800/1500 Drifter

[Vulcan Matt]

Ok, so I've got myself a brand new (to me) 1999 Drifter 1500, but there is NO PLACE I can find a owners manual or service manual for this bike. I would like to be able to have this so I can look up all the ins and outs of this bike, but I come up with nothing.

I LOVE the bike and I know I"m going to have many years of fulfilling rides.

Any suggestions? Answers?


Anything would be helpful. I'm sure SOMEONE in this forum has had a similar challenge. How did you guys work around it?

[bjones]

welcome try this link

http://www.kawasaki.com/DefaultFrame...OSEVEHICLE.ASP

[zuzuman03]

by the looks of your avatar picture, you have after market pipes on your 99 1500. what kind are they and how do you like them? im looking for a new set of pipes for mine since they are starting to rust and blue on me already. also, what number is yours? its the last 3-4 numbers of the VIN on the factory sticker on the frame. mine is number 186 of 1,999.

[Mercury]

zuzuman - I would look at roadhouse pipes - I LOVE MINE!

im looking at tires, i almost have 10,000 miles on the stock ones, needless to say the rear tire looks almost scary

Was wondering what you all suggest AND I dont think i want white wall since these fenders cover that up anyway mostly.

kenny

[Vulcan Matt]

First of all, thanks BJONES for the link. I've found what I was looking for along the lines of a service manual and MORE. I'll be looking on the website for several things probably.

Next, ZUZUMAN, I've got Vance & Hines longshots on my bike. They are loud but sound really nice. You may notice there is some blueing on the pipes but I"m gunna hold off on replacing for a while.

Also, my bike is #276. Kind of cool knowing where the bike falls within the range there. Thanks for the tip.

Well, thanks for everything guys and I appreciate the warm welcome.

[zuzuman03]

well, im looking for a loud, good looking pipe. i saw V&H now has black pipes for sale, and i think my guy at the shop said they have them available for the 1500 classic. i know there is a kit out there to make the pipes for a classic work on a drifter, so ive been thinking about that. i have the sampson slasher pipes on right now, and they're loud, but im looking for more. i pulled the baffles out and took it on a nice long ride. i put them back in as soon as the pipes cooled down when i got home. way to much. but never really heard another drifter with different pipes, so its kinda hard to judge what i want w/o being able to hear them on the bike. also, does anyone know if the 99 1500 has an electronic mapping system for the fuel? i know its a digital injection, but is that the mapping? ive been talking to a few people and they've said that might be why my pipes look the way they do. i dont have a power commander on it yet either.

as for tires, i have a set of dunlop tires on mine that are seeming to hold up pretty good. ive probably got about 6k miles on them so far and they seem to be holding up pretty good. im not sure of the specs; i just know they're dunlops.

[Drifter800]

Just bought a 2000 Drifter 800. Was riding down the road and saw it for sale in a yard. It reminded me of an old Indian I wanted to buy for $350 when I was a teen but couldn't afford. Just couldn't put it out of my mind so I bought the thang.

When I was a teen I had a Triumph 650 Bonneville and later I had an old 52 pan head Harley, rigid frame. I hadn't been on a bike for about 30 years until I got this one. When did they take the kick start pedal off?

Here is a pic of it right where I found it.


It has a Mustang brand seat and tank trim. Just under 10K miles. The front fender has slight damage that I hope I can repair. The pipe was gutted. I didn't want it quite as loud as it was so I just welded a 3" cap in the end of the round pipe end. That leaves about 1/4" space around the outer edge of the pipe and toned it down just about right for my taste. I have ridden it about 10 miles so far but that was before capping the pipe. Hope it doesn't have to much restriction but it is still plenty loud so I don't think so.

I searched a little then got lazy so I'm going to ask a few stupid newbie questions. I'll order manuals eventually but for now I'd like to know the answer to these if any of you can help.

1 - How do you check the oil level? I can't find a sight glass or dipstick. I pulled the cap labeled "OIL" but didn't see any oil in there so I assume it is just where you put the oil in (I hope, lol).

2 - What is the octane requirement.

3- How do you check the coolant?


Thanks!

[Vulcan Matt]

Hey Drifter 800: I'm not going to comment on your maintenance questions because I don't want to give you any incorrect information, but I DO want to comment on the bike. NICE.......I assume you got a good price on it, but even if you didn't, I LIKE!!!

I, myself, just got a 1999 Drifter 1500 and will be picking it up from the dealer today. No manual to come with it so I've ordered one so I will have the answers to the questions you've just asked.

Hey, good luck on your new machine, and thanks for posting.

[OhioDrifter]

Hi Drifter800,

Wow, what a nice find! Congratulations! I hope you will enjoy your 800 as much as I do mine.
As far as the oil level check, I do believe the sight glass is on the right side of the bike, but it's really low on the motor. However, I am unsure if your model year is different than mine in that regard.
I use good old 87 octane in mine, runs just fine.

[OhioDrifter]

Not sure on the coolant level check, sorry. Right now I'm at work, and the manual is at home.

