Hand Shifter for 800

[DC]

I have Ted's shifter on my 1500.  Works great!  I constantly have people coming up to me asking if it's real.  I shift it for them and they know it real.   

[CDNRatMan]

   Tfrank59; the way Ted's Drifter Shifter is designed you can use either or the the hand or foot shifter. It is pretty cool once you become proficient in the use of it, you can shift using the hand shifter and really mess people up when they are watching you.....lol...

[mittico68]

So if you install that hand shifter, you can still use the foot shifter correct? 

Looks like it's doable, according to the ad.: "this will give you the option of using the hand shift or OEM foot shifter depending on road and traffic conditions".

[Tfrank59]

So if you install that hand shifter, you can still use the foot shifter correct?  I'm not that great a rider and would like the option to shift with my foot if need be.

[darkdrifter]

I currently own a Indian, and a drifter.  so I must be a REAlly big odd-ball, lol!

That hand shifter that Ted sells is top notch design and quality.
hell....Just the quality of his packaging job is way ahead of most these days

[Tfrank59]

IDK why Indain guys would be pissed off?  These Drifter's were Indian inspired and designed by Cobra designers for Kawasaki based off the 1940's Indian Chief motorcycles during a period Indian was bankrupt. I heard they paid royalties to Indian.  It's a tribute a compliment to Indian era bikes.  It's part of the Indian history that the Drifter's were made.  I did read in a Indian forum once were someone posted they were a VDR drifter forum moderator in the past until he bought an Indian and sold his Drifter.  What was funny the Indian guys were  whining about a possible custom Drifter being at Sturgis but they were not sure what it was but it was a really cool Indian or Drifter  something (ended up being an old Indian). Including the former moderator whining about Drifter because he has a Indian now I guess.  Then again you get the simple minded people who only think their brand or no other brand is the bike to own.  Again this is just part of the Indian history and Kawasaki made a Indain  inspired design modern bike.
Even a real Indian company like Starklite Indian company in CA. thats been in business since the 40's pay tribute and appreciate and
have a couple Drifter's in there museum of Indian motorcycles.

Here's some pics of one Starklite Indian Custom 800 Drifter.   Personally I appreciate all makes and models of bikes.

I'm not trying to hijack this thread... . I like all makes of bikes too and don't know why some Indian guys hate Kawasaki drifters--maybe because they're Japanese bikes.  I definitely got snubbed on mine by a guy riding a Chief.  I think even within the Indian ranks there's a disdain for the new Indians by owners of the vintage ones.

[Trall]

Trall; I took a pair of matching wind screen bags and put them on my front engine guard........

That's a great storage idea for those that have the straight bar on top style crash bars.  My a curved so my only option will be some chaps maybe with pockets from Chilhowee Leathers in Oregon.  They make awesome stuff for Drifters.
https://www.chilhowee.net/kawasaki-engine-guard-chaps/EGC004.html

[Trall]

Yep, pretty cool retro.  another thing to piss off the "real Indian" guys

IDK why Indain guys would be pissed off?  These Drifter's were Indian inspired and designed by Cobra designers for Kawasaki based off the 1940's Indian Chief motorcycles during a period Indian was bankrupt. I heard they paid royalties to Indian.  It's a tribute a compliment to Indian era bikes.  It's part of the Indian history that the Drifter's were made.  I did read in a Indian forum once were someone posted they were a VDR drifter forum moderator in the past until he bought an Indian and sold his Drifter.  What was funny the Indian guys were  whining about a possible custom Drifter being at Sturgis but they were not sure what it was but it was a really cool Indian or Drifter  something (ended up being an old Indian). Including the former moderator whining about Drifter because he has a Indian now I guess.  Then again you get the simple minded people who only think their brand or no other brand is the bike to own.  Again this is just part of the Indian history and Kawasaki made a Indain  inspired design modern bike.
Even a real Indian company like Starklite Indian company in CA. thats been in business since the 40's pay tribute and appreciate and
have a couple Drifter's in there museum of Indian motorcycles.

Here's some pics of one Starklite Indian Custom 800 Drifter.   Personally I appreciate all makes and models of bikes.

[CDNRatMan]

 Trall; I took a pair of matching wind screen bags and put them on my front engine guard........

[Tfrank59]

Yep, pretty cool retro.  another thing to piss off the "real Indian" guys

[pcarrell]

That tool bag looks to be pretty simple to make.  It looks like a standard windshield bag screwed to a piece of angled aluminum.

[CDNRatMan]

  Your Welcome Trall, glad you found one, and have fun with it. The tool bag might be an issue if you have folding floor boards on the 800....just a warning.....

[Trall]

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/Ted800-drifter-toolbag.html

Here's the link to Ted's the maker of the 800 Tool bag and bracket.  Mounts on left side of bike under storage area compartment.

He's sold out and not sure if he will make anymore.  I told him if he does, I want one.  SO the more possible orders he gets maybe he will make more.........

[Trall]

Hats off to CDNRATMAN.........

The craftsman and designer Ted (link below)  still has a few 800 Hand Shifter's available.  I sent him an email to see if he still had any available and as of 12-23-15 replied back that he does have 3 or 4 for the 800 and I just bought one.

How retro-old school Cool are these things.  If you own a Drifter you got a get one before there gone...........From email exchanges he's retired machinist / fabricator and not sure if he will be making more in the future.  Anyhow my 800 shifter costs $315.50 included shipping.......

I wanted one of his toolbags with bracket too but is sold out.  I said I was interested if he ever makes more of them....Do the same if you want one.  The more requests the better the chance he makes some more.....

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/Teddrifter-hand-shifter.html