My Drifter has gone through a number of "revisions" since I bought it 3 years ago: Dual auxillary lamps on the front, Vintage lighting front and back, customizing and lowering my exhaust... This was also done so I could mount new hard bags on it. (I had put on leather bags the first year, but they looked beat to heck after a season.)
The latest revision is the replacement of the solo seat (which I loved the look of) to a more pragmatic DUAL seat. Yes this latest revision is so I can keep my girlfriend close. I bought the seat last year but I was having issues with the bike and did not get it back from the shop until the SNOW started flying!!! So... I was not able to get the dual seat installed until last Saturday!
The seat was not bad to install. It made me weep a little to remove the solo seat BUT it needed to be done. The dual seat went on perfectly. Thanks to A.L. Ratkai. Thank you Andy, the seat and mounting pieces were in great shape and it all went together like a well made puzzle. The passenger pegs were also appreciated.
Although it is colder than normal and snow has been in the forecast, I have ridden this bike TWO days of the last 3 since I put the dual sweat on. Did I tell you guys I love this bike?!?
My Drifter is now ready for the 2018 season and trips with the GF.
Really neat & nice!
Due to the angle of the 2 up seats, she will be close alright! I found a sheep skin works wonders if she starts complaining about sliding forward too much. If you can find a 2 up Corbin, they are more comfortable but you may like that seat better also. Everyone is different.
Bike looks good....
great looking bike! where'd you get that windshield bag--is that a Harley one you adapted?
Also, may I ask where you got that speedometer visor? Might be nice to have it when it's real sunny, not to mention it looks great.
Quote from: Tfrank59 on April 03, 2018, 12:33:39 PM
Also, may I ask where you got that speedometer visor? Might be nice to have it when it's real sunny, not to mention it looks great.
That speedo visor was on it when I bought the bike! Also that windshield bag was on it when I bought it. Very handy I might add. And yes the visor on the speedo definitely helps reduce glare on sunny days! Wish I could be more helpful but I did not add these myself.
Quote from: Pilgrim on April 03, 2018, 12:31:03 PM
Due to the angle of the 2 up seats, she will be close alright! I found a sheep skin works wonders if she starts complaining about sliding forward too much. If you can find a 2 up Corbin, they are more comfortable but you may like that seat better also. Everyone is different.
Bike looks good....
Thanks, Pilgrim. I like the bike a lot. Aside from errands and runs to the store, I intend to do some over nights with it. This week is cold with high winds and even snow. So It may be next week before the two of us check out this new seat.
Zoar: I like the repro turn signals on the back. Assume they match those on the light bar.
Can you put a better photo of that light bar? Would like to see it straight on. How do you like it and where is the switch located?
Quote from: kw-retrorider on April 03, 2018, 15:40:04 PM
Zoar: I like the repro turn signals on the back. Assume they match those on the light bar.
Can you put a better photo of that light bar? Would like to see it straight on. How do you like it and where is the switch located?
I dig the retro turn signals. A LOT.
The dual lamp front light switch is on the LEFT handlebar right next to the high low beam switch. So easy peazy.
Zoar; you're most welcome and glad it was an easy install for you, now a sissy bar and back rest for the GF and if we can find them passenger floorboards will make her riding experience a lot more enjoyable. Pilgrim, none of my passangers on the 800 ever complain about sliding forward.
Speedo visors are hard to find for the 800, and I think I just found one and am in negotiation on the purchase of it......and will look really good on Raven........
just an fyi Ratman...I am working on a design for mounting brackets to attach my tilt adjustable rear rack with backrest mount onto the drifter 2-up seats (both 800 and 1500 models) this will give you an option of having a rear rack and adding the backrest mount with pad to it....I should have the prototype sometime in the next week or so.....would be the same rear rack and backrest mount as in the attached picture....just with mounting brackets for the 2-up seats...
You always have something on the go and I am always interested in what you are planning. I really like all your add on so far......
Black and chrome...always look great together!
Quote from: CDNRatMan on April 03, 2018, 17:18:57 PM
Zoar; you're most welcome and glad it was an easy install for you, now a sissy bar and back rest for the GF and if we can find them passenger floorboards will make her riding experience a lot more enjoyable. Pilgrim, none of my passangers on the 800 ever complain about sliding forward.
Speedo visors are hard to find for the 800, and I think I just found one and am in negotiation on the purchase of it......and will look really good on Raven........
I did not realize how lucky I was to get the speedo visor with the purchase of the bike!
