Engine Guards for 800 - Again

[CDNRatMan]

Was yours opened? I don't think mine was open at all. Box was in really good shape. Yes that was so nice of Guido to send along a foot mnassager, and she will be here on Monday evening for a reflexology session. I am going to pick up some black silicone to hold the plugs in place. I am also going to drill 2 holes in the top bracket to remount the horn so it will be as close to stock as I can make it or leave it. Both ideas from KW, and kw seeing as I live in a metric country, I'll go around this weekend and see if I can find a plug for you. Thanks for the info and letting me know that htis was the one to buy.

[Drift1]

Cool RATMAN.....yup that's them,same box and all!Don't you just love to see how many times that box was opened with all the tape and stuff...lol....I'm going to have to get ahold of Broux and let him know that I'm a little jealous though.Mine didn't come with the free foot messager like yours,my man. .......Hope you like the bars and enjoy the foot messager.Oh yea bud,don't forget to silicone the inserts on the top bar.

[CDNRatMan]

cool it got here today....

[Drift1]

It's always nice to lend a hand,especially when cash is involved.Them bars are going to dress your ride up nicely.Remember you'll have to do a small mod with the horn as previously mentioned.

[CDNRatMan]

D1, I have a neighbour who does home reno's and such. So everonce in a while he asks me to leand a hand, he is well aware of my limitations with my knees and back so I am happy to lend a hand and the extra funds pay for things like the tire. Already set for the bars to mount onc ethey are here....

[Drift1]

I am working a part time job this weekend to pay for my tires ....

Should we dare to even ask?If it's anything to do with shoveling snow,you might want to get paid up front...and this might just cover the bail money. ..Your right in one sense though,if I can install them anyone can....I'm by far any type of motrcycle mechanic,that's for sure.Remember to take KW's advice though and use adhesive on the plugs near the horn  mount.Hey KW maybe we should call up our buddy Guido,and have him powder coat RATMANS bars "YELLOW"  to match his new fender ornament I sent him.......

[CDNRatMan]

   I was thinking if Drifter1 can install them himself then I am sure anyone can, really looking forward to getting them and installing them. Yours do look sharp and make the bike look really good.

[kw-retrorider]

Look Ratman.....the guy in NJ has been listing Guido's bars on ebay ever since I've been looking....over a year..of course didn't know they were Guido's. Guido is in Belgium, getting them from a manufacturer in the Netherlands. I'm just happy to have found something I liked, that turned out to be what I expected when it came and looks the way I wanted it to on the machine.

As for installation....my photos are "untouched"...so as Drift1 would say....you are on your own "my man."

Didn't care for the scootworks bars - mount differently and around the radiator and again, only chrome. You should be fine. If not, I'm sure we'll hear about it. Good luck.

[CDNRatMan]

   ok at today's exchange rate, 169.00GBP = $270.00 including shipping, which still beats Fitz price of $270.00 adn need to add shipping yet, so KW I went and ordered the bars, now I don't know were you live but I'll find you...if they are not easy to install.... ;)and peanut gallery comments are not needed Chilli/PC/45/Drifter1. See I know who the trouble makers are....
Seriously so far it has been really easy dealing with motorsloop and Guido, other then the one email in Flemish, and my Flemish translation ablity sucks to be honest. So now waiting for that and I am working a part time job this weekend to pay for my tires ....so there....

[pcarrell]

Scootworks has some great stuff, even though this deal didn't work out.  I know that their Phatrisers 2 are about the best risers you can get for our bikes without longer cables.

[Drift1]

So I will be spending $280.00 and not even have it shipped yet.

WOW....that's insane,RATMAN.Then the shipping cost on top of that!Would have never thought,my man.I'll keep an eye out for ya.I seen the price of $180 and wanted to kick myself,but maybe I didn't do as bad as I could have,ah.Guido is definately your best bet so far.I just saw them posted from him on ebay...believe they were $173......

[CDNRatMan]

  Rich you have mentioned Sooterworks twice and I finally found their site, was hard kept getting taken to a scooter place...

Ok they have one set of engine guards and they are chrome, I could not find black ones. So for $180.00 I get chrome ones. I did check and it would be about $100.00 for powder coating, so I wanted to check for shipping charges and this is the response.

For shipping outside of the continental U.S.A. the shipping cost will be calculated after submittal of your order, and an email sent to you with the associated shipping costs. We will then wait to receive your approval of shipping costs before shipment will be made. The purchaser will be responsible for all other charges, including any applicable customs, Value Added Tax (VAT), or other surcharges that may deal with importing these products into your country.

So I will be spending $280.00 and not even have it shipped yet. Where motorsloop will ship to me in black at the cost of $263.00
so still ahead with Guido.

Thanks, how much is Scooterworks paying you....lol......

