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 bullride28
- September 17, 2010, 10:08:07 AMwhat do you call a naked Indian ?? running bear? Moooo No its a DRIFTER.....
Posted by scottjacob
- September 14, 2010, 21:43:23 PMThanks, for the compliment.. most of the time the box is on and the bags are off, looks better that way, so says my wife 
Posted by 1SG CAV
- September 14, 2010, 11:41:18 AMScott I love the look of your red drifter. I too have not done anything to Idianize my ride. Not I even want too. I just love telling people it's not a Harley and I wouldn't own one even if it was given to me. Stay true to your word, your ride looks great.
Posted by scottjacob
- September 13, 2010, 21:03:31 PMI don't get much time to sit down at the computer and even less checking out this great site. But reading about "Indianized Drifters", I thought I would add my little bit.... I was born in Springfield, Ma. the year after the Indian Motocycle Co. closed their doors. Growing up there were many dealers still dedicated to buying, selling and repairing Indians. And there were the rebadged Indian Enfields. After learning to ride a Honda 50, I discovered Triumphs. Bought and sold several used models before buying a new '78 Bonne. After riding that bike for 25 years, I wanted something new. 25 years IS long enough in between bikes. So, I went looking.... and found a 2003 800 and almost fell over. Wow, this is a cool bike. After buying it and adding that tan dual seat and rear floorboards, I sorta promised myself that I would not add any geniune Indian accessories... Because, it is not an Indian but rather a very nice tribute. Other than the repro front fender tip, I have been true to my promise. There are many Indian-like things... but even the fender light is not genuine. Long story, not so short... It is a beautiful bike just begging to be "Indianized" so I say go for it. It is your bike, do what you want to it. BTW, iIstill have the Bonne.
Posted by Varooom
- September 13, 2010, 19:23:56 PMI've had auto mechanics come drool over the styling and then say, "And it's got the Vulcan drivetrain; bulletproof and so far advanced from the other V cruisers..." Wonderful feeling,
Varooom
Posted by annieoakley
- September 13, 2010, 11:22:21 AMHa!!! The Pretendian...too funny 
I like it!
Posted by amishart
- September 13, 2010, 11:12:10 AMThere are virtually no after market parts for the 800 Drifter and very few for the 1500. You make em look like you want to. It's not old school its real school. Each one is its own custom.
Posted by badboy194
- September 13, 2010, 01:14:55 AMFunny story. I parked my 1500 Drifter at the local HD dealer, and when I came out 2 of the mechanics were drooling over my Drifter. I watched them for @ 2 min laughing to myself. When I walked up one guy said nice Indian. I smiled and told them it was a Kawasaki. They had the funniest look on their faces. Now these are guys wearing all the factory certified patched of Harley. I guess they didn't know Indian didn't use a drive shaft. My Drifter is bone stock with Kawasaki tan bags and seat.
Posted by topherloaf
- September 12, 2010, 11:28:41 AMQuote from: chief on September 08, 2009, 15:39:56 PMFender 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.
That's funny because I'm almost done creating the brackets and mounting hardware for a Harley Davidson Road King sundowner two up seat. How's that for just plain weird??? 
By the way, 1/4 inch heavy steel, HARD to work with.
Posted by Varooom
- September 08, 2010, 18:14:11 PMWant your drifter to look like a real Indian? Leave it out doors and never wash it and, in about ten years, you'll have your wish! Those guys wanted cheap, fun transportation and anal retention and compulsive behavior hadn't been invented yet.
Varooom
Posted by khanawalt
- September 07, 2010, 12:15:23 PMI call my bike "The Pretendian."
Posted by topherloaf
- September 06, 2010, 20:24:20 PMMy reason is probably the same as everybody else, I like the look and to me it's a nod to the older Indians. I'll tell you what, I'm just lucky enough to have a motorcycle to call my own anyway. I'm a college student with SHALLOW pockets, half of the fun is actually building the stuff I cant afford or don't want to spend the money on. For instance, yes, i have the Indian badges that are hand made, Indian head fender light, an HD switch on the dash for MY convienence and because I think it looks cool, Indian floorboards, a belt drive in the works, a HD roadking sundowner seat I'm still making brackets for, and I am halfway through a tank bib that I'm tooling from leather myself. It's not about, "well it's an Indian" to me. It's just plain old fun and I like the looks. I tell people it's a Kawasaki, they're usually impressed at the work.
As a side note, I've only ever run into ONE HD owner who thinks you're lame, stupid, not cool, etc for owning anything but a Harley and when I asked him then to give me the money to buy one because I can't afford it, he stopped cold in his tracks, and said i had a good point. All the other HD owners I know just want everybody to ride on SOMETHING. Fun is fun. That's why we ride isn't it?
CPosted by amishart
- August 21, 2010, 00:27:56 AMI bought mine as a stock Kawasaki, and I've tried to make it look like an Indian ever since. My first three Harleys I made them look different to. If ya got to explain it to someone they just won't understand. So it's best not to try.
Posted by buzzard
- August 19, 2010, 20:23:53 PMi own 2 drifters a 2000 and a 2001 i also have a 02 indian scout and a sporty with a hack on it, and both my drifters are indianized , just like the look ..its more of a tribute to my 2 grandsons who are half onieda indian. my drifters are more indian to me than my ( indianized, harley ,s and s ,cmc , scout!!)
Posted by chief
- July 17, 2010, 11:29:11 AMIn my time, I've seen plenty of Indianized harleys! My Dad would have shot the owners, but its purely a tribute to the original IMHO.