Thought it might be interesting to see how everybody's Drifter looked when you first got it?... Does it have a name?... How did you get it?... How long have you've had it?... What have you done to it since?
This is "Evelyn" She's a '99 1500, We met on an on line Web Site (EBay) We've been together since March of 2009, I've tried to give her all the things a beautiful girl wants and needs.
She's named after my Mother... Which I had painted on the tail. While on a ride one time a woman asked... "Is that your wife's name?" My wife was standing there and said... "Oh No! That's his Mother's name, She's always had his back... I've just been on his tail since we met!" LQTM
This is Nadine, the day I brought her home.......(click on the pics to enlarge)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_IMG_0417.jpg&hash=214ae5e446756259d4577c58dfbe0fd6d534a4c7) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=IMG_0417.jpg)
My wife found her on Craigslist back in '08 and insisted we go pick her up. 24 hours later a 2001 Drifter 1500 was in our garage. (Funny now, because she calls her "The Other Woman", along with one of my guitars, Lucille)
A couple of days later I swapped the solo seat out for the 2up that came with it and shot a few more pics.....
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_IMG_0456.jpg&hash=7d05a5d7de8109edef5cc07ea1898690719930c7) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=IMG_0456.jpg)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_IMG_0462.jpg&hash=1b753187b4c52d4acf70f57ab11685c3a0e9d2ef) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=IMG_0462.jpg)
Then the customizing began....I tried some different saddlebags (didn't like them) and added some Zambini Bros. emblems......
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_12-28-0813.jpg&hash=12d9d6aaab9a94a4f8b92c6913a14f061698d680) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=12-28-0813.jpg)
Then came the tour pack I found on Craigslist for $80......
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_3n23m03l7ZZZZZZZZZ95v81e42d46564f11.jpg&hash=63956b8dc979a9b2802e97b43139fd0b2eae163d) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=3n23m03l7ZZZZZZZZZ95v81e42d46564f11.jpg)
Since then, lots of little mods, a bunch of leatherwork (mostly my own), and the constant battle between the good looks of the solo seat and the awesome user friendliness of the tour pack......
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_IMG_0759.jpg&hash=56db420019fcd0e3eb2487ebd9948fbc0902073e) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=IMG_0759.jpg)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_IMG_0760.jpg&hash=8bb55d618d2c1ab2a076217da9cd6ef83f0a3fe1) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=IMG_0760.jpg)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_850A0106.jpg&hash=d1fcd7cc33fbff559019d762dd51f55f68b59e42) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=850A0106.jpg)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_IMG_2327.jpg&hash=760b3559b79c629c1f97426b4433f5174d6a438e) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=IMG_2327.jpg)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_IMG_0902.jpg&hash=46fc3b01c9e8eb139aefd6c66100ee341be979ac) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=IMG_0902.jpg)
Very nice Phil, She has a kind of sinister look to her... Is Nadine one of those Bad Girls? LQTM
She's a good girl......now Lucille on the other hand.......
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FMy%2520Custom%2520Guitars%2Fth_lucille.jpg&hash=3742ed820ca0aa2f64718379537fa3b8a48b820f) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/My%20Custom%20Guitars/?action=view¤t=lucille.jpg)
LQTM
Dragged home on a trailer, in the rain. Non running and covered with an interesting film that can only grow in a barn..August of 2009. My wife's first remark: "You're not going to paint that". I guess she likes the colors, I do, too. Stripped down cleaned up, (cost me $20 at the do it yourself car wash) rebuild the trans, and various other little (read expensive) details, and now....32,000 miles later. Getting pretty close to what I want.
When dealing with antiques, that is known as "barn fresh" I've bought old one cylinder engines like that.
Regards and such,
49Reo
Gotta love the saddle bags he had on it...stuffed with wet cardboard to keep their "shape". He had made a passenger seat pad out of a plastic cutting board and velcro'd it on to the luggage rack. Big slice in the seat, and scratches and scuffs EVERYWHERE! The wheels were covered in grey/green film that I had to remove with WD-40 and steel wool. Pressure washer wouldn't touch it. Never changed the oil, and you couldn't tell how much was in the crankcase, since the eye was black. The coolant was brown and smelled BAAAAAD!
