Interesting Facts
. The Drifter was originally built and designed in 1996
by Denny Berg and Ken Boyko at Cobra USA and called the Kawasaki Super Chief.
. Kawasaki also made another Drifter 20 years previous in
1979 - The 3/440 Snowmobile.
. The Drifter was first shown at the Munich Morocycle Show
in 1998 and was subsequently on sale in the UK early 1999.
. The USA didn't have the 800 when it was first launched in
1999. They had to wait until 2000 for the pleasure, though it was available in Canada.
. Even though it was discontinued in 2002 in the UK, the
Drifter was a current model in the USA until 2005 for the 1500 and 2006 for the 800.
. The 800 and 1500 share the same front end apart from the
forksprings and damping internals.
. Both the 800 and 1500 are fitted with progressively wound
fork springs as standard.
. Unfortunately some 1500s do sound like a bag of nails,
though this may just be the nature of the beast, as most are as smooth as silk.
. When the 1500 J1 was first sold, in the USA only, the new
owner was entitled to a commerative gift pack containing an engraved handlebar clamp, key
fob, promo video, badge etc.
. Pre-Production Drifter were shown in publicity shots with
a drilled front disc.
. Upon its introduction in 1999, the Kawasaki Drifter
motorcycle's styling was selected for permanent display in the
Chicago Athenaeum:
Museum of Architecture and Design collection. Placed on display at the museum's main
building in downtown Chicago, it was declared "a work of art that goes beyond
transportation. With its neo-retro style and esoteric performance technology, the Drifter
embodies the essence of form and function."
. At 50mph, the 800 will do 70mpg. (Proven)
. The tank badge on the UK Model reads "Kawasaki" Drifter
whereas in the USA it reads "Vulcan" Drifter.
. In Japan, they sold the Home market the VN400 Drifter.
Some imports can be seen in the UK.
. We all know that the 1500 Drifter has more brake horse power (bhp) and more torque than the 800 Drifter ... but hang on.. the 800 weighs less and so doesnt need as much power to do the same job.!
Look at the figures..
The 1500 weighs 665lbs .. has 82ft/lbs of torque .. and 65 bhp.
The 800 weighs 546lbs .. has 47ft/lbs of torque .. and 57 bhp.
Get your calculator out and you'll see that the 1500 is easily the clear winner in
the torque stakes with 0.123 ft/lbs. per pound, and the 800 putting out 0.086 ft/lbs per pound
..but in the bhp department the 800 actually comes out on top.! The 1500 weighs in with 0.097
bhp per pound ..with the 800 delivering 0.10 bhp per pound.! So the next time someone asks which
is the more powerful .. you can spend an hour with a calculator explaining this theory.!
Recall Information
1.)
Possible Fuel Hose Leak on VN1500 J1 -
The protective sleeve on the fuel hose from the fuel filter to the throttle assembly may not prevent damage to the hose by rubbing against the fuel pump plate. A fuel leak might occur with a risk of fire.
Ref - http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp
2.) Apr 6, 1999
Recall ID #54902 - Fuel system, Gasoline:Fuel Injection system on VN1500-J1 -
Motorcycles (VN1500-J1/L) equipped with a digital fuel injection system and a vehicle-down sensor. This feature is designed to prevent the fuel
injection system from continuing to pump fuel if the motorcycle falls
down, by shutting off the ignition and fuel injection pump. During
battery maintenance, the vehicle-down sensor can be dislodged from it's
normal mounted position. If the sensor is out of position, the motorcycle may not start or may stall during certain driving maneuvers.
Ref - http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/index.html
3.) Jan 4, 2004
Recall NHTSA Safety - High oil pressure upon a cold start-up can deform the oil filter cartridge -
On certain 2003 Vulcan 1500 Drifter model motorcycles, high oil pressure upon a cold start-up can deform the oil filter cartridge This could
cause oil to leak from the oil filter, which could result in a crash.
Ref - www.allworldauto.com
4.) Jan 12, 2004
Recall ID #22137 - Engine and engine cooling on VN1500-R3 -
On certain 2003 Vulcan 1500 Drifter model motorcycles, high oil pressure upon a cold start-up can deform the oil filter cartridge. This could
cause oil to leak from the oil filter, which could result in a crash.
Ref - http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/index.html