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Posted by bigbike4
- June 05, 2009, 15:04:08 PMI 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
Posted by Drifterdamien
- May 23, 2009, 21:14:52 PMi 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
Posted by pcarrell
- April 15, 2009, 12:52:48 PMMy bad......guess I should have read your post better. I saw chrome and I was like a deer in the headlight!
Posted by drifter800
- April 14, 2009, 22:13:37 PMQuote from: pcarrell on April 14, 2009, 10:29:30 AMI 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.Cool! Is that off of a Scout?
The pic below is a Indian Enfield built in the UK. 700 CC i think.
Posted by pcarrell
- April 14, 2009, 10:29:30 AMCool! Is that off of a Scout?
Posted by drifter800
- April 13, 2009, 23:07:15 PMHere's a tank badge off a Royal Enfield Indian. I thin it's late fiftys or early sixtys. Nice thou
Posted by tgoelz
- April 06, 2009, 14:51:33 PMWell, 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.
Posted by Palidin
- March 15, 2009, 19:08:54 PMWow, you really have a gift - sweet bike
Posted by chief
- March 13, 2009, 15:06:39 PMD800 - man yu da man... those are both fine looking.
Posted by pcarrell
- March 13, 2009, 08:46:56 AMI'd say it's a fine bike.....I'd ride it with my head held high.
Posted by Bob
- March 13, 2009, 08:21:18 AMI 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!
Posted by pcarrell
- March 12, 2009, 22:49:48 PMThats beautiful, and so is the area under the seat. Well done!
Posted by drifter800
- March 12, 2009, 22:39:50 PMwas fun building it
Posted by pcarrell
- March 12, 2009, 22:19:50 PMI love the way the rear fender area cme out. Nice work....very professional.
Posted by drifter800
- March 12, 2009, 21:50:02 PMhere i tried to Drifterize a 535 virago for a lady driver who loves deco style