VN 1500 Engine swap VN1500N for a VN1500G

Tadyccs · 05-31-2017, 10:35 PM

I have a 1999 Vulcan Nomad VN1500G with a transmission problem. It appears to be more cost effective to swap the engine than have the case split and the repair done. Can I swap a 2000 VN1500N for the existing VN1500G?

**MAS Tequila** · 06-01-2017, 06:09 AM

No, the Earth will stop turning!

Just kidding, yes you can.

Any of the 1500/1600, except the A model, will bolt right in.

If you get a FI engine you'll have to drill and tap 1 hole in each head.

mick56 · 06-02-2017, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAS Tequila

No, the Earth will stop turning!

Just kidding, yes you can.

Any of the 1500/1600, except the A model, will bolt right in.

If you get a FI engine you'll have to drill and tap 1 hole in each head.

What about the electrics MAS,i thought the FI has a different wiring loom ?

alwhite00 · 06-02-2017, 05:37 AM

I would imagine you would want to use the wiring that came with the bike for whatever engine you use.

**MAS Tequila** · 06-02-2017, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwhite00

I would imagine you would want to use the wiring that came with the bike for whatever engine you use.

Winner, winner, Chicken Dinner!!!!

DragonLady58 · 06-02-2017, 12:27 PM

What they said! Just be doubly sure to label everything good before transplanting your wiring harness....if its not labeled good, can cause some confusion on the plugs....

**MAS Tequila** · 06-02-2017, 01:04 PM

And if you're putting a FI engine in a carb equipped bike, the speedo pick up on the FI model is on the Front Bevel Gear cover.

The Carb model picks up from the front wheel, I believe.

So you'll either leave the sensor in the FI FBG cover, with no wires connected or swap over the FBG cover from the carb engine.

I would leave the FI cover in place and just ignore the sensor.

On a side note, if anyone has a FI FBG cover, I'm looking for one.

Tadyccs · 06-02-2017, 11:26 PM

I found a 2000 VN1500N motor that appears to be carbureted but not sure( I have a question to the seller on this right now). Maybe a stupid question, but would a FI engine have a choke by the ignition switch? I do not think a FI engine would have a choke but could be wrong. I ask because this one does.

I see this info on the this website regarding the 2000 motor:

2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500:
Colors available were Candy Cardinal Red/Pearl Gentry Gray or Pearl Purplish Black Mica.
Note: 1st year for Fuel Injection, but the 2000 model was a carb, FI mix. Changed to a steel oil pump gear.

Can I just bolt on my 1999 carb to this 2000 motor? Will that work?

Thanks again.

DragonLady58 · 06-03-2017, 12:00 AM

What MAS said!
The choke on the FI's isn't really a choke per sae ....even though it does says choke in the manual and on the knob. Its a idle up feature that actually opens the throttle blades slightly....
It idles the engine up....fuel injection systems don't have chokes. But it mimics a choke setup....

Tadyccs · 06-03-2017, 07:52 AM

image.jpg

Thank you all for your help. I will have a motorcycle mechanic help with the install of the 2000 motor into the 1999 bike. I am concerned with the 2000 FI motor and the capability with the 1999 bike when it comes to the carburator. Can I just bolt on the '99 carburetor to the 2000 FI motor? Do I need any additional parts than I already have to do this? I attached a photo of the replacement motor.

Also will my existing left chrome engine cover fit/work on this new motor?

Thanks again, much appreciated.

**MAS Tequila** · 06-03-2017, 08:48 AM

The FI engine will work in the carb equipped bike.

You will have to bolt your intake in place using 1 bolt on each head, then mark the other location, drill and tap for the 2nd intake bolt in both heads.

Everything else bolts right on to the FI engine.

You can call me @5612103399 with any questions, if you like.

DragonLady58 · 06-03-2017, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tadyccs

Attachment 12779

Thank you all for your help. I will have a motorcycle mechanic help with the install of the 2000 motor into the 1999 bike. I am concerned with the 2000 FI motor and the capability with the 1999 bike when it comes to the carburator. Can I just bolt on the '99 carburetor to the 2000 FI motor? Do I need any additional parts than I already have to do this? I attached a photo of the replacement motor.

Also will my existing left chrome engine cover fit/work on this new motor?

Thanks again, much appreciated.

The Fi to Carb swap has been done thousands of times, is a time honored tradition someone wanting to ride their bike without the cost of a fresh rebuild.
MAS won't steer you wrong....its a bolt in, plug & play, except for drilling the 2 holes....

Tadyccs · 06-04-2017, 08:09 AM

Thanks all, so if I understand what you are saying is that the intake manifold mounting bolt pattern is different between the 2 motors. Correct?

DragonLady58 · 06-04-2017, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tadyccs

Thanks all, so if I understand what you are saying is that the intake manifold mounting bolt pattern is different between the 2 motors. Correct?

Correct....

