Is there a way to lower the Drifter?

[bambam0099]

...Now the Nomad is a fine looking motorcycle, but I believe just adding a 2-up seat once in a while would be a small price to pay, to keep that handsome Drifter! But I do understand the Nomad is set up perfectly for 2-up riding, and more luggage space too. Enjoy, & ride safe.

Respectfully, there is no way throwing on that ugly "banana seat" would provide the comfort and enjoyment my wife needs to ride as compared to the trunk/backrest/rack that I picked up on craigslist for $450 (yes, scootworks III, mustang wrap around backrest, rack and trunk mount kit all in perfect shape for $450!) and an unpainted fairing off Ebay for $65.   The Nomad just conveys domesticated whereas the Drifter conveys your personality for perfection and fun.  Everytime I rode my Drifter, it was a therapeutical escape from the daily grind.

Oh, and I picked up the 2003 Nomad with just under 10k miles for $2,200 which helped in the decision ....

[99tango]

I just realized I hijacked this thread. My apologies, LadyDrifter. 

[99tango]

Funny you should post this today.  I just spoke to Bambam this morning and he sold the Drifter this morning and bought a Nomad.  I told him that we'd still allow him to hang on the forum with us though.

The badges were made by Zambini Bros., but they've discontinued them now.  I have the same badges, only in a tri-color scheme.

That badge really sets off your solid black Drifter. I like two tone, but it'll never happen, so I'll hafta find something similar to add to the tank. On a side note, apparently Harley owners know and care little about other brands, especially metrics. The other day, walking out of the local bank, there were two middle aged HD riders huddling around my Drifter, apparently oblivious to the "kawasaki" emblem. As I walked up, they remarked that my Drifter must be one of those newer model Indians, and were offering up all kinds of praise regarding her looks, etc. When I straightened that out, their interest sort of waned a bit - not cool to oogle  a metric, apparently. Nice fellows though, and their Harleys did sound good.

[99tango]

Thanks bambam. I have identical bags minus the studs. I just didn't recognize them - the studs really change the look. Now the Nomad is a fine looking motorcycle, but I believe just adding a 2-up seat once in a while would be a small price to pay, to keep that handsome Drifter! But I do understand the Nomad is set up perfectly for 2-up riding, and more luggage space too. Enjoy, & ride safe.

[bambam0099]

Yeah, I sold her yesterday to a great guy up near Adams Center NY.   When I went to Laconia and Sturgis this year, it was the 1st and 2nd time I have been away from my wife in 37 years.  She finally decided to try riding with me which turned out pretty good (we rode 7 hrs on our anniversary out to Lake George and back) so I had to make a choice, turn the Drifter into a God ugly 2 seater and ruin it's looks or buy a bike made for two people and enjoy each others company.   My wife won out and the bike retained it's looks and was sold to someone that will take care of it and admire it as much as I did.   It was just the right thing to do at the moment.

I don't plan on going anywhere and someday soon, I will get another.

Ok, back to the question, the saddle bags were Vikings.  Here's the link:
http://www.vikingbags.com/kawasaki-vulcan-1500-classic-large-concord-studded-motorcycle-saddlebags-6362-prd1.htm

I bought a couple Indian head belt buckles off Ebay and with a little work, they replaced the Viking emblem on the bag.

Hope that helps!

[pcarrell]

0099, that's one nice Drifter you have. My son-in-law has the same Drifter paint scheme on his 01, which I assume yours is. Those bags! I really like them and would you mind sharing what brand & model they are? That's been the hardest part to fit on my 02 - most are too long and hit the tail lights. Yours are deeper and fit right in there.

Funny you should post this today.  I just spoke to Bambam this morning and he sold the Drifter this morning and bought a Nomad.  I told him that we'd still allow him to hang on the forum with us though.

The badges were made by Zambini Bros., but they've discontinued them now.  I have the same badges, only in a tri-color scheme.

[99tango]

Sure ....

https://youtu.be/Ra53Nmy8axM

I went out for another ride tonight on Rt 8 that had a few really windy curves and no difference in handling.  I'm really liking the lowered feel.

0099, that's one nice Drifter you have. My son-in-law has the same Drifter paint scheme on his 01, which I assume yours is. Those bags! I really like them and would you mind sharing what brand & model they are? That's been the hardest part to fit on my 02 - most are too long and hit the tail lights. Yours are deeper and fit right in there.

[lonsdrifter]

I'm a shortie---and I've been using platform boots to be able to ride mine...looks like there is plenty of room underneath to lower it...I was told something about changing out the shocks and changing out the fork springs??  Is there some sort of Kit? has anyone done this that could give me some guidance?

Always find your answers helpful guys, thanx!

I lowered my 1" in 2001 and still like the look.

[greenbarn]

Nice...

It does sit pretty straight up, doesn't it??    good looking ride you got there!!! 

[pcarrell]

np

[bambam0099]

Bambam, one thing you might want to consider when lowering the bike is a shorter kickstand.  Right now, your bike is probably standing up straighter then it used to, so the chance of an off side tip over is greater.  The Kawasaki Voyager has a little bit shorter stand that I hear bolts right up and solves the problem.

