79' 440 Drifter up and running

[Tory944]

  Just finished up my Drifter today!  Seems to run well...  got a new windshield and waxed her up.  Of course there is  no snow left and it is POURING!  Oh well.  Going to get the 82' LTD ready next...  just found a NOS windshield for it!  It wasn't cheap, but it's the only one the gentleman had left...  The 82' should clean up nice.  A new windshield always makes a sled look- takes your eyes off the little bumps and bruises

[rminier]

Sheesh...that was quick. You must have found a carb that worked . A hundred and thirty some miles? That's REDIKULUS! Like Kawhead mentioned...pics when you have time. Forget the LTD For now...we need pics . Enjoy!

[Tory944]

O.k.  pictures tomorrow.  Had a carburetor on the shelf - just needed all the correct jets, etc.   I set up the sled with the 77' Jet specs.  No econo jet.  Thanks for the info!

[Interceptor398]

You are a very busy guy!!

[Tory944]

  O.k...   here are some pics.  I had it out in the yard (slush) for about 1/2 hr.  This was one of the sleds that came from the Nebraska warehouse.  Most all of these sleds were used for advertising, promotional pictures, etc.  Many were in rough shape, but this one managed to survive.  You can probably imagine what a sled would look like sitting in the back of a warehouse for 35 years!  It took ALOT of elbow grease and patience, but worth it!  Fun little sled...  sorry I couldn't shoot some pics of the Drifter "drifting" but hopefully some snow in the near future.   Enjoy!

[Joel]

Looks great also looks familiar. Joel

[rminier]

VERY nice! Thanks for the pics.

[Dandb7]

Looks real clean....another ''survivor'' back to life !!

Did you add some vents ? Or does the Drifter come like that ?

Will be wishing you some snow for Xmas...  :-)

[Tory944]

Pretty sure all the hood vents are original...   I know that some of the Nebraska "warehouse" sleds also had some prototype items added.  Funny you should ask about the vents.  The vent below the pull cord (on the hood) has what looks like a partial decal (underneath) where the vent is.  Maybe some of you guys with 79' Drifters can confirm this vent on yours.  The sled was never registered, so if that vent or any others were added...  it would have been through Kawasaki.  The 79' 340 Invader I have (also from the warehouse) used an Interceptor rear snow flap instead of the "K" flap.  If you look at that Interceptor flap it was clearly added at the factory...  the rivets are original as is the rear bumper.  You can't drill out the rivets without taking off the bumper.  That sled also has very low miles and can't imagine someone needing to "replace" the sno flap!

[kawhead]

those vents are for the h d cooling kit....after being photo sleds they were prob used for product development...

[bbap]

I have the same right side vent on my 79 340 Drifter.  It leads directly to the intake horn on the airbox.  Steve

[Tory944]

Good info...   thanks for that piece of info Kawhead...  took the sled out today and it is surprisingly quick!  I was pleasantly surprised.  Now on to the 82' LTD...   Electric start!

[Joel]

My 79 has the updated vents in it as well, Tory. If I'm not mistaken, I think it came out as an add on kit (extra vents) in 78 and came standard in 79.
-Joel

[kawhead]

it was an optional kit   

[kawhead]

i'd take the rubber 'funnel' off the air box if its still on, i've seen more than one suck in the choke roll pin, all the way thru the airbox.....but not the motor