 of them, and give one to a friend.

[greenbarn]

And the "advantage" of black (besides the fact you like it better) is....?     easier to polish than chrome?

[CDNRatMan]

  black. simple done. over with. I'll take a black one.

[greenbarn]

So, we've got the basic differences listed.  This is a great comparison list.

Is it possible to boil these down to advantages/ disadvantages?  (mainly because I'm unofficially shopping for and can't decide which one I like better...)

So J vs. R:
black vs chrome - I guess this is basically a personal preference?  I like both in different ways (yeah, one of each would be great but not in my near future...)

Tank size: I have to think the larger tank on the R is an advantage.

Speedo:  Mechanical (J) vs. Electronic (R).   I think the mechanical is more nostalgic or retro, but is the electronic any more reliable?

Throttle Cable: longer on J - slight advantage? does it even matter?

Steering Lock:  Is the J's location more convenient?

So what else? Seat configuration.  If I understand, for EITHER model, you MUST have the OEM 2-up brackets to mount ANY 2-up seat?  Is that right?   If that's right the J has the advantage, but if you buy an R that already has a 2-up (stock or otherwise) then this advantage is negated??  Somebody verify this...

Goose-neck cover - R only - this seems to be a "cleaner" look???

[dakuhosu]

There is a Drifter engine on ebay or craigslist right now. Can't remember which. I'm sure I could find it again if there was some interest.

[DC]

What happened to the engine, if you don't mind me asking?

[Kawi636lex]

Other then cosmetics, is newer better? I have a 99 that is complete. It does need a new engine but the bike has ONLY 15000 mi.  I did locate a 2002 with under 10000 mi and runs perfect. If I were to pick this up, I would definitely have a perfect parts bike on the side...well,  That is if Most parts are compatible. Thanks in advance

[Troll]

The plastic neck covers won't fit on a J...the neck is very different on R models. I had to replace one of the covers on mine, and I got one from an FI Classic...

[pcarrell]

I believe the J's didn't have a goose neck cover like the R's did also.

[John Hopkins]

No kidding, good show! Pretty sure now I got a J.

The VIN would confirm that..does your number start JKBVNAJ OR JKBVNAR

Or in Britain JKBVNT50JJ or JKBVNT50JR

John.

[dakuhosu]

No kidding, good show! Pretty sure now I got a J.

[Lurch]

Thats a handy list to have Mak.
Frustrating, but handy

[Mak]

Differences between J and R:
Tank
Tank lid
Tank emblems
Speedo, complete inc tank housing (mechanical vs electronic + J has to less speedo cable brackets)
OEM throttle cables are longer on the R version (~2")
Steering lock (J has it on the frame, R has it below the steering)
Top steering stem nut on J is smaller then R version
Fender rail on the J has no bumpers
J has no left overall engine cover
Gear shifters are different to match engine cover assembly
Alternator housing on J is domed, on R it is flat to allow for chrome engine cover
Underneath the seat the tilt switch is slightly different arranged
Of course largely all things black & "cast" look vs chrome
For the OEM seat arrangement (surf board) on the J the backrest and luggage rack is substantially different than to that of the R version  (by then F&S truly kicked in)
R version came largely as solo look bike

cant find my old list but there are a couple more minor ones here and there

Mak
(2R's, 1J)

[dakuhosu]

Ok maybe I was a little harsh , the Emblems finally showed up today. Maybe the screws that hold the covers on are different between different years, on mine they are different sizes between sides. I have to admit, they do look good and the fit seems to be very good as well, nearly perfect. I wouldn't be so hot to get them if I didn't make them the centerpiece of the bike. The whole design was revolving around those emblems, I was even going to wait for paint. Singh said I should get my seat today too so it might be a very good day indeed, it figures I can't work on the bike till later though. I'll give Singh a break because his stuff may be coming all the way from India, he gets an extra day .

[chief]

Did you buy from Zambini or from a dealer on ebay? I see that Zambini has them listed differently for 99/00 and the rest... don't know why unless there is a slight difference in shape ...

[dakuhosu]

I'm going to avoid any dealings with Zambini in the future. For what they charge they should not be lying to people. They lied about the listing, they lied to me about the time frame, then, after I'm already expecting them I get an email saying it's the second one they sent (no record anywhere of a first email) and they now need the year, model# of my drifter because the AIR CLEANER COVERS were different even though the listing clearly described exactly what I was looking for. I bought the emblems off of ebay as described, they should not be selling what they don't have, I could easily cast those things in a day, so why can't they? I doubt now I'll be making it to Sturgis but I bet they'll be there. I should roll up there with my naked bike and a sign saying "like my Zambini Emblems that cost me $350 that I was supposed to get in 8-9 days"?

[Drifter1500]

99 and 00 had the Black out package, as well as the engine side covers were not polished nor the rocker covers chromed. They all had the steel oil pump drive gear, and I read somewhere that the cams were different, giving the Drifter more low end grunt. Don' know if the latter is true, just something I read.

[dakuhosu]

That's not what they said. They said air cleaner cover.

[greenbarn]

Are they different based on the different tank sizes in the early vs. late models?