Again, thanks for the post.   As soon as I read it, I remembered I saw another "thread" about the kickstand so I searched and found it here:

http://www.jonathanveley.com/indian-drifter-project    (great site btw)

The part # (referenced from that site) is:  34024-0014

Thanks again

[bambam0099]

Any chance you could post a picture of your bike from a side view?

Sure ....

https://youtu.be/Ra53Nmy8axM

I went out for another ride tonight on Rt 8 that had a few really windy curves and no difference in handling.  I'm really liking the lowered feel.

[RockinRollin]

Any chance you could post a picture of your bike from a side view?

[bambam0099]

Bambam, one thing you might want to consider when lowering the bike is a shorter kickstand.  Right now, your bike is probably standing up straighter then it used to, so the chance of an off side tip over is greater.  The Kawasaki Voyager has a little bit shorter stand that I hear bolts right up and solves the problem.

Thanks and yes, you are correct, I did notice the difference.

Thanks again for the suggestion

[pcarrell]

Bambam, one thing you might want to consider when lowering the bike is a shorter kickstand.  Right now, your bike is probably standing up straighter then it used to, so the chance of an off side tip over is greater.  The Kawasaki Voyager has a little bit shorter stand that I hear bolts right up and solves the problem.

[bambam0099]

I can see it, but it's subtle.

Thank you!    And to all the other comments, I don't drink   LOL!

Yes, it is subtle but once you know it's there, you cannot but notice it every time you walk by the bike.

Having said that, my wife came out and said she didn't see anything that looked "out of place" and suggested that I take it for a ride to see how I liked it so, contrary to what she will tell you, I did listen to her and am glad I did.

I went for about an hour ride that involved many sharp curves and bumps.  It handled just as good as when "stock" and, I swear, it took the bumps better (which I have to be imagining since there is less travel but it sure seemed it) and most importantly, when I had to make stops, both feet were firmly planted on the ground and I felt completely stable and very "secure".   In the past, I always concentrated on stopping correctly so I wouldn't lose balance but now, it was no longer a concern.   It felt like a totally different bike in a positive way.

I threw the saddle bags back on and you really can't notice it now so, I am going to leave it this way for Sturgis and enjoy the riding (and stopping)!

I plan on getting a Corbin seat and if that lowers it even more, I might put the stock shocks back on or I might lower the front shocks to equalize everything out but all in all, I can tell you, besides the cosmetics, lowering the bike for someone like myself with a 28" inseam, it was well worth the cost.

(progessive 412 shocks purchased here:  http://tinyurl.com/qc96w57)

[Troll]

Now you need to put a set of lowering springs in the fork, so you can drag the footboards or the side stand even easier!

[DC]

or a couple bottles of what ever you been consuming and then perhaps we will see it also.

[pcarrell]

I can see it, but it's subtle.

[CDNRatMan]

Maybe take a pic showing a full side view of your bike. Maybe that will show what you were seeing

or a couple bottles of what ever you been consuming and then perhaps we will see it also.

[DC]

I'm not seeing it either. Maybe take a pic showing a full side view of your bike. Maybe that will show what you were seeing.

[CDNRatMan]

  hard to see from that angle. But you just need to tweak it till you are happy.

[bambam0099]

Thought I'd chime in here since I just installed 11.5" progressive shocks.

1st off, the shocks seem to be very high quality.   2nd, after putting the bike on a lift and adjusting the height while removing old/installing new, replacing the shocks was incredibly easy.

After I installed the shocks last night, I sat on the bike and was elated that now, both of my feet (flatly) touched the ground!   As I walked around the bike, my enthusiasm started to dwindle.   The clearance under the bike seemed fine but "the lines" changed; I didn't like the look.   The rear fender bar was no longer parallel with my long shot exhaust, the rear of the solo seat was more "scrunched" and the windshield viewing height was higher.

I am going to take it for a ride tonight and then put the bags back on and give it a final inspection to decide whether to keep them or not.

Here is a pic that I took late last night after the install.  Notice the rear fender bar "facing up" as it rises towards the rear.  It used to have a nice parallel line with the exhaust.  My buddy says I am being too critical but hell, one of the reasons I love Drifters is the unique look, to me, it is important.  I'll take a few more pics tonight and give my final thoughts on this.

[aralph]

Hi 56Drifter

Not a problem just don't no when.
Found this on craigslist yesterday, but it looks like the front part of the
mounting is broken. I would ask to see a  better pic of this area.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/mcy/3274822678.html

Regards aralph

[56Drifter]

My Drifter only came with the factory one up seat, wife and daughter were not impressed.
Ordered a two up from Corbin, beautiful piece of work and lowered my ride height by 2 to 3 inches.
I'm always switching the seats around and like the lower feel so much that I'm thinking about getting
a single seat  from Corbin also. This maybe the easiest way to go before getting into all the mechanical
stuff.
Regards,  Aralph

Hey Aralph...
If and when you decide to get rid of that seat..would you please contact me!!!
I got kind of a goofy seat and would like something better but right now the price of a new seat is just TOO EXPENSIVE for my budget. So I'd take that stock one or whatever off yer hands...let me know if that's a possibility.
Thanks....mike