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Reason for editing: Last Edit: May 14, 2015, 07:36:18 AM by bambam0099

[quote author=Donkey link=topic=37998.msg82705#msg82705 date=1431567373]
This whole experience is going to be a LOT of fun...

The two-bit bakcground...  I still consider myself a new rider...  first bike came along in '07.  The love affair with the THOUGHT of riding really started in the early 90's, but there was always an excuse...  no time, blah blah...  so the trigger wasn't pulled for years.

In '99, I won a jacket that said "Indian Motorcycles" on the back, so I looked them up on my dial-up internet connection...  And fell head over heels with the newly recreated Indian Chief, but it was out of reach.  I still didn't know anything intelligent about anything at that point, and by the time I finally realized that the excuses were just that, Indians were no more, and the used ones were rare and expensive and I just wanted entry level to see if I would even enjoy riding at all...  along comes my 800 Classic.

I know and love that bike inside and out, but a friend introduced me to a friend a couple of years ago that rode this thing that had me picking my jaw up off the ground...  everyone saw it in my eyes...  what IS this thing?!  A Drifter?  WOW...  MUST HAVE.  Match made in heaven.  Indian looks and style, Kawi reliability that I had grown passion for.

Fast forward to this past fall and he finally agreed to part with it when he went to HD, and I am in SUCH a happy place!!

Now I need to do what it will take to make it "mine"...  and that brings me to the wish list.  Feel free to add, subtract, explain, offer, or review any or all of it as you see fit...  opinions welcome.

-It has a Corbin 1-up...  I want to keep that but I'd also like a stock 2-up to swap on/off for the kids...  
-Any other 2-up opinions welcome (I understnad the brackets are as expesive as the seat)
-It had a heavy duty custom steel bracket on the right side...  sidecar or trailer?  That's gone.  Those are my guesses what it was.
-Has a windshield.  Too high for what I like.  While I debate a quick release batwing (opinions welcome), I will cut it down to about 14"
-I'm a big fan of the "way it was supposed to look" for this bike.  The colour stays, there will be little mods to this one.  
-But I do like the V&H Longshots.  I'm used to a little more bark with the 800 and V&H Cruzers and debated removing some baffling...
-I'm worried removing baffling will affect backpressure and run reliability.  Opinoins, again, very welcome
-Anyone have a power commander?  If so, reviews and why?
-Rear luggage...  it has bags, and a modified rack over the fender but something has to change.  The rack is too low and has contacted the fender and rubs against the seat...  and I'm a little bit of a perfectionist.  Any "removable" or OEM luggage rack options welcome

I'll read as much in here as humanly possible because I know the drill...  most of this is probably in here somehere...  It's the time I lack to read like I once had.

Thanks gang...  nice to be here!
[/quote]

1st off, welcome aboard and second...pics!  Would love to see your bike.

When I read your post, I smiled because I felt the same way.  I picked up a 2001 Drifter last year as my 1st road bike and love it.  I always knew I would enjoy it but never thought this much.

I've added alot of "bling" this year and really enjoy the looks even more.  Franks leathers makes some incredible products.  I get complimented on the mud flaps and rear fender bib all the time and of course, mentioning the emblems and front fender ornament produced by Donna Zambini goes without saying.  When I stop for gas, I literally have people walk up to me asking about them.

The one thing I didn't like about the stock bike was the exhaust.  It was just too quiet and from a safety standpoint, dangerous.  I routinely saw people jump or get scared when they realized I was along side them; they had no idea I was there.   I bought a set of Vance and Hines and can't say enough how much it has made riding more pleasurable and, safer.  Yeah, I guess they're loud but I really enjoy it.  No more guessing on my rpm's and again, from a safety standpoint, other drivers know I am in the area and are never surprised.   The other huge safety thing I did was throw on a Signal Dynamics headlight modulator.  Watching the reaction of other drivers is incredible.  People would routinely pull out in front of me in the past; no more.  I can't count how many times I have seen a driver start to move forward then immediately stop to wait for me to go by.  From a safety issue, it was the single best purchase I have made.   I plan on buying another one for my brother.
You mentioned cutting the windshield; good idea!   I cut mine so it was the same height as my nose while sitting.  What a difference and again, makes the ride so much more enjoyable.  Last year, I hit a fog area while riding into work in the dark morning hours and I was literally blinded for a few seconds and hit to sit up as straight as possible to see over the windshield.  Dangerous lesson learned...

Keep us updated and would love to see your progress!

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Posted by Donkey

- May 13, 2015, 20:36:13 PM

This whole experience is going to be a LOT of fun...

The two-bit bakcground... I still consider myself a new rider... first bike came along in '07. The love affair with the THOUGHT of riding really started in the early 90's, but there was always an excuse... no time, blah blah... so the trigger wasn't pulled for years.

In '99, I won a jacket that said "Indian Motorcycles" on the back, so I looked them up on my dial-up internet connection... And fell head over heels with the newly recreated Indian Chief, but it was out of reach. I still didn't know anything intelligent about anything at that point, and by the time I finally realized that the excuses were just that, Indians were no more, and the used ones were rare and expensive and I just wanted entry level to see if I would even enjoy riding at all... along comes my 800 Classic.

I know and love that bike inside and out, but a friend introduced me to a friend a couple of years ago that rode this thing that had me picking my jaw up off the ground... everyone saw it in my eyes... what IS this thing?! A Drifter? WOW... MUST HAVE. Match made in heaven. Indian looks and style, Kawi reliability that I had grown passion for.

Fast forward to this past fall and he finally agreed to part with it when he went to HD, and I am in SUCH a happy place!!

Now I need to do what it will take to make it "mine"... and that brings me to the wish list. Feel free to add, subtract, explain, offer, or review any or all of it as you see fit... opinions welcome.

-It has a Corbin 1-up... I want to keep that but I'd also like a stock 2-up to swap on/off for the kids...
-Any other 2-up opinions welcome (I understnad the brackets are as expesive as the seat)
-It had a heavy duty custom steel bracket on the right side... sidecar or trailer? That's gone. Those are my guesses what it was.
-Has a windshield. Too high for what I like. While I debate a quick release batwing (opinions welcome), I will cut it down to about 14"
-I'm a big fan of the "way it was supposed to look" for this bike. The colour stays, there will be little mods to this one.
-But I do like the V&H Longshots. I'm used to a little more bark with the 800 and V&H Cruzers and debated removing some baffling...
-I'm worried removing baffling will affect backpressure and run reliability. Opinoins, again, very welcome
-Anyone have a power commander? If so, reviews and why?
-Rear luggage... it has bags, and a modified rack over the fender but something has to change. The rack is too low and has contacted the fender and rubs against the seat... and I'm a little bit of a perfectionist. Any "removable" or OEM luggage rack options welcome

I'll read as much in here as humanly possible because I know the drill... most of this is probably in here somehere... It's the time I lack to read like I once had.

Thanks gang... nice to be here!

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