Regarding the sliding forward, the only other bike I have right now with a dual seat is a Ducati ST4. Last year my GF rode on the Ducati with me and our only complaint was she was constantly sliding forward on the seat. Ducati are a challenge to drive without some aggressive movement. I am optimistic the Drifter will be vastly superior. We will see. Hopefully soon!
If you really want her to be happy back there give her a rider backrest, and if you can the kind that have armrests. Then she'll be a queen on her throne ;D
Quote from: Zoar on April 04, 2018, 07:58:15 AM
Regarding the sliding forward, the only other bike I have right now with a dual seat is a Ducati ST4. Last year my GF rode on the Ducati with me and our only complaint was she was constantly sliding forward on the seat.
That is why I just bought a (2nd hand) backrest for ma-deuce: it's from Ledrie (Ratman sure knows what I'm talkin' about...), a good maker that unfortunately is out of business... I must admit I've been very lucky!
Well like Marco said in another post that Ledrie (what Mopar was to Dodge) was to Drifter for parts, they made a sissy bar, front engine guard, front fender guard and the luggage rack for the 800's for sure and they were extremely well made and very nice finished product. But they are the Unicorn to find.......I have been also lucky in I did get the front engine guard for both bikes, and the front fender guard and sissy bar but I have not seen any online for a long time.
Zoar since I bought my 80 I have bought 2 visors and just found a third one so they are not easy to find.........now as for the sliding around on the seat I am really wondering, I have 2 females that I rode with a lot in the past few summers, and both are different in weight and height, and on any long ride neither one has complained of sliding around.......I'll have to go and ask them now.....or I'll wait till the summer and take myself for a ride....
You can get a quick detach sissy bar with or without a luggage rack that mounts directly to the grab bar.
Wife has never had a problem with sliding forward on seat. I modified mine and put a small air ride shock on bottom of seat.
Sorry. Btw you can get a light visor that'll fit over speedometer. That's what I've done.
Since my mods etc to the drifter/Indian I've not ridden my HD.
Also you can get HD parts or any bike cheap at Banggood.com
HD parts actually come in an orange n black box just like HD except doesn't have the name in the shield. Has shield and EVERYTHING just not HD through middle of shield. Cousin works at York HD plant and has said for YEARS that parts are made overseas. They can put American made cause the packaging is.
Quote from: Inkslinger43 on April 08, 2018, 11:38:33 AM
Sorry. Btw you can get a light visor that'll fit over speedometer. That's what I've done.
Since my mods etc to the drifter/Indian I've not ridden my HD.
Also you can get HD parts or any bike cheap at Banggood.com
HD parts actually come in an orange n black box just like HD except doesn't have the name in the shield. Has shield and EVERYTHING just not HD through middle of shield. Cousin works at York HD plant and has said for YEARS that parts are made overseas. They can put American made cause the packaging is.
If they can put American made simply because the packaging is, even though the parts ARE made overseas, then they are LIARS and cannot be trusted.
Actually there's a certain percentage I think it's 75 that the manufacturer has to actually make the product in country in order to say American made
Quote from: Tfrank59 on April 11, 2018, 15:07:07 PM
Actually there's a certain percentage I think it's 75 that the manufacturer has to actually make the product in country in order to say American made
Indeed, yet HD has apparently convinced themselves that as long as the packaging is made here it is actually okay for them to say american made. At least that is what I read they tell their people at the plants, who apparently suck it up and feel justified that their bullcrap is a-okay and as long as they can cash their paycheck they swallow any senses of decency.
QuoteActually there's a certain percentage I think it's 75 that the manufacturer has to actually make the product in country in order to say American made
Not sure but I recall reading someplace that as long as the packing and the assembly is done this side of the ocean it is American made, and so that caused me to wonder who decides where it is made.....
Quote from: CDNRatMan on April 11, 2018, 17:03:50 PM
Not sure but I recall reading someplace that as long as the packing and the assembly is done this side of the ocean it is American made, and so that caused me to wonder who decides where it is made.....
According to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) ---- your product is "Made in the USA" means "all or virtually all" of the products' parts must be made here.
"Packaging" is hardly what the FTC demands.
HD is lying and it appears their workers are happy to just look the other way for the paycheck.
Quote from: Zoar on April 04, 2018, 07:58:15 AM
I did not realize how lucky I was to get the speedo visor with the purchase of the bike!
Regarding the sliding forward, the only other bike I have right now with a dual seat is a Ducati ST4. Last year my GF rode on the Ducati with me and our only complaint was she was constantly sliding forward on the seat. Ducati are a challenge to drive without some aggressive movement. I am optimistic the Drifter will be vastly superior. We will see. Hopefully soon!
