What Should I Expect as a New Drifter Rider?

[45 Bravo]

Glad it worked, Dr Pepper & Capt. Morgan, I have drank alot of combinations but never that one.
I will have to try that.

We used to make a flaming Dr Pepper (no Dr. Pepper in it, but it taste like Dr. Pepper)
take about 4 oz of beer in a glass, fill a shot glass almost full of amaretto, and float some 151 Bacardi rum on top of the amaretto. Light the rum (just for show) drop the shot glass in the beer like a boilermaker, wait a second then turn it up. It taste like Dr. Pepper!. if you sip it is doesn't work, you have to down it. (Just an FYI: These things are sledgehammers, 4 is about the limit most people can handle before something has to give)

Back to the topic, I have "fixed" my windshield/noise/buffeting problem for the moment.
I put my solo seat back on the bike, It sits about 2.5 - 3 inches lower than the 2up seat, so i hit the windshield at the right height..

Now when the wife feels back up to riding again, we have to swap back (a 15 minute job with the saddle bags too)

Later guys.

45 Bravo

[CDNRatMan]

 cheers to 45 Bravo....thanks dude I got up early and it was raining again...has been since I bought my bike...getting to hate the rain.
So I went out to the shed and looked over the windsheild and then off to Home Hardware, this is an old store been in business for like 1 million years it would seem they have everthing you ever wanted. I went looking for rubber washers, explained to the owners son (67 years younf the owner is like 90 somehting) anyway he suggested I use tap washers, and he gave me a dozen to try it with and if it worked to come back and buy them if not try something else...joy's of a small town and knowing people. So I took off the windsheild and put the rubber facet washers into all the places the vibration might have come from and at the same time I was reinstalling it I raised it to the max it can go, it is now level with my eye brow when I am sitting up straight in around town riding position. Went to adjust the shock but I can not get down that low today with my arthritis acting up....it is on I think 4 not good for a 240 lbs person.....so when they are replacing my sprockets next week I'll ge tthem to do that to the correct spot.
Went for a ride out to the highway and along a back road and worked through the gears and all ...lo and behold 45 Bravo is a champ no vibration noise and the buffeting is gone......I am so happy I am going to sit and wait out the rain with my 2 best buddies Capt Morgan and Dr Pepper wonderful lads when they are mixed togather. lol

[DKtime]

the 800 has a regular mono shock, however it's not adjusted with a spanner but a... 12mm socket, extension and  ratchet, accessed behind the left side cover. most folks seem to find the higher settings "6 or 7" work best.
the 1500 has air shocks.

[mbk]

So wait - the 800 has an air shock?  It is not adjusted like most monoshocks by turning a cam with a spanner?  I'm confused. 

[45 Bravo]

Cool, I hope it helps, Mine hits me at the chin level, they say you just want to be able to see over the top of the windshield at your normal ride posture.

As for the shocks, MOST bike shops have the right air pump, and may adjust it for free, never hurts to ask

If that solves it cheap fix. $0
(I wish they were all that cheap).
I asked the kawasaki shop in Tupelo, MS about the large gasket that goes under the gas cap to seal the tank when the lid is closed.
He informed me it was not a sold item it came with the gas cap ($75) , i think i am going to get some rubber gasket material and make me a new one, mine is getting old and stiff. SO FAR the Tupelo kawasaki dealer has failed to help me with anything for the bike in over a year.
The local mom & pop shop (they handle all makes & models of bikes & 4 wheelers) has been extremely helpful, and if he thinks i can get it cheaper online he will give me the part number and his blessings. (I do by my tires, oil, and filters from him, along with riding accessories so he is happy)

It takes a special person for a Drifter, either you like the looks or you don't.

I found one at a dealer in Florence Al. on ebay, my buddy with the 800 classic and I are riding over tomorrow to look at it for him.
It didn't sale at $3000 online(reserve price not met), he is going to offer him $3500 cash, (but he is prepared to go to $4000 if necessary.

Let Keep us posted on the repairs/replacements.

Ride Safe
45 Bravo

[CDNRatMan]

  ok I need to adjust the shock, found out today through a freind with access that the guy I bought the bike from was / has been the original owner of the bike, it is a 1999 but was not sold till 2002. I am the second owner, and it was suggested to change the chain and sprockets, as they are original, so I have them on order. Also the guy who I bought it from was a little person , 5' 4' and about 150 lbs.....so I am 5'11" and 240lbs so I'll get the shock a bit tighter and I looked at the windsheild and it is at it's lowest height and there is room to raise it, so I am thinking problem solved.....
I did manage to get about 75 kms on the bike today with all my running about, and I did take the main highway home and at 120 kms = 74.566581 mph, it was not a big deal it was a nice comfortable ride other then the buffetting of the wind ...and that is the windsheild too low....bingo ....Thanks 45 Bravo

[45 Bravo]

What Chief said about the rear shocks can not be emphasized enough, they are set for i think for about a 160ish Lb rider from the factory,  and you don't want to know what replacement cost are...

