New Drifter 1500

ccpastork · June 03, 2018, 18:46:28 PM

Quote from: mittico68 on June 03, 2018, 12:46:25 PM
Nice deal!
Now you may want to start customizing her...

Thank you; the plan is to ride it this summer and this winter disassemble and paint. The tins will be Army green with a cream/white star on the tank, "Drifter" on the air cleaner and then in black my Cav unit insignia on the top of the fenders. I will eventually black out the bike and then add a bridle leather seat, windshield bag, and saddlebags.

The paint is the first step and then we will see how much I can afford to tackle before next spring/summer riding season.

mittico68 · June 03, 2018, 12:46:25 PM

Nice deal!
Now you may want to start customizing her...

ccpastork · June 02, 2018, 16:37:23 PM

Quote from: Pilgrim on June 02, 2018, 13:39:58 PM
NICE! good deal too! Welcome.

Thank you, I suspected it was a decent deal, but it is nice to have confirmation.

ccpastork · June 02, 2018, 16:36:27 PM

Quote from: Old Drifter on June 02, 2018, 11:07:42 AM
Kevin, nice looking Drifter! I'd say you've done very well for the price paid.

Thank you, this is a bike I have wanted for some time and I am very happy with it.

Pilgrim · June 02, 2018, 13:39:58 PM

NICE! good deal too! Welcome.

Old Drifter · June 02, 2018, 11:07:42 AM

Kevin, nice looking Drifter! I'd say you've done very well for the price paid.

ccpastork · June 02, 2018, 09:22:04 AM

I use my phone rather than my office computer. I changed the mobile web browser view settings in VDR and now I can see all the missing options.

I will post a better image once I get the bike back together.

Ogri · June 02, 2018, 04:16:50 AM

Quote from: ccpastork on June 02, 2018, 00:14:48 AM
Still trying to figure out how to post pictures.

Assuming you're on a PC or laptop: Below the box where you write your comment are the words "Attachments and other options". Click on that and then the small white rectangle that says "Choose File". Navigate to where the pic is on your device, click on the pic in its folder so it becomes highlighted and then click 'Open'.

Alternatively, upload the pic to www.imgur.com (the easiest of all the free, image storing sites) and post the link to the pic in your comment. Doing it this way means there isn't a limit to the size of the pic or quantity.

ccpastork · June 02, 2018, 00:14:48 AM

Quote from: OR Seedman on June 01, 2018, 22:51:32 PM
Welcome to the forum....I believe I had seen the bike you bought for sale last year in Lake Oswego....then I saw it again for sale in Sandy....minus the windshield (in advertisement pics). I think you got it for a good price, if it's the same one I am thinking about....

OR Seedman

Yes, I am pretty sure it is the same bike. The Lake Oswego listing was from the original owner and the Sandy listing was from a guy trying to flip it. For some reason he had no hits on it so he kept dropping the price. He bought it from a friend who is an auto dealer who took the bike in trade from the original owner who gave up trying to sell it.

I paid a mere $100 above the original trade in price.

It came with the windshield, saddlebags & brackets and a chrome rear luggage rack with brackets.

Still trying to figure out how to post pictures.

ccpastork · June 02, 2018, 00:08:36 AM

Quote from: greenbarn on June 01, 2018, 22:23:37 PM
Welcome to the forum, Kevin, and welcome to the Drifter family. As to your questions, I've never owned a Classic, but the two bikes are cousins and have a lot of similarities. The front wheel should be about the same, almost identical to the classic, except the fender. The tricky part is getting the bike high enough to get the tire out from under the fender. or raising the fender high enough inside the forks to get the tire out. Similar on the back- the fender has to come off first before you can get the tire out.
Uncle Rolly has a good video here (a few posts down) on diss-assembly of a Drifter, that shows a lot of detail on the wheels:
https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=51025.msg112619#msg112619

I do not remember any brake pad change vids, but if you've done them before on a Classic, it should be very similar.

As far as the seat brackets and sissy bar.. OR Seedman is building and selling some nice saddlebag brackets, backrests and such, but not for sure if he has what you want - may want to PM him. Best bet, if he doesn't have it, may be to find someting on FleaBay.

One thing you may consider - that I would suggest - while you have the forks off to change the oil, upgrade the springs to Progressive springs....

Greenbarn,
Thank you for the information, it was helpful. I have the front wheel off and will take it in tomorrow morning for a new tire. I have replaced the rear brakes(the squealing was 4 small rocks caught in the caliper), but went ahead and changed the pads and cleaned everything up.

