New look or my new bike!

[Gerhardberger]

Really nice bike! Congratulations from the other side of the Atlantic...

[nhtrikes]

Thanks! Yea, that color scheme does it for me. Did add whitewalls before she left the shop. Posted updated pics under the pics heading. Such a sweet ride that Drifter!!!!

[DC]

Great choice of colors, Pete!  That looks mighty familiar.

[Dubliner]

Well look at that. Almost same colour scheme as mine. Just wanted to show you what white walls look like.

[Eagle76]

Congrats on the paint - looks great!  I can recommend the Osprey bags - just got mine a couple weeks ago, along with the matching mud flaps.  Let me know if you need any advice about them.

[nhtrikes]

Thank you PC for the tire info. Checking them all out now. Drift1, thank you for the ideas on cleaning. My wife swears by that Mr. Clean magic eraser. I'll have to give it a try when I get them. I'd love to see a video on your tire cleaning technique PC. I think I might even have a old bottle of Westley's from way back in the garage. I'm liking the tread design and price on the Cont. Milestones, WWW. Good reviews too so far. Not sure on the directionals yet. Still figuring out how to get a good smaller set attached to a new plate holder. Also figuring where to hide the wires somehow behind the plate. Tyring to keep it as neat and clean looking as I can. Mech is talking about fabricating special plate holder or something. I've got a few other ideas. Working with him next week to try to get it figured out and see what he has in mind. Looked at many different styles of directionals so far. Trying to keep a retro look in mind as I add my personal touches. Will keep perusing this forum for great ideas!!! Let you know what I come up with as soon as I figure it out.

Thanks for all the help, tips , compliments and encouragement, greatly appreciated!!! Gotta love this forum!!!

Pete . . .

[pcarrell]

To keep them clean, I use Westley's Bleche White from the dollar store, a soft, long bristled broom, and the garden hose with a sprayer tip on it.  I go around and wet the tires first with water, then spray all the tire showing on both sides, front and back.  I then grab the broom and scrub back and forth on each side of each tire a couple times (just takes a couple of passes as the Westleys does the work), then come back and hit it with the hose.  Roll the bike forward some and repeat.  It takes 2 rolls to do a Drifter.  The whole process is not much more then 5 minutes and I'm done.  I NEVER get down on my knees, and I never have to lift the bike.  The hardest part about it is bending over a little for a few minutes.  (I should make a video next time I do it.)  It's so easy it's ridiculous!  Every time I hear someone make a comment about how hard they are to keep clean I just have to laugh! 

[Drift1]

PC great review and advice on the tires,bud.NH....I had the same question when I was shopping around for WWW's for my drifter.I run the Metzler 880 on my bobber and like they way they handle and feel for comfort.I have no complaints,nor have I ever had a problem with them.After the reviews and own experience with the 880 I chose them for my drifter as well.What ever tire you choose in the www...they next question is going to be how to keep them babies clean?So far Bake's idea (also on this forum) is the good O'l Mr. Clean magic eraser trick.I myself,well my son Aidan,did this to remove the smurf blue with warm water and worked great.There's other ideas as well,under "cleaning supplies" in general discussions.Not sure if you seen this mod or what type of rear lights you have in mind,but I did the running light mod posted on this forum and love it.Looking good,so far bud,keep us posted.

[pcarrell]

For WWW tires, Avons are super sticky.  They aren't cheap though, and because they are a softer compound (thats what makes them sticky), they tend to wear out a little sooner.  Metzler 880's are great, just avoid old brazilian made backstock from a couple of years ago.  They had "issues".  Those issues seem to be corrected now.  (It'll say on the side of the tire where and when it's made.)  I have one on the back now and it's plenty sticky and holds up pretty well.  The only others I've tried are Continental Milestones.  They look great and last FOREVER!  (I have 24,000 miles on my front tire and there's still enough tread to maybe make it through the summer.)  It's a harder compound, so it's not as sticky, but the bang for the buck is hard to beat.  They also have a bit more sidewall material in them, so load capacity is a little better (if you ever ride 2up or gear up for trips).

[nhtrikes]

No plan to put any decals on her. Like the simple clean look. Am personally leaning toward WWW. Just started looking at them, too many choices. Any suggestions? Showing off pics in the office the other day and someone asked me what kind of bike it was. I said a Japanese Indian.     The reply was, Oh! with a frown. No other questions. Go figure? Not into bikes I guess. Gonna have a lot o fun with this baby!!! Will post more pics as I finish her up.

Pete . . .

[DC]

Great paint scheme and pinstriping!   

[Drift1]

Very nice paint scheme NH trikes......Are you puting any decals on the tank or leaving it plain?Just wondering,looks good the way it is IMOP....Can't wait to see the directionals and the bomber seat,dude.....and yes www's will make that Drfter look like a totally different ride.Great job man,keep us updated....

[CDNRatMan]

  Awesome job.....looks really good, and as for your other question ...now this is just my personal opinion, and not having any prejudice either way, yes WWW would make it stand right out....

[nhtrikes]

Thank you! Will post some more pics when the seat, plate & directionals are installed. Looking at saddlebags from Osprey right now. Thank you to everyone for all the tips and information on this site.

Chief, thank you for the seat bracket idea. I made a set for the Corbin seat coming in about a week. I wanted to keep the set on my single seat so I could do a quick change when my better half wants to tag along. Dealer wanted $30 apiece. Piece of steel flat bar was $5 and 1 hour of my time, saved myself $55. I owe you a few beers!!!

Thanks again all!!!

Pete . . .

[marshalldoll]

Great job. It is looking sweet!!
Dan

[49Reo]

Sweet. Now I too have a new color.......green with envy!! Seriously, very nice.

Regards,
49Reo

[pcarrell]

OK, now you're making me want to do mine!  REALLY NICE!

The pin striping really sets it off!

[chief]

Very nice

[nhtrikes]

Ok. Here are some pics of the 1500 I bought last fall. Was all black, everything stock. I just had her repainted in color combo I love, very classic looking, oxblood red/ivory. Hand painted pinstripping. Replaced exhaust with V&H staggered longshots. Removed rear fender bumper/directional assembly. The rear fender shows the license plate holder w/attached directional not installed yet. Left taillight intaked. Front directionals not changed out yet to match rear. Bomber jacket brown leather seat not finished yet, obviously. Rear fender support brackets fabricated and hidden on the inside giving the fender a very clean look. Now, were the hell is Spring?!?!?!

Do you think it would better with whitewalls?

Pete . . .