Drifter 1500 - How many miles before engine rebuild

[Varooom]

That's It!  Laughed my fringe off,
Varooom

[chief]

The Last Honest Harley Ad??

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/blog/?p=568

[Varooom]

There's a great video on you tube that I can't recall the title of but it is hilarious, all about Harley charging huge bucks for 1940's antiquated technology.  Very professionally done.
I've heard you can bake potatoes between the jugs while riding!
Varooom

[chief]

On this particular bike I had a thermometer in the oil box... I drilled through the oil box cap and installed a metal thermometer to tell me the temp. I had an oil cooler ... but riding up north it always kept the oil too cool... so I had to cover the cooler. I'd yank it off when the weather got hot.

You can feel the heat on a harley and it would start running crappy when it got really hot. ...

[Varooom]

I can only guess: knocking from the overheated pistons, melting plastic, overheated bloated beer guts, inability to turn the engine over, need for Mod 3 kits, sausages being fried on top of the rear cylinder by stranded HOG members???
Varooom

[Ernest]

I've been stuck in summer traffic on the toll roads around Chicago more than once... overheating on the harley was DEFINITELY on my mind... never happened but only because I cut corners a few times to get some air flow... ie shoulder, between cars... and some of those folks are nasty at the best of times.

This may be a silly question.  How do you know when a Harley overheats?  No liquid cooling too burst, do they have a tempurture gauge?  I owned a Harley 45 cubic inch, did'nt really know when it was overheating, just that it smelled like burning.  LOL

[chief]

I've been stuck in summer traffic on the toll roads around Chicago more than once... overheating on the harley was DEFINITELY on my mind... never happened but only because I cut corners a few times to get some air flow... ie shoulder, between cars... and some of those folks are nasty at the best of times.

[Varooom]

And, concerning Drifters, air cooling will never compete with air and water cooling; those deep fins do some major convecting and radiating, especially when the cylinders are arranged one behind the other vs. both out there in the air.  I can't imagine the dread of traffic jams on the highway that last half an hour.
Varooom

[griz01]

Harley insists on staying with air cooled engines. Air Cooled will never last as long as one with liquid cooling.

[Varooom]

Try this: Go shopping for both Roadkings and Drifters in Craigs list and make a count of how many, of each make, state the following: "Rebuilt; mod 3 kit installed; new rings; etc."  I've never seen so many such statements, except for Harleys.  When you find one metric bike stating the same, please point it out to me; just turned 75K and had a great trip to the Catskills.
Varooom

[Drtool]

I was once told that the life span could be determined by giving yourslef 1000 miles for every CC. so for a 1500 Drifter which I own I would consider rebuild at 150,000 miles. I use that a a rule of thumb. I also belive that if it isn't broken do not fix it.

[khanawalt]

I bought mine with 60K on it last August.  Previous owner had done the clutch and replaced the driveshaft as the u-joint failed.  I fixed the speedo cable after I removed the speedo to replace a bulb and got it a little kinked when I put it back.  Runs great! 

[Ernest]

...thanks for all the info.  i'm still leaning towards the drifter 1500.  but, you can purchase a used harley heritage pretty reasonable.  i'm guilty, brand name for what manny would state an inferior product.

the harley engine is pretty.  i wish, the harley engine was as dependable as nice looking.

[jb741]

I've got a 1999 1500. She's got 32,000 miles on her and is just as smooth and strong as she ever was. I'm leaving next week on a 3000 mile road trip and my bike is the least of my worries. It's winter not leaving that has me worried. I have ridden for 40+ years. Mostly Harley, and my Drifter is the most dependable bike I've owned. Better than my Harleys ever were.....

[Varooom]

I've got 72,000 on my 1999 1500 and it starts and runs like the day I bought it.  Just about to put that MS spring and the Judge's washers into the clutch and that has been the main problem that I've encountered twice.  Other problems: spedo cable, had the Fire & Steel Ungo security system installed- it failed quickly and I had it removed; now the right turn signal blows the fuse and the dealer who did the work wants nothing to do with me, had to replace the plugs twice and the battery once to keep 'er running right, needed washing once...
Varooom
October 2012: I just heard from the fellow who bought this Judge Washer clutch 1999 from me a couple years ago and he just passed 100,000 miles with no problems reported and a great trip to Nova Scotia under his belt!
Varooom

[1999 Drifter]

I have a 1999 drifter 800 27,000+kms ran great till I stared to fidle with it
and I believe it'll run even better when I'm done

[pcarrell]

A lot of the life depends on the care given.  I've seen some that need a rebuild every 30,000.  I'm at nearly 30,000 now and she's pullin' like she wants another 30,000.  With 12,000 on the clock, those would have to be hard miles, or a lot of neglectful sitting if it needs redone soon.  She's just getting broke in!

[Ernest]

thanks for the response.  from what i understand liquid cool means longer life.  just not sure, how much longer.

i've not riddin much.  but, have had a motorcycle license for approximately 30 years.  my last bike was a 1973 45 cubic inch harley trike.  but, i'm certain the 1500 drifter does not compare to the trike with the exception of vintage american look.

[pcarrell]

I have a couple of friends with nothing more then a clutch spring replacement and regular maintinence, and they're over 100,000 miles.  These Drifters are pretty bulletproof.

[chief]

I don't think there is much difference... I don't know there is any particular mileage at which a rebuild is required... it all depends upon the how well the bike is maintained and how its ridden.

Actually... based upon the HD's I've owned... these may last longer. I know I work on it a LOT less than my hd's... of course, the last hd I owned was a 1998 model... so that may have changed.

12K is still LOW mileage...

[Ernest]

How many miles (average) is a 1500 Drifter good for, before engine rebuild?  Compared to a Harley?

My questions stems from my search for a used Drifter 1500 to purchase.  I was looking to purchase a drifter with 10,000 or less miles.   but, i'v found a drifter with 12000 miles that seems to have a resonable price.

Thanks in advance for any info.
Ernest