Finally got to go pick up my new baby, 1999 1500. Seemed a simple enough proposition, drive from Tamworth Ontario to Cape Cod, pay the nice people, load the bike and come home. Stop 1. Duty Free to exchange my Can. $ for greenbacks, raped to the tune of 14% even though the going rate is 8% that day.Should have taken this as an omen.
Stop 2 & 3, unscheduled, my US Tracphone is out of minutes, hit up Wal Mart and reload, Watertown NY, drive 15 minutes up the hwy and GPS completely dies, beyond hope. Next Wal-Mart, Syracuse, new GPS.
Stop 4 Finally get rolling along nicely, I'm no longer going to be on the Cape shortly after lunch but I should make it there before the U-Haul closes at 4:00. Actually arrive where I need to be an hour early, yay!. dRIVE AROUND AIMLESSLY FOR 45 MINUTES AS THE NEW gps keeps re-routing, arrive at U-haul 3:45. Hook up trailer, running lights don't work, screw with that for half an hour. No luck. Give up, resign myself to only driving back as far as I can before dark.
Stop 5. The sellers house. Meet two super nice people, very helpful. We get the bike load it in the trailer with my awesome Condor wheel chock, makes a bike falling over impossible. So when I ordered the trailer I checked the wheelbase measurements, the super cool skirted fender I bought this bike for apparently adds another foot to the length. Door won't close. F&%k! Take the stand out lock the bars,ratchet strap ten ways from Sunday with the bike angled in, door closes. Forgot my locks at home. It's ok I have a full tank of gas and only 2 hours of sunlight, I'll grab some when I stop.
Stop 6. Wal-Mart, Auburn Mass. 2.5 hrs and not nearly enough miles away from the Cape. Run in quick, grab a three pack of locks. Open the trailer to check bike. My new baby is lying on her side next to the broken strap and many little pieces of the back fender. Quietly sit on the floor of the trailer and have a smoke while I collect myself and not go on a spree of unbridled rage. Right the bike, restrap differently with brand new straps I buy thinking that maybe I can sue Wal-mart when these ones break first use as will surely happen the way my luck is running. I find a hotel, check in, and sleep.
Day 2 Wake out of a sound sleep at 5:45 with the startling thought, what if the bars got bent???? Throw on clothes go to the parking lot check the bike in the daylight, all good, except that fender is still broke. Weep a little, go have breakfast. Gonna hit the road, should be no stops today, should make US export control way before 4:00.
Stop 1. On the road by 7:15 gonna crush it, make it as far as putting the truck in gear before the assortment of yestedays road food wants out. Back into the hotel, I've already checked out. I proceed to pretty much destroy the lobby toilet, sorry Hampton Inn. Now I'm on my way. Traffic is somewhat slow leaving Mass. I have to supress an overwhelming urge to stop at every service center and check on bike. Finally give in at last Mass exit. bike is fine, I gas up, this should take me well past Syracuse. I get back on the raod ready for the home stretch, it's not even 9:00 yet, woohoo!
Stop 2. I go about 15 miles on the NY throughway, round a bend and see vehicles in front of me all stopping, I notice amber lights of a work crew, and something odd in the right lane which is empty, about a quarter mile up. What is it? Is that smoke? I ask as a geyser of flame shoots into the sky. A semi is burning away in the right lane and a passing road crew has wisely closed the left. Troopers nor fire crews have arrived yet. Having been a volunteer fireman for 10 years I recognize this scenario and begin to search the truck for something to use as a pillow. I call US customs and explain the situation, they graciously agree to leave my paperwork with the CBP officers. Actually get moving after 75minutes, pretty good. Cruise uneventful till 40 miles outside Syracuse, here my new GPS insists that I will save much time getting on secondary roads. Dear Garmin-suck it!
Stop 3 Border, actually nmade it by 3:00, cross with just the usual to-do.
