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Thanks to Rhett Chapman, there will be a get together and ride of 7 Drifters on Sunday 18th August. This is unheard of in Aus. If you own a Drifter and are in Aus please feel free to join us or merely come by and check out the Drifters. We will be meeting at the 7-Eleven Tooronga Valley 747-755 Toorak Rd, Hawthorn VIC at 9 am before heading off for a day long ride.

A few years ago I have had my 1999 Drifter up to 165 kph [that's about 102 mph for you northerners] and it felt maxed out at that point. I would have liked more.

Thanks. I had thought of a transplant of a larger engine but am not that desperate at this time. I have a great mechanic who can rebuild engines with his eyes closed so if I get a solution that side is covered.

Nice colour combination.

Some time ago when I was looking at what options were around for me to get more power out of my Drifter I read about the Thunder Manufacturing Stoker Kits for the Drifter 1500. At the time I did not have the spare cash to buy and fit the upgrade so left it on my "to do list". I recently came back to this project idea and discovered that they are no longer in business. Does anyone know of any other supplier that may have a Thunder Manufacturing Stoker Kit sitting on a shelf gathering dust that I can approach? Or of any other supplier who makes a similar kit? I have already done the Thunder Manufacturing Stealth Air upgrade and added the Power Commander with Dyno tune but alas want more.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Good to hear. Ride safe.

Here are Rhett's photos, I resized them for him to work on the forum.

There are a lot more Indians on the road than there used to be. Still not as common as the HD's or other cruisers but certainly on the increase. Price is a big factor over here. I love my Indian. I recently did the 121 Lloydz upgrade on it so it has huge amounts of power. I have it so I can throw the wife up back now that she does not ride and we can cruise anywhere in comfort. I now use my Drifter for solo riding only and mainly for day trips. They are both different and both have things I like about them so I do not consider them in competition against each other when I want to go for a ride.

Just a short article on Drifters meeting up in Australia: https://motorbikewriter.com/rare-rides-1999-kawasaki-vulcan-drifter/

On Sunday we met up with another Drifter rider, Colin, and went for a ride. We speculated that this may be the first time ever that 3 Drifters have ridden together in Victoria. Here are a few potos taken down in Flinders, specifically along Golf Links Road in Flinders overlooking Bass Straight ( https://goo.gl/maps/39Mgy4BPq4r ) . After our impromptu photo session we headed for a coffee and a chat about our bikes.

- Rhett owns the Blue and Silver
- Colin owns the Black with Ape Hangers
- I own the Gooseberry with the Windshield.

We then road up to The Naked Racer Cafe in Moorabbin (  http://antiquemotorcycle.com.au/ ) which is attached to Antique Motorcycles for a bit of lunch and to check out the museum. A very pleasant way to spend a Sunday.

I am just speculating here but I believe the difference in line relates to styling. If you look at the attached photos, both drifters however mine [the Gooseberry colour] has the Drifter V&H whereas the other has classic V&H pipes [ignore the end pieces] with a home made attachment lieu of the Classic foot peg.

A very short ride due to weather but we will ride again.

Met up with Rhett on Friday. Given their rarity, this may have been the first time in many years that 2 Kawasaki Vulcan Drifters were out on a ride together here in Victoria. Due to the rain we shortened our ride and stopped on the way home to take some photos. Rhett got his Drifter recently and has given it a full repaint.

OK. 10 am Friday. See you then.

I might even go for a ride up the Dandenongs afterwards.

I will be the guy on the below bike:

Rhett,

I am in Carnegie, about 5 - 10 minute ride from you. How about Sunday the 30th as the weather forecast looks good. Pick a time and location, preferably not too busy and with plenty of car parks.

Also in Melbourne, there are a couple of us but we do not keep in touch. Happy to meet up somewhere some time and show off my Drifter.

Progressive 444 series are fantastic, though expensive. https://www.progressivesuspension.com/product/1423/444-series-shocks . Also consider their Fork Springs as they make a big difference to handling. https://www.progressivesuspension.com/product/1465/fork-spring-kit

This is my Aussie Style:

Sorry, I forgot all about it. Let me take some photos of what I have. Sorry for forgetting.

This has been in place in Melbourne for many years and works well. Unfortunately some of the councils are trying to change this and introduce no bike parking.

Why park in 2 car spaces? This does not make sense unless he was squeezed between 2 cars along the dividing line.

It is all packed up in my shed. I will get it down on the weekend and take some photos.

Thanks for the update. Sorry for delay responding, been a busy month at work. Good to hear the bike arrived even though it took so long. I actually have a rear luggage carrier and back rest that I took of my drifter gathering dust, I have no intention of using it again. If I had know I could hve saved you some effort, for a small price of course. Oh well nect time.

Paul, whlist I do not know Leanne, it is Always bad when someone falls. My drifter has been going well with no issues at all. Recently got a Roadmaster so the wife can sit up back, we are selling her bike.

How is the bike going?

I use Corel Studio and the software allows to to change the speed to virtually anything I like. Very handy.