GUEST? Registration opens up many more resources which are not available to guests. Registration is free, we never sell or give others access to your information.
Posted by Ogri
- February 13, 2018, 07:35:45 AMOR Seedman, man, that's a nice seat.
The trouble is that there are relatively few of them over here and the people who want them - Harley riders, push the prices up enormously.
You're right though, it really shouldn't be too hard with the twin mounting holes already supplied in the frame on each side to mount just about any seat of that kind that comes along.
Posted by OR Seedman
- February 12, 2018, 19:29:54 PMMounting a pan style springer solo seat is pretty easy to do....lot's of options and should be readily available in your country.....
Posted by mittico68
- February 12, 2018, 01:45:47 AMWell done, Ogri!
Now, the funniest (and hard...) part: making it your own bike, with new add-on's.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 11, 2018, 16:48:34 PMWell I know from personal experience that for me to ship a solo seat to the Uk it is about $150.00 for shipping charges alone.
Posted by Ogri
- February 11, 2018, 16:45:17 PMThanks greenbarn, I'll like it even more when I get hold of a solo saddle for it. I'm currently scouring every resource on the internet. Hopefully when the weather improves, Britain's motorcyclists will wake from their hibernation and clear out their sheds.
Posted by greenbarn
- February 11, 2018, 16:31:40 PMCongrats Ogri, and welcome to the group. Glad you could find one you like.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 11, 2018, 15:05:08 PMBecause the people that think they know assume it is an Indian, the rest don't know but they see a really cool and really different looking machine and it is awesome and just draws the eye........then if you are half as good looking as the rest of us that is the best part of the reason they stare........
Posted by Ogri
- February 11, 2018, 14:44:21 PMThanks VulcanPunch, CDNRatMan and Old Drifter, maybe I should take pics of all the flaws and nastiness then work my way through fixing them all 
Anybody else notice people looking at you and your bike more than a typical Japanese motorcycle? I was at the gas station and I'm sure passersby and car drivers were glancing at it and me; I couldn't help swaggering a little. 
Posted by Old Drifter
- February 11, 2018, 13:47:48 PMCongrats on the new acquisition! Sounds like you've found a nice one. In case no one has mentioned it...we like pics. 
Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 11, 2018, 13:35:55 PMVery nice 99. But then I have a special place in my heart for the 99's. Yes the UK does have some large plate holders. Now the fun starts, hunting for the elusive parts, and personalizing the bike to be yours.
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 11, 2018, 12:44:28 PMQuote from: Ogri on February 11, 2018, 09:59:34 AMI am officially a Drifter owner!
The seller delivered it this morning, he'd tried to get it a new MOT (road worthiness certificate) during the week but it had failed on a sticky rear brake and a misaligned headlight.He'd told me this but I was okay with it; he knocked £100 off the price. It currently has one that expires in a month's time.
Having checked it over I paid the guy and immediately set to work on freeing the rear brake (the bike rolled normally). The pistons were moving okay, it was one of the rods of the "holder" that sits in a rubber boot (that sits in the caliper.)
It eventually came out and when I took out the rubber I realised that white corrosion had formed on the inner surface of the hole in the caliper and was pushing on the boot which was gripping the rod.
I cleaned it all out, smeared a little copper grease on the bits that needed it and reassembled.
Then I bled the rear brake. One nipple was okay one was blocked; cleaned out the offending one and bled it too. I jacked the back end up and applied the rear brake a few times then tried to spin the wheel and it went round as smoothly as silk.Headlight adjustment was by the book but I noticed the black plastic bowl had cracked and been repaired (quite well actually.) I had been thinking of replacing the headlight entirely with a pre-war Joe Lucas Prince of Darkness one and mounting it slightly higher - watch this space.
I went indoors and called up my insurers, transferred the policy from my old bike to the Drifter, then went online and paid for my road tax. I was legal!
