Part II of my quest for information on shopping for my Dream Bike. Any ideas from this forum's wisdom base would be highly valued.
I know it's going to be another Drifter, I just need to decide what to shop for. As I look through ads for bikes for sale, I try to prioritize what aspects/options/etc. are more important. I figure you can buy the first thing that comes along, or look for a long time to find exactly what you want. Hopefully it will be something in between. :D
So here are some attributes I want to look for, and my reasoning. I value the wisdom found on this forum - please tell me if I'm off base on any of these. These are listed in order of "approximate" importance, but not exactly hard-and-fast.
1) cost: I'm cheap, I don't like to pay full price. I don't plan to pay $6000 for a $6000 bike, unless I would find EXACTLY what I want, which is highly unlikely. I plan to paint this bike, so cosmetic conditions, color, etc, don't really matter. A GOOD VALUE does. Mechanical issues are not bad, unless they're un-repairable, or not easily fixed (e.g. I probably don't want to have to find a used motor)
2) Mileage: I see a lot of low mileage drifters for sale. As long as there are low mileage bikes, why buy a high-miles model? My personal target is 10-15000 with 20,000 being "sort of" an upper limit. Does this soun5) d reasonable?
3) seat configurations: It seems that every 2-up configuration requires the illusive stock bracket. So it seems to make sense to find a bike with either a 2-up that I want, or at least a stock 2-up for the brackets?
4) R vs. J - I think I've decided on a R version, mostly for the larger fuel tank, and I think I want chrome on this bike. I really like the blacked out bikes, too, but I think I might go with a black 800 later... another story.
5) Exhaust: some of these pipes are getting hard to find. Peacepipe, Roadhouse. Seems like getting a sweet pipe on there would have to be a PLUS.
6) other options: stuff like windshield, crash bar, light bar, saddle bags, etc. These are a little more quantifiable - it's easy to figure how many dollars they will cost to add if they're not on there.
Anything else I'm missing?
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=25236.0
Yep.
Another thing to consider is whether you want to go the blackout route or chrome. If blackout, then you be looking at 1999-2000.
There are lots of good bikes out there. Take your time and check them out in person, if you can, or ask a member to check some things out on it, if its out of your area.
I wouldn't go with one that the motor has been bored out near the limit. Why bother.
These are going to be getting harder to find over time. I would say if you find THE one you want, go for it, if you otherwise wouldn't be doing the customizing to get it to that point yourself for lower cost and higher quality.
I was fortunate and found mine pretty quickly. Only a few months of searching, both near and far. I did let a few that I was very interested in get away, as I was evaluating everything. If it's a good bike for sale, with the right mods, and its priced according to the market, it will not be posted for very long. These can go quickly. If they have quirky mods, oddball paint schemes, or are priced too high, they can languish in the market for a long time.
In the end, I'm VERY happy with my bike. This sounds weird, but I don't know how I lived without it before. This bike is part of me in ways I just can't describe.
http://northbay.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-motorcycles-street-cruisers-choppers-REDUCED-Kawasaki-Drifter-1500-W0QQAdIdZ524022281
I have never seen nor heard of this bike in town, but it is supposed to be here, GB send me the money and I'll hold it here for you at my place till we can get together and make the exchange........oh you might have to leave it here if you can not import it, but I'll look after it for you....trust me......
I bet you would, Ratman.... That thing reads in "KMS"? I would never know how fast I was going or how far I'd been!
dude adapt and overcome.....or buy it and leave it here for when you come for a visit and I'll keep it running and working for you......
I would definitely look for the 2up combination, this is a pricey expenditure.
Mine was set up for solo only and by the time I bought a corbin seat, brackets from Kawi, the left side
footpeg bracket and Kuryakyn foot pegs (more money if you want floorboards) I spend enough for a nice
vacation to Cuba for a week.
No trouble getting the parts, just had to pay for them.
And when I was originally looking for a Drifter this didn't see to add or take away from the value of the bike.
It was more like a selling feature...
My next venture is to get some leather bags to match the seat $$$$$$$$
regards
aralph
aralph I'll be that is the sweetest ride north of Tecumseh Rd. perhaps even south too......really looks good.
Quote from: aralph on September 16, 2013, 18:03:19 PM
My next venture is to get some leather bags to match the seat $$$$$$$$
regards
aralph
You're absolutely right about that! That will be sweet.
Thanks for the input. I had figured that was the case, but it's good to know for sure. So am I correct that ANY 2-up seat will have the correct brackets?
thanks ratman, as for those leather bags I figure I'm into this knee deep already,
might as well go all in...
you can't take it with you when your gone...
Maybe you can't take it with you, but it's nice to have it while you're here...remember, the one who dies with the most toys wins....
I always thought, he who dies with the most toys is just dead.....
Yeah, well there's that, too.
Quote from: Troll on September 16, 2013, 20:33:58 PM
Maybe you can't take it with you, but it's nice to have it while you're here...remember, the one who dies with the most toys wins....
I think it's the people that think they're going to be inheriting the toys from us are the ones that are saying that.
Speaking of that how is my favorite Uncle DC doing these days...buddy.....fantastic uncle that you are........
