Indianized Drifters

[shunter v8]

My bike is now fully indianised I have now got to the stage I rarely tell anyone who asks about it that in fact it's a kawasaki,it was more trouble than its worth even a harley guy said to me I love those Indians, a very nice guy he was but I did have to tell him.

[tj]

now that's funny!

[Tfrank59]

Or here's one – one of the guys where I work calls my bike an "east Indian". So go ahead and put that on your tank and see how many chuckles you'll get

[CDNRatMan]

 oh I like that idea........

[JagLite]

I had some decisions to make since I was repainting my Drifter.
What decals, name, badging, color(s) and so on.
I decided to go with the Indian war bonnet black decal with the Drifter name.

My bike came with the front fender Indian head light (not working) so it had holes in the fender.
I painted the corroded metal satin black and installed a new LED light inside it yesterday.
I want people to know it is a Drifter, a tribute to the classic style of the 40's Indian Chief.

I did consider getting a war bonnet decal for the tank that said "Indiana Jones" and keep a coiled up leather whip lashed on the saddle bags.
Just because it would be fun   

[Tfrank59]

And yes I have Indian stickers on my side covers, but the emblems were already removed from my tank when I purchased the bike – I have not replaced them – and on my windshield I have an "Indian tribute" sticker.  I guess some would say that I'm bit disingenuous--oh well sorry about that

[greenbarn]

I agree with Tfrank (and others), it's nice to hear people say "I like your bike", but don't really care if someone particularly likes or dislikes my bikes.  The only reason I ever bought a Drifter was because I couldn't afford a vintage Indian, honestly...  If I could, I would have a barn full of vintage Indians, and perhaps a New vintage Chief as well....    But after owing the Drifters, I would not want to give them up either!!   They are superior in many ways to the vintage bikes of course, and even (IMO) the new Polaris "tribute bikes".

My first "customization" of my 800 had a lot of Indian stuff on it. After all, I had really wanted an Indian to begin with.  The longer I had it, and more I liked it for the bike it is, the less I wanted "Indian" stuff on it. I think the popularity of the Polaris bikes made a difference tome too.  Now, I'm redoing the 800, and I don't think there will be a single (direct) reference to Indian on her.  Lots of "style" references (OF COURSE), and some Indian Head coins.

But I think for everyone that has a Drifter with "Indian" on the tank, more power to you...  If that's what you like, it's your bike, and you're the one whw has to like it. 

[Tfrank59]

You know, I'm going to put in my 1.5 cents here. I don't really care who likes or doesn't like my bikes.  Harley guys don't like my Honda, and I imagine "real Indian guys" don't like my drifter. Oh well I guess they don't have to ride with me (but I wouldn't hesitate to ride with anybody on any kind of a bike).  I like both my bikes and if I had to say so, I would insist that the Kawasaki drifter that I ride is a way better bike than its proto type. I think the 1940s Indians were cool, but they weren't even a fraction as powerful, well built or reliable as my 2006 Kawi drifter.  "And that's all I have to say about that."

[tj]

seen this badging for the tank and had to have it.

couldn't do without the indian fender light...way cool.

[gcates]

The reason I bought a Drifter.....I had never ridden before but some of my friends and family were starting to get bikes so I began to get the bug.  I was on a very limited budget, so I knew a Harley was out and I figured I'd be getting something metric. I wasn't a "motorcycle guy" so I had heard of Indians, but they weren't something I was very familiar with.  I took my son to see the first G.I. JOE movie, The Rise of Cobra, and in a scene one of the characters rides up on an Indian and I fell in love.  G.I. JOE is something I love a treasure from my childhood, it's why we were at that movie.  And for me, to see Duke on that bike was awesome!  It was what I had to have....Unfortunately, I wasn't on a $27,000 budget.  So online I found the Drifter.  I saw that lots of people repainted, replaced badges, changed pipes etc.  Then I saw the price.  I knew there was hope, so I began the search.  When I found THE BIKE, it was in Mass. and once I convinced my wife to allow me to spend a few more thousand dollars than we had planned to spend, I mailed a check.  Never saw it in person, never rode it.  It looks almost identical to the bike in the picture, it's my tribute to a style (I love all things retro) and a brand that I have grown to love, but can't afford.  My wife is a teacher.....I'm a teacher....we have two kids.  I love my bike and I'm making it my own more everyday.  The license plate, YO JOE!  The Gas tank, Indian.  Sorry if that hurts some folks feelings.  If someone says something about my "Indian", and it's more than just in passing, I correct them.  It's a Drifter.  I love Kawasaki for giving me my dream bike.

