OK, who's in love with this paint?

[Troll]

I put a speedohealer on my 1500. The odo is spot on over 100 miles, the speedo is 2.5 mph optimistic.

[chief]

Be careful with the guessing of your speedo... the tire profile can make a difference but that shouldn't be much if you stick to oem recommended sizes. Most vehicles are off a couple of MPH...

The GPS is a good idea. Also timing mile markers along the interstate or a friendly LEO with a radar device - even an unfriendly one - might as well get something for the bucks you spend on that speeding ticket.

Also there are some boxes out there that will allow you to adjust the speedo (and odometer).

Some related tools...

Tire size/speedo calc  - http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=458&cat=all

Speedo Healer, etc. - http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/reviewpost/showcat.php?cat=all&stype=1&si=speedo

[pcarrell]

Meaning the read higher than the bike is moving?

That's what I experienced.

Yup!  So if you want to be doing 70mph, do about an indicated 77mph and you'll be pretty close.

[CDNRatMan]

best way to check is with a GPS and see were your speedo reads. Both my bike and Truck are in Kms so if and when I travel to the land down south I use my GPS in MPH just to be sure.......

[jkpq45]

Also, it's pretty well documented that Drifter speedo's run 5%-7% low.

Meaning the read higher than the bike is moving?

That's what I experienced.

[pcarrell]

That rack will be for decoration only if it's bolted to the fender.  First off, the fender is plastic, so weight would be a bad idea, and second, since the fender goes up and down with the road, your stuff would be well shaken.

Also, it's pretty well documented that Drifter speedo's run 5%-7% low.

[jkpq45]

I went and got the bike Saturday with my Dad--he drove her to Miami, OK and I took it the rest of the way to his land near Louisburg, KS.

Couldn't have asked for a better first 150 miles.  Right at 46 MPG and only a little sprinkling of rain.

The seat rode well and the bike puttered throatily at a speedometer reading of 75 MPH--I suspect that is high as Dad was following me in the truck and said I was crawling; suspect the low tire pressure was the cause, at least in part.

On Sunday, we installed some 2" handlebar risers he had and adjusted shock pressure as well as tire pressure.  The heel/toe shifter needed some adjustment so I got that torn apart--of course, installed the toe shifter one spline lower than it was before so my boot won't fit under it easily (d'oh!)

I'll reposition the toe shifter where it belongs, then get out the toothbrush.  It's in fine shape, but still a 14 year old bike with some cosmetic issues.  Nothing some time and some minimal expenditure won't shine up.

The chrome (stainless?) luggage rack appears to be bolted straight to the rear fender.  I have yet to crawl under the fender to see if the brackets contact the frame at all; I don't believe it's stock.  Anyone know how much weight the rack can hold?

Bags will be an easy fix--I've considered Nomad or other hard bags in the past, we'll see.

[DC]

A you all know, I have one of his springer seats.  The leather is bulletproof and the springs give a great ride.  My issue is with the installed height of the seat.  I have a Corbin 2 up also.  There is no comparison to the weight of the leather.  The Singh is MUCH thicker!  But these seat systems are very different from one another.  So it may be hard to compare.

[Drift1]

Jkpk45,I have a spring seat on my ride at this present time and man let me tell ya,It's comfortable.As far as Singh's seats I honestly have never sat on one,yet.....but I have spoken to a lot of owners of his products through emails and have received nothing but positive feedback.Some of the positive feedback include,very well constructed,comfort out of this world,and great leather.I'm waiting on mibe to be constructed as it was a special order of course.

[pcarrell]

I should've known better; come to VDR looking for someone to tell me not to buy the bike.  I'm not as stupid as I look, but that one's a deusy.

You came here to find out if this kind of ride was "for you".  That's smart!  I did the same thing. 

[pcarrell]

I'll look forward to fixing up the bags and re-installing the crash bar chaps he has.  I plan to "ride 'er the way she is" for now before I go changing it; the bike's got a personality I need to get to know before I go making her into something she isn't.

Now that's the smart move!  You need to find out if she's a hot rod, and laid back girl, or somewhere between.  Remember, we don't own these bikes.....we're just the caretakers.

[jkpq45]

He came down a bit--he owns/runs/works at a Hot Rod shop in Broken Arrow (outside of Tulsa).  So I'm imagining he and his buddies had a good time building this one

It's taken me all of 48 hours to decide I love the paint.  Don't you love it when you start a thread not having an opinion, then come out the other end with one solidly entrenched?

I should've known better; come to VDR looking for someone to tell me not to buy the bike.  I'm not as stupid as I look, but that one's a deusy.

[pcarrell]

Yup.....that's the signature seat of Singh Saddleries.

Seat.                          $225
Removable Fringe.  $35
Studs.                        $35
Seat rail.                    $90

And I know this info how?.........LOL.....
Enjoy it dude,and hope one day you find the paint scheme your looking for.

