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Posted by gcates
- April 29, 2016, 13:27:30 PMThe reason I bought a Drifter.....I had never ridden before but some of my friends and family were starting to get bikes so I began to get the bug. I was on a very limited budget, so I knew a Harley was out and I figured I'd be getting something metric. I wasn't a "motorcycle guy" so I had heard of Indians, but they weren't something I was very familiar with. I took my son to see the first G.I. JOE movie, The Rise of Cobra, and in a scene one of the characters rides up on an Indian and I fell in love. G.I. JOE is something I love a treasure from my childhood, it's why we were at that movie. And for me, to see Duke on that bike was awesome! It was what I had to have....Unfortunately, I wasn't on a $27,000 budget. So online I found the Drifter. I saw that lots of people repainted, replaced badges, changed pipes etc. Then I saw the price. I knew there was hope, so I began the search. When I found THE BIKE, it was in Mass. and once I convinced my wife to allow me to spend a few more thousand dollars than we had planned to spend, I mailed a check. Never saw it in person, never rode it. It looks almost identical to the bike in the picture, it's my tribute to a style (I love all things retro) and a brand that I have grown to love, but can't afford. My wife is a teacher.....I'm a teacher....we have two kids. I love my bike and I'm making it my own more everyday. The license plate, YO JOE! The Gas tank, Indian. Sorry if that hurts some folks feelings. If someone says something about my "Indian", and it's more than just in passing, I correct them. It's a Drifter. I love Kawasaki for giving me my dream bike.
Posted by Tfrank59
- January 25, 2016, 07:58:16 AMHi, you know this is kind of a strange thread, no offense. Anyways Drifters are Indianized already, which is why Kawasaki had to pay some royalties isn't it? But my bike came with no stickers on it and I went ahead and bought a couple of Indian stickers for it, and one that says Indian tribute and one that says drifter 800, but I haven't gone over the top with anything Indian, Kawasaki or drifter. I think it's quite appropriate that my bike is a tribute to the 1940s Indians (and if I could afford that side shifter I'd probably put it on there). Harley guys aren't even part of this discussion in my opinion, but if I talk to an Indian guy somewhere he'll either snub me for having this Japanese knock-off or he'll see it for what it is, a tribute to the original Indian motorcycle, which he is probably not riding, since they're very rare and he's actually on an updated Indian, which IMO is a tribute to the same original bike, ha ha. That's just my 1.5 cents 
Posted by dreep
- January 25, 2016, 04:15:12 AMSlightly off topic but it interesting. After the reunification of the Crimea with Russia being sold this Indianize Soviet Dnepr. Customayzer named bike Comanche:
Posted by CDNRatMan
- August 08, 2015, 21:48:33 PMThere is a lad here with a black 1500 Drifter, and he has "Indian" script on the tank, and to the unknowing and uninformed they would think it was an Indian and there is nothing on it to say Kawasaki, which not my thing, but not going to say much else on the bike other then don't claim to be something your not.
Posted by greenbarn
- August 08, 2015, 20:02:56 PMNorym, we'd love to see pics of your "indian" on there...
Posted by norym
- August 05, 2015, 16:20:59 PMI have put an Indian head on my rear fender. It is the unit I was in during Korea. It is a shield shaped black patch with a white star in the middle and an Indian head with feathers on the white star. It is the 2nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. Many people ask me if I put the Indian on my "Indian." I never tell them it is an Indian but if they want to think it is that is okay with me. I do not want the word Indian on the bike but I also think it is an individual choice to be made by the owner. Thank you.
Posted by kokopelli
- December 03, 2010, 17:40:03 PMQuote from: Reef_Raider on November 25, 2010, 11:10:15 AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Was he on Meth!?I found my 2001, 1500 a couple of weeks ago by a stroke of luck.... My girl and I were out getting some fresh air, when my girl looked and said there is a yard sale can we stop and look. I was not really feeling like treasure hunting but very happy that we did. After looking around the guy said he had more stuff in the garage. We went in and it caught my eye, at first i thought it was an Indian. I joked with him and asked is it for sale. All he said was that it hadn't ran in a few years but if I wanted it he would take $800 for it. That afternoon we rented a trailer and took it home, All I needed to do was replace the switch.the rest is history...... I love the style and the feel... we ride as often as we can. I am getting ready for a Jet Black paint job..... It's fun to ride and thats all that counts.
Being stupid should hurt......
We are only immortal for a short time.....
Posted by Reef_Raider
- December 01, 2010, 06:15:56 AMThanks pcarrell ...Just lucky ....... We have friends that own indians and Harleys and they just love the style and looks......
Posted by pcarrell
- November 26, 2010, 08:46:08 AM$800? You STOLE that!
Posted by Reef_Raider
- November 25, 2010, 11:10:15 AMI found my 2001, 1500 a couple of weeks ago by a stroke of luck.... My girl and I were out getting some fresh air, when my girl looked and said there is a yard sale can we stop and look. I was not really feeling like treasure hunting but very happy that we did. After looking around the guy said he had more stuff in the garage. We went in and it caught my eye, at first i thought it was an Indian. I joked with him and asked is it for sale. All he said was that it hadn't ran in a few years but if I wanted it he would take $800 for it. That afternoon we rented a trailer and took it home, All I needed to do was replace the switch.the rest is history...... I love the style and the feel... we ride as often as we can. I am getting ready for a Jet Black paint job..... It's fun to ride and thats all that counts.
Being stupid should hurt......
We are only immortal for a short time.....
Posted by Varooom
- September 19, 2010, 16:31:41 PMRegarding rebuilding of a vintage Indian, the first thing to do it read this:
http://www.amazon.com/Rebuilding-Indian-Memoir-Fred-Haefele/dp/157322099X
One of the most painful experiences I've read about. If you think you still want to after reading it, you are a better and wealthier man than me. WAY too much chance involved and you wind up with an air cooled bike that may need the work every few years.
IMHO,
Varooom
Posted by tmassey
- September 17, 2010, 13:49:21 PMheres my 2 cents....leave the igloo box off ...it looks better just plain jane...bags are enough.
nothing personalterry
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.