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Posted by kw-retrorider
- January 14, 2018, 15:41:12 PMrob f: Following up on my previous post....the Drifter with the Saddlemen bags mounted to the fender. Not saying it's a great idea, but how I got the bike. Once disassembled, it was obvious this was a homemade fabrication, but not a bad one. I may play with it to get the bags lower and space them off the fender better....but to your question on mounting to the fender:
- as the others have said...not the usual, but can be done.
- this seems to be a fairly secure set-up. The angle bracket supports the bags vertically and the forward lower corner of the bag is drilled to pick up the other fender bolt.
More to follow on the new 800 and how the insurance company calculates how much our Drifters are worth
Posted by Tfrank59
- January 14, 2018, 11:01:05 AMI think if you stiffen it too much you'll just have a hard tail, which is what Kawi was trying to imitate with the stealth monoshock.
Posted by rob f
- January 14, 2018, 09:15:09 AMjmbo, can this cantilever motion be dampened by tightening up the shock? I see that there is an adjustment of some kind but not sure how effective it is. is there an aftermarket air shock available?
R
Posted by jmbo
- January 14, 2018, 08:18:29 AMGreat video. Back to the original issue. ender travel is the issue when it comes to anything hanging out braid the seat on a Drifter. Since the fenders are plastic, a miscalculation can do some damage. The specs on Drifter are supposed to indicate the travel limits on the rear suspension. I can personally attest for the fact that my 250lb butt sitting on a moving Drifter while it bottoms out on a unsuspectingly fought set of rail road tracks greatly exceeds the Drifter spec.
That said, the stock cantilevered two-up seat seems to clear the fender under even the most sever conditions. Copy thoe dimensions and you should be in good shape.
One final comment: Few of us get to see how our own bikes look going down the road. Truth is we look pretty funny. One of my friends described it as well as any. "You look like and inch worm going down the road" Other said you bike looks like "It is broke in the middle" One day I followed another Drifter on a bumpy road. They were right.
Posted by Tfrank59
- January 12, 2018, 17:09:41 PMQuote from: CDNRatMan on January 12, 2018, 16:12:46 PMWho's Tfrank?Why are you yelling at me, I was not even going to suggest it because I understand how busy you are. Now perhaps Tfrank should think about hosting an event.........
Posted by OR Seedman
- January 12, 2018, 16:39:20 PMROFLMAO...
Posted by CDNRatMan
- January 12, 2018, 16:12:46 PMWhy are you yelling at me, I was not even going to suggest it because I understand how busy you are. Now perhaps Tfrank should think about hosting an event.........
Posted by OR Seedman
- January 12, 2018, 11:29:40 AMWhat?? You have a genuine Drifter AND a Drifter Tribute bike?? Cool! LOL 
I, too wish that there were closer get-togethers for all of us out west....distance is a much greater factor out here, you know, since we all live in the boondocks....LOL. The distance I drive to work would take me through a couple states back east.... 
and no, Ratman, I do not have the time or the patience to host a Western Drift-in, especially in the summer which is by far my busiest time of year...not retired just yet!
Posted by geewago
- January 12, 2018, 09:39:28 AMThat was an interesting video Ratman. I wish I lived a little closer I'd sure join in. I think there are some Drifter groups here in Texas, I just haven't looked into them. I ride my Indian Chieftain more than I do my drifter and I've kind of got caught up in some of there rallys. I go to Durango, CO every year to the Iron Indian Riders Reunion, and to the Indian Rally in Fredricksburg, Tx in April and a few times I've hit the one in Arkansas. But I need to look into what may be available in my area with Drifter guys. Does any one know of any rider groups down here. I live right in the center of Texas. P;us have trailer can travel about anywhere within reason
Posted by CDNRatMan
- January 11, 2018, 19:48:31 PM 
beer gut........what...not moi......tail end of life, what the frik.....I am just getting started, yes a lot of the people are elderly, but I am just a youngster........so be nice here.......
Posted by rob f
- January 11, 2018, 19:37:44 PMCool video. Was looking at the bobbing fenders but was distracted by the luggage set ups. Seen 2 that were fender mounted. Thanks for the tip.
I see by the riders, that having a beer gut and being at the tail end of life is a prerequisite to riding a drifter.
I guess I should fit in quite nicely.
Rob
Posted by CDNRatMan
- January 11, 2018, 18:23:08 PM not to steal this thread but Sir Grinnell I sent that out to all the people that "should" have attended Rendezvous, but came up with all kinds of reasons for not attending..........The video is the product of on super person and that is our own Rocking Rolly......from Oshawa. Yes he did a fantastic job of putting together what turned out to be an awesome gathering of some really nice people, we had fantastic weather and the riding was awesome. As the video shows the only issue was one bike having a small problem and it was owned by a mechanic...lol.......
Ok back to Rob in Alberta now........
Posted by grinnell
- January 11, 2018, 17:54:56 PMFirst of all ANDY! You have been holding out on me with this video, what the hell man?!?!?!?! With that being said, that was extremely well done! I have quite a few friends in that exact business in different facets ie: Pure Michigan, Hockey, etc. and that holds up w/ their stuff. Very well done my friend.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- January 11, 2018, 09:09:44 AMRob before you get really into this might be a good idea to get someone you trust to ride your bike for you and you follow them and see how your fender acts. I was really surprised the first time I saw the Drifter 800 fender moving........it seems to be in motion all the time. Go to youtube and type in First Northern Drifter Rendezvous and that might give you a hint...as you watch the rear fenders.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cFAAuKBdJU
but the fender is going up and down a lot........
Posted by rob f
- January 10, 2018, 23:33:45 PMJmbo, thanks for the info on the geometries of that suspension. I've got a single seat and am now conversing with OR regarding getting one of his setups. If the costs end up too much I will have to get my thinkin' cap on and attempt my own design. I see that the passengers foot pegs mounts
are nice and solid. Hmmm
Rob