Indianized Drifters

[chief]

Fender lights were on most of the big bikes in the Indian era. I've seen a number of harleys with old indian fender lights... 60's and 70's vintage. And, when I find the right one I'll put one on my drifter.

We do sell the Indian fender lights - they are big and they look good when appropriately placed on the fender.

I might say, I use HD stuff on my drifter too... if it looks good I don't care what brand it belongs to... LOL

Cheers.

[pcarrell]

If it makes you happy, ride with pride my friend!

[khanawalt]

I bought a '99 a couple of weeks back, all black, already debadged.  I love the retro Indian look.  I wasn't planning on a fender ornament for the very reasons you stayed, but with those Roadhouse duals I thought it needed a touch more chrome up front, found one on ebay for $30 and bolted it on Friday.  I love it.  I get even more positive comments than before.  No, I don't let people think it's an Indian, but it looks like one, and is better in every way.  FWIW, I ride a fake Ducati too, but will not be putting any ornaments on my Superhawk

[pcarrell]

Drifter Queen,

Don't sweat it........I'll be mounting my fender light this winter.

Philip......another poser

[Kim Hoover]

I have the indian head fender ornament on my bike for a couple of reasons....1) it's my bike and I paid for her...2) I like how she looks with the fender ornament.....3) to each his own in preference on anything in life. There isn't any reason to call people names or try to insult them on something they like just because another individual doesn't. I love the look and the ride of my bike, fender ornament and all. Call me a poser if that makes you feel better about yourself.
Kim...the poser and proud of it

[IndianJ]

First off hello and my nick is Indian J short for Jeronimo and yes I am 75% Native American. Am I a poor copy of the Indian of old ? Naw better in some and lacking in other's. Same as my drift , I put the Indian stuff on it cuz it is allready a copy a forgery or just a dang good bike in it's on right. It's your bike do with it as you will ! I am a ex 1% and I own Harleys and a couple of drifts ride them both the same. I gave up the name game when I turned 40 and do as I please with out thoughts of imagery,enless it's an image of what I want I should say.

But then agian I could spray paint the word HORSE on a cow and ride it around town and nobody would ask why I was riding anything but a horse in the street. (I think its the way I look mayby LOL )

[Varooom]

I agree completely.  Another example of this sentiment comes from jazz.  I do a volunteer jazz program and all the time I hear jazz aficionados grousing about what is and isn't jazz.  They especially like to throw digs at Smooth Jazz.  I was reading a letter to the editor in Jazz Times magazine and the author said, "Smooth Jazz makes is played by jazz musicians and makes a lot of people very happy.  There isn't enough happiness in the world so why don't we all just be happy that it does and give it a rest."
If your lifestyle makes you happy, that's all there is; go for it and let others do the same!  (Negatively effecting others, like loud pipes do in urban areas, is another discussion entirely!)
Varooom on www.wscafm.org Friday mornings 6-9 EST - tune in.

[YorZephyr]

And in the end, if you can say "Yes" to the question, "Are you happy with your bike?", then I think you have a winner!

Very nice words.  I've always loved the Drifter classic styling and I am a real fan of Indians of old.  I can not wait to put that cool Indian fender light on my kawasaki.  In part, because it looks cool (in my eyes) but also because it's something that I will do to make the bike my own.  I will continue by adding leather strap to the grips, customize the seat with dark brown leather, and add a dream catcher to my sissy bar (already installed - looks great).  This will continue for as long as I can continue to dream things up to add, change, and alter on the bike - weather it's an Indian decal, a flaming skull, or a feather.  Why?  Because every time I look at my bike, every time I show off something new I've done, it will make me happy.  I can not think of any other reason to have a bike.  Certainly, I couldn't use the excuse that it's practical!

[Varooom]

My 1999 once got the ultimate compliment.  I was cruising soon up in Maine, soon after purchasing it new, and a guy in a truck asked me if it was a new Indian.  I explained what it was and he invited me over to his house where he showed off his 1948 Chief!  He was so impressed, as I've been, with the Kawasaki.  That was back in 2000; I've got 70,000 miles on it now.

