under construction

[CDNRatMan]

  Richie old man we are heading in opposite directions on our rides so I would not be needing to steal your ideas, and I am not in the position to spend beaucoup dollars, so do it myself with Dave's guidance,  and all my parts other then the rear spring are here and ready to install. But I can post a few pictures of me working late in my shop coat, for you............

[49Reo]

Nice!

[Drift1]

Thanks PC bike is getting to were I envision slow but sure .

Oh yea GB there's a couple secret projects in the works . I just didn't want the ratman to know . You see if he found out there's secrets in the works he gets a little crazy this time of year . Next thing you know were sending get well cards to the " HILL". Crazy pictures of him start to appear , man it's terrible 

[greenbarn]

Ok little update on some more construction done to MA-DUECE :

New progressive front fork springs
Both sprockets swapped out for the 18/38 mod ( seems to be the best highway fix ) and new chain to go with this mod
New passing lights and fabricated light mounts with a water proof micro switch on the tank panel for on/off control
rectifier cover ( sending template to a good friend on Tuesday  )
mocked up the new rotor cover today so off to powder coater it will go

Don't you have a secret project listing too?   Can't let Ratman have all the fun.

[pcarrell]

Looking good Richie!

[Drift1]

Ok little update on some more construction done to MA-DUECE :

New progressive front fork springs
Both sprockets swapped out for the 18/38 mod ( seems to be the best highway fix ) and new chain to go with this mod
New passing lights and fabricated light mounts with a water proof micro switch on the tank panel for on/off control
rectifier cover ( sending template to a good friend on Tuesday  )
mocked up the new rotor cover today so off to powder coater it will go

[Drift1]

D1 you need a black out drive light on the front of that or the fender......keep with the theme.

That's the whole idea ratman . Like you I have plans just have to find the right parts  And a little hint I don't want a black out drive light like everyone else has I have something different in mind 

[CDNRatMan]

  D1 you need a black out drive light on the front of that or the fender......keep with the theme.

[Drift1]

Dak I've seen the k model on a lot of drifters ( pics of course ) and they do add style and look awesome . I particularly like how it seats deep with the high front . Great saddle feel I would imagine . I'm really not sure if the fender trim is/was designed to protect the Indian light ? But now that you say that it would make sense . I added the rail to dress up the fender a tad that's all . I never installed the Indian light , placed it on the fender took some pics , got thinking about it and changed my mind . I Love the design of the Indian head dress chrome with black into it , really great detail . Just decided against putting Indian on my scoot . I'm still searching for some projects as far as a light goes . A one mock up look 

[dakuhosu]

Oh I just like to spout off about all my newfound seat knowledge. I'm a seat know it all now. It's the Drifter weak point IMO. My Drifter is begging for a low profile with a smallish seat so I ordered a seat from Singh that is in the style of a Gilroy seat and am going to have that cut down and reworked by a local guy. I just need all matching leather. Here's the k-model seat I'm going with on...something. This one looks great on a Drifter and Singh should be selling this to Drifter folks, again, IMO. The shape of it really lends itself to the drifter geometry. The way it's deep dished and kicks up in front vs the Singh seat which is a little too flat for my taste. Works very well on a Police or military bike though and looks much better on an 800 then on a 1500. I'm not positive but isn't that front fender rail on yours supposed to protect the indian head fender ornament? I saw you took it off.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Corbin-Gentry-Brown-Solo-Seat-Harley/321226371440?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D2649893501982015138%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D331045342960%26

[Drift1]

Thanks dak ,Sorry brother I didn't know what the seat was called LOL . That seat was actually the  po had on it when I picked it up . Trying different mods on these scoots is a blast of fun . Can't wait to see all your new leather on yours .

[dakuhosu]

Yea, that looks good like that. That is one pretty Drifter I agree. He made that seat himself but I think it's based on a k model harley seat pan (my next seat no doubt). The velocipede was the name of your old seat. It looked good too. Good looking ride you got there. Don't you love trying out new stuff on it? 

[Drift1]

Dak that is the peeertiest dam drifter I've seen thus far . I wonder who made that seat ?Rail covered in leather would look great on MA-Deuce ! Now we have to find the owner of this scoot and get answers  My tool bag is on the left side of my scoot and I like it there . Not sure what you mean by velocipede ? but if your referring to my old seat it's for sale . I'll try to find a pic with tool bag on the scoot never mind here it is

[dakuhosu]

All I can say about that seat rail is..wow. I'm not sure what to think. I have my tiara style non matching chrome one on my bike that likes to catch my knee/shin area when I jump off the bike and would much rather have yours instead. I have to agree though that it might be too much, then again it might grow on you. If the paint was glossy it would work. A smaller one maybe with the flat and minimalistic theme. I keep mine on because I love the idea of it and the look on some other bikes and paid for the damn thing so I might as well use it, painful as it is. Yours would add to this bike below. I'm putting my new toolbag low on the left side and think it would work there on your too. Where the shaft is on a 1500. And what happened to the velocopede? I was really feeling that with those clothespin springs.

