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Posted by 49Reo
- June 25, 2015, 11:05:33 AMWelcome aboard. Nice looking bike. You were fortunate to find a bike with the much sought after seat rail and Roadhouse exhaust; both are extinct and very hard to find. As to the buffeting, I run a Chrome Specialtys windshield,no lowers, it came on my Drfter; I had to shorten it as it was too tall, but no buffeting. The only time I had a buffeting issue was when I put my chaps in the gap between the bars and windshield. Then it did a lot of buffeting.
Keep us posted with your mods, or the picture hounds will rag on you unmercifully, they are RELENTLESS! 
Posted by Elmo Hayride
- June 25, 2015, 00:38:20 AMWelcome 99.
Posted by Troll
- June 24, 2015, 09:01:39 AMQuote from: CDNRatMan on June 24, 2015, 07:52:29 AMOk windscreen is the same as mine, and I have dealt with JUROCK and they are super people to deal with and really fast service.
I bought my replacement windshield from Jurock, too. Very high quality, and seemingly indestructible under normal use.....
Posted by CDNRatMan
- June 24, 2015, 07:52:29 AMOk windscreen is the same as mine, and I have dealt with JUROCK and they are super people to deal with and really fast service.
Posted by 99tango
- June 24, 2015, 05:41:23 AMWindshield and Lowers: (Chief, I'll start a new thread but need to acknowledge all the helpful advice & comments here)
The windshield is a JUROCK Standard screen. I contacted them and requested a Vintage shield drilled to fit onto standard hardware. They said that is possible and are sending drawings for approval. I viewed the Cee Bailey's website and it appears their Drifter shields are identical replacements to the JUROCK and are a bit less expensive, but I had already contacted the Jurock folks.
I will construct some larger lowers following pcarrell's excellent pattern, checked a local supplier for purchase of Lexan (thx for the info) instead of plexiglass, and name them Philsrefill.
Nearly finished with the front wheel rack contraption. If it works will post a photo.
Thanks for all your comments!
Posted by kw-retrorider
- June 24, 2015, 04:14:12 AM99tango: Very nice...roadhouse, seat rail and all. Good luck with it.
Posted by chief
- June 23, 2015, 09:33:27 AMYou might want to take the discussions about lowers, etc to the 1500 section so others can find the info in future.
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.