GR8 Job Troll, Nice rescue. I noticed you have a pic of her sans bags and rack, I like doing that now and again... Shows off the lines, They sure are gorgeous machines.
4 bolts and it's all off...changes the entire look of the machine. I ran about half of last season without any windshield...another subtle change in character.
Troll my drifter was my first bike to ever have a windshield and I have to say I love it but near the end of the season this year I too removed it and I have to say you are right. Makes the bike much cleaner and I enjoyed the wind in my face. Funny how once it was removed the old memories can rushing back. Thats what happens when you have been riding for over 48 years.
Dan
very nice ride Troll
Thank you for all the kind words. It's been an interesting trip from a barn in Wild Rose, Wi, to my house in La Crosse...32,000 miles!
I really like this bike, almost more for what it brings back in memories, than for just itself. Old style touring without the pain...Thought I'd miss the radio/MP3 player from the TourGlide, but I don't. Criss-crossed the country in my youth on a '46 EL and a '49 FL...This bike reminds me of both of them, without the leaks or parts falling off/breaking. I really don't miss having to reset the points every 1500 miles, or adjusting the chain....but I do miss being able to reach down with my right hand and adjust the main jet mixture on the old linkert while I was riding.....
That is a really nice ride Troll. That's probably my favorite color combo.
It's interesting to hear the stories of these bikes, I think it's safe to say everyone here likes Motorcycles, But we all love our Drifters! Seems to me... "Drifters are motorcycles with a better story"
I do not have any After pics. I only have Before pics, as I haven't done anything to her yet.
Quote from: pcarrell on November 15, 2012, 20:37:28 PM
She's a good girl......now Lucille on the other hand.......
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FMy%2520Custom%2520Guitars%2Fth_lucille.jpg&hash=3742ed820ca0aa2f64718379537fa3b8a48b820f) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/My%20Custom%20Guitars/?action=view¤t=lucille.jpg)
She looks mighty fine! Here's her cousin.
Quote from: DC on November 17, 2012, 23:44:32 PM
She looks mighty fine! Here's her cousin.
That's just all kinds of nice! Bike too!
Very Nice DC, Love that two tone combo, Looks like the PO put some nice extras on her, What brand tires are on yours? Not familiar with that tread pattern on the rear, I'm running Dunlop Max Cruiser WW.
Quote from: Bake on November 18, 2012, 11:31:30 AM
Very Nice DC, Love that two tone combo, Looks like the PO put some nice extras on her, What brand tires are on yours? Not familiar with that tread pattern on the rear, I'm running Dunlop Max Cruiser WW.
Thanks Bake. The P.O. had a fair amount of custom leather work done. I have lots of other leather stuff that I haven't put back on the bike.
I just had a new Metzler ME 880 put on the back to pass inspection. I also have two spare Michelin Commander blackwalls that came with the bike. One day I may decide to go blackwall just for a change.
ok today I spent time polishing and thinking about changes, but I really like the plain and stock look of the bike so not a lot of changes, but so far I swapped the seat rail for a sissy bar from Mo-Tique in Holland....I like it so now it will stay....next will be the front fender guard....
Hang onto those stock parts RatMan. They'll get harder to find over the years. The backrest looks really good though. I'm kinda wondering about that seat rail in the first few pics though. It sits up more like a solo seat rail, not like the 2up rail I have (I know, different bikes, but it seems strange).
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi83.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj319%2Fpcarrell%2FDrifter%2Fth_IMG_0568small.jpg&hash=859a7a17c02794955a244f0be65425e04b407ba7) (http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/?action=view¤t=IMG_0568small.jpg)
lol I near fainted when I looked really quick at your picture because who but you would make a backrest from a park bench.....
nope that is the stock 1999 800 seat rail. As the owner told me he changed nothing but the tires to the ones that are still on it, and nothing else was changed. In person it is not very high it kind of blends in and looks really nice I think, almost like the old Harley seats that were meant for 2 up......I want the sissy bar for a sissy bar bag for travelling because lets me have more room on the bike.....
