My 2018 Drifter REVISED

Zoar · April 12, 2018, 11:50:24 AM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on April 11, 2018, 17:03:50 PM
Not sure but I recall reading someplace that as long as the packing and the assembly is done this side of the ocean it is American made, and so that caused me to wonder who decides where it is made.....

According to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) ---- your product is "Made in the USA" means "all or virtually all" of the products' parts must be made here.

"Packaging" is hardly what the FTC demands.

HD is lying and it appears their workers are happy to just look the other way for the paycheck.

CDNRatMan · April 11, 2018, 17:03:50 PM

Quote
Actually there's a certain percentage I think it's 75 that the manufacturer has to actually make the product in country in order to say American made

Not sure but I recall reading someplace that as long as the packing and the assembly is done this side of the ocean it is American made, and so that caused me to wonder who decides where it is made.....

Zoar · April 11, 2018, 15:11:48 PM

Quote from: Tfrank59 on April 11, 2018, 15:07:07 PM
Actually there's a certain percentage I think it's 75 that the manufacturer has to actually make the product in country in order to say American made

Indeed, yet HD has apparently convinced themselves that as long as the packaging is made here it is actually okay for them to say american made. At least that is what I read they tell their people at the plants, who apparently suck it up and feel justified that their bullcrap is a-okay and as long as they can cash their paycheck they swallow any senses of decency.

Tfrank59 · April 11, 2018, 15:07:07 PM

Actually there's a certain percentage I think it's 75 that the manufacturer has to actually make the product in country in order to say American made

Zoar · April 11, 2018, 10:11:11 AM

Quote from: Inkslinger43 on April 08, 2018, 11:38:33 AM
Sorry. Btw you can get a light visor that'll fit over speedometer. That's what I've done.
Since my mods etc to the drifter/Indian I've not ridden my HD.
Also you can get HD parts or any bike cheap at Banggood.com
HD parts actually come in an orange n black box just like HD except doesn't have the name in the shield. Has shield and EVERYTHING just not HD through middle of shield. Cousin works at York HD plant and has said for YEARS that parts are made overseas. They can put American made cause the packaging is.

If they can put American made simply because the packaging is, even though the parts ARE made overseas, then they are LIARS and cannot be trusted.

Inkslinger43 · April 08, 2018, 11:38:33 AM

Sorry. Btw you can get a light visor that'll fit over speedometer. That's what I've done.
Since my mods etc to the drifter/Indian I've not ridden my HD.
Also you can get HD parts or any bike cheap at Banggood.com
HD parts actually come in an orange n black box just like HD except doesn't have the name in the shield. Has shield and EVERYTHING just not HD through middle of shield. Cousin works at York HD plant and has said for YEARS that parts are made overseas. They can put American made cause the packaging is.

Inkslinger43 · April 08, 2018, 11:34:47 AM

You can get a quick detach sissy bar with or without a luggage rack that mounts directly to the grab bar.
Wife has never had a problem with sliding forward on seat. I modified mine and put a small air ride shock on bottom of seat.

CDNRatMan · April 04, 2018, 10:36:39 AM

Well like Marco said in another post that Ledrie (what Mopar was to Dodge) was to Drifter for parts, they made a sissy bar, front engine guard, front fender guard and the luggage rack for the 800's for sure and they were extremely well made and very nice finished product. But they are the Unicorn to find.......I have been also lucky in I did get the front engine guard for both bikes, and the front fender guard and sissy bar but I have not seen any online for a long time.
Zoar since I bought my 80 I have bought 2 visors and just found a third one so they are not easy to find.........now as for the sliding around on the seat I am really wondering, I have 2 females that I rode with a lot in the past few summers, and both are different in weight and height, and on any long ride neither one has complained of sliding around.......I'll have to go and ask them now.....or I'll wait till the summer and take myself for a ride....

mittico68 · April 04, 2018, 10:13:42 AM

Quote from: Zoar on April 04, 2018, 07:58:15 AM
Regarding the sliding forward, the only other bike I have right now with a dual seat is a Ducati ST4. Last year my GF rode on the Ducati with me and our only complaint was she was constantly sliding forward on the seat.

That is why I just bought a (2nd hand) backrest for ma-deuce: it's from Ledrie (Ratman sure knows what I'm talkin' about...), a good maker that unfortunately is out of business... I must admit I've been very lucky!

Tfrank59 · April 04, 2018, 09:29:00 AM

If you really want her to be happy back there give her a rider backrest, and if you can the kind that have armrests. Then she'll be a queen on her throne

Zoar · April 04, 2018, 07:58:15 AM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on April 03, 2018, 17:18:57 PM
Zoar; you're most welcome and glad it was an easy install for you, now a sissy bar and back rest for the GF and if we can find them passenger floorboards will make her riding experience a lot more enjoyable. Pilgrim, none of my passangers on the 800 ever complain about sliding forward.
Speedo visors are hard to find for the 800, and I think I just found one and am in negotiation on the purchase of it......and will look really good on Raven........

I did not realize how lucky I was to get the speedo visor with the purchase of the bike!

