I have decided I would like to put saddlebags on my 1500 Drifter but I'm having trouble finding just the right ones. I love Harley touring bags but of course they won't fit. But that is the style I like. I might consider leather bags if I can't find hard bags I like.
Does anyone have experience in this arena? Pictures, suggestions etc.?
Thanks in advance.
There are few choices that bolt on. Its the mounts not necessarily the bags that are the issue. There will be more suggestions to follow from the senior membrs. But this company makes bags and mounts. The seat you will be using also matters. But with stock 2up you could buy these guys brackets and mount whatever bags you wanted.
Www.ospreylimited.com/drifter.html (http://www.ospreylimited.com/drifter.html)
Im actually having trouble with the same issue, i believe im going to get some flh bags and notch and then refiberglass the inside to fit over the shock where i want it to and not protrude out the back of the bike. then obviously make custom brackets.
only real problems im having is no deciding where to relocate my tag a brake light
Make sure you check here... might be something useful...
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/reviewpost/showcat.php/cat/51 (http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/reviewpost/showcat.php/cat/51)
Quote from: chief on October 12, 2012, 13:13:41 PM
Make sure you check here... might be something useful...
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/reviewpost/showcat.php/cat/51 (http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/reviewpost/showcat.php/cat/51)
I'd forgotten about that!
I have a very nice set of modified Harley leather bags that were OEM on the Sportster models that bolt right on provided you have the luggage rack. I could send some photos to you. My e-mail is ernscott@comcast.net Regards Scott
Buco bags would look great!
I saw these and liked the look...haven't looked into how well they'd fit on the drifter.
http://www.mutazu.com/products.php?cat_id=7&menu=Hard%20Saddlebags&product_id=101&s=prod.php (http://www.mutazu.com/products.php?cat_id=7&menu=Hard%20Saddlebags&product_id=101&s=prod.php)
Great looking bags, but kinda flimsy from what I've heard.
The Buco bags look AMAZING!!---Here's a pic I found & fell in looooove!...They are sooo pretty on the Drifter!
Quote from: LadyDrifter on January 31, 2013, 23:45:38 PM
The Buco bags look AMAZING!!---Here's a pic I found & fell in looooove!...They are sooo pretty on the Drifter!
If I'm remembering correctly, those bags were highly customized. A lot of fab work went into them.
Those bags, as they have been customized for that bike, are my all-time favorite. 8)
Yeah, that's Leonardo's bike. The bags themselves don't have a ton of custom work (if I remember right, Dave (Leonardo's real name) added a second tail light to each bag, but that's about it), but the mounts and protection bars were fabbed from scratch.
His bike had a ton of custom work on it. It was a beautiful ride. he has since sold it to another member of the Delphi Drifter forum, so you may still see it at Drift-In.
I have a set of leather saddlebags that I use the way they were originally intended..I throw them over the seat behind me and secure them with bungee cords, then when I get to my destination I throw them over my shoulders and take them with me.
John.
If anyone who knows of this bike happens to read this could you tell me how is it that these bags are not hitting the exhaust pipes or so close to the bike without contacting the fender?
Dave started with the Fire & Steel struts and loops, then modified that with a torch and some steel. The struts and loops will keep the bags off of the fenders and exhaust without modification though.
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/oemsbsetup.html
The exhaust on that bike has been modified so they end up sitting lower (duals). Additionally the bags are small giving enough clearance to prevent them striking the single exhaust. How much clearance you need depends upon your suspension and loading.
Thanks for the reply Chief. Since my bike is in little bitty pieces right now and probably won't be back together for a few more months I won't be able to do any testing, but I was hoping to buy a set of bags ahead of time and have them painted to match the bike. But I didn't want to fork out $700 only to find out it's not doable or wouldn't look right. This is something I would like to try.