I am looking forward to riding my Drifter 800 again. It has been cold with occasional snow here since I posted last. But it is better than UP pf Michigan where my son lives. He texted me and said they just went over 300 inches of snow for the season, that is 25 FEET and it is still coming down. We had white on the ground this AM, so no motorcycle riding today. Again. I have been starting it and letting it run some. I am biting at the bit........
looks very nice and no snow in the picture, I still have lots in the front lawn.....
Quote from: CDNRatMan on April 19, 2018, 18:26:39 PM
looks very nice and no snow in the picture, I still have lots in the front lawn.....
Here is a photo taken from yesterday. My bike photo was just for inspiration. It was actually taken BEFORE I put on the dual seat so autumn 2017. But this photo in this post is about 20 hours old.
The days have also been gray and cold even when not snowing. I am off-the-grid and make all my power from solar and store it in a battery bank. Good thing because sun (and warmth) have been in short supply but I always have power. Lordy, this solar technology with batteries is pretty darn cool and wonderful and yes it works because I am in a low sun index place yet always have had power.... going on 13 years of off the grid living with 4 years with this larger solar array and it works.
That's pretty cool the Wife is a journalist and a few years ago she did a story about this guy who built a cottage up in central Ontario and was told it would cost about 20K to bring in power so he went off the grid, put up a few panels had a bank of batteries and all his appliances including fridge ran off the batteries. His cost was a fraction of the cost of bringing in power and no bills!
Quote from: RockinRollin on April 24, 2018, 08:35:54 AM
That's pretty cool the Wife is a journalist and a few years ago she did a story about this guy who built a cottage up in central Ontario and was told it would cost about 20K to bring in power so he went off the grid, put up a few panels had a bank of batteries and all his appliances including fridge ran off the batteries. His cost was a fraction of the cost of bringing in power and no bills!
Yes. It is not rocket science and you don;t need a NASA budget.
I did my off-grid power system for under $18K and because it is OFF THE GRID I do not get state tax credit but I do get Federal credits so knock off another 30 cents on every dollar so knock off $6K. So it cost me less than $12K. And I have NO utility bill, and when the power goes OUT which is does a lot around here, my power is ON. I like making my own power. A LOT. After 13 years I would say it is one of the best things I ever did in my lifetime. What's THAT worth?
Quote from: Zoar on April 24, 2018, 09:55:54 AM
Yes. It is not rocket science and you don;t need a NASA budget.
. I like making my own power. A LOT. After 13 years I would say it is one of the best things I ever did in my lifetime. What's THAT worth?
So do you have some good resources for us?? I'm interested in looking into this.
Quote from: greenbarn on April 25, 2018, 21:32:40 PM
So do you have some good resources for us?? I'm interested in looking into this.
I did it myself. So I guess I am the best resource.
I contacted and dealt with all the "solar Installation" companies in my region, and this area has a lot of solar/renewables, far more in 20 square miles here than the entire states of Florida and Georgia COMBINED. But these companies all quoted me far more than wanted to pay. So, yea, I have done it myself and don't have any other resources to recommend. I also made the FOOD Truck, pi Truck, all solar powered (for all ts electrical needs). And I want to do an RV next. I want another StepVan, like the Food Truck but my girlfriend really wants an Airstream or Boler or other small trailer.
That's something I wouldn't mind looking into, sometime.
Quote from: greenbarn on April 26, 2018, 22:22:57 PM
That's something I wouldn't mind looking into, sometime.
Well, it is pretty straight forward, Here is an example of my system:
Eight 300 WATT Solar panels (can be 275 watt to 325 watt each, it does not matter) (24Volt DC panels)
Two OUTBACK (FlexMax 80 AMP each) Controllers
Four 6VOLT Golf Cart batteries 240AH hours each (set up in series to make a 24VOLT DC storage)
One 3000Watt Inverter (converts the 24V DC to 120V AC)
Miscellaneous electrical junction boxes and some wires
Can't get any simpler than that!
Well, except if you use only one Controller. But this
is really simple as you can see, and it works.
My home is powered with this I have a JET PUMP and refrigeration and washing machine and appliances and lighting and radio and TV just like other people. We don't suffer.
But we are not energy pigs either or energy oblivious. I have some people come to me and say "Oh, we don't use much power!", and I ask to see their Electric Bill. They use 25,000-32,000 WATTS HOURS a DAY!! Sorry, that is being energy oblivious. That is being an energy PIG. We use about 2,000 to 3,500 at my house and we are very comfortable and happy!
That's really cool. Is there a resource that gives you the "solar potential" of your immediate area, like a solar power map?? We have so many bloody cloudy days in the winter, makes me wonder.
