Author Topic: Drifter Project  (Read 3099 times)

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mswyka

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Drifter Project
« on: April 02, 2018, 05:52:36 PM »
A couple of months ago one of  my neighbors saw the post that I keep on Craigslist looking for unwanted Kawasaki sleds and as a result gave me a 1980 340 Drifter F/C chassis.  Initially I didn't have any intention of doing anything with it, but thanks to Invaderfan440 I now have an engine that looks like it should be serviceable.  So with  an engine and chassis I have no excuse but to put this together.

I don't know much about Drifters and this engine says TA340A-C201.  Can anyone confirm whether this is the correct engine for this sled? 

Also, is the taper on the Drifter crank the same as the taper on the Intruder Crank?
« Last Edit: April 02, 2018, 06:06:16 PM by mswyka »
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

Interceptor398

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Re: Drifter Project
« Reply #1 on: April 02, 2018, 08:22:30 PM »
1980 340 Drifter tunnel should say SA340-A4 and the engine code for that sled is TA340A-D201.  TA340-C201 is for the 1979 Drifter

mswyka

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Re: Drifter Project
« Reply #2 on: April 02, 2018, 08:30:10 PM »
1980 340 Drifter tunnel should say SA340-A4 and the engine code for that sled is TA340A-D201.  TA340-C201 is for the 1979 Drifter

This is good information.  Thank you.

Does anyone have a spare Drifter manual?
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

mswyka

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Re: Drifter Project
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2018, 07:20:52 PM »
Tonight I started to pull the engine apart and found something that I have never seen before:  a pair of points under the flywheel!

As I noted before I don't have any experience with Drifters so this was quite a surprise.
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

mswyka

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Re: Drifter Project
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2018, 03:49:14 PM »
Also checked and it appears that the Intruder clutch fits on the end of the crank.  Does anyone know if the Intruder clutch and the Drifter clutch align the same?
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

Interceptor398

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Re: Drifter Project
« Reply #5 on: April 15, 2018, 08:07:13 AM »
Not sure but it makes me wonder how the 81 Drifter clutch plays into this??

mswyka

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Re: Drifter Project
« Reply #6 on: April 15, 2018, 12:31:02 PM »
Not sure but it makes me wonder how the 81 Drifter clutch plays into this??

What is the set up with the 81?  Is it different than the earlier years?
Intruders:  1978, 1979, 1981 Custom (Pink)
Invaders:   1980 440
Projects:    1981 Invader 440

rminier

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Re: Drifter Project
« Reply #7 on: April 15, 2018, 04:30:17 PM »
 The '79 and '80 Drifters used the Arctic Cat Hex clutch, as did the previous Inviter and Intriguer sleds.
Finally, Kawi used the Kawi clutch on the '81 Drifter.
 But, it has a different offset.
I think the Intruder/Invader style would bolt right up to the Drifter crankshaft, as long as you use the proper attachment bolt and washers. The Invader/Intruder has a - .200" offset, meaning it sticks out further away from the engine by that .200" dimension.
 The Drifter used a flush mount clutch.
You would just need to scoot the engine towards the recoil end by .200" if you use the Intruder clutch.
75 SnoJet Astro SS, 79 Kawasaki Invader 440 (two of them), 81 Scorpion Sidewinder, 82 Blizzard 9500, 83 Yamaha Vmax 540, 97 MXZ 670....and holding...for now.