Regarding the sliding forward, the only other bike I have right now with a dual seat is a Ducati ST4. Last year my GF rode on the Ducati with me and our only complaint was she was constantly sliding forward on the seat. Ducati are a challenge to drive without some aggressive movement. I am optimistic the Drifter will be vastly superior. We will see. Hopefully soon!

tj · April 04, 2018, 07:17:34 AM

Black and chrome...always look great together!

CDNRatMan · April 03, 2018, 21:02:30 PM

You always have something on the go and I am always interested in what you are planning. I really like all your add on so far......

OR Seedman · April 03, 2018, 17:44:21 PM

just an fyi Ratman...I am working on a design for mounting brackets to attach my tilt adjustable rear rack with backrest mount onto the drifter 2-up seats (both 800 and 1500 models) this will give you an option of having a rear rack and adding the backrest mount with pad to it....I should have the prototype sometime in the next week or so.....would be the same rear rack and backrest mount as in the attached picture....just with mounting brackets for the 2-up seats...

CDNRatMan · April 03, 2018, 17:18:57 PM

Zoar; you're most welcome and glad it was an easy install for you, now a sissy bar and back rest for the GF and if we can find them passenger floorboards will make her riding experience a lot more enjoyable. Pilgrim, none of my passangers on the 800 ever complain about sliding forward.
Speedo visors are hard to find for the 800, and I think I just found one and am in negotiation on the purchase of it......and will look really good on Raven........

Zoar · April 03, 2018, 15:49:43 PM

Quote from: kw-retrorider on April 03, 2018, 15:40:04 PM
Zoar: I like the repro turn signals on the back. Assume they match those on the light bar.

Can you put a better photo of that light bar? Would like to see it straight on. How do you like it and where is the switch located?

I dig the retro turn signals. A LOT.

The dual lamp front light switch is on the LEFT handlebar right next to the high low beam switch. So easy peazy.

kw-retrorider · April 03, 2018, 15:40:04 PM

Zoar: I like the repro turn signals on the back. Assume they match those on the light bar.

Can you put a better photo of that light bar? Would like to see it straight on. How do you like it and where is the switch located?

Zoar · April 03, 2018, 14:27:20 PM

Quote from: Pilgrim on April 03, 2018, 12:31:03 PM
Due to the angle of the 2 up seats, she will be close alright! I found a sheep skin works wonders if she starts complaining about sliding forward too much. If you can find a 2 up Corbin, they are more comfortable but you may like that seat better also. Everyone is different.
Bike looks good....

Thanks, Pilgrim. I like the bike a lot. Aside from errands and runs to the store, I intend to do some over nights with it. This week is cold with high winds and even snow. So It may be next week before the two of us check out this new seat.

Zoar · April 03, 2018, 14:19:08 PM

Quote from: Tfrank59 on April 03, 2018, 12:33:39 PM
Also, may I ask where you got that speedometer visor? Might be nice to have it when it's real sunny, not to mention it looks great.

That speedo visor was on it when I bought the bike! Also that windshield bag was on it when I bought it. Very handy I might add. And yes the visor on the speedo definitely helps reduce glare on sunny days! Wish I could be more helpful but I did not add these myself.

Tfrank59 · April 03, 2018, 12:33:39 PM

Also, may I ask where you got that speedometer visor? Might be nice to have it when it's real sunny, not to mention it looks great.

Tfrank59 · April 03, 2018, 12:31:37 PM

great looking bike! where'd you get that windshield bag--is that a Harley one you adapted?

Pilgrim · April 03, 2018, 12:31:03 PM

Due to the angle of the 2 up seats, she will be close alright! I found a sheep skin works wonders if she starts complaining about sliding forward too much. If you can find a 2 up Corbin, they are more comfortable but you may like that seat better also. Everyone is different.
Bike looks good....

Zoar · April 03, 2018, 12:13:11 PM

Quote from: mittico68 on April 03, 2018, 11:47:19 AM
Really neat & nice!

Thanks! It drives great too!

mittico68 · April 03, 2018, 11:47:19 AM

Really neat & nice!

Zoar · April 03, 2018, 11:17:02 AM

My Drifter has gone through a number of "revisions" since I bought it 3 years ago: Dual auxillary lamps on the front, Vintage lighting front and back, customizing and lowering my exhaust... This was also done so I could mount new hard bags on it. (I had put on leather bags the first year, but they looked beat to heck after a season.)

The latest revision is the replacement of the solo seat (which I loved the look of) to a more pragmatic DUAL seat. Yes this latest revision is so I can keep my girlfriend close. I bought the seat last year but I was having issues with the bike and did not get it back from the shop until the SNOW started flying!!! So... I was not able to get the dual seat installed until last Saturday!

The seat was not bad to install. It made me weep a little to remove the solo seat BUT it needed to be done. The dual seat went on perfectly. Thanks to A.L. Ratkai. Thank you Andy, the seat and mounting pieces were in great shape and it all went together like a well made puzzle. The passenger pegs were also appreciated.

Although it is colder than normal and snow has been in the forecast, I have ridden this bike TWO days of the last 3 since I put the dual sweat on. Did I tell you guys I love this bike?!?

My Drifter is now ready for the 2018 season and trips with the GF.