[Vulcan Matt]

Well, my 1999 Drifter 1500 is FINALLY in my garage. I drove it home the 14 miles from the dealership and what a cruise it was!!! I'm telling you, it's like riding on glass. I enjoyed that 14 miles like I never thought I would. I knew it was going to be a good bike, but it simply surpassed all my expectations. TONS of power, VERY responsive and easy to handle such a large bike compared to my old 800 cc Vulcan Classic. The ride was effortless, and I look forward to really taking it out to the hill country here in Texas.

Also, I've got to give a high five to the dealership where I bought it from. It's sometimes unusual to hear braggs about a dealer, but these guys were exceptional. From the salesman, manager, finance, and even the machanic who made the bike ready to sell, they were all TOPS in my book. The bike looks and runs great; I have only good things to say about their operation.

[Drifter800]

Thanks for the replies and comments Ohio and Matt.

Found that sight glass but it is down low on the left of my 2000 model. Makes it a real pain to read while trying to hold the bike level. I also have a filler tube of some sort right behind the engine that looks like it goes to a plastic tank but the cap is not labeled as to what you should put in it. Seems the coolant filler should be above the top of the radiator and this filler neck is down low. EDIT: Just looked up the radiator on the parts thingy and that tank is part of the system but must be an overflow tank or something. Looks like the pressure cap/filler is under the tank above the top of the rad as I suspected.

I'll have to get those manuals ordered. It's cool that Kawasaki has all the parts diagrams online. The owners and service manuals are reasonable too.

Congrats on YOUR new bike Matt.

I did get a fair deal on my scoot at 2800 if I can fix the damaged fender without to much trouble. That fender sells for $518 at my dealer.

[Vulcan Matt]

Hey, thanks to you too drifter800. Best of luck to you on your nice bike yourself. It's a real beauty, and depending on the extent of the damage to your fender, you might want to take it to a shop where they customize; they may be able to do some work on it for a reasonable price. It's well worth checking in to before forking out the $500 or so for a new fender. I had some minor work done to my front fender (that's what I was waiting on with my bike) and you can't even tell there was any work done. I'm extremely happy with the job they did; very pleased.

Good luck and enjoy yourself!!!

[OhioDrifter]

Originally Posted by Drifter800

Thanks for the replies and comments Ohio and Matt.

Found that sight glass but it is down low on the left of my 2000 model. Makes it a real pain to read while trying to hold the bike level. I also have a filler tube of some sort right behind the engine that looks like it goes to a plastic tank but the cap is not labeled as to what you should put in it. Seems the coolant filler should be above the top of the radiator and this filler neck is down low. EDIT: Just looked up the radiator on the parts thingy and that tank is part of the system but must be an overflow tank or something. Looks like the pressure cap/filler is under the tank above the top of the rad as I suspected.

I'll have to get those manuals ordered. It's cool that Kawasaki has all the parts diagrams online. The owners and service manuals are reasonable too.

Congrats on YOUR new bike Matt.

I did get a fair deal on my scoot at 2800 if I can fix the damaged fender without to much trouble. That fender sells for $518 at my dealer.

I apologize for my error (brain damage). The sight glass IS on the left side, not the right. And I agree, a pain to check. The tank behind the motor is the overflow. There is a clear tube that is how the level is checked. The tank is supposed to have full/low marks on it....coolant in the tube should be between the f and l marks on the reservoir. Haynes manual that I have states "WARNING: Do NOT remove the filler neck pressure cap to add coolant. Topping up is done via the coolant revervoir tank filler."
$2800.00......seems VERY fair to me.

[OhioDrifter]

Beautiful ride, Matt! Bet it sounds sweet with those pipes, too!

[zuzuman03]

hey you guys with the stock solo seats....do you know that design on the back fringe? looks like flames or somethin....im gona have that embroidered to match the pin stripes on my drifter...should looks pretty sweet. i'll have to take pictures and post up when its done.

[Drifter Dog]

Evening all,
Just found this site, and wanted to compliment you all on it...very happy to see a forum for us drifter riders; mine's an '02 1500 with Bub pipes & 3100 miles.
The previous owner took off the rear fender brackets, so I had to put some after-market turn signals on the license plate bracket. Otherwise, she's pretty stock; why mess with perfection?

[OhioDrifter]

Zuzuman.......Please, yes, pics!

[OhioDrifter]

Originally Posted by Drifter Dog

Evening all,
Just found this site, and wanted to compliment you all on it...very happy to see a forum for us drifter riders; mine's an '02 1500 with Bub pipes & 3100 miles.
The previous owner took off the rear fender brackets, so I had to put some after-market turn signals on the license plate bracket. Otherwise, she's pretty stock; why mess with perfection?

Hello Drifter Dog,

Pleased to meet you. Would love to see your bike, any pictures to post?
What kind of aftermarket signals did you use. I have been contemplating changing out the stock signals on mine at some point.

[Drifter Dog]

Hi, OD...
Soon as I can figure this out, I'll post some pics; doesn't seem to be able to attach pics from hard drive, only https. Any advice?
The turn signals were from BikeBandit; standard 2" ,along with the bar, which I placed under the plate. The previous owner also stripped off the front signals (looking for that chopped look, I guess), so I'm still researching front ones I can put on without requiring a light bar.
Happy Easter All,
DD