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Posted by pcarrell
- June 23, 2015, 08:43:44 AMQuote from: 99tango on June 22, 2015, 21:19:39 PMOnly use Lexan. Plexiglass is not strong enough for the job and can shatter when hit with objects (like stones and such) at speed. Lexan won't shatter.Bike has lowers but they're too small, so if I can find some thicker acrylic, I'll build a larger set.
Posted by jmbo
- June 23, 2015, 05:37:04 AMQuote from: pcarrell on June 19, 2015, 11:22:42 AMWelcome to the forum 99!
On your buffeting issue, let me save you a lot of trouble. Changing windshields will probably not solve your problem. I know, because I had the same issue, and I tried all sorts of things to get rid of it. The problem is not the air coming around the shield. The problem is air coming up along side of the tank. To cure it, lowers are the ticket. Give this a read and see if it doesn't help: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=22935.0
i have a similar set of lower on my bike. Makes a huge difference. Without them I get a ton of helmet lift. Other than that I have very little problem with wind buffeting. Also I noticed your windshield seems to be rounded at both the top and bottom ( maybe it's just the phot angle) that might contribute to the problem
Posted by 99tango
- June 22, 2015, 21:19:39 PMOn order are 4.5" risers with 1.5" pullback. Bike has lowers but they're too small, so if I can find some thicker acrylic, I'll build a larger set. Also ordering a backrest that can be adapted to the seat rail, and better saddlebags. Previous owner added night LEDs to illuminate the engine, pipes, etc. which look good, but some are in the way for lifting the bike, and I don't like all the excess wiring - it's all over the place - removing and giving to another forum member.
Nearly finished building a front wheel rack so it will be easier to service standing straight up. Construction is a bit of a challenge due to the large front fender, but I believe I have it figured out.
One whitewall and one blackwall is starting to bug me - didn't think I'd mind but I do. Can't wait till that front tire wears down - Anyway to speed that up? My other bike, the 500, is a mishmash of homebuilt mods which only purpose is mucho saddle time comfort, and looks were not important. I don't want the Drifter to end up looking that way.
One difference between the two bikes, while underway, is how each bike handles curves at speed. The little 500 wants to track straight and requires a lot of push to negotiate curves, while the Drifter wants to fall into them with just a light touch. I can already take some familiar curves about 5mph faster than ever attempted on the 500, and the Drifter feels like it is leaning even less. Now the slow speed stuff is a different story - have to work on that a bit...
Can't wait to hit the road in a big way and find out how we're gonna get along. 
Posted by zig
- June 22, 2015, 14:48:48 PMWelcome 99, uh, Redfish! Again, beautiful bike
Posted by pcarrell
- June 22, 2015, 09:00:14 AMredfish, I thought this might be you!
Yeah, that shield looks like the Nomad style shield I have too. It's a good shield, but if you need something slightly different height or tint, Cee Baileys ( http://www.ceebaileys.com/kawasaki/drifterws.html ) can help you out with that. I'd look into making some lowers first though. You wouldn't believe the difference those make!
Posted by CDNRatMan
- June 21, 2015, 21:30:19 PMVery clean looking and nice machine, your wind screen from that angle looks like mine, so I am sure once you get the height thing sorted out the buffeting will be gone.
Posted by 99tango
- June 21, 2015, 21:13:11 PMThanks guys for all the good information. I have been riding a Vulcan 500 (small cruiser) for a few years and go by "redfish" on the Kawasaki Vulcan forum. Since purchase of the 1500 Drifter, I thought I'd change monikers (nickname) and join the Drifter forum. I should have kept the same nickname on both forums, but too late now.
I live in northcentral Florida and would like to join you in the Pikeville Drifter ride-in. If I can get my new Drifter set up right for long distance travel, and get familiar and confident enough with it (and in it) to attempt the ride, I'll be there. I've taken a few long distance trips on the 500, and 4 or 5 day rides at 500+ miles/day are no problem and almost worry free. The small and relatively simple carbureted 500 is easy to work on. I know it inside & out and was always able to fix any problems - and there have been a few. I don't yet have that confidence level in the Drifter. It's a much more complicated animal I'm finding out, so faith in this beautiful machine will play a bigger role.
Posted by greenbarn
- June 20, 2015, 22:17:31 PMSo where you from, 99? If you'r interested, the annual Drift In is coming up in July...
A good time will be had by all..... Come if you can - best chance to see a BUNCH of drifters, and meet a bunch of great people.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- June 20, 2015, 00:03:25 AMThis is the first bike I have had with a windscreen, and once I figured out the right height the screen was supposed to be at, and of course I have an 800 so no were near as fast or as much torque as those monster 1500's so that could be the issue, but adding lowers and having the screen at the right height makes a world of difference.
Posted by 99tango
- June 19, 2015, 23:19:56 PMThank you all for your information on my 02 1500 Drifter. I see from the history chart that it has been repainted, but the new all black paint was professionally done and looks nice. As far as the buffeting issue, the bike already has lowers installed and I was actually quite surprised with the amount of helmet shake. I'm actually looking through the windshield, about 4" below the top edge, so I figured it must be the shape of the screen. It has a very pronounced round shape, and the buffeting is so bad that I can't see anything above around 55 mph. Possibly a little wider windshield, less rounded at the top would be better. I will get it sorted out.
Glad to be here, will post photos as I like to show her off, and just maybe we'll be ready for a Drifter ride-in, in a couple months.
Posted by greenbarn
- June 19, 2015, 21:52:02 PMWelcome to the fan-club, 99... Hope you get lots of info from this forum.
You didn't say, but I'm guessing your bike is a 1500, since you mentioned it's for long distance rides (we would know for sure, if you would put pics on here, AHEM.... ). They did make the 800 in all black (but had ivory stripes). That's the color my 800 came in.
Let us know how your windshield experiments turn out. If you could find one that fixes the buffeting problem, that would definitely be a hit!! I've got brackets for lowers to put on my 1500 for that same issue.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- June 19, 2015, 14:24:15 PMWelcome.
You might find this of help as to the history of your ride.
Posted by pcarrell
- June 19, 2015, 11:22:42 AMWelcome to the forum 99!
On your buffeting issue, let me save you a lot of trouble. Changing windshields will probably not solve your problem. I know, because I had the same issue, and I tried all sorts of things to get rid of it. The problem is not the air coming around the shield. The problem is air coming up along side of the tank. To cure it, lowers are the ticket. Give this a read and see if it doesn't help: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=22935.0
Posted by mittico68
- June 19, 2015, 09:36:27 AMWelcome aboard!
You'll see: Drifters are as good as the best wine, gettin' even better as time goes by... 
Posted by 99tango
- June 18, 2015, 23:05:50 PMJust purchased an 02 Drifter from a local dealer. It has 20k miles and is solid black, so unless the 02's also came in black, its probably been repainted. First order of business will be replacing all fluids, checking brake pads, basically going over everything getting familiar. I bought the Drifter for long distance riding and the windshield will be replaced due to excessive buffeting, and I'll be in the hunt for a backrest and nicer saddlebags.
I was drawn to the unique look of the drifters and seemingly low center of gravity. I'm used to a much lighter cruiser so this one will take some getting used to, but it's a very comfortable bike.
The bike is currently in a very small workshop so photos will come later.