Tadyccs · 06-07-2017, 09:25 PM

I should add why I am replacing the motor more specifically. The bike started making a loud whine on deceleration particularly in 3rd gear and up. Research showed that the bevel gear bearing could be the culprit. I had the bevel gear bearing replaced. The whine still existed. Then had the bevel gear replaced. It showed signs of wear on the gear. Whine still existed.
Now I was staring at removing the motor, having the case split, and finding the transmission issue. This posed a problem in finding someone to do it on a 1999 bike and, if I did find someone, the cost would be prohibitive.
So, that is why I went the replacement motor route. I got a 2000 motor with only 18,000 miles. According to the seller they are no transmission issues. My mechanic is going to do the swap. Along with that he is going to remove the replaced parts (bevel gear bearing and bevel gear) from the old motor and put them in the new.
Any ideas what could be creating the continued whine?

05-31-2017, 10:35 PM	#1
Tadyccs Jr. Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 7	VN 1500 Engine swap VN1500N for a VN1500G I have a 1999 Vulcan Nomad VN1500G with a transmission problem. It appears to be more cost effective to swap the engine than have the case split and the repair done. Can I swap a 2000 VN1500N for the existing VN1500G? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-01-2017, 06:09 AM	#2
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	No, the Earth will stop turning! Just kidding, yes you can. Any of the 1500/1600, except the A model, will bolt right in. If you get a FI engine you'll have to drill and tap 1 hole in each head. __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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06-02-2017, 12:27 PM	#6
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	What they said! Just be doubly sure to label everything good before transplanting your wiring harness....if its not labeled good, can cause some confusion on the plugs.... __________________ --------------------- 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!
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06-02-2017, 01:04 PM	#7
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	And if you're putting a FI engine in a carb equipped bike, the speedo pick up on the FI model is on the Front Bevel Gear cover. The Carb model picks up from the front wheel, I believe. So you'll either leave the sensor in the FI FBG cover, with no wires connected or swap over the FBG cover from the carb engine. I would leave the FI cover in place and just ignore the sensor. On a side note, if anyone has a FI FBG cover, I'm looking for one. __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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06-02-2017, 11:26 PM	#8
Tadyccs Jr. Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 7	I found a 2000 VN1500N motor that appears to be carbureted but not sure( I have a question to the seller on this right now). Maybe a stupid question, but would a FI engine have a choke by the ignition switch? I do not think a FI engine would have a choke but could be wrong. I ask because this one does. I see this info on the this website regarding the 2000 motor: 2000 Kawasaki Nomad 1500: Colors available were Candy Cardinal Red/Pearl Gentry Gray or Pearl Purplish Black Mica. Note: 1st year for Fuel Injection, but the 2000 model was a carb, FI mix. Changed to a steel oil pump gear. Can I just bolt on my 1999 carb to this 2000 motor? Will that work? Thanks again. Last edited by Tadyccs; 06-02-2017 at 11:35 PM.
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06-02-2017, 05:37 AM	#4
alwhite00 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 539	I would imagine you would want to use the wiring that came with the bike for whatever engine you use.
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06-03-2017, 12:00 AM	#9
DragonLady58 Sr. Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Somewhere South of Alaska.... Posts: 2,351	What MAS said! The choke on the FI's isn't really a choke per sae ....even though it does says choke in the manual and on the knob. Its a idle up feature that actually opens the throttle blades slightly.... It idles the engine up....fuel injection systems don't have chokes. But it mimics a choke setup.... __________________ --------------------- 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; 06-03-2017 at 12:02 AM.
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06-03-2017, 07:52 AM	#10
Tadyccs Jr. Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 7	image.jpg Thank you all for your help. I will have a motorcycle mechanic help with the install of the 2000 motor into the 1999 bike. I am concerned with the 2000 FI motor and the capability with the 1999 bike when it comes to the carburator. Can I just bolt on the '99 carburetor to the 2000 FI motor? Do I need any additional parts than I already have to do this? I attached a photo of the replacement motor. Also will my existing left chrome engine cover fit/work on this new motor? Thanks again, much appreciated.
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06-03-2017, 08:48 AM	#11
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	The FI engine will work in the carb equipped bike. You will have to bolt your intake in place using 1 bolt on each head, then mark the other location, drill and tap for the 2nd intake bolt in both heads. Everything else bolts right on to the FI engine. You can call me @5612103399 with any questions, if you like. __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936 Last edited by MAS Tequila; 06-03-2017 at 08:53 AM.
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06-04-2017, 08:09 AM	#13
Tadyccs Jr. Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 7	Thanks all, so if I understand what you are saying is that the intake manifold mounting bolt pattern is different between the 2 motors. Correct?
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06-07-2017, 09:25 PM	#15
Tadyccs Jr. Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 7	Vulcan Nomad transmission problems I should add why I am replacing the motor more specifically. The bike started making a loud whine on deceleration particularly in 3rd gear and up. Research showed that the bevel gear bearing could be the culprit. I had the bevel gear bearing replaced. The whine still existed. Then had the bevel gear replaced. It showed signs of wear on the gear. Whine still existed. Now I was staring at removing the motor, having the case split, and finding the transmission issue. This posed a problem in finding someone to do it on a 1999 bike and, if I did find someone, the cost would be prohibitive. So, that is why I went the replacement motor route. I got a 2000 motor with only 18,000 miles. According to the seller they are no transmission issues. My mechanic is going to do the swap. Along with that he is going to remove the replaced parts (bevel gear bearing and bevel gear) from the old motor and put them in the new. Any ideas what could be creating the continued whine?
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