Drifter questions

[81drifter]

I'm buying this drifter next week and I have a few questions. 1: is it 440 or 340? And 2: oil injection? Guy says 80 but I read here only 81 has it. And is 100 good for a complete sled with a locked(recently) motor?

[MaxThrottle]

Appears to be a 1981. The build date would be from summer/fall 1980 but it certainly looks like a 1981 440 model. Look at the number stamped on the right side of the tunnel, It should be stamped as a  SA340-A5 or a SB440-A5. (making it an "81"). The '81 was the only Drifter with oil injection and the oil tank is visible in the first photo. The 1981 had the muffler mounted tranversly as in your picture too. $100 isn't bad if it's only problem is just the engine that's stuck.  Looks to be missing the airbox too (about 30 bucks on ebay). The drifter is a fine machine. It may not be as desirable as say and interceptor, but all in all is a great, reliable and versatile machine. I LOVE 'em! I say go for IT!

[81drifter]

Alright thanks. Looks in good shape. I remember my dad said he gets them unlocked with diesel and a thing called mothers. I took small engines so should be easy might put in new pistons and hone cylinders. New gaskets and wrist pins. Are oil pumps still available just in case. Guy said it was in barn for awhile then just went to sell it and was locked. Electric start by any chance? And I'm hoping  for 60+ mph. I'm a small dude(140 @ 5-10)

[Mad Kaw]

i dont know if i would trust just pouring diesel into the cylinders to free it up & then running it... (although i have used trans fluid with a little acetone to free up a few old dirt bike motors that sat for years & they worked fine afterwards)

thing is when they sit,,, the crank seals dry up... so you're probably better off just tearing the motor apart cuz its most likely going to need seals anyways... theyre cheap & its good to know it has fresh seals in it

you dont really want to hone chrome bore cylinders,,, its thin & you'll burn thru it if you hone too much... fine steel wool will clean up light rust...

kawi oil pumps dont fail much... you can always test it & im sure you'd be able to find one if its bad..

if it were me,,, i would try to free it up with trans fluid/acetone.. if you can get it to move,,, flip it over & let it sit for a day to drain out & then do a compression test before splitting the case to do the seals... if it builds good even compression,, you could get away with changing the seals without pulling the top end apart

pull the exhaust off & look thru the ports to see how rusty the cyls are

[81drifter]

Thanks. Will try. How hard is it to split the case on these anyway? Any special tools/methods?

[Mad Kaw]

its pretty easy
http://kawasakitrax.com/kawiforum/index.php?topic=7.0

for tools,, just a balancer puller to pull the flywheel off & a gear puller for the oil pump gear

[81drifter]

K thank a lot. Looking forward to a old timers run here in Dl on 16th. Hope to have it running so my dad and I can go together.  He's riding a 89 Polaris Indy. Can't tell if its 440 or 488. Will post pics when i have it and at run

[Lloyd (ljm)]

 When you have the motor split. Check each of the crank bearings very close. They need to run free with no play.

 Also pull the suspension , lubricate the cross shafts, check the slides and the bearings in the wheels.


 Nice find on the sled. I have always wanted a 81, 440 Drifter. I have a 80,  440 Drifter
I got for Christmas when it was new.

 
 Lloyd

[81drifter]

Will do. And I know it looks to be in good condition. I got quoted 220 for bearings. Probably could be cheaper if I bring crank in. But if I need new bearing might as well have him do seals and gaskets.

[Lloyd (ljm)]

 Outer bearing aren't hard to change.

 The inners would be much trickier

 Lloyd

[81drifter]

Is 180 to put them on since he needs to split the crank. How many bearings? He said 20 apiece

[Lloyd (ljm)]

  I might get corrected on this  but I think 6 bearings in total

[81drifter]

Thanks

[81drifter]

Bought sled. Wasn't seized. Just frozen. Just need gas lines and filter. Could use new windshield. Will post video once running. Anybody have pic of where lines run? 

[81drifter]

Got it running and driving. Live it and its snappy. Action pics tomorrow