I bought my bike a few months ago as a project bike and only rode it a few times before disassembley. It came with a set of soft bags and brackets, I think they are fire and steel. there are rub marks from the bags on the lower end of shock (paint was rubbed off) and I noticed one spot where the end of the bracket contacted the top side of back fender leading me to think I would have to make a set of brackets that gave a little more horizontal clearance . It's good to know that it is possible.
I have a few pics of Dave's old ride, plus a write-up he did on his custom made headlight treatment.
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2FIndianTeardropForDummies.jpg&hash=e55f74eab5963bec92d73de5e9bf075466513bc9) (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/pcarrell/media/Drifter/IndianTeardropForDummies.jpg.html)
The Fire & Steel struts bolt to the frame ears under the seat, so as the rear fender floats up and down, the bags and struts don't.
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2FIMG_0760.jpg&hash=15d87259dbeb74458a4818421f75c4ae883a28a2) (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/pcarrell/media/Drifter/IMG_0760.jpg.html)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2FIMG_0761.jpg&hash=57fcbdc16da40f8f6255424b111066d4f2b15525) (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/pcarrell/media/Drifter/IMG_0761.jpg.html)
Quote from: pcarrell on July 09, 2015, 13:13:52 PM
PC: do you happen to know how he blacked out his wheels?
He removed the wheels and spokes, had them stripped and powder coated, then reassembled and balanced.
Thanks PC. I really like that look and am considering doing the same - along with making the rim tubeless - some day. :)
I'm in the process of getting my rims powder coated. I disassembled the spokes and ordered new ones from Buchannan's in California. Powder coat just came in the other day, now I just need to find the time to bring it to my brothers shop.
;) Your brother's shop in Oshawa who does powder coating? And that address is what and off the 401 at which exit?
Bob's Mobile Welding in Port Perry. http://bmwelding.com/
Check out the opening video, I made that for him. He does a lot of powder coating, never bike parts yet. Does a lot of stuff for Air Canada, Durham Region and hospitals - portable work stations - Jet engine stands etc. He's in the process of opening a new shop in the industrial park.
He's my favorite bro when I need welding done.
;) oh you mean my favorite Uncle Bob...right and I need some welding and powder coating done this winter......so could I stay at your place or will I be staying with Uncle Bob?
WOW after seeing the vid I am not sure I can afford Uncle Bob favorite Uncle or not...lol.....impressive.
With Bob of course -Bob's your uncle!
RockinRonny; heres a pic of the bags on mine; huge, yet sit low, don't stick above the fender, but the pipes are set up as duallys so allows the bags to sit low. :)
Quote from: pcarrell on July 09, 2015, 13:17:47 PM
The Fire & Steel struts bolt to the frame ears under the seat, so as the rear fender floats up and down, the bags and struts don't.
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2FIMG_0760.jpg&hash=15d87259dbeb74458a4818421f75c4ae883a28a2) (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/pcarrell/media/Drifter/IMG_0760.jpg.html)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2FIMG_0761.jpg&hash=57fcbdc16da40f8f6255424b111066d4f2b15525) (http://s83.photobucket.com/user/pcarrell/media/Drifter/IMG_0761.jpg.html)
Can you please tell me where you got the brackets and bags for your Drifter. I cant find any anywhere. Thanks
Quote from: rawbz36 on April 06, 2016, 15:11:09 PM
Can you please tell me where you got the brackets and bags for your Drifter. I cant find any anywhere. Thanks
Ehy bud, maybe this could help ya: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Drifter-1500-Leather-Saddlebags-w-Mounting-Brackets-Ready-to-go-Harley-Indian-/281987332273?hash=item41a7c138b1
Drifter's stuff is very hard to find... but sometimes it happens to pop up on the internet. So keep an eye on it and cross your fingers!
