New 02 1500 Drifter

99tango · June 25, 2015, 14:55:35 PM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on June 25, 2015, 14:21:26 PM
I know there is a difference between 800's and 1500 handling but I had a bit of buffeting and helmet lift till I found I had to lower the wind screen a bit so that I was sitting on it and my eyes were just clearing the top of the screen and not looking through it, it might take a bit of adjustment and patience to find the correct spot for yourself.
49 is correct on the Roadhouse and that is a Cadillac tip on it that you have.

I hadn't tried lowering it to reduce turbulance - but you bet I will. Now that you've mentioned the muffler tip, Cadillac is a good name for the bike - but I bet that's already been used.

CDNRatMan · June 25, 2015, 14:21:26 PM

I know there is a difference between 800's and 1500 handling but I had a bit of buffeting and helmet lift till I found I had to lower the wind screen a bit so that I was sitting on it and my eyes were just clearing the top of the screen and not looking through it, it might take a bit of adjustment and patience to find the correct spot for yourself.
49 is correct on the Roadhouse and that is a Cadillac tip on it that you have.

99tango · June 25, 2015, 13:39:02 PM

Quote from: 49Reo on June 25, 2015, 11:05:33 AM
The only time I had a buffeting issue was when I put my chaps in the gap between the bars and windshield. Then it did a lot of buffeting.

Reo, I'm kinda new to this and don't completely understand what you mean. Bars? You mean handlebars or engine guard bar chaps? Or do you mean when you close off the gap between the windshield and the headlight?

Wind and buffeting is a peculiar thing. What seems to work to reduce buffeting sometimes doesn't and some windshields are better than others, even though of about equal size but slightly different shape. You don't need lowers on your bike but nearly everyone says they are almost a necessity. The buffeting I'm experiencing is bad and has to be solved one way or another. I'm willing to try just about anything.

99tango · June 25, 2015, 11:54:50 AM

Quote from: 49Reo on June 25, 2015, 11:05:33 AM
Welcome aboard. Nice looking bike. You were fortunate to find a bike with the much sought after seat rail and Roadhouse exhaust; both are extinct and very hard to find. As to the buffeting, I run a Chrome Specialtys windshield,no lowers, it came on my Drfter; I had to shorten it as it was too tall, but no buffeting. The only time I had a buffeting issue was when I put my chaps in the gap between the bars and windshield. Then it did a lot of buffeting.

Reo, you just answered one of my questions. I had no idea what that exhaust was. I see it is hard mounted and wanted to do a rubber mount mod since there is a little vibration, and isolating the pipes may help.

I couldn't locate Chrome Specialties to see their shields - instead looked at your bike. Beautiful paint design and setup btw. Too late anyway as I already have a replacement (different design) coming from 7Jurock.

49Reo · June 25, 2015, 11:05:33 AM

Welcome aboard. Nice looking bike. You were fortunate to find a bike with the much sought after seat rail and Roadhouse exhaust; both are extinct and very hard to find. As to the buffeting, I run a Chrome Specialtys windshield,no lowers, it came on my Drfter; I had to shorten it as it was too tall, but no buffeting. The only time I had a buffeting issue was when I put my chaps in the gap between the bars and windshield. Then it did a lot of buffeting.

Keep us posted with your mods, or the picture hounds will rag on you unmercifully, they are RELENTLESS!

Elmo Hayride · June 25, 2015, 00:38:20 AM

Welcome 99.

Troll · June 24, 2015, 09:01:39 AM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on June 24, 2015, 07:52:29 AM
Ok windscreen is the same as mine, and I have dealt with JUROCK and they are super people to deal with and really fast service.

I bought my replacement windshield from Jurock, too. Very high quality, and seemingly indestructible under normal use.....

CDNRatMan · June 24, 2015, 07:52:29 AM

Ok windscreen is the same as mine, and I have dealt with JUROCK and they are super people to deal with and really fast service.

99tango · June 24, 2015, 05:41:23 AM

Windshield and Lowers: (Chief, I'll start a new thread but need to acknowledge all the helpful advice & comments here)

The windshield is a JUROCK Standard screen. I contacted them and requested a Vintage shield drilled to fit onto standard hardware. They said that is possible and are sending drawings for approval. I viewed the Cee Bailey's website and it appears their Drifter shields are identical replacements to the JUROCK and are a bit less expensive, but I had already contacted the Jurock folks.

I will construct some larger lowers following pcarrell's excellent pattern, checked a local supplier for purchase of Lexan (thx for the info) instead of plexiglass, and name them Philsrefill.

Nearly finished with the front wheel rack contraption. If it works will post a photo.

Thanks for all your comments!

kw-retrorider · June 24, 2015, 04:14:12 AM

99tango: Very nice...roadhouse, seat rail and all. Good luck with it.

chief · June 23, 2015, 09:33:27 AM

You might want to take the discussions about lowers, etc to the 1500 section so others can find the info in future.

pcarrell · June 23, 2015, 08:43:44 AM

Quote from: 99tango on June 22, 2015, 21:19:39 PM
Bike has lowers but they're too small, so if I can find some thicker acrylic, I'll build a larger set.

Only use Lexan. Plexiglass is not strong enough for the job and can shatter when hit with objects (like stones and such) at speed. Lexan won't shatter.

jmbo · June 23, 2015, 05:37:04 AM

Quote from: pcarrell on June 19, 2015, 11:22:42 AM
Welcome to the forum 99!