Quote from: greenbarn on April 27, 2018, 21:03:35 PM
That's really cool. Is there a resource that gives you the "solar potential" of your immediate area, like a solar power map?? We have so many bloody cloudy days in the winter, makes me wonder.
Yes, if you Google solar energy potential US you get:
https://www.energy.gov/maps/solar-energy-potential
Ohio and my area of NY are in the same boat as far as solar index.... and we are better off than GERMANY and Germany has adopted solar in a big way and as stated I have been making my own power fo 13 years so yes solar works in our solar index.
Quote from: Zoar on April 30, 2018, 08:23:33 AM
Yes, if you Google solar energy potential US you get:
https://www.energy.gov/maps/solar-energy-potential
Ohio and my area of NY are in the same boat as far as solar index.... and we are better off than GERMANY and Germany has adopted solar in a big way and as stated I have been making my own power fo 13 years so yes solar works in our solar index.
Here is another map, I find this one even more useful because I can see it better! As you can see my area is the same as northern Ohio.
https://www.google.com/search?q=solar+index+map+USA&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=YoDJULBMBQoflM%253A%252CvW7ehjn1gF7bQM%252C_&usg=__r0jMIStur6MGCvWAOGoLHD-WGK8%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjs0eXPi-LaAhWjxVkKHWOuCSUQ9QEIbDAF#imgrc=Fbzel7ycP_hJTM:
We have tons of solar panels around here and when I went to Florida a couple of weeks ago there were NONE. So in my experience adoption of solar power has nothing to do with the solar index. It has everything to do with attitude and belief system. Some areas the general population just oppose or even hate solar because they associate it with being left leaning so they will come up with every reason NOT to use solar. It works at my house and in my region (with low comparative solar index).It is that simple, really. Yet for those who oppose it, no amount of facts or proof or actual history will change their minds.
That's pretty cool.
Quote from: greenbarn on April 30, 2018, 22:17:53 PM
That's pretty cool.
Yes. It is really cool and as indicated, it s one of the best things I have ever done. I am truly "empowered" and far more self sufficient and self reliant. The only thing is if everything does go to shit, people definitely would descend on my place because I am one of the few with OFF THE GRID Power production. As I stated above, there are tons of solar installations locally but almost all of them are Solar Grid-Tied. With no battery aspect. I think that is dumb. But this would not be the first time I see what "everyone is doing" and think it is dumb. But yes it is really cool to make your own power and have your own energy storage... And yes it is dramatically superior to a gas or propane generator because that runs out of fuel. I have a infinite supply and as I have lived for 13 years I have sun and energy storage to provide for all my needs.
And yes also with my Pi Truck it is an actually MOBILE POWER PLANT.... and it can make tons of really great food too! (I have TWO totally independent power generation and power storage systems now in operation. My home system and my mobile, Pi Truck, system).
SO, 18K worth of equipment 13 yrs ago, Fed credit to make it 12K, let's say current price is at least 15-20K (I don't know what credits are available). SO if my electric bill is, let's say 200/mo, I'm looking at a 75-100 month return on investment? seems like a long time....Am I looking at this wrong? What is the lifespan on the batteries and the panels, BTW? Can you run 240 volt equipment? Just a few questions,LOL
Quote from: greenbarn on May 01, 2018, 20:43:56 PM
SO, 18K worth of equipment 13 yrs ago, Fed credit to make it 12K, let's say current price is at least 15-20K (I don't know what credits are available). SO if my electric bill is, let's say 200/mo, I'm looking at a 75-100 month return on investment? seems like a long time....Am I looking at this wrong? What is the lifespan on the batteries and the panels, BTW? Can you run 240 volt equipment? Just a few questions,LOL
Well if all you want to do is try to make it be cheaper and no other considerations -- like the fact it makes me feel so good and I have power when no one else does and I have NO utility bills, then indeed it will not be cheaper. You have to weigh and add in the other benefits.
Sure, that makes sense. The cheapest route is seldom the best route. Just trying to get my head wrapped around it
Quote from: greenbarn on May 02, 2018, 20:59:05 PM
Sure, that makes sense. The cheapest route is seldom the best route. Just trying to get my head wrapped around it
I guess I don't see it as a comparison of cheapest to something else. I see it as I have my own power plant and power storage and that gives me an asset and advantages that I do not get by writing checks to the Utility company every month and having them dictate the rules and also when something happens and the grid goes down I have no power. I also like knowing I am making all my power in a green way and not helping to perpetuate the DEPENDENCE on fossil fuel which is by far the biggest contributors to the power grid in the US, (Gas and Coal). See link---
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/power-plants/?utm_term=.51193c69ee53
They provide most of the power to the current massive grid power system.