The bags are Ranger II Chubbies: http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/ranger-ii-chubby-saddlebags-plain-vulcan-900-1500-and-1600-models/part/KAK-53000-223
I was lucky in that the whole setup came with the bike. You can see more on the struts and loops here: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/oemsbsetup.html
Depends on the "look" yer going for, but I find 120mm ammo cans work quite nicely :D
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/gallery/2/2382-230514072638.jpeg)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/gallery/2/1-120314003056-253830.jpeg)
Harley, Drifter, Indian...dunno, has hard bags tho. I don't know what type they are either.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/222081986131?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33b51e2e53:g:JWgAAOSwQYZW0uwI&item=222081986131 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/222081986131?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33b51e2e53:g:JWgAAOSwQYZW0uwI&item=222081986131)
Quote from: Pilgrim on April 14, 2016, 13:53:08 PM
Harley, Drifter, Indian...dunno, has hard bags tho. I don't know what type they are either.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/222081986131?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33b51e2e53:g:JWgAAOSwQYZW0uwI&item=222081986131 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-Vulcan-/222081986131?forcerrptr=true&hash=item33b51e2e53:g:JWgAAOSwQYZW0uwI&item=222081986131)
That isn't a 2000 model Drifter. That's an "R" model. Way too much chrome for a "J".
looks like a 2001
I'm not fussy... but according to the adv., that's a Nomad converted to a Drifter/Indian on the front...
Wow! I missed that entirely!
Quote from: pcarrell on April 15, 2016, 08:07:53 AM
Wow! I missed that entirely!
Well, let's hope it happens only for stuff like that... lol...
Quote from: pcarrell on April 15, 2016, 08:07:53 AM
Wow! I missed that entirely!
Me too..I thought it was a Drifter with Harley parts and Nomad exhaust...not a Nomad with Harley/Drifter parts.
Glad it wasn't a poisonous snake or something!
Quote from: pcarrell on April 16, 2016, 15:57:09 PM
Glad it wasn't a poisonous snake or something!
Or a nice gal...
Have to admit... that's a darn nice looking nomad/drifter/harley bike... I like it.... good price too.
Quote from: greenbarn on April 21, 2016, 22:18:20 PM
Have to admit... that's a darn nice looking nomad/drifter/harley bike... I like it.... good price too.
Yeah, most of all 'cause it's a 3 in 1 bike...lol...
you can use OEM Kaw Nomad parts and fit them onto the drifter with no more then 2 extra holes (not mandatory) in the Drifter Saddlebag struts and then just one custom connection (as sophisticated or as simply as you like it - eg flat plate with 2 holes) and Roberto is you Uncle
That's a really nice bike Mak. What material are the Nomad bags made of, ABS? I wonder if they could be modified to fit closer to the bike. Like cut out a corner for the shock?
Thanks, not sure what the cases are made of though.
Re getting them closer to the bike see pixie attached. But I think the space is quite a bit tighter / smaller than the impression the photo gives.
I got lucky and got a set of new bags from ebay - I only had to buy the Kawa parts new... It is a bit expensive - but if you try to get it done 'perfectly' you end up paying just as much if not more .... plus its virtually hasslefree lol
I saw this hardbag setup on a CL ad and absolutely fell in love with it!
The ad -=> http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/5581513751.html
The Nomad bags definitely look good and they could be painted a 2 tone to match a 2 tone Drifter without too much trouble.
The National Cycle Cruiserliner Saddlebags bambam posted are great bags, I have a set with cut outs for signals on my Honda Shadow. Lots of room in those. Two good choices.
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/national-cycle-cruiserliner-saddlebags-smooth-back-no-ts-cutout-black-w-red-reflectors/part/NC-N1101?source=igodigital
Quote from: RockinRonny on May 15, 2016, 15:14:33 PM
The Nomad bags definitely look good and they could be painted a 2 tone to match a 2 tone Drifter without too much trouble.
The National Cycle Cruiserliner Saddlebags bambam posted are great bags, I have a set with cut outs for signals on my Honda Shadow. Lots of room in those. Two good choices.
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/national-cycle-cruiserliner-saddlebags-smooth-back-no-ts-cutout-black-w-red-reflectors/part/NC-N1101?source=igodigital
Thanks for the link. Now if I knew how he got the wrap around leather frill on the bags....