Filled up with petrol and drove around the neighbourhood. Front brake needs bleeding but rear brake very good now. It rides straight and feels very secure and planted on the road. Very comfortable and its weight disappears when it's moving. Engine is smooth and quiet no smoke or leaks anywhere.
It's a bit shabby here and there, paint chips, a ding in the tank, a little rust on screws and bolt heads but nowhere near as bad as the other one I looked at. I'm going to bleed the front brake tomorrow if the rain holds off then go for a longer ride.https://imgur.com/a/S0r8T
One thing I hate about it is that registration/licence plate and holder, Jeesh!EDIT:
I just checked the lights as it's getting dark now and the Indian head mascot lights up! WOOHOO!
Congratulations on your newly acquired drifter! Yeah that license plate holder doesn't quite go with the look of the bike lol.
Posted by Ogri
- February 11, 2018, 09:59:34 AMI am officially a Drifter owner!
The seller delivered it this morning, he'd tried to get it a new MOT (road worthiness certificate) during the week but it had failed on a sticky rear brake and a misaligned headlight.He'd told me this but I was okay with it; he knocked £100 off the price. It currently has one that expires in a month's time.
Having checked it over I paid the guy and immediately set to work on freeing the rear brake (the bike rolled normally). The pistons were moving okay, it was one of the rods of the "holder" that sits in a rubber boot (that sits in the caliper.)
It eventually came out and when I took out the rubber I realised that white corrosion had formed on the inner surface of the hole in the caliper and was pushing on the boot which was gripping the rod.
I cleaned it all out, smeared a little copper grease on the bits that needed it and reassembled.
Then I bled the rear brake. One nipple was okay one was blocked; cleaned out the offending one and bled it too. I jacked the back end up and applied the rear brake a few times then tried to spin the wheel and it went round as smoothly as silk.
Headlight adjustment was by the book but I noticed the black plastic bowl had cracked and been repaired (quite well actually.) I had been thinking of replacing the headlight entirely with a pre-war Joe Lucas Prince of Darkness one and mounting it slightly higher - watch this space.
I went indoors and called up my insurers, transferred the policy from my old bike to the Drifter, then went online and paid for my road tax. I was legal!
Filled up with petrol and drove around the neighbourhood. Front brake needs bleeding but rear brake very good now. It rides straight and feels very secure and planted on the road. Very comfortable and its weight disappears when it's moving. Engine is smooth and quiet no smoke or leaks anywhere.
It's a bit shabby here and there, paint chips, a ding in the tank, a little rust on screws and bolt heads but nowhere near as bad as the other one I looked at. I'm going to bleed the front brake tomorrow if the rain holds off then go for a longer ride.
https://imgur.com/a/S0r8T
One thing I hate about it is that registration/licence plate and holder, Jeesh!
EDIT:
I just checked the lights as it's getting dark now and the Indian head mascot lights up! WOOHOO!
Posted by Ogri
- February 06, 2018, 13:32:25 PMThanks for the input chaps. The deposit has been paid and the bike arrives on Sunday! Assuming all is well I'll pay the balance and she'll be mine.
mittico68, I'll see if there are any identifying marks on the rack and report back if I find any. CDNRatMan, good spot on that front mudguard, is that from it touching the rest of the bike under fork compression? Might have to look into touch-up paint.
I'm on the lookout for a solo saddle (who isn't?) on this side of the pond so if there are any filthy metrics reading this who can help give me a tinkle.
TTFN
Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 06, 2018, 11:00:39 AMTake a close look at the rear of the front fender. But like our Italian friend has stated a nice looking 99 blackout version, only missing a windscreen. Seat is easy enough fix. Yes not a Ledrie luggage rack so not sure where it comes from. Have a listen to the valves and that would be enough.
Posted by mittico68
- February 06, 2018, 08:44:04 AMNice! A 1999 red Drifter 800, just like mine!
Go get it: the price seems good, but you could try to lower it a bit by putting the accent on those crappy marks...
BTW: I've never seen a back rack like that one. Looks like homemade, and it's nice!