Hey Everybody,
So i purchased my 1999 Drifter 1500 this past may and have absolutely loved it. I bought the bike with just over 21K miles on it and from a man who ran the bike on Amsoil Synthetic 20W-50 only. Living in Chicago, I probably ride my clutch more than most other riders, and feel like i am a littler harder on my Drifter than i would like to be. A lot of starting and stopping, hard bumps and pot holes, and acceleration. I haven't had any problems with her so far, putting almost 800 miles on the bike, but i am about to go on my first extended road trip and want to know if there is anything i should be checking before going on such a journey. I checked my oil and charged up the battery on the tender, but am afraid i may miss something that will leave me screwed on the side of the Indiana turnpike.
I am looking for advice and wisdom from all of you experienced drifter riders out there. I dont wanna take such a wonderful piece of motorcycle mechanics and blow her up due to some stupid oversight.
Thanks!
-Jason
Chicago
MSF has a checklist called t-clocs...TIRES.(can't say enough about tires)..controls (includes the brake fluid level in the clutch master, too).....lights...chassis (includes final drive...change the 200 ml. of oil, easy job), and lastly, stands. A drop of oil on your control pivots, and on the side stand bolt will work wonders... Don't forget to check the coolant level, and be sure the oil is full. I have a K&N air filter in mine (and everything else I own), so take a peek at yours and decide to clean it (if possible) or replace it if it's a paper one.
P.S. the air filter is on the LEFT side....
Thanks Troll!
Yep, TIRES! normal stuff... check fluid levels, air pressure etc.
Take it up to fifth gear and roll on the power; if the engine revs and you don't accelerate much, your 1999 clutch spring is so thin that it has a knife edge and you need to refer to the section herein about the lackluster clutches that the early years had.
Varooom
i just got back from a road trip on my 1500 drifter...WOW what a bike, over 3000 miles of trouble free riding and alot of on lookers " what kind of bike is that " drove down the old route 66 and as far north as iowa and then back to ohio. I knew the drifter was an awesome bike,,,,,and this trip proved it.
i missed the bags and trunk that my cavalcade had....but that was it. with 3 back packs and a nice bungey net..all went GREAT !
I put new metzler me 880 tires just days before the trip....rode like a new bike.
check your tires and fluids and hit the road...wear a helmet with a face shield some the bugs won't get in your teeth from that big shit eaten grin you will have .
enough of my trip.....your bike won't let you down....ENJOY !
TERRY
OH YEA...ONE MORE THING.....IT IS HOT AS HELL OUT WEST !
Terry