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After cutting my teeth on a Honda Trail 70 and a Suzuki 90 as a kid and teen, I bought a Honda scrambler and loved driving that around. Then I joined the military, and didn't ride for over 10 years. I got the urge tp ride again a few years after leaving the military, and started looking. I loved the Indians I saw and rode but couldn't afford them. I rode a few different Harley's and other bikes and couldn't find something I really liked. Then I learned about the Drifter and started looking for that specific bike (800 or 1500). I also found this forum about that time. One showed up in St. Cloud, MN (about 4 hours away), and i contacted the seller. Got some help from a couple forum members here, they watched a video of the bike and said it sounded good. Then figured out what paperwork would be needed for licensing etc in my state.  Because none of my family or friends were available (work etc.) I bought a one- way bus ticket, and took cash. Seller picked me up at bus station, took me to his garage, and let me take it for a test drive (!!!). We then went to his bank and got my paperwork notarized and I paid him. And then I leisurely cruised home that afternoon.
Probably don't need to say, but my mind was already decided when I bought the bus ticket- the rest was just formalities. Still riding it four years later, plan to put white walls on this year or next, and probably get replacement plexiglass windscreen sometime soon.

Now I'm hankering to get an adventure bike... I'm sure plenty here can give recommendations!

I sent you a pm. I might be able to help you out with an Ecm or other parts if needed.

This is a video of the bike I bought. I'm a fan of the 1500 - probably mostly due to familiarity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HMBIqzvjS8
I am thrilled that it's March and I will be breaking it out of winter storage soon!

I guess I don't even know what the other 'biker apps' are that are out there or what's included. A couple of things come to mind: find closest gas station, find closest police/medical, find closest m/c repair shop. I'm probably antiquated when it comes to most of this stuff myself - just pull up a Google search.

Be nice, and let the kids put wheels on their toys 

Wheels - like training wheels?
You guys crack me up.

I have a chrome grab rail I would be willing to part with BUT it is for a 1500, so I don't think that would be compatible.

I already had the rechargeable batteries for the weed whacker, so just needed to purchase the bare tool. Well worth the 49.99 plus tax, and it has applications such as drywall screw installation, removing just about anything that might be rusted on, etc. Some things are just better to go with, and ask forgiveness later if needed...
The trip was much needed for me and oldest son, so there was more there than just picking up a motorcycle. 

P.S. The cordless drill in the picture is an impact driver. I should have mentioned that, as I'm not sure you can tell in the pic, and its far and above what a standard drill/driver is.

When I was in NY, I really liked Yuengling. Very good, but I think the farthest east they go on distribution is maybe eastern Ohio.
I'm a sporadic drinker, and generally settle for Blue Moon, but like trying different ones if something catches my eye. The one attached made me smirk, so I bought a six pack. I can't say it's all that good, though, as I generally like the more full-bodied or darker beers. Not a fan of Guinness though.

Figured this might be about the best place to do this. I have Nadine home and moved from the pickup into the trailer. On a side note, I almost sold the trailer recently, but now am glad I didn't as I have a good place out of the weather to store Nadine & parts. Unfortunately, I didn't think to get pictures when PC and I met up and were talking at the salvage yard in Indianapolis.
Going through the bike so far, it's obvious PC had a guardian angel watching him that day in June. See the picture of the fuel injector/mister sheared off too see how violent the collision was (not to mention the mangled front end). To have the presence of mind to jump off just prior to impact...
When she was still on the back of the pickup, I charged the battery for a few minutes, then...she started! I only let Nadine run for a second or two before shutting her off, but i wanted to see if it would still run. I was impressed. I know someone mentioned above that the frame was bent, but I haven't been able to find where yet. I'm wondering if it's going to be worth a new radiator, front forks/front end, a salvage title and some loving to put her back on the road. So until I decide what exactly I am going to do with the rest - so far I've put the seat and saddlebags on my bike, and plan to put the windshield and rear trunk on once I have new brackets made for the trunk at least - I think she will stay in the trailer.
And the cordless driver in the picture is intentional - get one if you don't have one! I purchased it today to help with loosening some of the rusted on & loctite secured bolts, and don't know how I did without one of those for so long. It makes it so easy. 

Family friendly?? Uh-oh, I must have missed that memo - does that mean I have to remove my joke from the "Joke" thread!? 

Nadine is still perched in my pickup, patiently waiting to be unloaded, which should happen this week. 

Stan goes to his shrink and tells of a terrible night of drinking that he can't get out of his mind. The psychiatrist urges Stan to describe the night in detail, so Stan tells him of a night full of drinking, flirting with the girls, more drinking and getting a little crazy with the boys before going home early in the morning. "That doesn't sound like it's different than what most people do on a weekend," says the shrink. "I'm not finished!" Stan says. "When I got home I was down because I was alone again, so I sat on the sofa and drank from a bottle of vodka until I finally fell asleep. And when I woke up in the morning, I was blowing chunks." "Well," says the shrink, "That sounds like a typical reaction based on the amount of alcohol you had consumed." "No," says Stan, "You don't understand! Chunks is my dog!"

  oh no hoggy! That's too funny!

Three priests were in a railroad station on their way home to Pittsburgh. Behind the ticket counter was a very sexy, shapely, well endowed woman wearing a skimpy blouse. She made the three priests very nervous, so they drew straws to determine who would get the tickets.

The first priest approached the window. "Young lady, I would like three pickets to titsburg."
He completely lost his composure and fled.

The second priest goes to the window. "Young lady, I would like three tickets to Pittsburgh and I would like the change in nipples and dimes."
Mortified, he too fled.

"Morons...." the third priest mutters and moves to the window. "Young lady, I would like three tickets to Pittsburgh and I would like the change in nickels and dimes. And, if you insist on dressing like that, when you get to the pearly gates, St. Finger's going to shake his Peter at you."

They took the bus.

Very interesting, Troll. So you're saying that I may achieve close to the same results by just opening the air intake more? I know everyone has an opinion, but I'm curious on what your recommendation would be on how to do that. An aftermarket intake kit, or just drilling holes as I've read some others have done?

Hey Indo, welcome! I'm new myself - I just bought a 1500 Drifter in MN, turns out it came from CA, has some mods, Vance and Hines long shots, and I think I have the exact same problem you are describing before you did your mods. I gotta find out where I can get the IAT kit - where did you purchase it?
**EDIT** I think I found it! "Kawasaki VN1500 FI MAGNUM Dyno-Boost Motorcycle Performance Chip" - I found it here:
http://www.magnumtuning.com/en/detail/dyno-boost-motorcycle-performance-chip/kawasaki/vn1500-fi

Not an annoying saying, but experience, rather. I saw a bike stopped on the side of the road ahead of me, driver bent over looking at the engine area, so I slow down, getting ready to stop and offer assistance if needed. As I'm getting close I see him getting ready to go, so I start speeding up again. He takes off, lays on the Harley throttle, and screams past me in the left hand lane. *shrugs*

So glad to hear of your recovery PC! I know there's still more recovery to come, but there's Grace for that as well. Out of curiosity (it hasn't killed me...yet), what kind of boot were you wearing? I doubt that would make any difference in a wreck like yours, but thought I would ask.

Now THAT was funny. However, the friend/coworker who gave me the nudge to get back in the saddle is a Harley rider. But he's not hung up on Harley's like some people are, so he's not holding my purchase of a drifter against me - he was actually admiring my bike.

I am so tempted to just drive there - then there's the whole part about work...