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Posted by jmbo
- October 24, 2017, 12:52:02 PMHappy Riding!
Posted by Pete
- October 22, 2017, 02:58:10 AMQuote from: jmbo on September 15, 2017, 09:22:14 AMYou've done a really good job on those badges, I think they are fab.Each to their own on the Indianizing thing. Personally I have never been a fan especially since the new Indians came out. Let's face it Drifters are rare bikes. The manufacturing numbers prove it. While I am not a fanatic on restoring my '99er, keep it a Drifter versus a mock-Indian makes sense to me. I agree tank logos are necessary. That's why I made my own....
Posted by RockinRollin
- October 20, 2017, 08:42:16 AMIt never was my intention in the beginning to make an Indianized Drifter it just happened. When I bought my bike it had no tank badges and was painted with a Pink Floyd theme. Then after painting I noticed the Zamboni tank badges and fell in love with them because of the metallic 3D finish. After that I tried finding hard bags that I could paint 2 tone but couldn't find anything I liked. I still have a pair of 1960 Buco bags in my attic that I couldn't figure how to paint so I went with 2015 Indian leather bags that matched the solo seat Corbin sold. Hey, maybe on some subconscious level I always wanted to do this anyway, if some of jmbo's designs were made into the metallic 3D stuff I would be tempted to switch them out.
Posted by RockinRollin
- October 20, 2017, 08:26:52 AMAt jmbo, you made some nice tank badges too bad we couldn't get the Zamboni Brothers to make them up with a metallic finish, my favorite one is the bottom one that resembles the old tank badges they used on the Royal Enfield Indians. I noticed the one you put on your bike is not part of the badges you posted , can you provide a close up of your tank? I would like to see it if possible.
Posted by Trall
- September 16, 2017, 15:49:50 PMQuote from: jmbo on September 15, 2017, 09:22:14 AMAnother Beautiful Drifter on the road. Always -Love the two tone paint and decals. As fas as Drifters go, do what makes you feel good and like. These bikes where inspired and designed by Cobra engineers and Kawasaki in the 90's on what a modern era Indian would look like and tribute to Indian origins was born. So their bones are Kawasaki's take on Indian origins and design. My first beautiful 800 Drifter (Since Sold) it already had the iconic Indian head front fender light to those awesome Indian inspired fenders. I added a actual Indian derby cover to the air cleaner that I had a trophy business inscribed Tribute and Drifter above and below the Indian name. It looked fantastic. On my current Drifter 1500's x 2, both have the awesome Indian fender light but nothing with the name Indian. Personally adding Tribute covers both sides of the issue for me. Thats why I did that on my 800.Each to their own on the Indianizing thing. Personally I have never been a fan especially since the new Indians came out. Let's face it Drifters are rare bikes. The manufacturing numbers prove it. While I am not a fanatic on restoring my '99er, keep it a Drifter versus a mock-Indian makes sense to me. I agree tank logos are necessary. That's why I made my own....
These Drifter's are classic and have their own iconic history that are absolutely beautiful every time you see one on the road, it brings a smile to almost everyone that enjoys motorcycles.
Posted by kw-retrorider
- September 16, 2017, 05:38:14 AMjmbo: Very nice logos....like the gold Drifter and the Drifters by Kawasaki. Are these available commercially? I can see you did some of them to compliment your paint scheme....would have to be careful putting some of these on the stock paint job.
Posted by greenbarn
- September 15, 2017, 21:23:21 PMLet me start by saying I don't have any issues with anyone doing whatever they want with their bike - I think it's great that these bikes are such a personalized piece of equipment.
When I got my first Drifter, I was really enamored with the Indians, so I did Indianize the bike to some extent. At that time, there was no Indians being produced, only the nostalgic reminiscence of the Indian. Once Polaris came out again with the new Indian, then (for me) the thought of Indianizing my bike lost it's luster. Not that I don't like the new Indians - they are fine - it's jut that (for me) it was more romantic to dress up my Indian Tribute bike like an Indian. Now that there is current Indian in production, I don't have any interest in confusing my bike with the current Indian. I consider the Drifter to be a tribute to the original Indians -- but me personally, I would not want anyone thinking I was building my Drifter to be a modern-Indian tribute. That's just me, though - I have no trouble with anyone making theirs up to be an Indian if they want- they're making the payments, LOL, and they have to ride on it!! 
