Messages

I found this 1500 one day when I was looking at some Drifter stuff.  This is one of the most sexy bikes I've ever seen.  Judging from the tag, it's not in the States.  There wasn't any info, just an picture.  Obviously a 1500, duals, and killer paint job.  Love the look of the exhaust. Not sure of the markings on the side.  Anyway,  when I find my Drifter, this is how I want it to look.

Now that's a show stopper.

Normally I like a clean chrome look but for some reason the blacked out 99 Drifter has me and I can't shake it off. The one I'm looking at has some cosmetic condition issues but they are not deal breakers. The reason I am here on the VDR is I know very little about the 1500 and from what I understand the 1500 Drifter was different from the Nomad And the Classic. Example no POG. What else is different and what should I look out for?

I lived in Mobile for a while and if you had a carport it was a very high rent district. Forget about a full garage. I'm with Troll on the tapered bearings. That is the way I went. I had to replace the front tire as well the damage had already been done form the bad bearings.

My Drifter has developed a healthy head shake at any speed below 55. All it takes is a small bump or rough road and it develops. Both hands on the bars, it's controllable. One hand on, it's iffy, but DON'T let go with both hands even for a second. I know tires can cause this or a loose steering stem nut. Project fix won't be put off since it is getting worse every week. The tires seem fine with no excessive or abnormal wear or cupping, so a loose nut seems the most obvious culprit.

My question is; Are Drifter front ends more prone to wobble due to the oversize, heavier fenders? Seems all that mass up there could exacerbate the oscillations. Thoughts?

How many miles on your scoot? Most call for servicing the head bearings between 15 & 20 thousand miles and almost no one thinks to do it. Kawasaki's head bearings look like something out of a 30 pound bicycle. A Voyager I purchased with 21,000 on it had the same symptoms and the head bearing looked like a hand full of rust in a plastic cage.   

After 29+ off 2 I have been back for 3. The Drifter has had my attention from day 1 back. The over the top cool styling is a no brainer but I have questions about everything else.