03 1500 head matching?

Aussiepatch · 11-02-2019, 08:31 PM

so Im slowly getting the bike done, got the parts needed, but was sent a head that was misrepresented. Appears to be a carb head, despite being labeled a 02 1500 head. So my injection set wont bolt on. The cam,rockers and valves seem to match, so just need to find a head casing that i can put all the goodies from the one I have on it.
I found a head from an 07 1500FI on ebay, just wondering if that will match up on the 03 1500FI?
KInda getting interesting trying to figure out a head match.

**vulcanscott** · 11-03-2019, 06:43 AM

1500s were carb or fi thru 04 . lots of swapping fi to carb bikes still goes on .they just redrill 1 hole at the intake port . seems you could drill the opposite hole and use that head .

Aussiepatch · 11-03-2019, 01:46 PM

Does not seem to be a way to match up the injection unit so its sealed at the port. Injection unit has a lip edge that fits into the port, but cant get it to do so on the head they sent me. And the holes won't line up to be able to screw it down.
But will go have another look to see if what your saying is doable in my case.
The 07 head seems to be a match, i'm just want to make sure, so I don't end up with multiple parts I don't need just now. I don't mind collecting a few bits, but now is not a good time for that to be happening for me.

Oh your statement about carb'd & injected until 04 is an interesting point, a Kawasaki dealer only about 3 months ago told me all were injected from 2000. But then stealerships don't always seem to know their stuff these days!

**vulcanscott** · 11-03-2019, 03:17 PM

I do not know for sure on you being able to drill it you will have to look . 2000 was the 1st year for fi but they ran both until 04 . so any 05 to 08 1500 will be fi . hope this helps . also use the search drop down to search engine swaps

VulcanJeff · 11-03-2019, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussiepatch

... a Kawasaki dealer only about 3 months ago told me all were injected from 2000. But then stealerships don't always seem to know their stuff these days!

I think what he meant was all Nomads from 2000-2004, which were 1500cc, were EFI. The 1500 Classic was carbed standard during that time with an EFI option. Beginning the 2005 model year, the 1500 was EFI only. In 2005 the Nomad became a 1600 and was EFI only.

Aussiepatch · 11-05-2019, 07:02 PM

well I tried to do what you suggested, but it wont fit. Id say the head must be from a non injected classic.
they will accept returns, no questions, but their system for doing this leaves me too many question. and risk of no money back. So I will keep it, use what I can and hold onto the rest for another project, or maybe on sell.

DragonLady58 · 11-08-2019, 03:09 PM

1999- Carbed. 2000- some carbed, some EFI's....that was the crossover year....
2001-2004 were EFI only....from then on....

VulcanJeff · 11-09-2019, 10:48 PM

Neither one of us is right if validated against ronayers.com. Doh!

Aussiepatch · 11-09-2019, 10:59 PM

I've got this question on a different thread, but asking here to.

Whats involved in a compression reducer delete? Discovered a big part of my damage/problem has been caused by the reducers coming loose, causing damage. So Id like to do away with them, rather than replace.

mick56 · 11-10-2019, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aussiepatch

I've got this question on a different thread, but asking here to.

Whats involved in a compression reducer delete? Discovered a big part of my damage/problem has been caused by the reducers coming loose, causing damage. So Id like to do away with them, rather than replace.

Just do away with them. I did, and it has made no difference to starting the bike.

**MAS Tequila** · 11-10-2019, 06:59 AM

I have never put them back in.

And never had any issues, either.

mick56 · 11-10-2019, 11:02 AM

I reckon they are an unwanted, and not needed complication. The spring that holds them together, seems to be the problem. Once that shoots off around the engine, the de- compressors clatter about.That in turn, rips the shit out of the head. Get rid of them.

mick56 · 11-10-2019, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DragonLady58

1999- Carbed. 2000- some carbed, some EFI's....that was the crossover year....
2001-2004 were EFI only....from then on....

That would depend on where the bike was imported to, and how long it sat on the showroom floor. Countries vary on whether it's year of manufacture, or registration. A VIN number should give that information. But dont bet the farm on that either.

Aussiepatch · 11-15-2019, 09:35 PM

That's exactly what happened on my rear & was just about to on the front! So from what ya'll are saying they will be taken out in the build process.
totally destroyed all the top end of rear cylinder!