Plus the way we make power now with massive power plants feeding the Power Grid is horrifically inefficient and incredibly wasteful. Gas and coal power plants, and the infrastructure to supply them, consumes so much power and are NOT efficient and the percentage LOST getting the power from these power plants to our homes is downright wasteful and stupid. Studies have shown that if you count the waste and inefficiencies of fossil fuel power production and distribution, the net is about 15% to 35%. That is a horrific and wasteful system.
I like NOT supporting what I believe is a stupid.
Here is another LINK that attempts to add up just SOME of the LOSSES that are inherent with the current massive fossil power plants-grid based system that is the primary method that is still being used:
http://insideenergy.org/2015/11/06/lost-in-transmission-how-much-electricity-disappears-between-a-power-plant-and-your-plug/
I like collecting energy from the sun that hits on my land, transmitting it a few feet to my house with virtually no moving parts or fuel needed to make it work, and not contributing to the highly inefficient and polluting system that is the dominant grid power system.
I know some people say yea, but you have to make the panels and batteries. That is so lame. If we added up also all the chemicals and rare earth metals and energy that goes into making Power Plants and the trains and tankers and vessels needed to transport the fuels to the massive power plants, and yes all that is consumed to build power plants ---which is comparing apples to apples---it makes my 8 solar panels and 4 batteries look exceedingly smart and very efficient and not wasteful compared to billions of tons or wasted and consumed raw materials to make power plants and feed that massive power production approach that utilizes gas or coal.
I have spent decades IN and around Power Plants around the US and I can tell you they are inefficient and they are gross consumers of resources and materials and virtually no one has actually computed a fraction of the consumption and consumed resources. The math has been done on the OUTPUT at the built plants and the line losses which is only a SOME of the losses and yet studies show those two alone account for 65% LOSS. meaning 35% usable output and as stated that is not all the losses.
Zoar, I think you should rename the subject of this topic, by "My own power plant REVISED"... LOL... ;D
Seriously, I really like the way you think out of the box, because it surely helps our poor planet's health.
But now you should find a way to complete your scheme, by converting your Drifter to electrical energy... ;)
Quote from: mittico68 on May 03, 2018, 11:18:43 AM
Zoar, I think you should rename the subject of this topic, by "My own power plant REVISED"... LOL... ;D
Seriously, I really like the way you think out of the box, because it surely helps our poor planet's health.
But now you should find a way to complete your scheme, by converting your Drifter to electrical energy... ;)
Well, .....................that would be a sacrilege. Sorry, can't do that.
That said, I do want to get an electric motorcycle soon. And keep my Drifter just the way it is.
Quote from: Zoar on May 03, 2018, 12:35:36 PM
Well, .....................that would be a sacrilege. Sorry, can't do that.
That said, I do want to get an electric motorcycle soon. And keep my Drifter just the way it is.
Amen, brother, amen.
Quote from: mittico68 on May 04, 2018, 01:49:33 AM
Amen, brother, amen.
I do like SOME of the new electric bikes coming out. Here is one. It is made by Ducati:
Cost of solar panels has come way down: If I added a few more panels I could get an electric car and/or motorcycle and charge it at home and with all the new charging stations popping up, it would be a smart way to gooooooo!
Sure it would be nice, but I would still like to hear that rumble from the pipes... 8)
Call me petrolhead or wathever you like, but I love my Drifter the way it is!
Quote from: mittico68 on May 07, 2018, 10:36:03 AM
Sure it would be nice, but I would still like to hear that rumble from the pipes... 8)
Call me petrolhead or wathever you like, but I love my Drifter the way it is!
Yes the Drifter is great as it is. Retro Vintage.
Other motorcycles, though, can be electric powered and I like where Ducati and others are going with their electric bikes.
I have a friend who has a TESLA. And I can tell you that it is VERY QUICK, VERY FAST. You press the accelerator and it is like driving a 600 Horse Power gasoline engine. You can go zero to 60 faster than most cars on the road today. The first time I drove it we traveling from a 30 mph ZONE to a 55 mpg ZONE and he said "go ahead hit it!" ...I hit it. We went back in our seats like a rocket engine had been ignited. But it is electric and it is always right there. it is perception altering and I became an electric vehicle fan the first time I drove one. They are making combustion engines obsolete. That said, do I love my DRIFTER???
You Bet!
You're absolutely right and if I had (much) more money in my pocket, I think I would buy a Tesla or something like that.
That said, I'll never sell my Drifter! 8)