New Drifter Owner with Lots of questions!

[jonnyb]

Haha Thanks Jag. Ya I know, buying a drifter a first bike was a mistake, but with only 12k miles on it, maybe I have it for a long time and can make her look pretty. Could you let me know the make of the shock pump you bought? I'll just order the same one. Thanks

[rawbz36]

Also re accessories - check the members page here on VDR (thanks Chief); there's info under the Mak page with many (not all) parts and parts number - type them into ebay from time to time and see what comes up.
M

Thanks Mak, I will definitely check out that page

Rob

[Mak]

Also re accessories - check the members page here on VDR (thanks Chief); there's info under the Mak page with many (not all) parts and parts number - type them into ebay from time to time and see what comes up.
M

[pcarrell]

Yeah, you can buy a brand new part for way cheaper then that.

http://www.ronayersmotorcycles.com/fiche_section_detail.asp?section=389867&category=Motorcycles&make=KAWASAKI&year=2004&fveh=8990

Still not cheap though.......

[rawbz36]

ebay got the passenger seat frame extension for sale right now - type into the ebay search bar 'drifter 1500 parts' and there are around 250 listings for parts...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/99-Kawasaki-Drifter-1500-Rear-Frame-Seat-Bracket-Support-/361510909510?hash=item542bbab646:g:25gAAOSwyjBW2MB9
and you need this too
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/99-Kawasaki-Drifter-1500-Seat-Brace-Bracket-/361510905348?hash=item542bbaa604:g:oAwAAOSwvgdW2NTI

just check with Kawa if the frame is still available as OEM and what the price is - the listing prices are rather high..
Mak

Man that is way expensive. I would rather pay my pal half that price to make me one. Thanks for the info though!

[Mak]

ebay got the passenger seat frame extension for sale right now - type into the ebay search bar 'drifter 1500 parts' and there are around 250 listings for parts...
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/99-Kawasaki-Drifter-1500-Rear-Frame-Seat-Bracket-Support-/361510909510?hash=item542bbab646:g:25gAAOSwyjBW2MB9
and you need this too
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/99-Kawasaki-Drifter-1500-Seat-Brace-Bracket-/361510905348?hash=item542bbaa604:g:oAwAAOSwvgdW2NTI

just check with Kawa if the frame is still available as OEM and what the price is - the listing prices are rather high..
Mak

[DC]

Great looking ride, rawbz36!     You got a screaming deal on that!   

[pcarrell]

Thanks Guys! Yeah she definitely needs to be cleaned up, but overall a good running bike. The back seat is custom, but according to an earlier post it needs to have 5 1/2 inches of clearance which it DOES NOT! Damn. I am going to have to pony up and buy one online or hopefully my pal can fab me one that is elevated.

One thing that a lot of guy's doing a custom seat do is they start with the factory "horseshoe" bracket and build on that.  It gives you proper clearance and a solid mounting point right from the get-go.  You could even fab one up if you can't find one at a decent price.

It's this part here:

If you're making a bracket, you can guesstimate the proper angle from this pic.  The chrome saddle bag bracket is level.

[mittico68]

Rode her hard and put her up wet..

Wow! must have been a real curvy road...
Oooops! I didn't want to hijack this post... sorry, Rawbz!

[rawbz36]

Thanks Guys! Yeah she definitely needs to be cleaned up, but overall a good running bike. The back seat is custom, but according to an earlier post it needs to have 5 1/2 inches of clearance which it DOES NOT! Damn. I am going to have to pony up and buy one online or hopefully my pal can fab me one that is elevated.

[Pilgrim]

And what happened then? Did you ride her?...lol...

Rode her hard and put her up wet..

[pcarrell]

That's a fine looking scoot you have there!  Worth every penny I'd say.  Don't worry about the niggly bits......those will get worked out.

Black & Chrome is a classic look for sure!  It's what I went with!

http://s83.photobucket.com/user/pcarrell/media/Drifter/IMG_3262EDITED.jpg.html

[CDNRatMan]

Pilgrim I'll pass that on...lol........

[mittico68]

said that about my last date also...

And what happened then? Did you ride her?...lol...

[Pilgrim]

looking forward to taking her out and riding

said that about my last date also...

[tj]

black and chrome...looks great, what a nice combo!

[Pilgrim]

That was a good deal...2001 just like mine, except I gave much more for mine. The passenger seat and backrest look homemade...can you post a pic of the framing whenever you remove the rear seat. Would like to see how all that is tied in.

Went with the Phat Riser II on mine...stock cables work and brings the handlebars up and back just right.

[rawbz36]

Here ya guys go. This is my baby. Needs to be cleaned up, but looking forward to taking her out and riding

[DC]

Peekchoorz!  Vee vant doo zee dee peekchoorz!   

[pcarrell]

Yeah, you won't see many Drifters.

I'll warn you though.......be prepared for it to take a bit longer then usual to get where you're going.  Gas stops usually end up in a conversation with an admirer.

[mittico68]

I like the idea of only a select few having a bike like mine!

Correct.
And you can be sure, that bike really turns heads!!!
Welcome aboard!

[rawbz36]

Fantastic deal for your Drifter!

Wow. 

Here is the pump I got for the shocks:
http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Suspension-GP3-60-0-60-Gauge/dp/B000WJEORY?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

Congratulations on buying a fantastic bike at a super good price!

Thanks Jag,
Yeah I didnt know what I was getting myself into and at first I was kind of bummed out that there are not a lot of options for this bike, however, on second thought,  I like the idea of only a select few having a bike like mine!

[JagLite]

Fantastic deal for your Drifter!

Wow. 

Here is the pump I got for the shocks:
http://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Suspension-GP3-60-0-60-Gauge/dp/B000WJEORY?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

Congratulations on buying a fantastic bike at a super good price!

[rawbz36]

Lets see Rob, you bought a 15 year old, 800 lb, 1500cc motorcycle as your first bike?   

Okay....   

As Troll mentioned, the Drifter is an orphan with some unobtanium parts.
At least unavailable from a dealer.
Ebay and motorcycle salvage yards are potential sources for used parts.

Many of the Drifter parts are common with the rest of the Vulcan line though so we just order the part for the Classic, or Nomad, or Meanstreak, etc that we need. The challenge is the Drifter specific parts so just ask here for what you need and one or more of the Drifter team will tell you which alternate part to get.

The big fenders are very rare but there is a company that makes fiberglass replicas.

You will need a shock pump for the rear air shocks as Troll mentioned, I got mine on Amazon.
Get a shop manual for the bike to help you with maintenance. (Kawasaki/Haynes/Clymer)

And welcome to the wild and wacky world of Drifters 

Haha Thanks Jag. Ya I know, buying a drifter a first bike was a mistake, but with only 12k miles on it, maybe I have it for a long time and can make her look pretty. Could you let me know the make of the shock pump you bought? I'll just order the same one. Thanks

[rawbz36]

Thank you all so much! Once I get some pictures I will post! I will take all your advice and try and fix this baby up nicely . I will measure the seat and see if there is enough space. I sure hope there is or else it looks like I will have to have another seat made! Where do I find a suspension pump to air up my shocks? Auto shop? I know the bike has been laid down as there is a little bit of road rash and I bought from an Impound yard for $1500.00 and the guy told me the original owner got a DUI after laying it down. That could explain the bent handle bars/forks, but it still rides smooth. Again thanks for the help and pictures will be posted soon.