2002 Kawasaki Indian Drifter 1500

Indian Chief Tribute | 1,470cc Fuel-Injected V-Twin | Oxblood Red & Ebony | 8,248 Miles | Fresh Clutch Hydraulics | Loaded with Extras | NM Title, No Lien

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The Indian Drifter is Kawasaki’s tribute to the 1940s Indian Chief — deeply valanced fenders, a skirted front end, and classic cruiser proportions wrapped around modern running gear. So faithful to the late-1940s Chief that the uninitiated mistake it for a vintage Indian, the Drifter pairs that retro silhouette with a 1,470cc liquid-cooled, fuel-injected V-twin, a five-speed gearbox, and clean shaft final drive. This 2002 example (Kawasaki model VN1500-R2) shows 8,248 miles and is finished in the factory Oxblood Red over Ebony colorway with gold pinstriping.

The bike presents as a fully accessorized tourer: a tall tinted windshield, dual auxiliary driving lamps, front and rear chrome engine guards, driver and passenger backrests, a custom tan-and-black diamond-stitch studded saddle, and aftermarket ’Indian Drifter’ script and war-bonnet graphics. The clutch hydraulics were freshly serviced in January 2026 — master and slave cylinders replaced and the system flushed — and the motorcycle runs and rides. It carries a clean, lien-free New Mexico title in hand.

Vehicle Details:

• Year / Make / Model: 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Drifter (VN1500-R2), ’Indian Drifter’ tribute trim — titled as Kawasaki VN1500
• Engine / Drivetrain: 1,470cc liquid-cooled fuel-injected V-twin · 5-speed · shaft final drive
• Color: Oxblood Red over Ebony, gold pinstriping
• VIN: JKBVNAR122A005082
• Odometer: 8,248 miles displayed — Actual Mileage per NM title
• Title: New Mexico — Clean, lien-free, in hand (duplicate, issued January 2024)
• Ownership: Estate consignment

Mechanical Condition:

Exterior and Finish Condition:

Features:

What’s Included:

• Signed New Mexico certificate of title (duplicate, lien-free)
• Lanesplitterz service invoice, January 2026
• Battery maintainer / tender (installed, shown)
• Two spare fringed solo saddles — black and tan leather (in addition to the installed two-up studded saddle)
• Leather saddlebag and leather travel duffel (eagle and flag motif)
• Leather fork / tool roll bag
• Windshield storage sleeve and padded cover set
• Riding overpants
• Assortment of original takeoff chrome hardware removed during customization — engine / highway bars, luggage rack, mirrors, brackets, and mounting hardware

Service and History:

A January 2026 invoice from Lanesplitterz (Las Cruces, NM) documents replacement of the clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder, a full hydraulic flush, and confirmation that the motorcycle runs; the prior contaminated fluid was fully purged and replaced with DOT 4. Parts and labor totaled approximately $1,000.

The Drifter began as a Kawasaki concept called the Super Chief, developed in the mid-1990s by an American team and styled after the 1948 Indian Chief; trademark constraints kept it from using the Chief name, and it reached production as the Vulcan Drifter (1500, built 1999 to 2005). It is mechanically a factory Kawasaki Vulcan, and the ’Indian Drifter’ script, war-bonnet graphics, leather, and fringe are owner-added trim that completes the tribute — consistent with the included spare solo saddles, leather bags, and takeoff chrome hardware. The vehicle is titled as a Kawasaki VN1500.

The odometer is branded Actual Mileage on the title. The duplicate New Mexico title, issued January 2024, recorded 5,675 miles at that time; the current dash reading of 8,248 reflects subsequent use.

Recalls: NHTSA campaign 04V023 (cold-start oil-filter deformation) covered certain later 1500 Drifters built June 2002 to February 2003 and does not list this 2002 VN1500-R2 (built April 2001). Open-recall status has not been confirmed on this VIN — verify free at nhtsa.gov by VIN or with any Kawasaki dealer prior to purchase.

Inspection and Test Ride:

This motorcycle is sold as-is. We encourage all bidders to inspect the motorcycle prior to bidding. In-person inspections and test rides are available by appointment in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Live video walkthroughs are available upon request for remote bidders. All known conditions are disclosed above and shown in photos. Bid with confidence.

Schedule Inspection / Showing

Location:

Las Cruces, New Mexico. Local pickup available. Enclosed and open transport coordination available for remote buyers, or buyers may arrange their own shipping.

Payment Terms:

Payment accepted via certified cashier’s check, wire transfer, or cash in person. No personal checks or credit cards accepted. Clean New Mexico title transfers to the winning buyer upon receipt of cleared payment.

View High-Resolution Photos Here   Schedule Inspection / Showing