Messages

Hi Rob,
I own a 99 1500 and love it. I've been wanting an 800 also, been looking for a 800 for Mom.. Well at least thats what I tell her even though she says its too big for her. I want to drive it though.. lol

I've owned my 1500 for over a year and love it. I'm 6'1" and big she just moves like a dream. I drive mixed highway and backroads the maneuverability is great except in traffic can be a bit heavy if driving start and stopping for long periods of time.

I've shy'd away from sprocket and chains in the past but keep them oiled and due regular maintenance you'll be fine.

Welcome aboard and good luck hunting..

To be honest finding aftermarket parts are a chore to find but with perseverance you can get what you want mostly.
I found more parts are readily available for 800's than 1500's from my internet searches.

Also you might pay a tad more than more for parts and accessories than would for common bikes.

With that said you will also be driving a bike that is by far one of the best looking on the road.

Ontargetbill.

Hi Troll,
Yeah it was the front tire having low thread and slight cupping, having a new one put on and also fixing a couple of other minor rattling issues.

The rattling is coming from the headlight bucket. A piece of double sticky rubber fixed that.
Also the rear plate mount needed retighening. I'm looking on relocating the plate later.

I'll pick her up Tuesday then put some serious miles on it.

Thanks for your help.

That looks great wow. Cant wait to see the pics of the bike when you get it back together.

Hi Folks,
Weird thing with my bike driving in to work this morning. The bike was bouncing a tad on the highway. I thought I threw a wheel weight and got the wheel our of balance but that's not the case. Also checked tire pressure and it's right on. The only thing Is I haven't driven the bike for almost a month due to work commitments.

Have any of you had this bouncing issue before?
It's mainly in the front end.
Bill

Welcome Stroker Deuce,
This is forum has the best folks who love and know drifters.
I've owned 3 bikes at once and almost got thrown out of the house for it. lol

Look forward in seeing pictures of your 800.

OntargetBill

Yup I know Steve he knows my bike as well. I bought at mom's.

I'm down there most Saturdays.

 8)Hi Aimee,
Welcome and it's good seeing another New Hampsterites on the board. I'm Ontargetbill and live in Manchester, NH. I own a 99 1500 drifter and just love it. Your 800 is very nice and if you find another 800 in our neck of the woods let me know.

Thanks Ron,
I'm going with the amber lights as this make sense.

There is a few kits i've been researching, there are 3 ways but requires converting over to leds.

For this year I might just go with the dual filaments as you suggest and due the running and signals.

The running lights would definitely keep the back of the bike lit.

Thanks I'll pm him

Hi guys,
I'm itching to also install a pair of 1958 Caddy  taillights on my 99 drifter. I would like to make them a 3 way light though.
I've read a couple ways of of doing it with led conversion kits and using clear bulbs verses red..

What is the best way to get 1959 Caddy tails that will operate as running,stop and signal lights. Or at least running and turnsignals.

What color lenses do I use?
What wire's do I tap off?
What non led light bulbs do I use?

Any info or tips would be appreciated.

Once I get the information I will make a how to so  all the  info will be in one place.

Thanks,
Bill

I like your idea of the clamp. The set I have has a clamp with a remote.
http://www.bossaudio.com/photos/products/MCBT1_RETMOE.JPG

I also oiled the clutch pivot pin and the clutch works fine now. thanks guys.

Wow that looks great. Now if I had hair i'd be jelous.. lol

HI guys,
Yeah i wanted to see what she'd do but I'm most happy running around 40 mph and listing to the bike and enjoying the ride.
I'm 54 and this is by far my best bike. I've had the biggest Vulcan 2000 and the first 1987 BUBF (Butt Ugly But FAST) Vulcan 1500
and this is by far the best looking and cool to ride. I cant wait till bike nights down at the coffee shop and see all the Harley guys tell me " Wow that's an Cool looking bike". I had my neighbor come over. He's a 2014 Elec Glide owner and said He loves the bike.

NO tunes yet putting them in maybe next weekend. Working 50 Plus hours a week cuts into mods.

Hey you'll love this a bit off topic..

Easter Sunday I'm up early and the kids were still sleeping (teenagers) so I figured Id take off my 2up and sissy bar plus bags early this morning. Then I put on my solo seat and did a cleaning on the bike So much better.

Nice day here 80 degrees but windy.. Very windy... get where i'm going her.

So I'm ready to take my first long ride on my new (too me) drifter up my old riding route.
One the way I pass a beautiful lake called Lake Massabesic (Indian name) so fitting.

