Most fun I've had on a bike in years.

30 odd years of riding all kinds of conventional bikes has made me feel
a bit jaded about riding most of what comes my way, so I was frankly
quite shocked to absolutely love being out riding this today.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25191903@N05/4788443270/sizes/l/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25191903@N05/4787810029/sizes/l/

Yep, a VN800 Drifter 1940s Indian replica with a sprung saddle, home
made stainless exhausts, Indian badges and best of all, a home made
hand gear change on the right side of the tank with a pool ball for a
gear knob.

It didn't go very well, really didn't handle, had zero brakes and the
saddle moving around made cornering very interesting to say the least.
Best of all was the hand gear change - it has the conventional
cruiser's rocker style foot change, but it seemed rude to use it. I had
a whale of a time taking it out on test and didn't want to go back so I
took a slightly extended route back to the shop.

I would love to own it, but I think it might drive me nuts after a few
weeks of commuting on it.

 

Did you invert it?

 

I had one of those - damn good fun but could have used more power.
Is that the one thats been on Ebay for the last few weeks?

Steve

 

I don't think Bob, the owner, would have been too happy if I had

 

Wotcha.

Ooh - I've got one of those . . . .can't bloody ride it yet though.
http://www.lonewolf.me.uk/LWMEBRUB.htm

 

You need the 'inverted bars' option fitting
http://acenet.ifrance.com/drifter_1.jpg
http://acenet.ifrance.com/drifter_2.jpg

 

Just what I was expecting when I clicked on them!

Some of the best fun I've ever had on a bike was using a BSA V-twin outfit.
Handchange and bicycle type brakes.

 

Sadly, I think he was so quick to re-right it that he beat all the
possible photographers. Mine were just on my crappy phone anyway, as
you can tell.

 

Platy seemed to cope ok with it. But he is a little eccentric with his
choice of machines. It was fun to ride, grounded-out a little on the
curvey parts of the road, however thats part of the fun...