Customizing my wife's 2001 1500 Drifter (Black)

[49Reo]

I put V&H Longshots on my 1500 this winter: (love the sound with or without baffles)  spent a few bucks extra and bought a Nomad rear crossover pipe and heat shield, made a hangar bracket for the left pipe/muffler so it mounted the same as the right side, and modified the crossover to line up with the muffler. I am very happy with the look; definitely worth the extra bucks and the time spent to do it. Although a big part of the pipe mods was to put larger saddlebags on. Well, getting off-topic here,

Regards and such,
49Reo

[1SG CAV]

I agree wit KSDRIFTER Longshots or Hard Khrome American headers looks are the same The hard Khromes are one piece pipes. I know the old V&H Long shots were two piece at one time. But both have a very nice sound, with or without baffles.

[KsDrifter]

For exhaust, I really like my Vance & Hines Longshots. Nice deep sound without being obnoxiously loud. Granted, I didn't put them on and they are baffled. I honestly don't know if the baffles are V&H or not, but they sound great!

[Harleybear53]

Thanks 49Reo. Engine guards go on tomorrow and will check out your eco's. Will definitely post progress as she gets her machine to her liking. Ultimately, she wants a horse head painted on the fron fender with its mane on the top of the fender flowing to the gas tank... she see's the black 'tin' as a terrific canvass.

(on another note: took my buddy's 2002 Concours for a quick ride yesterday...NICE bike)

[49Reo]

Hi, nice looking bike as it is now; look forward to seeing it modded to your wifes tastes. If you look at the post "Harley saddlebags on a 1500 Drifter" in this ( 1500 only) topic, you will see the bag brackets I am using; then go to the "OSPREY" site (google "Osprey Limited Finely Crafted Leather Saddlebags") to find a great selection of saddlebags available for Drifters; he also supplies bag brackets with all his saddlebags. He does great work for great prices.

Good luck, and keep us updated, with pics and commentary!!

Regards and such,
49Reo

[Harleybear53]

It is time to make some changes to my wife's 'stock' Drifter. The bike has a solo saddle and saddlebag brackets from the previous owner (the current bags on the bike were 'adapted' and the bolt area has fatigued). Two areas we are looking to immediately improve are: the solo saddle and the saddlebags. I am reading many conflicting things about the ease of fit, availability, etc. of these two items for the 1500 Drifter i.e., "these bags will not work with the Solo saddle". So, I turn to my fellow riders for guidance. We prefer mounted bags vs. throw-overs and she tends to favor the 'western' look e.g. limited studs and fringe. In terms of the saddle, Corbin seems to have the ideal, but we are open to other points of view. Her riding profile this year will be day rides of no more than 250 miles with a goal of subsequent years including longer, multi-day rides. At present, she rides 2-up on my HD Road King on all long distance trips.

Next year, we may look to replace her exhaust system - something 'slightly' louder but with deeper sound... so... if you care to share your thoughts here, please do.

Thanks in advance for your help!