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki/kawasaki_vn800_drifter%2099.htm (http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/kawasaki/kawasaki_vn800_drifter%2099.htm)
http://www.mbike.com/kawasaki/vn800-drifter/1999/photos/photo-9618 (http://www.mbike.com/kawasaki/vn800-drifter/1999/photos/photo-9618)
box of parts to be kept in the back room under the bed for now......
Quote from: CDNRatMan on November 18, 2012, 20:35:12 PM
nope that is the stock 1999 800 seat rail. As the owner told me he changed nothing but the tires to the ones that are still on it, ......I want the sissy bar for a sissy bar bag for travelling because lets me have more room on the bike.....
[
I swore by the sissy bar and luggage rack on my old Honda. I could load that thing up with a sleeping bag, cooler, Coleman stove, and all sorts of other things. It was my mobile camper for years.
Quote from: CDNRatMan on November 18, 2012, 20:35:12 PM
lol I near fainted when I looked really quick at your picture because who but you would make a backrest from a park bench.....
Guess it did kinda look like that, huh?
You could have a three or four up then. ;D ;)
True!
Something like this was my alternate plan..........
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vulcanforums.com%2Fforums%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D14255%26amp%3Bd%3D1353286995&hash=f5d79cb17939936b623d903cc8d9a32018d4e7da)
OK, not really..........
That's where you definitely want balance in your life! Especially if your passengers are getting off at different locations! LQTM
not even going to bite on that one ...just sit here laughing .......
RatMan, I posted a mod for you in the Introductions... New Member from Pa
I know.....it's disturbing on so many levels!
RatMan, Were you thinking they could all GET OFF together? LQTM
;) honestly was really wondering if PC has the skill to maintian a load like that and not crash....
but if I say anything bad about him he will unfreind me or dislike button me....so I am not going to say a word.......
You crack me up!
Actually, I don't think I'd even want to try and ride that thing........but let me tell ya what I am impressed by........
Did ya notice the bike? The suspension isn't bottomed out and the tires aren't showing a huge load. That's one heck of a bike!
;) but then they are not the size of you and 49 nor myself are they ..featherweights they are.....just the three of us would bottom that thing out, and that is even if 49 leaves his cone at home.......
Quote from: pcarrell on November 19, 2012, 11:54:44 AM
True!
Something like this was my alternate plan..........
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vulcanforums.com%2Fforums%2Fattachment.php%3Fattachmentid%3D14255%26amp%3Bd%3D1353286995&hash=f5d79cb17939936b623d903cc8d9a32018d4e7da)
OK, not really..........
Well, there you go! ;D ;)
Quote from: pcarrell on November 19, 2012, 20:28:33 PM
Actually, I don't think I'd even want to try and ride that thing........but let me tell ya what I am impressed by........
Did ya notice the bike? The suspension isn't bottomed out and the tires aren't showing a huge load. That's one heck of a bike!
. . . which is why I think it's photoshopped. Think about it. . . . . Looks like the driver and 6 passengers on there. Figure each weighs no less than 100lb. .. That's 700lbs on the bike which is the equivalent of two of us here in North America. ;) :o That back tire would need to be a solid rubber tire or it's inflated to a super high pressure. Plus, with all that weight behind the driver, the front end should be lifted up quite a bit.
Quote from: DC on November 20, 2012, 06:37:56 AM
. . . That's 700lbs on the bike which is the equivalent of two of us here in North America. .
...........you must feed at the low end of the trough............. ;D ;D
Regards and such,
49Reo
Quote from: 49Reo on November 20, 2012, 09:46:33 AM
...........you must feed at the low end of the trough............. ;D ;D
Regards and such,
49Reo
That was my attempt at a joke, reflecting on the notion that the rest of the world thinks we're all fat over here. ;D