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Posted by Troll
- October 24, 2013, 18:15:05 PMExcept that mine is an "R", not a "J"....so yours was probably built either '98 for the '99 year, or early in the '99 production run...
Posted by John Hopkins
- October 24, 2013, 17:30:14 PMThat should mean mine was made 4428 after yours, allowing for the numbers being world wide I would have thought they made a lot of J's at the same time, or my bike was made a lot later than I figured.
John.
Posted by Troll
- October 24, 2013, 09:16:42 AMQuote from: Troll on October 23, 2013, 08:53:13 AMthe federally mandated emissions sticker will have the build month and year. My '01 was built in July of 2000.
Since you asked, John...here's the last 7 digits of my VIN. A000099 and a scan of the sticker from my owner's manual that I'm talking about. The build date would have been in the blank space near the top, and the VIN would be complete...My "W" has the same type of sticker, with a build date of May of 2000
Posted by Troll
- October 23, 2013, 08:53:13 AMthe federally mandated emissions sticker will have the build month and year. My '01 was built in July of 2000.
Posted by John Hopkins
- October 23, 2013, 07:59:01 AMQuote from: yamaha101 on October 22, 2013, 16:30:25 PMThe J1 started off at 000001 in 1999Anybody know how to get information on the Production/Build Date of all 1999 1500 Drifters? Mine in particular is close to Serial # 005000. eg. Month/Day/Year
The J2 started off at 010001 in 2002
Mine is 004527 and was first registered in July 2001, I suspect it was made about August 2000. Yours seems pretty close to mine.
John.
Posted by yamaha101
- October 22, 2013, 16:30:25 PMAnybody know how to get information on the Production/Build Date of all 1999 1500 Drifters? Mine in particular is close to Serial # 005000. eg. Month/Day/Year
Posted by mittico68
- October 22, 2013, 15:43:41 PMQuote from: dakuhosu on October 22, 2013, 14:51:40 PMNobody ever thought a real Indian would be selling for 30-45k either. Brand has nothing to do with it at all. I wanted a Drifter, it could have been made by anybody...just like Billy Joel wants a Drifter. It's a great investment. That brand nonsense is for small minds. I want quality and style. Show me a better bike that comes factory with these fenders and this style. You can't. You can take any bike and turn it into an Indian and it's still not a Drifter. 30 years from now those bikes will be worthless hacks while our Drifters will still be from the factory like that and very desirable. I doubt anybody who was selling their Hemi Cudas, during the gas crunch for $800 thought that a scant 35 years later those cars would be bringing in $100,000+ all day long. Keep your Drifters. That's my advise.
Yep, I agree with Dakuhosu!
But for me it's not even a question of money investment: it's a question of LOVE (but if Drifters should ever rise up their value, well, I think am gonna love it even more... 
)
Posted by dakuhosu
- October 22, 2013, 14:51:40 PMNobody ever thought a real Indian would be selling for 30-45k either. Brand has nothing to do with it at all. I wanted a Drifter, it could have been made by anybody...just like Billy Joel wants a Drifter. It's a great investment. That brand nonsense is for small minds. I want quality and style. Show me a better bike that comes factory with these fenders and this style. You can't. You can take any bike and turn it into an Indian and it's still not a Drifter. 30 years from now those bikes will be worthless hacks while our Drifters will still be from the factory like that and very desirable. I doubt anybody who was selling their Hemi Cudas, during the gas crunch for $800 thought that a scant 35 years later those cars would be bringing in $100,000+ all day long. Keep your Drifters. That's my advise.
Posted by DrifteRizzo
- October 19, 2013, 07:24:04 AMJust saw this in my local craigslist, I can't have another one (trust me I already asked).
8118 E. Washington St.2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Drifter - Click Here for More Photos and Information
CUSTOM!!The Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Drifter motorcycle captures the essence of the 1940s an era when Route 66 was the scenic route of choice for many and the most desirable motorcycles were powered by big V-twin engines. The Drifter hearkens to yesteryear with a low slung chassis sculpted fenders and a fishtail muffler but underneath its retro styling and abundance of chrome is the advanced engineering and electronics of a modern motorcycle. A big 90 cubic-inch liquid-cooled V-twin engine provides the Drifter with modern cruiser performance. High compression and aggressive cam timing provide the healthy power output while each cylinder features a single overhead cam actuating four valves. Hydraulic valve lash adjusters reduce maintenance.