[Drift1]

thanks for your opinion PC . I think I have decided to loose both ( seat rail & rack ) I have been in contact with ventoracing ( for a favor  , thanks man  ) and my next project is to have my whole seat mount fabricated differently . I did have a tool bag but placed it on the side of the rear fender . Reason being it rubbed on the front fender so I took it off immediately . Smaller one may work ? To be quite honest the road house exhaust  alone is a " HUGE " change of look on MA- Deuce , for the better IMOP .

[pcarrell]

D1,for me, the seat rail is cool, but it sorta doesn't work with the utilitarian minimalist nature of the bike.  The rack alone works better with the look if you ask me.  I'd lose the bag and look (or make / have made) for a small tool bag for the front forks out of matching leather.  That kind of bag would be in keeping with the theme and if it's made right it wouldn't rub your fender.  JMHO

[dakuhosu]

I have a folder too, I go through it and just admire other peoples bikes. It's not only that people jump in without knowing what they want they don't have the talent or the coin to finish their vision or maybe the bike won't allow your ultimate vision without serious modifications, like putting a dual exhaust on an 800 or actually getting a really low look in the saddle on a drifter 1500, ain't gonna happen without some battery relocation and some frame cutting. Theres no crime in copying someone elses good design if you see your perfect bike in what they've done. I personally like the added challenge of trying to create something uncommon or new along with my stolen ideas.

[CDNRatMan]

  I have a huge folder with pictures titled "other drifters" I look through it for all and any ideas, I also have a very simple version of paint I use to add and delete items or colours from pictures and see what it might look like, but it does not always look the same as the real item.

[greenbarn]

I've gotten a LOT of ideas from pics on either Google, or Craigslist - Ebay ads of other bikes for sale.  I actually started a folder on my computer where I'll put a copy of a picture in it every time I see something on a Drifter I like.....  Now it's just a matter of sorting through and deciding which ones to use, when the time comes...

[Drift1]

The one mistake a lot of people make is when they buy their bike they right off go and buy all the bling for the bike and have no idea of were they want to go with their ride, but once they figure that out and can buy just the parts they need their life becomes really easy.

I agree with this statement to an extent . For people (like myself ) who don't have the computer skills or programs for that matter that let you color add parts etc to see what it's going to turn out like , have no option but trial and error method . Example for me being , I like both the fender rack and seat rail and have even researched pic s for the look to see how I liked it . Well guess what , I love the look on other rides but , on mine the two seem to clash together  . Decisions , decisions , decisions , (money, money , money) oh did I mention I also didn't like the look of the Indian head fender on my scoot either .

[dakuhosu]

I like to make it my own right away.

[49Reo]

I like to own one for a year or so before doing anything to it; get a feel for it first, then decide what I want to do. I prefer to fab my own parts where possible, but a lot of things I end up buying. 

[CDNRatMan]

  The one mistake a lot of people make is when they buy their bike they right off go and buy all the bling for the bike and have no idea of were they want to go with their ride, but once they figure that out and can buy just the parts they need their life becomes really easy.

[dakuhosu]

There is a method to my madness. I swear this guy was at 4 corners with this stunner. It was the most beautiful bike I ever saw and I'm a weak, weak man, who crumbles at the feet of such beauty. I was riding the blacked out 99 when I saw it and have been smitten ever since. I plan on duplicating it with a 800. There you go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeiWSlhEgYk

[dakuhosu]

D1 take your time, like you said you have all winter and make it yours and do what you feel is right for you and keep plugging away.

yes we need a picture with both, and you have space in the living room to take the pictures we need....

Dak must agree with D1 apes and windscreens just don't go together in my mind, like a batwing faring, and ape hangers you lose the hand protection, seems to be counter to what we are after or some people are after....

Absolutely, but I want to do a white with chrome and big beach bars, I'm thinking I could run those cables through the beach bars for a real clean look and you can see all the chrome that bike has already. When you go to buy a new bike you must consider what it already has going for it, those chrome side panels are $140. I think ape hangers look extra stupid on a Drifter but know what those cables cost and what I want the end result to be. Plus it's in Colorado, close by. I sell the seat, bags, windscreen, apes, etc... paint it and end up with what I want.