On your buffeting issue, let me save you a lot of trouble. Changing windshields will probably not solve your problem. I know, because I had the same issue, and I tried all sorts of things to get rid of it. The problem is not the air coming around the shield. The problem is air coming up along side of the tank. To cure it, lowers are the ticket. Give this a read and see if it doesn't help: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=22935.0

i have a similar set of lower on my bike. Makes a huge difference. Without them I get a ton of helmet lift. Other than that I have very little problem with wind buffeting. Also I noticed your windshield seems to be rounded at both the top and bottom ( maybe it's just the phot angle) that might contribute to the problem

99tango · June 22, 2015, 21:19:39 PM

On order are 4.5" risers with 1.5" pullback. Bike has lowers but they're too small, so if I can find some thicker acrylic, I'll build a larger set. Also ordering a backrest that can be adapted to the seat rail, and better saddlebags. Previous owner added night LEDs to illuminate the engine, pipes, etc. which look good, but some are in the way for lifting the bike, and I don't like all the excess wiring - it's all over the place - removing and giving to another forum member.

Nearly finished building a front wheel rack so it will be easier to service standing straight up. Construction is a bit of a challenge due to the large front fender, but I believe I have it figured out.

One whitewall and one blackwall is starting to bug me - didn't think I'd mind but I do. Can't wait till that front tire wears down - Anyway to speed that up? My other bike, the 500, is a mishmash of homebuilt mods which only purpose is mucho saddle time comfort, and looks were not important. I don't want the Drifter to end up looking that way.

One difference between the two bikes, while underway, is how each bike handles curves at speed. The little 500 wants to track straight and requires a lot of push to negotiate curves, while the Drifter wants to fall into them with just a light touch. I can already take some familiar curves about 5mph faster than ever attempted on the 500, and the Drifter feels like it is leaning even less. Now the slow speed stuff is a different story - have to work on that a bit...

Can't wait to hit the road in a big way and find out how we're gonna get along.

zig · June 22, 2015, 14:48:48 PM

Welcome 99, uh, Redfish! Again, beautiful bike

pcarrell · June 22, 2015, 09:00:14 AM

redfish, I thought this might be you!

Yeah, that shield looks like the Nomad style shield I have too. It's a good shield, but if you need something slightly different height or tint, Cee Baileys ( http://www.ceebaileys.com/kawasaki/drifterws.html ) can help you out with that. I'd look into making some lowers first though. You wouldn't believe the difference those make!

CDNRatMan · June 21, 2015, 21:30:19 PM

Very clean looking and nice machine, your wind screen from that angle looks like mine, so I am sure once you get the height thing sorted out the buffeting will be gone.

99tango · June 21, 2015, 21:13:11 PM

Thanks guys for all the good information. I have been riding a Vulcan 500 (small cruiser) for a few years and go by "redfish" on the Kawasaki Vulcan forum. Since purchase of the 1500 Drifter, I thought I'd change monikers (nickname) and join the Drifter forum. I should have kept the same nickname on both forums, but too late now.

I live in northcentral Florida and would like to join you in the Pikeville Drifter ride-in. If I can get my new Drifter set up right for long distance travel, and get familiar and confident enough with it (and in it) to attempt the ride, I'll be there. I've taken a few long distance trips on the 500, and 4 or 5 day rides at 500+ miles/day are no problem and almost worry free. The small and relatively simple carbureted 500 is easy to work on. I know it inside & out and was always able to fix any problems - and there have been a few. I don't yet have that confidence level in the Drifter. It's a much more complicated animal I'm finding out, so faith in this beautiful machine will play a bigger role.

greenbarn · June 20, 2015, 22:17:31 PM

So where you from, 99? If you'r interested, the annual Drift In is coming up in July...

http://www.drift-in.org/

A good time will be had by all..... Come if you can - best chance to see a BUNCH of drifters, and meet a bunch of great people.

CDNRatMan · June 20, 2015, 00:03:25 AM

This is the first bike I have had with a windscreen, and once I figured out the right height the screen was supposed to be at, and of course I have an 800 so no were near as fast or as much torque as those monster 1500's so that could be the issue, but adding lowers and having the screen at the right height makes a world of difference.

99tango · June 19, 2015, 23:19:56 PM

Thank you all for your information on my 02 1500 Drifter. I see from the history chart that it has been repainted, but the new all black paint was professionally done and looks nice. As far as the buffeting issue, the bike already has lowers installed and I was actually quite surprised with the amount of helmet shake. I'm actually looking through the windshield, about 4" below the top edge, so I figured it must be the shape of the screen. It has a very pronounced round shape, and the buffeting is so bad that I can't see anything above around 55 mph. Possibly a little wider windshield, less rounded at the top would be better. I will get it sorted out.

Glad to be here, will post photos as I like to show her off, and just maybe we'll be ready for a Drifter ride-in, in a couple months.

greenbarn · June 19, 2015, 21:52:02 PM

Welcome to the fan-club, 99... Hope you get lots of info from this forum.

You didn't say, but I'm guessing your bike is a 1500, since you mentioned it's for long distance rides (we would know for sure, if you would put pics on here, AHEM.... ). They did make the 800 in all black (but had ivory stripes). That's the color my 800 came in.

Let us know how your windshield experiments turn out. If you could find one that fixes the buffeting problem, that would definitely be a hit!! I've got brackets for lowers to put on my 1500 for that same issue.

CDNRatMan · June 19, 2015, 14:24:15 PM

Welcome.

You might find this of help as to the history of your ride.

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/historyp3.html

pcarrell · June 19, 2015, 11:22:42 AM

Welcome to the forum 99!

On your buffeting issue, let me save you a lot of trouble. Changing windshields will probably not solve your problem. I know, because I had the same issue, and I tried all sorts of things to get rid of it. The problem is not the air coming around the shield. The problem is air coming up along side of the tank. To cure it, lowers are the ticket. Give this a read and see if it doesn't help: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=22935.0

mittico68 · June 19, 2015, 09:36:27 AM

Welcome aboard!
You'll see: Drifters are as good as the best wine, gettin' even better as time goes by...