[Tfrank59]

Hi, you know this is kind of a strange thread, no offense. Anyways Drifters are Indianized already, which is why Kawasaki had to pay some royalties isn't it? But my bike came with no stickers on it and I went ahead and bought a couple of Indian stickers for it, and one that says Indian tribute and one that says drifter 800, but I haven't gone over the top with anything Indian, Kawasaki or drifter. I think it's quite appropriate that my bike is a tribute to the 1940s Indians (and if I could afford that side shifter I'd probably put it on there). Harley guys aren't even part of this discussion in my opinion, but if I talk to an Indian guy somewhere he'll either snub me for having this Japanese knock-off or he'll see it for what it is, a tribute to the original Indian motorcycle, which he is probably not riding, since they're very rare and he's actually on an updated Indian, which IMO is a tribute to the same original bike, ha ha. That's just my 1.5 cents

[dreep]

Slightly off topic but it interesting. After the reunification of the Crimea with Russia being sold this Indianize Soviet Dnepr. Customayzer named bike Comanche:

[CDNRatMan]

   There is a lad here with a black 1500 Drifter, and he has "Indian" script on the tank, and to the unknowing and uninformed they would think it was an Indian and there is nothing on it to say Kawasaki, which not my thing, but not going to say much else on the bike other then don't claim to be something your not.

[greenbarn]

Norym, we'd love to see pics of your "indian" on there...

[norym]

I have put an Indian head on my rear fender.   It is the unit I was in during Korea.   It is a shield shaped black patch with a white star in the middle and an Indian head with feathers on the white star.   It is the 2nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army.   Many people ask me if I put the Indian on my "Indian."   I never tell them it is an Indian but if they want to think it is that is okay with me.  I do not want the word Indian on the bike but I also think it is an individual choice to be made by the owner.  Thank you.

[kokopelli]

I found my 2001, 1500 a couple of weeks ago by a stroke of luck.... My girl and I were out getting some fresh air, when my girl looked and said there is a yard sale can we stop and look. I was not really feeling like treasure hunting but very happy that we did. After looking around the guy said he had more stuff in the garage. We went in and it caught my eye, at first i thought it was an Indian. I joked with him and asked is it for sale. All he said was that it hadn't ran in a few years but if I wanted it he would take $800 for it. That afternoon we rented a trailer and took it home, All I needed to do was replace the switch.the rest is history...... I love the style and the feel... we ride as often as we can. I am getting ready for a Jet Black paint job..... It's fun to ride and thats all that counts.  

Being stupid should hurt......
We are only immortal for a short time.....

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was he on Meth!?

[Reef_Raider]

Thanks pcarrell ...Just lucky ....... We have friends that own indians and Harleys and they just love the style and looks......

[pcarrell]

$800?  You STOLE that!

[Reef_Raider]

I found my 2001, 1500 a couple of weeks ago by a stroke of luck.... My girl and I were out getting some fresh air, when my girl looked and said there is a yard sale can we stop and look. I was not really feeling like treasure hunting but very happy that we did. After looking around the guy said he had more stuff in the garage. We went in and it caught my eye, at first i thought it was an Indian. I joked with him and asked is it for sale. All he said was that it hadn't ran in a few years but if I wanted it he would take $800 for it. That afternoon we rented a trailer and took it home, All I needed to do was replace the switch.the rest is history...... I love the style and the feel... we ride as often as we can. I am getting ready for a Jet Black paint job..... It's fun to ride and thats all that counts.  

Being stupid should hurt......
We are only immortal for a short time.....

[Varooom]

Regarding rebuilding of a vintage Indian, the first thing to do it read this:

http://www.amazon.com/Rebuilding-Indian-Memoir-Fred-Haefele/dp/157322099X

One of the most painful experiences I've read about.  If you think you still want to after reading it, you are a better and wealthier man than me.  WAY too much chance involved and you wind up with an air cooled bike that may need the work every few years.

IMHO,
Varooom

[tmassey]

heres my 2 cents....leave the igloo box off ...it looks better  just plain jane...bags are enough.

nothing personal

terry

[bullride28]

what do you call a naked Indian ??  running bear?  Moooo  No its a DRIFTER.....

[scottjacob]

Thanks, for the compliment.. most of the time the box is on and the bags are off, looks better that way, so says my wife 

[1SG CAV]

Scott I love the look of your red drifter. I too have not done anything to Idianize my ride. Not I even want too. I just love telling people it's not a Harley and I wouldn't own one even if it was given to me. Stay true to your word, your ride looks great.

[scottjacob]

I don't get much time to sit down at the computer and even less checking out this great site. But reading about "Indianized Drifters", I thought I would add my little bit.... I was born in Springfield, Ma. the year after the Indian Motocycle Co. closed their doors. Growing up there were many dealers still dedicated to buying, selling and repairing Indians. And there were the rebadged Indian Enfields. After learning to ride a Honda 50, I discovered Triumphs. Bought and sold several used models before buying a new '78 Bonne. After riding that bike for 25 years, I wanted something new. 25 years IS long enough in between bikes. So, I went looking.... and found a 2003 800 and almost fell over. Wow, this is a cool bike. After buying it and adding that tan dual seat and rear floorboards, I sorta promised myself that I would not add any geniune Indian accessories... Because, it is not an Indian but rather a very nice tribute. Other than the repro front fender tip, I have been true to my promise. There are many Indian-like things... but even the fender light is not genuine. Long story, not so short... It is a beautiful bike just begging to be "Indianized" so I say go for it. It is your bike, do what you want to it. BTW, iIstill have the Bonne.