Also get the correct pump for the job, a regular bicycle pump will not do the job as they are oil filled shocks.

As to the wind noise mentioned by Ratman, most of my cruisers have had windshields, and have been quieter than my drifter,
after some playing i found my windshield to be too short, it causes excessive wind noise and helmet buffeting.

It is about 3 inches too short, if i ducked down, or put my hand at the top of the windshield, the noise level dropped dramatically, and i could talk to my wife on the back with out shouting..

A friend of mine loaned me this device,
it is an adjustable extension for the top of your windshield and is about the size of your hand.

But at $129 it is kinda pricey, almost in line with a new windscreen, but in watching ebay, and talking with J&P cycles, finding a windscreen the height i need is kind of hard.
So this may be my only option..

Have fun, ride safe.
45 Bravo

Wunderlich Wind Deflector for almost all motorcycles 8110025

[CDNRatMan]

  All good points to remember, thanks from me too.

Noticed yesterday after I had gotten my ...new to me Drifter safetyed and riding it to get the plate or it that a lot of people turned and looked and a lot of older people smiled.....pretty cool......my first bike with a windsheild and it sure makes the noise seem louder....but I'll figure it out....

[mbk]

Thanks for all the help!

[chief]

1) The rear end!  The fender floats on the swingarm, which is unique (almost) to the drifter.  That means bags, sissy bars and seats are installed in unique ways.

2) You have to be prepared to innovate - accessories may be hard to find.
3) Make sure you set the air shocks up for your weight and loading - it makes a BIG difference in the ride and handling.
4) If you change out the stock pipes, use pipes made for the 1500 Classic and replace the right side peg bracket. All aftermarket pipes made for the drifter use a hard mount which is really bad for the pipes and the bike...
5) Read posts here, visit the web site...
Oh, noise and wind... use the right octane fuel, the big fenders amplify common noises and they catch the wind. The Vulcan engine can be loud...

[45 Bravo]

Hey, welcome to the forums, and the world of Drifters.

I have been riding for over 40 years, and have owned many makes and models, but bought my 1999 1500 Drifter just over 1 year ago, and love it.

I have gotten more comments (mostly positive) on this motorcycle than any of the others (from a 1951 Harley Police special to a Kawasaki zx12 Ninja.)  The flair that the Drifter exudes is pure classic and people really notice it.

Ride wise, i cannot say about the 800 Drifter as I ride a 1500, but a friend has a 800 classic, that we sometimes swap bikes on rides just to break up things, and it can't be too different from your 800 Drifter.  I am 6ft1 and over 300lbs, i find the 800 has plenty of power, and moves me down the road well, and gets up to 60mph very quickly. BUT (there is always a but) the ergonomics are a little off for my liking, just a little short in the leg department, and the tank is a little narrower. But those are personal feelings.

Reliability? keep it maintained, and it is typical Kawasaki, get on and go.. And you will be going for years...

Mileage, I started riding my drifter like i have drove my last big v-twin (a Harley) low revs, and liked the sound, but something just didn't "feel" right, and my mileage sucked (about 60 miles per tank in town, and 100 on the highway before the light came on)
Then i downloaded the manual a few months later, and on the forums found the PROPER shift points for the Drifter.  I had been shifting early, and lugging the bike entirely too much.
After making the mental gear change to a higher rpm running range for the 1500 my mileage improved, and over a period of time, the bike seems to run smoother now.

I have always been in the habit of LISTENING to my bike (or cars & trucks) while i drive them, listening to the way it sounds, the way it handles, the way it FEELS and if anything changes, or makes any odd rattles and such, you can head the problem off early before it becomes a bigger problem.
It sounds kind of esoteric, but they do talk to you, you just have to listen...
I suggest you try to do the same, you can tell after a while what it likes.

Oh, and lastly, unless you want to get into a deep drawn out conversation with someone driving a car or suv at the gas pump, when they say "Nice Indian", just say Thanks.

Ride safe.

45 Bravo

[mbk]

The look of the Drifter is so unique, I imagine you get stopped a lot and asked about your bike.  I also imagine there is a lot of "No, It's not a classic Indian" that you have to say.  But are there any other things to expect as a new Drifter rider in terms of reaction and even in terms of its ride?  I've been riding for 30 years, so I'm used to being on a bike, but I am just wondering if this unique bike has a set of unique reactions, riding charecteristics, quirks, benefits, etc.  Thanks in advance for the help.  Mike