After I get the new tire/wheel back on I will change out the front pads and then replace all the brake fluids front and back while I have easy access.

I have thought about the progressive springs, but that may not be in my budget this year...we'll see.

Thank you for the info in brackets and backrests. I will reach out to him.

OR Seedman · June 01, 2018, 22:51:32 PM

Welcome to the forum....I believe I had seen the bike you bought for sale last year in Lake Oswego....then I saw it again for sale in Sandy....minus the windshield (in advertisement pics). I think you got it for a good price, if it's the same one I am thinking about....

OR Seedman

greenbarn · June 01, 2018, 22:23:37 PM

Welcome to the forum, Kevin, and welcome to the Drifter family. As to your questions, I've never owned a Classic, but the two bikes are cousins and have a lot of similarities. The front wheel should be about the same, almost identical to the classic, except the fender. The tricky part is getting the bike high enough to get the tire out from under the fender. or raising the fender high enough inside the forks to get the tire out. Similar on the back- the fender has to come off first before you can get the tire out.
Uncle Rolly has a good video here (a few posts down) on diss-assembly of a Drifter, that shows a lot of detail on the wheels:
https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=51025.msg112619#msg112619

I do not remember any brake pad change vids, but if you've done them before on a Classic, it should be very similar.

As far as the seat brackets and sissy bar.. OR Seedman is building and selling some nice saddlebag brackets, backrests and such, but not for sure if he has what you want - may want to PM him. Best bet, if he doesn't have it, may be to find someting on FleaBay.

One thing you may consider - that I would suggest - while you have the forks off to change the oil, upgrade the springs to Progressive springs....

ccpastork · June 01, 2018, 16:59:34 PM

Quote from: Old Drifter on June 01, 2018, 16:37:43 PM
Hi Kevin and welcome to the forum! Congrats on a fine choice on the 1500 Drifter. Seems like your on the right track getting it to a base line starting point for maintenance. All the listed items are fairly straight forward. I also do my own maintenance and like to keep a FSM on hand to refer to for the technical info. As far as accessories go, keep an eye out on any source you can find. Oh, in case no one else mentions it...we do like pics.

Thank you for the welcome; I was trying to post a pic, but I clearly got it wrong.

Old Drifter · June 01, 2018, 16:37:43 PM

Hi Kevin and welcome to the forum! Congrats on a fine choice on the 1500 Drifter. Seems like your on the right track getting it to a base line starting point for maintenance. All the listed items are fairly straight forward. I also do my own maintenance and like to keep a FSM on hand to refer to for the technical info. As far as accessories go, keep an eye out on any source you can find. Oh, in case no one else mentions it...we do like pics.

ccpastork · June 01, 2018, 14:28:55 PM

I am new to the forum, in fact this will be my first post, and introducing myself seemed like the logical first step.
I have been riding consistently for the last 11 years and have owned the following:
1. 250cc Suzuki Dual Sport
2. 1100cc Honda Shadow
3. 1600cc Kawasaki Vulcan Classic
4. 88cu (1442cc) Harley Davidson Electraglide Standard

I sold the Harley about two years ago because I needed a second car and at that point the bike was a luxury rather than a necessity. I have been wanting to replace it with a Drifter (one of my friends owns a 1999 Drifter), however, the prices seemed a bit steep. Two weeks ago I was bored and perusing Craigslist and found this bike. Two days later, and $2500, I rode this beauty home - 2003 Drifter 1500 with 36,000 miles. I have been combing the forum (thought lacking some skill) and have picked up some useful info (how to get a free Shop Manual download) and learn about hard to find parts.

This weekend I am planning on doing the following:
1. New front tire; the current one is badly worn
2. New brake pads; the rear brake squeals
3. Change all Fluids:
A. Brake Fluid
B. Clutch Fluid
C. Oil
D. Transmission
E. Rear end
F. Coolant
G. Fork Oil

I wanted to get the bike to a known starting point regarding maintenance and I suspect there are other things I will discover that need to be checked on.

Here are a couple questions I hope someone can answer/point me to a post on the forum:
1. description with pictures/video of brake pad changes...is this the same as a Classic?
2. description with pictures/video of wheel removal...is this the same as a Classic?
3. Any sources for a sissy bar and brackets as well as brackets for a 2up seat? (A luggage rack with brackets and saddlebags with brackets came with the bike)

I am fairly mechanical and I am planning on doing most of the work myself, any suggestions or tips are appreciated.

Kevin