Flat Out Motorcycles
(317) 662-2036 ext. 79
Flat Out Motorcycles
Click Here to Contact Dealer 2004 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 Drifter$2,999
Condition: Used
Mileage: 48,335
Engine: 1470 cc Four-stroke SOHC V-twin 8 valves Electric Start Liquid Cooled
Transmission: Five-speed
Exterior Color: White
Stock #: K0043U
Length: 8
Width: 3
Height: 4
Weight: 670
Posted by DC
- October 08, 2013, 22:43:51 PMThey do sell quickly. It's rare to see a listing last very long, if the price is in line with the mileage, mods, and condition.
Posted by badboy194
- October 08, 2013, 22:41:46 PMI love my Drifters as much as anyone, but to buy one specifically for investment purposes I don't think so. As much as we love these bikes others love their brand just as much. I had 5 in my garage and sold one. It was a 2000 with Roadhouse 2 into 1, Fire and Steel black lightbar, Fire and Steel Black windshield, Fire and Steel black crash bar, Corbin solo seat, and 5000 miles on it. Sold for $4900. These are 10+ year bikes and there are newer and better bikes out there for less. There are many good deals out there on Drifters many with low mileage. I just saw one with 400 miles for $4500. That bike Pilgrim offered you looks like a quality bike at a very good price. If you are really serious don't talk, go get it before someone else does.
Posted by dakuhosu
- October 07, 2013, 13:00:51 PMQuote from: John Hopkins on October 07, 2013, 08:25:16 AMAre we talking about money here?
The problem with collecting motorcycles is that unless you maintain them and ride them they start to seize up..I don't think collecting is a short term investment..the only way to make money on a collectors item is to sell it, and then the investment ends., and the only way to sell it is if someone want's it more than you do..Drifters are a great bike but I'm not sure how many owners wouldn't rather have one of the new Indians..
John.
So true, but with planning and proper care they would be an excellent investment no doubt. I love to ride mine but would be just as happy to have a few with all fluids drained and sitting in a climate controlled garage. It's a slam bang, sure fire investment in my opinion. When you look at one, without knowing anything, they look like 7-20k bikes. Never do they look like 2500-5000 motorcycles. I think it's because they are so obscure. I never even heard of one before. Plus it's cool to go out and look at real tangible assets, who wants to look at stupid paper.
Posted by John Hopkins
- October 07, 2013, 08:25:16 AMQuote from: DC on October 07, 2013, 07:25:29 AMAre we talking about money here?If I were a wealthy person (these cult wives are starting to drain me dry), I'd get a barn or a warehouse and start accumulating Drifters. There are only so many of them out there and the number of them is not increasing!
The problem with collecting motorcycles is that unless you maintain them and ride them they start to seize up..I don't think collecting is a short term investment..the only way to make money on a collectors item is to sell it, and then the investment ends., and the only way to sell it is if someone want's it more than you do..Drifters are a great bike but I'm not sure how many owners wouldn't rather have one of the new Indians..
John.
Posted by DC
- October 07, 2013, 07:25:29 AMIf I were a wealthy person (these cult wives are starting to drain me dry), I'd get a barn or a warehouse and start accumulating Drifters. There are only so many of them out there and the number of them is not increasing!
Posted by John Hopkins
- October 06, 2013, 16:55:09 PMQuote from: dakuhosu on October 06, 2013, 10:56:42 AMI think I paid £3,000 for mine so that falls in line with the above..But if I'd realised how good it was going to be I would have paid more..$4500-$5500 depending on how it's outfitted. I bought my stock 99 with 20k on the clock from a private owner for 3500 and had 3 to choose from within 400 miles. Today I would buy one that already had most of what I wanted or at least the one critical component (The Doolies!!!) and I would be happy to pay for it. My first must have was the blackout version which should also be a premium I would think.
John.