The Speed limit is 30 miles an hour near the lake where people are fishing, laying out showing off their cars and bikes etc.
then the speed limit goes to 45 then 55 now were talking the first time I'll get her up past 40mph  and I hit the throttle 55 mph and loving it. I give her a little more then 65 mpg and all of a sudden a huge gust of wind hit me side ways and the whole bike Whooshed .. and just moved sideways about 4 feet to my left without me moving the handlebars.. Holy Moly I almost messed my self. The bike literally Drifted into the left lane about two feet to the left of the double yellow line.

I've been dreaming all winter of riding my 99 1500 with her big bold fenders . They were my a dream catcher.. lol

The big fenders are a definite wind catcher as well and I thought It might take a little getting used too but wow. Luckily the road was empty and it's flat. After going back in my lane and knowing I need to change my drawers when I get home, I was laughing and couldn't be happier that I got one of the coolest bikes around.

So if you are new to a Drifter take a little while to get used to how she travels down the road before driving fast.

Easter Sunday I'm up early and the kids were still sleeping (teenagers) so I figured Id take off my 2up and sissy bar plus bags early this morning. Then I put on my solo seat and did a cleaning on the bike So much better.

Nice day here 80 degrees but windy.. Very windy... get where i'm going her.

So I'm ready to take my first long ride on my new (too me) drifter up my old riding route.
One the way I pass a beautiful lake called Lake Massabesic (Indian name) so fitting.

The Speed limit is 30 miles an hour near the lake where people are fishing, laying out showing off their cars and bikes etc.

then the speed limit goes to 45 then 55 now were talking the first time I'll get her up past 40mph  and I hit the throttle 55 mph and loving it. I give her a little more then 65 mpg and all of a sudden a huge gust of wind hit me side ways and the whole bike Whooshed .. and just moved sideways about 4 feet to my left without me moving the handlebars.. Holy Moly I almost messed my self. The bike literally Drifted into the left lane about two feet to the left of the double yellow line.

I've been dreaming all winter of riding my 99 1500 with her big bold fenders . They were my a dream catcher.. lol

The big fenders are a definite wind catcher as well and I thought It might take a little getting used too but wow. Luckily the road was empty and it's flat. After going back in my lane and knowing I need to change my drawers when I get home, I was laughing and couldn't be happier that I got one of the coolest bikes around.

So if you are new to a Drifter take a little while to get used to how she travels down the road before driving fast.

Those clamps look great. I'm going to order a set for my Lindby bars. I need 1 1/4" and just found some.
Thanks,
Bill

Where'd you get the universal mirror mounts?

That's a good Idea.

Im taking the headlight apart next week to see what the issue is and add some gasket material in the chrome rim.
I bought Boss Audio system: http://www.bossaudio.com/product/mc470b/

and Im going to paint two of the speakers black for the handlbars.

I am going to build these ((youtube link))

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv9UqwtHD0E
and mount them onto of my Lindby bars to see how they sound with removable clamps and connectors so I can take them off easily if wanted.

Hi Folks,
I picked up my 1999 drifter today from storage. All new fluids, rebuilt master cylinder , New brakes, new routers and they filled the tank and gave her a bath.

A few of things I need to address.

1.) Head light rattle
2.) Get used to the clutch seems to catch almost at the very end it's going to take some getting used to.
3.) Removing my 2 up seat and sissy bar then putting on my solo seat.
4.) Put on my new lightbar with brandy new spots.
5.) Install my stereo

Pic attached.

Welcome and it's great seeing another 99 here.
Great people and tons of tips.

Bill

App that would.

1.) Help you find parts online using intelligent google searching techniques which some folks may not know of and can help pinpoint hard to find drifter parts.
2.) Have a built in TAC.
3.) Recommended Maintenance tips and tricks.
4.) How to's..

Just a few thoughts. I'd buy it.

Bonjour,

You will find a great bunch of folks on the site with a lot of useful information on your drifter.
Enjoy,

Oh yeah please post some pictures.

How do you like Shark Audio?
Like everything else there is bad and good reviews. I've bought and used Boss audio on my other bikes is the sound tinny?

Bill

Hi Guys,
I'm also looking into putting some bluetooth speakers on the bike for under $150 total.

On my 2005 Vulcan 2000 I bought Boss 4 speaker system which was great except no low end music.

I like oldies, jazz, classic rock etc and listening to high end all the time isn't fun.

What have you guys done for speakers and systems without putting on a fairing.

Bill

Hi Guys,

I bought this setup a few months back off of ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Passing-Light-Bar-Turn-Signals-For-Kawasaki-VN-Vulcan-Classic-Nomad-Drifter-1500-/161380933064?hash=item25930d9dc8:g:rLIAAOSwI-BWF9SR&vxp=mtr

The bar fits but  it has two holes one behind the other and yes I bought real lights the ones that came with it were plastic.

I might use it and use fork mount turn signals to keep the Drifter look in the front.

Bill