Messages

It really is amazing the things we can get attached to and feel sentimental about. I know it's only a combination of metal, rubber, plastic, and petrol. Yet it stands for so much more. It was a purchase to commemorate an important career moment. I remember browsing adds and the drifter/indian-like motorcycles seemed to ugly...until one day I took a look at the 'for sale' section and for whatever reason, I sort of fell in love. Drove over 400km to pick her up. It took me on my first MC gathering. I honed parking lot and motorcycle rodeo skills on it. I had a few hair-raising moments too. All my children grew to love it and literally used it as a playground/monkey-bars when we went on family trips (and of course rides). We didn't say 'the motorcycle'. It was the 'Drifter'. It (we) received 'oohs and aahs' passing by pedestrians. It was my entry into the world of (semi-advanced) mechanics. It symbolized freedom and passion, and even became part of my identity as club members would know that this one was mine. I love everyone moment on that bike (my back less so )

I heard that such feelings of sentiment may be fear of not being able to relive these kind of moments. I know there are other bikes out there and one shouldn't take it to heart. And yet, I feel like a part of me is missing. But there are more adventures to come.

Cheers!

With a heavy heart I had to let the girl go and watched as my dear 1999' Drifter 1500 was driven away into the night by another owner.

(quite literally)

I may have possibly even cried a bit. Been through a lot with that machine over the last 7 years. Although not much of a poster, always a lurker here

Thank you all for the heaps of info and great reads. Stay safe out there. As for me, I heed the call of fire roads and doubletracks...

Always sad to see someone having to quit riding. We all have different stories in our lives. I hope you can find a way to still be in the motocycle world (motorcycle+sidecar, trike, reverse trike, etc...)

It would be quite a lame excuse if it was true.

Here's a stylish chap.  Ready for the Distinguished Gentlemen's Ride in support of prostate cancer awareness.

The drifter fits their bike requirements?

And yes, a very nice setup

Terribly sad news. May his soul find peace and rest.

But still a unique way to be dressed up for a ride.

I'm personally really swaying towards Bell's helmets, specifically the Custom 500 or Bullitt collections. Man, that retro stuff is really starting to grow on me.

And some nice brown leather gloves....I'm gonna need a cafe racer soon

Anybody purposefully dress 'fashionably' in order to complement their drifter? All my gear is starting to get a little old (and that's the excuse I'm sticking with...along with stuff not properly fitting anymore), and I've been slowly searching for replacements. Thinking of the whole shebang: helmet, gloves, jacket, pants, boots, and any other things.

And I'd like to work up an 'outfit'/'style' that will be not only safe, but pleasing to the eye. What are you guys (dare I say gentlemen) donning?

Nice lookin' drifters and in such a nice room. You ride them right? Or are they room pieces?

Same. All weird and funky noises go away once warm.

Looking to possibly mount some VH Longshots (designated drifter ones if I can find them, or go the classic VN + right side peg mount) but I'm wondering if I'm going to lose some lean angle and start scraping exhaust.

You may be wondering why I'm interested in lean angles...I'm an avid practitioner of tight/parking lot practice/riding (think Police Motorcycle Rodeos and Competitions). And Lord knows I love me some slow riding and turning...

So, anybody with experience on lean angles and modified exhausts?

You've inspired me to buy my own tach now Will report with results!

I didn't lube mine. It snapped at the wheel end somewhere near where the housing was rubbing on the fender

Happened for the second time within one year apart. Both times were when averaging around 150km/h (93mph) (NOT my usual riding speed, but my riding buddies really wanted to get from A to B fast!). Both speedo cables were Drifter models. Just wanted to confirm that the higher speeds really do seem to kill these cables.

Now getting the Nomad

Looks fantastic. Lovin it.

Nice work. Once the drifter badges come out were going to have to get some pilice/detective style badge holder wallets

I know I have seen less than a thousand Drifters in person and that includes pics of Drifters...wonder where all them bikes are?

There's at least one 1500 in Eastern Europe...and I saw an 800 with a sidecar here too

So, what speed do you 'drift' at when on the Interstate/Highway? (also, what is the limit of the highway and what accessories you have in front would be nice to know).

I'm finding I tend to cruise at 90-100kmh (~55-60mph), and feel comfortable up to about 115kmh (70mph) (comfortable, meaning I don't feel as if the engine is asking me to calm down).

With a few friends when we take longer trips and hit real highways the speed increases to 140-145mph (87-90mph) which I start to dislike on the drifter because it feels as if it's not really happy there. (or is my drifter 'bluffing'?)

I run a big windshield, handguards, lowers, crashbar covers. Outside city limits we can do 90kmh (55mph) and highways are 140kmh (87mph)

A few days ago I had to do an emergency stop, but my back-end wagged about like a dog's tail and I slapped my right saddlebag against a guy's rear left bumper area. Didn't experience any hopping though.

It really is an eye opener. The rear end of a very heavy motorcycle waving about like a piece of paper...you only understand it after you've felt it first-hand.

Thanks Troll for the super quick responses!

Aaaaand Troll saves the day.

Just to be on the safe side, the click increased with rpm, right?

I also found answers to a few other noise questions

So I've got this problem lately. Happens when I start the bike after a longer break (say 2 weeks), hear the clicking. Ride for up to 10 minutes and the clicking goes away. Next day is rather clickless. Clicking coincides with rpm's

A video for your viewing pleasure - youtube linkie here

Any reasons why this could be happening? Something needs changing?

Bike '99 Drifter, 10 000 km, all fluids changed 3000 km ago. Didn't seem to have this (clicking) problem last season and only noticed it this last month.

Now that looks very cool. Nice colour and extinguisher

I knew a guy many years ago when in the military who was a combat EOD (UDT)guy. He went through Vietnam, and after the war traveled the world helping dispose of very dangerous explosive devices. He was killed when one of his horses knocked a rafter loose in his barn... hitting him in the head.

A few months ago in Florida a guy was asleep in his bed when a sink-hole opened up and swallowed him. They never found his body. A few weeks ago a lady slipped on some soap in her kitchen and struck her head on a counter and died.
As a safety guy I've investigated many, many accidents/injuries. I think its pretty simple, don't be stupid, don't think you can evade fate, and do what makes you happy. For me its better to go DOING something than to become a shadow in some nursing home.
Everyone has to decide for themselves. Sometimes, you simply lose passion for something and need to move on. I wish you luck and happiness wherever life takes you.

Same here. Seeing the stuff I see sometimes at the hospital, I suddenly have little regret I splurged on something that I ended up not needing or did something I ended up regretting (within limits of course). I don't want to one day end up on my deathbed thing/saying, "I wish I did that or this when I was younger"

lol, asked the same question last year!

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=23058.msg46934#msg46934