Finally picked up my Drifter/Road trip from hell

[moosewing3]

We do it has three different towns to cover. Took some pics of the fender damage today.

[CDNRatMan]

   Tamworth has sweepers?  I know Cloyne has one.....if the mules are feeling good enough to pull it.....

[moosewing3]

Sweepers won't even go out for at least another 3 weeks here.

[gdrudd13]

Yeah that's not just a problem for you guys. Where I live: something like 4,000+ tons of sand, whopping 6 street sweepers. So far the rainstorms have done a better job cleaning the roads than the sweepers.

[moosewing3]

Mostly I did not ride home because the temperature ranged between -3 and -12 over the route of the ride, also the alternating snow and rain. Biggest problem in the northern US and Canada at this time of year is that even if you get a day where it is warm enough to ride the roads are still covered with lots of sand and salt left over from ice melting operations, making them very treacherous, especially corners and intersections.

[John Hopkins]

I have to ask because I have no idea about riding across borders..so..

Why didn't you just ride the bike home?

John.

[greenbarn]

The Zambinis are much nicer than the one I found at JP Cycle.  More expensive, but lots nicer.  I checked at lunch and the one I found fits the front, I wasn't able to find one that fits the rear.  Tried several, but nothing was close.  I'm not at my bike now, but it seems to me that the rear fender is around  9" wide at the back.  I could be remembering it wrong, though.

I've not seen the zambinis up close, but they really look high quality on their website.

[moosewing3]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Those Zambini ones will be exacty what I want, I found some on eBay and the guy wanted $260. So glad you pointed me to the site, way cheaper. Does anyone happen to know the width of the fenders? Mine is not here to measure. Alsp would love to see the pics Larry. I found one other set I would like to try but not sure on the fit.

[CDNRatMan]

    moosewing3 and GB, you both had rough goes of getting your bikes, I had to drive from here to Barrie, looked at 2 of them, enough said about that, load the bike, drive to Huntsville, stopped at 3 Men and a Stove Restaurant for supper;
http://3guysandastove.com/
then drive home on a full stomach....a real rough trip for me......lol....

[pcarrell]

Yes I have been shopping for fender tips, will probably go with that for this year. I was going to ask if anyone has had experience with badassglass in Iowa as that was the first solution I found .

While I haven't dealt with them personally, I know several people who have, including the guy that supplied his Drifter fenders to make the molds they use, and all have been happy with Oldies.

[Troll]

http://www.zambinibrosmfa.com/

[Troll]

Zambini Bros

[greenbarn]

I re-read your post again tonight.  Man, that was a rough way to go. I had a pretty rough time when I got my bike- snow, rain, steep driveway, low overhead door, etc - Or SO I THOUGHT- it was like a walk in the park compared to your trip.....  But you still got a REALLY COOL BIKE!!

I shopped for fender tips, somewhat extensively - had a hard time finding them.  I got mine from JP cycles.  I think I tried 4 different models, and if I remember, I ended up with one that I thought would fit (not mounted on yet).   If I can get to it, I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow.

[moosewing3]

Yes I have been shopping for fender tips, will probably go with that for this year. I was going to ask if anyone has had experience with badassglass in Iowa as that was the first solution I found .

[LarryInSeattle]

Sorry it went the way it did.

If the fender is cracked..... perhaps you can buy a fender tip and put it on the fender tip and it will keep it from going any further.

That is how I repaired mine.    Can't tell it was cracked now.

Larry

[bikerbob5864]

Yea, like Troll said.....Fenders are available at a place in Hull, Iowa called Oldies. They're listed on the net under badassglass I think. They advertise that their fenders are much stronger than OEM units and are made from the OEM molds.
Good luck with your new bike

[pcarrell]

Glad about your purchase, but sorry how it all worked out!  hopefully Troll's help will work out!

[Troll]

If there is a bright side to this...besides you now being a Drifter owner, you can replace the rear fender relatively cheaply with a genuine, made in Iowa fiberglass one.   http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-1500-DRIFTER-INDIAN-REAR-FENDER-FIBERGLASS-/251341378951?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a851d1587&vxp=mtr

[greenbarn]

Nice bike.  You handled all that difficulty quite well, I think.  It doesn't look like there's too much damage, so that's good.   In a very worst-case scenario, this is your chance to change colors, if you have to repaint part of it.... 

Great looking bike, though.  You'll love it.

[Washbrook]

Sometimes nothing goes right, except you now have the Drifter.

[DC]

Great pics!  You finally have your bike.  Put the thoughts of the road trip in the past and move forward.  Congrats and good luck with your new ride!

[Ironraven]

Ouch!  Well glad you got her home safely anyway.  My 99 1500 sometimes has an ignition 'hesitation' I like to call it... when I turn the key on he occasionally decides not to turn on the fuel pump relay.  A jiggle of the key and then flicking it off and on again usually does the trick.  You're gonna love this bike, congrats on the pickup.  I love the smoked lenses and blacked out pipes, lookin' good man!

[49Reo]

When you turn the key on, you should hear the fuel pump cycle; take about 2-3 seconds. Then, when you hit the 'start' button, the engine will turn over I believe it is a minimum of 3 times before firing. The 'several' revolutions before firing is to prevent a backfire which could not only cause mechanical damage, it also may cause the person sitting on said bike to commit a social error in his best riding gear....

[moosewing3]

Nine ft. sounds bang on, that was an 8 foot trailer. I was thinking for now on the fender I may just put a set of fender tips on, if I can find some that fit. I actually just logged in to post asking for advice on what's out there for Drifter fender tips and/or mud guards and where to find them. I have been looking for the last hour and no luck so far. Also is it normal to have to hold the starter button for a few secs. on a 99 Drifter before it kicks in, guy said it always did it and was because of the FI.

[chief]

Sorry to hear about your trip and damage to the bike. The Drifter is a very LONG bike - fender tip to fender tip. Mine comes out at about 9 feet I believe.