800/1500 Drifter

[Mercury]

Everything you need for the drifter.

the corbin seats are really nice. my dad had a 99 connie(concours) with a corbin seat and it was extremely comfortable. little pricy, but probably much better then the stock one. i have the 2 up and the solo seat. just make sure if you switch back and fourth and haul a passenger, be sure to put that seat support under the back end. i didnt one time and now i have a nice big gouge almost all the way through the fender from that damn screw on the bottom.

good find.. just wanted to point out this is for the 1500 not the 800 - i dont know if there is a difference with that stuff

kenny

[VetMXR]

Well Gents,

My project Drifter 1500 is just about ready to roll. We've had a break in the weather temporarily, which has allow me an opportunity to take her out on the road a few times now, and she runs and rides great. I took her out yesterday for a little ride, but at 38 degrees F, I had to cut it shorter than I would have liked. It's suppose to snow again tonight, so I took the opportunity for another test ride while the roads were clear.

I still need to install new tires, and my mirrors haven't arrived just yet, but otherwise she is back together and running. She still needs a bit of cosmetic work, but as stated previously that will come in time.

VetMXR's Drifter Project

VetMXR

[mkelley]

VetMXR,

Looking good. Ever thought of getting your headlight and ring powdercoated?

I just got my air cleaner covers and solo rack powdercoated glossy black, but I forgot about the chrome rear brake master cylinder cover. When I do that bit, I'll certainly get my headlight ring and the aux riding light rings done too.

[Thullan]

Hi,
A quick question about the dull finish on the engine covers on early Drifters, are they brushed or is it a silver paint?
Thanks

[zuzuman03]

well, its not the brushed alum. lookin stuff if thats what you're asking. it has a texture to it, kinda like header paint, but im not quite sure what it is.

[GravityAlert]

I am rebuilding a 1998 Vn1500 from Switzerland & have had a great time with the rust issues - now my tank is sealed & my carb's look great - just have a small issue with the starter motor that is being replaced thanks to ebay for $50 instead of the almost $300 other places are charging - only thing is I would like to get a reasonably priced rebuild kit for the starter motor - I'm not having a whole lotta luck here - found one for $50 but I'm thinking I can get closer to $30 - now I can't find the one I had found for $50 without going through all of my bookmarks (which is a last resort !!)


Anyway, if anybody knows of a place where I can get a rebuild kit, I would be most appreciative !!

cat is gravityalert5@yahoo.com

[zuzuman03]

well, i did it. i just dropped off my air cleaner covers at the powdercoat shop. he said they should be ready by the end of the week.

[mkelley]

Dave,

I bet you're gonna love how they look. Did you ask for semi-gloss or gloss finish?
Hopefully my exhaust system is ready for pickup next Saturday so I can get it put on and ride! I'm getting the pipes done glossy too and the ceramic coating guy said that they'd look kinda splotchy at first but with several heatup/cooldown cycles the finish would even out.

[WhiteFang]

Hey! Any other lady drifter riders out there?

I live in Cape Cod and have a 99' 1500. Traded my HD sportster for it last year and am SO HAPPY!! And so is the guy I traded with.

Planning many road trips this summer some w/hubby some w/o.

Nova Scotia, St. Louis, Quebec, Maine

WhiteFang

___________________
Do you love candles? Need extra $$?
Give PartyLite a try! Ask how you can get $700 in products for FREE!
508-566-0492
PartyLite Candles, Candle Holders, Home Parties, Direct Selling

[WhiteFang]

Does anyone know where I can find the tan solo seat that was an option for the 99 1500? Kawasaki can't get it and I am having no luck online. My other option is Cobra but I really like the solo option better.

THanks
WhiteFang

[mkelley]

WhiteFang,

Welcome to the forum.

I don't have a line on a 1999 tan solo seat. From time to time they come up on eBay however, so keep an eye out there.

I can highly recommend the Corbin solo seat for the 1999 Drifter 1500. They're pricey, but you can get a drivers backrest and pick custom colors, including tan leather
Check out Corbin Drifter Solo Seat

It took Corbin about 3 weeks to deliver mine. Note: if you use Kawasaki's saddlebag/rack struts that bolt to the frame underneath the seat, you'll have to modify the struts slightly because they interfere with underside of the Corbin seat. They work fine (obviously) with the Kawasaki OEM solo seat.

[SilverEagle]

Does anyone know where I can find the tan solo seat that was an option for the 99 1500? Kawasaki can't get it and I am having no luck online. My other option is Cobra but I really like the solo option better.

THanks
WhiteFang

Yeah, E-bay is the best thing to look for them out there. Too bad it is no longer offered from MaKawa.

I have that optional seat and saddle bag setup on mine.

[OhioDrifter]

Hey! Any other lady drifter riders out there?

I live in Cape Cod and have a 99' 1500. Traded my HD sportster for it last year and am SO HAPPY!! And so is the guy I traded with.

Planning many road trips this summer some w/hubby some w/o.

Nova Scotia, St. Louis, Quebec, Maine

WhiteFang

___________________
Do you love candles? Need extra $$?
Give PartyLite a try! Ask how you can get $700 in products for FREE!
508-566-0492
PartyLite Candles, Candle Holders, Home Parties, Direct Selling

Hi WhiteFang,

Yes, another Lady Drifter rider here. Nice 1500 you have!

[Mercury]

wheres all the lady drifter riders in jersey haha

seriously though welcome to the Kawasaki forums, the drifter is a great bike, i have an 800 which I LOVE

sorry, I am a male motorcycle owner here - I know you were looking for other female riders hah.

anyway on your tan seat - I suggest corbin actually, check ebay of course but if you get new from corbin they will get your size and dimensions and make you a nice seat, i have a corbin from ebay, and i think it was made for a real big dude, I like fall into the seat

kenny

[mkelley]

A while back I mentioned I was looking for some black mirrors for my 99 Drifter. I've currently got a pair of cheap black plastic oval mirrors that might look acceptable on a sport bike, but I don't think they look right on a Drifter.

I read a message thread on the VROC newsgroup where someone was looking for the differences between drifter/classic and mean streak mirrors and one respondant mentioned that the ZXR1200 mirrors were like the mean streak mirrors, only black. Exactly what I was looking for, so I ordered a pair.

[Mercury]

A while back I mentioned I was looking for some black mirrors for my 99 Drifter. I've currently got a pair of cheap black plastic oval mirrors that might look acceptable on a sport bike, but I don't think they look right on a Drifter.

I read a message thread on the VROC newsgroup where someone was looking for the differences between drifter/classic and mean streak mirrors and one respondant mentioned that the ZXR1200 mirrors were like the mean streak mirrors, only black. Exactly what I was looking for, so I ordered a pair.

id like to see how they look on the drifter...

I want to get rid of as much chrome as i can i think and go to all black

Only thing chrome should be exhaust and intake thats my plan

kenny

[WhiteFang]

If you are looking for black mirrors go to tejasthumpcycles.com I got mine there.

WhiteFang

[WhiteFang]

Hey Ohio Drifter!

Where is your town located? I'll be passing through in July on my way to St. Louis.

WhiteFang

[OhioDrifter]

Right on lake erie, about 25 miles west of Cleveland. Did you get my PM?

[WhiteFang]

Nope. Didnt' get it.