Nope, not the MOST toys... the BEST toys!
Which is the winner...
1) guy with 14 bricks, or guy with 1 solid GOLD brick?
2) guy with 8 Chinese mopeds, or guy with ONE Drifter?
3) guy with 2 Smart cars, or guy with one perfectly restored 1968 Chevelle?
4) guy living in a junk yard, or guy with a garage full of usable parts?
5) etc. etc.
The BEST toys are those which make you happy!
Quote from: CDNRatMan on September 17, 2013, 11:06:59 AM
Speaking of that how is my favorite Uncle DC doing these days...buddy.....fantastic uncle that you are........
Now we see all these "
supposed" relatives are coming out of the wood work. I can see I dare not tell a soul when I win the big lottery.
GB seems that you and all the rest have missed a very important issue here.........
Why does the boss the lady who will be the owner of said dream machine? Does not matter what you want, you are married she will tell you what you will like, you are just the "driver" for said dream machine......ok get with the program
DC, lottery did you win my favorite Uncle.......at Drift in I'll explain about my lottery bus list and how that works in Canada.
Greenbarn,
Here is a nice 99 I'm selling that has everything your looking for...It's your dreambike.
http://tricities.craigslist.org/mcy/4051742701.html (http://tricities.craigslist.org/mcy/4051742701.html)
If I was an American I would snap that up in a heart beat, but that huge plate with the numbers is a deal breaker.....it just does nothing for me......
That has GB written all over it......
Ratman,
I can cut that plate down to size and even paint it black for you but of course you would not even need it...that is a Virginia inspection sticker. $15 a year.
I got a good deal on this bike and just bought it to flip it so I haven't done anything to it.
Well if I had the funds and was not waiting for my release I would be tempted to go and get a loan for it, who ever buys it will be a lucky person.
Quote from: CDNRatMan on September 17, 2013, 13:13:33 PM
DC, lottery did you win my favorite Uncle.......at Drift in I'll explain about my lottery bus list and how that works in Canada.
Dear Nephew RatMan,
I am relying on you to take care of me in my old age.
Sincerely,
Uncle DC
Quote from: aralph on September 16, 2013, 18:03:19 PM
I would definitely look for the 2up combination, this is a pricey expenditure.
Mine was set up for solo only and by the time I bought a corbin seat, brackets from Kawi, the left side
footpeg bracket and Kuryakyn foot pegs (more money if you want floorboards) I spend enough for a nice
vacation to Cuba for a week.
No trouble getting the parts, just had to pay for them.
And when I was originally looking for a Drifter this didn't see to add or take away from the value of the bike.
It was more like a selling feature...
regards
aralph
Aralph: Corbin gets $479 + 229 for the backrest. Approximately how much extra dough do you think you had in the brackets and additional stuff to make it work?? Just wondering - it's worth knowing to figure out how much Drifter "A" is worth vs. Drifter "B" when I'm shopping.
At least $200 to Kawi for the seat stay,seat bracket,left side foot peg bracket, 2 footpeg holders and pins.
Then another $150 for Küryakyn pegs and mounting adapters.
Almost $100 to bring the seat across the border, 13% tax in Ontario. :'(
At least it was shipped free to Detroit.
Like I said earlier, a nice trip to Cuba.
But happy wife and daughter, happy life. :)
So, basically, a Corbin 2-up (if that's what a guy wants) installed on a bike, with passenger footpegs or boards, is worth:
479 seat
350 brackets, footpegs, adapters, etc.
So that's almost 850 if it's on a R model... That's good to know.
I got the corbin on my 800 used for about 200, much cheaper.
Don't forget that $229 backrest, wouldn't want her sliding off the back.
Not a great way to start a ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iln-GdXgenU
Quote from: dakuhosu on September 23, 2013, 12:55:53 PM
Not a great way to start a ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iln-GdXgenU
And wouldn't you know it - she's probably going to be a SORE A$$ about it... :D
Got her panties all in a bunch...
That fat tire/ no back rest/ no fender mod is a pain in the BUTT, ain't it?
QuoteAnd wouldn't you know it - she's probably going to be a SORE A$$ about it... :D
Got her panties all in a bunch...
That fat tire/ no back rest/ no fender mod is a pain in the BUTT, ain't it?
WAAAAAAAY to many puns at a time
:o wondering if they are still BFF......
Probably would need a bikini wax for a while either...
I think he yells at her too, for making him look so stupid in front of the bros.
Hey, Greenbarn...you should see if you can buy Chilidrifts now wrecked Vaquero...and build yourself another Drifter, with belt drive and a 1700!!!!
Chilidrift wrecked his vaquero? where is the thread to that? How much does he want?
Quote from: dakuhosu on September 24, 2013, 20:20:54 PM
Chilidrift wrecked his vaquero? where is the thread to that? How much does he want?
http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=18678.0
here's the thread, staples and all.
Quote from: Troll on September 24, 2013, 18:22:57 PM
Hey, Greenbarn...you should see if you can buy Chilidrifts now wrecked Vaquero...and build yourself another Drifter, with belt drive and a 1700!!!!
Ya, know, if you drop the fairing, and add some fender skirts, you might have something there...