WOW!!!!!  Look at you!  You go boy! 

[greenbarn]

Great looking bike.  I wouldn't be surprised if it grows on you to the point where you don't want to change the paint.  Congrats on the new purchase.  Don't know what you ended up paying, but based on asking price  looks like you got a good buy too.

[CDNRatMan]

  Congrats, it looks really nice the way it is. Like stated before after a while you can change the colour and make it yours or it can make you its owner...lol....enjoy the ride home....ok see told you I posted right after you did....

[jkpq45]

The more I look at the paint scheme and the overall way the bike is put together, I really like it.  Which is good--because it's my ride now!

I'll look forward to fixing up the bags and re-installing the crash bar chaps he has.  I plan to "ride 'er the way she is" for now before I go changing it; the bike's got a personality I need to get to know before I go making her into something she isn't.

How's that saddle ride, Drift1? 

[Drift1]

Yup.....that's the signature seat of Singh Saddleries.

Seat.                          $225
Removable Fringe.  $35
Studs.                        $35
Seat rail.                    $90

And I know this info how?.........LOL.....
Enjoy it dude,and hope one day you find the paint scheme your looking for.

[pcarrell]

You should be happy with it, because it looks great!  That springer seat is way cool!

[jkpq45]

Well, I'm sure you gentlemen all gave me fantastic advice.

At least I hope so--'cause I just bought this bike.

It's in Tulsa; I go pick it up on Sunday.

Link to the CL ad with more photos:

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/mcy/3681242366.html

[pcarrell]

PC,there has to be a solution on this fix,right?I wouldn't imagine it would be to costly.

Only thing I can think of is to submerse the bags until the leather is completely saturated, then take them out to air dry (could take a while) and stuff them full of newspaper to get the shape you want.  Once dry they will hold their shape, sorta.  You'd need to work out a frame.  A good starting point might be something based on those file folder hangers that you can put in file cabinet drawers.  Maybe use strapping metal and pop rivet it to the remnants of the plastic frame to hold it all together.  That's about all I can think of.

[greenbarn]

Flloyd Clymer imported Enfield Interceptors and rebadged them Indians...This emblem can be had from the current Enfield factory in India..they have them on eBay 

I just saw your new post - that DOES look like  jkpq45's yellow tank emblem.  I'd like to see a close-up to see more detail.  I don't remember seeing that particular version before, but I think it doesn't look bad on the bike at all.

As for as the yellow two tone, I like it.  Of course, if I were picking colors I'd pick something else.  But I'd pick SOMETHING OTHER than what my bike is as well.  I agree with previous posters - if you like it ride it and it can be repainted down the road.

Personally I wouldn't think twice about covering up something to make it into something else that you want.  I've seen plenty of REALLY NICE, REALLY EXPENSIVE custom paint jobs I wouldn't hesitate taking a DA sander to and painting over.....

[greenbarn]

Just took a good look...is that a Royal Enfield emblem on the tank?

Just took a good look...is that a Royal Enfield emblem on the tank?

Are you sure that's an Enfield emblem?  I can't see it well enough on my monitor, and if I enlarge it it gets too blurry - but it doesn't look "exactly" like the logo I'm thinking of.

RE manufactured "Indian" motorcycles for a period of time in the 70s.  Though they were a company owned by Norton/Triumph, correct?

Actually, I thought the Royal Enfield Indians were all built in the mid-late 50s, weren't they??  Then much later, late 60's Norton/Triumph bought them (not making any Indians), and closed Enfield in just a few years.   Interestingly enough, later ( I think later) they started making Enfields at a different company in India, (But again, no Indians) which is still making Royal Enfield bikes today.

I might have some of the time line mixed up on this, but A buddy of mine has an 80s or 90's RE, and I looked at it a while and a bit of research on them a couple years ago before I had decided on a Drifter.  You can now STILL buy a brand new Royal Enfield Bullet, I'm guessing the longest-produced model of anything around.  The new ones have fuel injection, too.

[Troll]

Flloyd Clymer imported Enfield Interceptors and rebadged them Indians...This emblem can be had from the current Enfield factory in India..they have them on eBay  http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROYAL-ENFIELD-PETROL-TANK-DECAL-BADGES-/221141849625?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item337d14d619&vxp=mtr
Here's a link to an Indian trailblazer on eBay, too. Google is your friend!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1957-Indian-TrailBlazer-Royal-Enfield-Very-RARE-NO-RESERVE-/261187162005?pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item3ccff7cf95

[jkpq45]

Clever catch, Troll!

RE manufactured "Indian" motorcycles for a period of time in the 70s.  Though they were a company owned by Norton/Triumph, correct?

[Drift1]

Just took a good look...is that a Royal Enfield emblem on the tank?

What's the history behind the emblem,Troll?

.PC,there has to be a solution on this fix,right?I wouldn't imagine it would be to costly.