(now, I do think it's shitty to go around TELLING people it's an Indian when it really is not) 
Posted by Tfrank59
- September 15, 2017, 13:13:21 PMGreat looking logos. Did I see those on eBay for sale? Mock Indian? come on let's be a little bit more diplomatic and call it an Indian tribute . By the way in my view that designation could apply to any Drifter
Posted by jmbo
- September 15, 2017, 09:22:14 AMEach to their own on the Indianizing thing. Personally I have never been a fan especially since the new Indians came out. Let's face it Drifters are rare bikes. The manufacturing numbers prove it. While I am not a fanatic on restoring my '99er, keep it a Drifter versus a mock-Indian makes sense to me. I agree tank logos are necessary. That's why I made my own....
Posted by mittico68
- September 15, 2017, 08:29:16 AMQuote from: kw-retrorider on September 15, 2017, 04:02:58 AMMittico - There's the two into one part of the exhaust that goes with your muffler if you had bought the whole thing from Japan......
I see.
But if I'm not mistakin', those header pipes are quite different from the japanese version, and I like them much more!!!
And just to answer the question of TFrank: in the very beginning, I wasn't willing to make any change as I liked the way the bike was; but time after time, I started to make some mods and so I have turned it to a much more "indinized" bike...
But I think I won't apply any "indian" script. I just prefer to let people think she is a Indian and ask me explanations, so I can tell them: "no, that's not a Indian. That's a Kawasaki Drifter"!
As someone else has already told, to each one his own...
Posted by kw-retrorider
- September 15, 2017, 04:02:58 AMIt's all a personal choice. People do the same thing with the Kawasaki W650....they put Triumph badges all over it. Again, personal choice....recreating a better version of the original (Indian or Triumph) including badges is a good customizing strategy and can enhance the "tribute," so certainly has its place and aesthetic.
For me, since I have one of both.....I am in the camp that both modern machines are miles ahead of what they are replicating, so for me, the improved design and engineering accomplishment goes to Kawasaki (and in the W650's case, to Meguro before Kawasaki acquired that company).
My bikes wear their original manufacturer's badges proudly....and that also a satisfying strategy.
After all, badges or no badges....what I usually get asked is: "What year is that?"
When I give them the answer of something in the 2000's, I then ask then...."Now what did you think it was?"....which always leads to an extended and positive conversation with another enthusiast. All good, both the bikes and the choices....either way in my book.
Ride on....
p.s. Yes, that is Mr. Fitzsimmons and his Indian Drifter. Can't argue the bike doesn't look good....just sayin....
Mittico - There's the two into one part of the exhaust that goes with your muffler if you had bought the whole thing from Japan......
Posted by CDNRatMan
- September 15, 2017, 00:50:24 AMThat is Fitz in NJ and hands on your wallets when talking to him......lol.....
I also don't know if Kawasaki had to pay out but I know that at one time they were told to cease making the Drifter or suffer the issues of a lawsuit.
Bucko like someone told me that there is no really Indians left really on the road, but there is Polaris Indians on the road now a Tribute to the Drifter......
Posted by Bucko
- September 15, 2017, 00:44:29 AMI'm more curious about what real Indian owners think about dressing their bikes up as Drifters.
Posted by Bucko
- September 15, 2017, 00:43:38 AMQuote from: Tfrank59 on September 14, 2017, 20:33:40 PMI'd like to see a source for that.......by Kawasaki who it's my understanding had to pay damages for copying the fenders and other patented Indian brand features. ....
Posted by Old Drifter
- September 14, 2017, 21:57:36 PMI think CDNRatMan knows who that is...Fritz.😉