Stop 4 My bike shop, boys all have a laugh at me breaking my fender as they help me unload. Should have my safety done by next week. The way the weather is I should be riding by August. See pics below.
Couple more pics of my new baby
I could not see any damage. Perhaps some close ups?
That sounds like a really fun trip, so the next time I am through Tamworth, I can drop in for a visit, or better yet, once I get to NorthBrooke, stop for lunch and then call you and met up at Beaver Lake for a bit of a ride into Kingston.
Bike looks really good though........
Sounds like a plan. Don't have any pics of the damage yet.
Nice bike. One thing about it, you will never forget that road trip. It might cause you to wake up in a cold sweat every so often though....
What are the plans for the fender; replace, or go to a body shop and wave it repaired. I was talking to a fellow here in town a while back, he owns a body shop, he said it is amazing the products out there for doing flawless and strong repairs to todays plastic body parts. Hope the rest of your year perks up!
Sorry to hear about your trip and damage to the bike. The Drifter is a very LONG bike - fender tip to fender tip. Mine comes out at about 9 feet I believe.
Nine ft. sounds bang on, that was an 8 foot trailer. I was thinking for now on the fender I may just put a set of fender tips on, if I can find some that fit. I actually just logged in to post asking for advice on what's out there for Drifter fender tips and/or mud guards and where to find them. I have been looking for the last hour and no luck so far. Also is it normal to have to hold the starter button for a few secs. on a 99 Drifter before it kicks in, guy said it always did it and was because of the FI.
When you turn the key on, you should hear the fuel pump cycle; take about 2-3 seconds. Then, when you hit the 'start' button, the engine will turn over I believe it is a minimum of 3 times before firing. The 'several' revolutions before firing is to prevent a backfire which could not only cause mechanical damage, it also may cause the person sitting on said bike to commit a social error in his best riding gear....
Ouch! Well glad you got her home safely anyway. My 99 1500 sometimes has an ignition 'hesitation' I like to call it... when I turn the key on he occasionally decides not to turn on the fuel pump relay. A jiggle of the key and then flicking it off and on again usually does the trick. You're gonna love this bike, congrats on the pickup. I love the smoked lenses and blacked out pipes, lookin' good man!
Great pics! You finally have your bike. Put the thoughts of the road trip in the past and move forward. Congrats and good luck with your new ride!
Sometimes nothing goes right, except you now have the Drifter.
Nice bike. You handled all that difficulty quite well, I think. It doesn't look like there's too much damage, so that's good. In a very worst-case scenario, this is your chance to change colors, if you have to repaint part of it.... ;D
Great looking bike, though. You'll love it.
If there is a bright side to this...besides you now being a Drifter owner, you can replace the rear fender relatively cheaply with a genuine, made in Iowa fiberglass one. http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-1500-DRIFTER-INDIAN-REAR-FENDER-FIBERGLASS-/251341378951?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a851d1587&vxp=mtr
Glad about your purchase, but sorry how it all worked out! hopefully Troll's help will work out!
Yea, like Troll said.....Fenders are available at a place in Hull, Iowa called Oldies. They're listed on the net under badassglass I think. They advertise that their fenders are much stronger than OEM units and are made from the OEM molds.
Good luck with your new bike
Sorry it went the way it did.
If the fender is cracked..... perhaps you can buy a fender tip and put it on the fender tip and it will keep it from going any further.
That is how I repaired mine. :) Can't tell it was cracked now.
Larry
Yes I have been shopping for fender tips, will probably go with that for this year. I was going to ask if anyone has had experience with badassglass in Iowa as that was the first solution I found .
I re-read your post again tonight. Man, that was a rough way to go. I had a pretty rough time when I got my bike- snow, rain, steep driveway, low overhead door, etc - Or SO I THOUGHT- it was like a walk in the park compared to your trip..... But you still got a REALLY COOL BIKE!! ;D ;D
I shopped for fender tips, somewhat extensively - had a hard time finding them. I got mine from JP cycles. I think I tried 4 different models, and if I remember, I ended up with one that I thought would fit (not mounted on yet). If I can get to it, I'll try to get a picture of it tomorrow.