Thanks to all for responding

DragonLady58 · 11-16-2019, 12:16 PM

Those automatic compression releases are good in theory, piss poor execution....as you've seen, can come loose fairly easily....
Was made to help those big huge VTwins get started....to take some load off the starter, starter drive, to possibly avoid leading folks stranded somewhere.
The Vulcans are as dependable as the other metrics....have very little trouble, period. Just when the battery runs down....
Here you go, something to look over, might help you some....Also, check out DellBoys Garage....
http://tearitupfixitrepeat.blogspot....aultvml-o.html

11-02-2019, 08:31 PM	#1
Aussiepatch Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 36	03 1500 head matching? so Im slowly getting the bike done, got the parts needed, but was sent a head that was misrepresented. Appears to be a carb head, despite being labeled a 02 1500 head. So my injection set wont bolt on. The cam,rockers and valves seem to match, so just need to find a head casing that i can put all the goodies from the one I have on it. I found a head from an 07 1500FI on ebay, just wondering if that will match up on the 03 1500FI? KInda getting interesting trying to figure out a head match. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-03-2019, 01:46 PM	#3
Aussiepatch Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 36	Does not seem to be a way to match up the injection unit so its sealed at the port. Injection unit has a lip edge that fits into the port, but cant get it to do so on the head they sent me. And the holes won't line up to be able to screw it down. But will go have another look to see if what your saying is doable in my case. The 07 head seems to be a match, i'm just want to make sure, so I don't end up with multiple parts I don't need just now. I don't mind collecting a few bits, but now is not a good time for that to be happening for me. Oh your statement about carb'd & injected until 04 is an interesting point, a Kawasaki dealer only about 3 months ago told me all were injected from 2000. But then stealerships don't always seem to know their stuff these days! Last edited by Aussiepatch; 11-03-2019 at 01:49 PM.
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11-08-2019, 03:09 PM	#7
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	1999- Carbed. 2000- some carbed, some EFI's....that was the crossover year.... 2001-2004 were EFI only....from then on.... __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Last edited by DragonLady58; 11-08-2019 at 03:12 PM.
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11-09-2019, 10:48 PM	#8
VulcanJeff Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Galesburg, IL Posts: 309	Neither one of us is right if validated against ronayers.com. Doh! __________________ 2005 Vulcan 1600 Nomad - lovin' it! 2009 Vulcan 1700 Classic LT - gone, mostly forgotten 2005 Vulcan 1500 Classic FI - gone but not forgotten
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11-10-2019, 06:59 AM	#11
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	I have never put them back in. And never had any issues, either. __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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11-03-2019, 06:43 AM	#2
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	1500s were carb or fi thru 04 . lots of swapping fi to carb bikes still goes on .they just redrill 1 hole at the intake port . seems you could drill the opposite hole and use that head .
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11-03-2019, 03:17 PM	#4
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	I do not know for sure on you being able to drill it you will have to look . 2000 was the 1st year for fi but they ran both until 04 . so any 05 to 08 1500 will be fi . hope this helps . also use the search drop down to search engine swaps
	0

11-05-2019, 07:02 PM	#6
Aussiepatch Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 36	well I tried to do what you suggested, but it wont fit. Id say the head must be from a non injected classic. they will accept returns, no questions, but their system for doing this leaves me too many question. and risk of no money back. So I will keep it, use what I can and hold onto the rest for another project, or maybe on sell.
	0

11-09-2019, 10:59 PM	#9
Aussiepatch Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 36	I've got this question on a different thread, but asking here to. Whats involved in a compression reducer delete? Discovered a big part of my damage/problem has been caused by the reducers coming loose, causing damage. So Id like to do away with them, rather than replace.
	0

11-10-2019, 11:02 AM	#12
mick56 Sr. Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: The Newforest, England Posts: 4,664	I reckon they are an unwanted, and not needed complication. The spring that holds them together, seems to be the problem. Once that shoots off around the engine, the de- compressors clatter about.That in turn, rips the shit out of the head. Get rid of them. __________________ when this you see, remember me, and bear me in your mind, let all the world say what they may, speak of me as you find.
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11-15-2019, 09:35 PM	#14
Aussiepatch Jr. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 36	That's exactly what happened on my rear & was just about to on the front! So from what ya'll are saying they will be taken out in the build process. totally destroyed all the top end of rear cylinder! Thanks to all for responding
	0

11-16-2019, 12:16 PM	#15
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	Those automatic compression releases are good in theory, piss poor execution....as you've seen, can come loose fairly easily.... Was made to help those big huge VTwins get started....to take some load off the starter, starter drive, to possibly avoid leading folks stranded somewhere. The Vulcans are as dependable as the other metrics....have very little trouble, period. Just when the battery runs down.... Here you go, something to look over, might help you some....Also, check out DellBoys Garage.... http://tearitupfixitrepeat.blogspot....aultvml-o.html __________________ --------------------- Don't start no schit, there won't be no schit.... My Sarcasm is directly proportional to the amount of Stupidity involved --------------------- VBA#03239 VROC#37400 VRA --------------------- 2014 Vaquero 2001 Nomad FI 2003 Street Glide (sold) 1500 Meanie, fresh rebuild (sold) 90s BUBF Bobber (sold) 2001 UltraCycle FatPounder (Sold) 1975 HD ElectraGlide (Sold) 1982 Kawasaki Z1 Chopper (Sold) Suck It Up & Ride! Last edited by DragonLady58; 11-16-2019 at 12:35 PM.
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