[bigbike4]

I like 99% of all the Drifter owners out there always loved the original Chiefs from the 40's and early 50's.  But when the people with more money than brains pushed the price of basket case "True Indians" well out of the reach of us mere mortals, than it was time to look elsewhere.

I remember reading an article in one of the cycle rags back in 97 that it was "rumored" that Kawasaki was coming out with a tribute bike to the original Indian.  The next time I went to my then Kawasaki dealer and asked if they knew anything about it.  They did, but had no ship date yet, as it was still 18 months before the bike actually made it to market.

I ride my 99 1500 like the true treasure, at least for me, that it is.  I have the best of both worlds-yesterdays classic styling that most other cruisers have taken at least some styling clues from, or would like to be, and todays technology.  I mean think about-we have the classic good looks- those full skirted fenders, the big, heavy tires and wheels, the classicly styled gas tank and if you are like me, have none of the chrome (the early ones are powder coated black in most areas that are normally chrome) to clean, have a proven extremely reliable power plant that has parts available from now thru doomsday, modern tires, brakes and is water cooled, as well as fuel injected-at least the 1500's are.  Again all proven, reliable technology.  And lets not forget that we have electronic ignitions which for at least a few of us, we would not trade and ever go back to points/condensors and that constant source of aggrivation.  Most people talk about the good old days as if it were truly wonderful.  I remember all too well the problems and stranding points, condensors and old ignition systems brought with them.

Thanks but no thanks I will take yesterdays look and todays technology

[Drifterdamien]

i brought my bike without even riding it  i saw it advertised in the paper and the bike yard had 30 people lined upped for it  i knew him personally soo i said to him if one of his sales man  can ride it to my work and i like what i se i will buy it
i was staring out the window and i seen it come down the street with this perfect note he pulled in to my work  i ssingned the papers and picked her up that arvo with out even riding it or knowing what it was

i have takebn my tank babdges off but that is only because i know they will be hard to replace they are in my display case
i get comments were ever i go i will be keeping her for the rest of my life
i know that when i ride it is in the only one i shall see in my home state of western austarlia  i am customising her but she will never be an indian

[pcarrell]

My bad......guess I should have read your post better.  I saw chrome and I was like a deer in the headlight!

[drifter800]

Cool!  Is that off of a Scout?

I think the Royal Enfield Indians where just refered to as 'indian enfields'   These where british built unrelated to the current Enfields produced in India today.
The pic below is a Indian Enfield built in the UK. 700 CC i think.

[pcarrell]

Cool!  Is that off of a Scout?

[drifter800]

Here's a tank badge off a Royal Enfield Indian. I thin it's late fiftys or early sixtys. Nice thou

[tgoelz]

Well, on "Luke the Drifter" there are no Kawasaki emblems and no Indian emblems ... OH, on the tank I have an Indianhead decal with DRIFTER in it ... on my saddlebags I have the same emblame carved into the bags lids ... Luke is not an Indian but a "tribute to Indian by Kawasaki" ... Truthfully the Vulcan/Drifter emblames it came with are/were ugly and that's why I removed them!  On the fender I have an "eagle's head" no Indian head. 

[Palidin]

Wow, you really have a gift - sweet bike

[chief]

D800 - man yu da man... those are both fine looking.

[pcarrell]

I'd say it's a fine bike.....I'd ride it with my head held high.

[Bob]

I agree, but to each his own.  To me it's as silly and putting Cadillac emblems on your Escort.  But again, to each their own!

[pcarrell]

Thats beautiful, and so is the area under the seat.  Well done!

[drifter800]

was fun building it

[pcarrell]

I love the way the rear fender area cme out.  Nice work....very professional.

[drifter800]

here i tried to Drifterize a 535 virago for a lady driver who loves deco style

[drifter800]

quick pic of my Enfield