Zambini Bros
http://www.zambinibrosmfa.com/
Quote from: moosewing3 on April 01, 2014, 18:36:34 PM
Yes I have been shopping for fender tips, will probably go with that for this year. I was going to ask if anyone has had experience with badassglass in Iowa as that was the first solution I found .
While I haven't dealt with them personally, I know several people who have, including the guy that supplied his Drifter fenders to make the molds they use, and all have been happy with Oldies.
;) moosewing3 and GB, you both had rough goes of getting your bikes, I had to drive from here to Barrie, looked at 2 of them, enough said about that, load the bike, drive to Huntsville, stopped at 3 Men and a Stove Restaurant for supper;
http://3guysandastove.com/
then drive home on a full stomach....a real rough trip for me......lol....
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. Those Zambini ones will be exacty what I want, I found some on eBay and the guy wanted $260. So glad you pointed me to the site, way cheaper. Does anyone happen to know the width of the fenders? Mine is not here to measure. Alsp would love to see the pics Larry. I found one other set I would like to try but not sure on the fit.
The Zambinis are much nicer than the one I found at JP Cycle. More expensive, but lots nicer. I checked at lunch and the one I found fits the front, I wasn't able to find one that fits the rear. Tried several, but nothing was close. I'm not at my bike now, but it seems to me that the rear fender is around 9" wide at the back. I could be remembering it wrong, though.
I've not seen the zambinis up close, but they really look high quality on their website.
I have to ask because I have no idea about riding across borders..so..
Why didn't you just ride the bike home?
John.
Mostly I did not ride home because the temperature ranged between -3 and -12 over the route of the ride, also the alternating snow and rain. Biggest problem in the northern US and Canada at this time of year is that even if you get a day where it is warm enough to ride the roads are still covered with lots of sand and salt left over from ice melting operations, making them very treacherous, especially corners and intersections.
Yeah that's not just a problem for you guys. Where I live: something like 4,000+ tons of sand, whopping 6 street sweepers. So far the rainstorms have done a better job cleaning the roads than the sweepers.
Sweepers won't even go out for at least another 3 weeks here.
Tamworth has sweepers? I know Cloyne has one.....if the mules are feeling good enough to pull it.....
We do it has three different towns to cover. Took some pics of the fender damage today.
I don't think a tip is going to cover that.....
Nope
pretty extensive.
Have you thought to look around one of the scrap yards in Kingston, see if by chance they have a rear fender..........just a thought
Honestly the badassglass ones are only $250 I'm just going to order one of those.
you might be able to trim that off and make it look quite good..
John.
Quote from: moosewing3 on April 03, 2014, 20:00:00 PM
We do it has three different towns to cover. Took some pics of the fender damage today.
I must admit to liking the "before" pictures better... :o I sure hope the rest of the mods go better! ;D
Like I said before, Wing.... This is y our excuse to paint it whatever color you want to. I'm mighty partial to two-tone, myself....
Quote from: John Hopkins on April 04, 2014, 21:06:21 PM
you might be able to trim that off and make it look quite good..
Bobber project?
Nope on the bobber, ordering new fender tomorrow. Already had the paint booked and picked before I picked her up. Going with Plasti dip again, in a two tone, one of them a custom colour. Waiting on a quote back for ceramic powder coating on the pipes. Hope to start tearing down this week, but apparently I'm supposed to finish remodelling the bathroom I tore apart last week. Non riders have no idea how to prioritize.
are you doing the painting or someplace in the city?
Gatineau actually
wow away over there.....lol.....
