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Posted by kw-retrorider
- May 27, 2016, 06:17:10 AMkfoster: Nice update. Glad the 800 found a good home for a great price. Since I still have one of each, cannot agree with you more. I use the Drifter as the highway bike but reserve the W650 for the secondary roads. Both good machines.
Sorry to continue the non-Drifter discussion, but...Like the mods to the "W"....do you know whose handlebars are on your bike. I'd like to get rid of the stock American bars on mine.
Again, nice job.
Posted by JagLite
- May 26, 2016, 19:06:40 PMThe new owner will be so happy!
I hope he has many years of riding enjoyment.
Your W650 mods are excellent.
I like your term "Gentleman Scrambler".
Very descriptive of a fun riding style that I am transferring to as I age.
So far I am still enjoying challenging trails on my modified DR650 but the time is coming when it won't be so fun.
All bikes are great and fun, ride on brother!
Posted by CDNRatMan
- May 26, 2016, 15:54:14 PMWell another chapter in your life eh! happy trails and hope to see you around here still.
Posted by Trall
- May 26, 2016, 15:33:59 PMKFOSTER,C
Cool rides and it always fun working and upgrading our bikes. Sounds like you found another happy Drifter caretaker for it's voyage and yours continues with the awesome WS650 you got there. Happy trails.................
Posted by kfoster
- May 26, 2016, 13:39:09 PMWell........The Drifter has left the building. I've had fun with it for a couple of years. I realized that I really enjoyed working on it and looking at it more than riding it. After installing a Progressive rear shock, Progressive front springs, having a rack made and putting bags on the bike, I spent about $1,000.00 in parts. I paid $2,600. a couple of years back for the bike and sold it for 3,400.00. So, for $200.00 I had the use of a fantastic motorcycle for a couple of years. Not bad really!
Here is the happy new owner. He is 79 years young and downsizing from an 800 lb. Yamaha Star touring rig. This Drifter should be just about perfect!
I still have a couple of motorcycles. The new one is the W650 I posted last Fall. I have been hoarding parts over the winter for a "Gentleman's" scrambler. In April, I had some time to put the thing together. So, here are some photos of the new project.
The Starting point:
New pipes - Silverstone stainless steel with Cone Engineering reverse cone mufflers - They make a glorious racket!
Re-jetted the carbs for the pipes too.
Old fender and light compared with new rear fender and tail-light:
Swapped out front fender for lightweight aluminum. Swapped out blinkers for little BRIGHT ones too.
I also added a luggage rack and bash plate (not pictured here)
The top-box is just something for commuting and the odd times when it is nice to have some locking storage. I made some wooden mounts to affix it to the rack with wing-nuts and rubber washers. It goes on and off easily.
I still need to get some 80 / 20 tires and perhaps do a bit of suspension work. But, as it is the W goes just great and is a hoot to ride almost anywhere you can sanely take bikes like vstroms or other modern adventure bikes. It's also a novel bike night toy!
I'd like to thank everyone here for the advice and information. I will stay registered on this board and check in from time to time to see how you are all doing and to share any information that I might have regarding the Drifter 800. Feel free to message me if you want to know anything about the things I did with my bike.
Cheers!