I use the guy in Gatineau because I still have lots of family in Ottawa and my BK chapter is there so I'm up there once a month anyway. So the epic of getting the bike home continues, was a decent day yesterday so I went to pick the bike up from the shop that had been doing the safety and repairing the throttle cable. Was riding along getting a feel for my new bike and all of a sudden it get real quiet and I can smell fuel. Pull to the side of the road see fuel all down the side of the bike. Turn everything off can't find the problem. Turn the key and notice fuel puming fast from under the tank. Go through a whole adeventure getting a trailer, mine and everyine else's is still snowed in. Get the bike home, pull the seat and tank, see that there is a back line that has a very odd clip/ check valve (I think) that is not really attached. muscle in till I hear a click, hopfully this does it.
yes understand that you folks down south are already riding. No Kaw dealer in the area since Ben's closed, or is there one close to you, I can not remember any that way. Glad it worked out for you.....
My cousin actually owned the local Kawasaki dealer, his partner wanted to buy him out, quickly went bankrupt, and stiffed him on the money he owed him. There is one in Ottawa and one in Belleville though which is reasonably close, but he doesn't carry much stock. Luckily my daughter lives five minutes from the dealer in Cornwall. Even better she lives about 20 minutes from the Ship It Shop just across the border so I order tons of stuff from the US and get free shipping lol.
Quote from: moosewing3 on April 08, 2014, 08:30:23 AM
I use the guy in Gatineau because I still have lots of family in Ottawa and my BK chapter is there so I'm up there once a month anyway. So the epic of getting the bike home continues, was a decent day yesterday so I went to pick the bike up from the shop that had been doing the safety and repairing the throttle cable. Was riding along getting a feel for my new bike and all of a sudden it get real quiet and I can smell fuel. Pull to the side of the road see fuel all down the side of the bike. Turn everything off can't find the problem. Turn the key and notice fuel puming fast from under the tank. Go through a whole adeventure getting a trailer, mine and everyine else's is still snowed in. Get the bike home, pull the seat and tank, see that there is a back line that has a very odd clip/ check valve (I think) that is not really attached. muscle in till I hear a click, hopfully this does it.
That bike has a black cloud hanging over it.
Either that or it just doesn't like me. Best part is my wife keeps reminding me that there was NOTHING wrong with my old Classic.
That's the pressure line from the fuel pump. Some safety check...Did they remove the tank, or just try to set you on fire?
Do you know if this a standard wear item Troll? My guess is that when the nechanic had the tank off or propped he didn't get it clicked on all the way. I had to press very hard and took three attempts to get it to seat. Worried now that it might pop off again so was wondering if anyone else has had this issue.
When I took the tank off to install my power commander, it was tight coming off and going on; that being said, that was 6 years ago, and it has never popped off. I think that if I had that issue, I would remove the tank and inspect that very closely on both ends.
Why would they have had to take the tank off, anyway? When I last brought a bike in to Canada, all they did was check serial#, lights, tires, brakes,(just that they pumped up and weren't leaking) and headlight-on system. I never even unloaded it; they did it right on the trailer, never even fired it up. Took less than 5 minutes.
When you reinstall the fuel line you must push it in till you hear the click or it will come loose. I think it says in the service manual to be sure you hear it click. Who ever worked on it probably did not push it in far enough...you should have no problem with it now.
49, this was not part of the safety, while I had them doing safety I had an issue with the throttle cable so I had them repair that at the same time. I got off the phone with them this morning, they were very apologetic and are providing a refund.
Money back is nice, but what would they say if there was a fire?????
Ahh. So a bit of negligence on the service tech's part. Good thing it didn't go up in flames.
might have been his first Drifter to work on and he was just so overwhelmed, so perhaps we cut him a bit of slack..........
Pretty uncharacteristic for this shop and mechanic. I've had worse mistakes made and much poorer response. Put the solo seat on today while I had the bike apart.
Let's hope that this is just a blip and when you get to ride it you have no more problems..I've ridden more bikes than I can remember, the Drifter is quite slow but handles well and it stands up to some hard long distance riding without overheating. I've ridden a lot worse..
John.