[Drift1]

RATMAN,take a look at scootworks as well $180.37

[CDNRatMan]

  Ok so got an email from Rich (Drifter1) today he had ordered his engine guard from this Fitz 1932 on ebay and when he got them they were originally from motorsloop in Belgium.
Also I factored in the feed back from both places,
Fitz was at 93.8 % positive
Guido was at 99.1% positive
So once I decide I want them I am going to order from Guido and then just about 5 mins ago I got this from Guido....

Dear cdnratman,

hello,
yes, it's about $ 263 CDN, ( I have look on Paypal for the rate of exchange )
greetings
Guido

so to decide if I want them or not......thanks everyone....

[CDNRatMan]

  ok got my 2 cents to add here, gentleman........nothing at the bike show to be found for a Drifter.
Got home tired and sore, me poor knees from all that walking on the cement floors....
anyway got an email from Mr. Fitzsimmions...not sure , don't care were he buys his product, but the man is out to lunch. Really out to lunch.
Let us check this out, now Drifter1 I am not doubting your info on that Fitz buys from Guido. So go on that premise.......

Guido, bars = $171.00 + shipping $92.00 = $263.00

Fitz, bars = $270.00 + shipping $98.00 = $368.00

a diffrence of $105.00   so were should I purchase the engine guard bars from?

[Drift1]

KW,thanks for that tip on the plastic inserts.....you know I was kinda of thinking going that route with the adhesive,but that's a definate now.That stinks you already lost one,hopefully It's not a nightmare trying to find a replacement,my man.I know how frustrating it can be for all of us,trying to find "what we think is simple" like I said,I've been looking for that seat rail for a while now.....If you ever decide to get the rear dresser bars KW on the accesories section here TED STRUBLE has them and some other things available...Good luck and ride safe,brother

[kw-retrorider]

Drift1: No knock on you guys and no apologies necessary. Didn't mean to come off the wrong way. My bad. Just thought or expected the engine guard question was an easy "asked and answered"...but your point is well taken....with Drifter parts, perhaps not so.

Normally, when you see what you like on someone else's machine, then you know what you're getting (if you can get it). Buying on line is problematic; there is not always enough in the way of photos or information to decide if it really looks right or is in the right condition...and as for finding one on someone else's machine...as we know, Drifter sightings are rare. I've had mine a little over a year and haven't seen another.

So for those in doubt....one more photo with the view I like best and the one you'll be looking at once they are installed. (Pay no attention to that man in the mirrors!).

Last comment on these for you Drift1: Because the tube is not continuous across the top, they come with plastic end caps. Suggest you dry fit and trim to account for the flat plate weld on the top at 12 o'clock, then install with a little silicone adhesive. I lost one on the first ride after installation. They are metric, so  am still looking for a replacement.

[Drift1]

not sure were he buy's his parts.RATMAN they come from Guido.

This is what I thought I'd get when I first asked. So everyone needed a little push. It's all good.
KW,maybe I'm taking this the wrong way my man..if so let me apologize in advance,but by no means were you being ignored,if that's what your suggesting, when you posted this.The fact of the matter is,as your well aware of,Drifter parts and accessories are like finding a needle in a hay stack,at times.It's like being at a crowded bar with only one urinal and everyone has to piss at the same time.I believe it's coincedence,that these bars are available again and everyone standing in line to get ,em.Myself, I'm in search for a solo seat rail for months now that just arent available.....when they are found they too will be hovered upon like bee's on honey,my man.Please don't take it personal,Drifter riders are always here to lend a hand,just need the avenues to give the correct direction,that's all.

[kw-retrorider]

Ratman: Nice bit of research. This is what I thought I'd get when I first asked. So everyone needed a little push. It's all good.

There's only so much product around and when you look close, it comes down to what you want to spend, what you want it to look like and if it fits without having to re-engineer it. You also have to have patience looking for Drifter parts and not grab the first thing you see.

I can only say, the proof is in the pudding and I provided the pics. I would have liked a set of Fire and Steel's, just because they were OEM, but Guido's bars have a vertical side, more in keeping with some old pics I have of the real thing on old Indians....and I could get black.

The important thing here is now we've had the right dialog on engine guards and its on record. Decent ones that look right ARE out there and there are choices. Now we've all contributed to the greater good...Thanks guys...let's ride.

[CDNRatMan]

  Now Chilli those would make Drifter1's ride look really military and old school, in my mind.

Yes Drifter1 that is the dude's name, not sure were he buy's his parts and don't really care, but any money I save is better in my pocket then in his.
Guido Broux answered my email with in like 2 hours of sending it. I went to this site
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWASAKI-VN-800-DRIFTER-ENGINE-GUARD-BULL-BAR-BLACK-/200865544185?ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

Found the place were it said contact sender and did so through an eBay acount and we sent emails back and forth, I am sure if I do not find anything at the bike show I will order from him once I get back and then have them before spring riding starts.

[ChilliDrift]

here ya guys go, Black rear dresser bars.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-DRIFTER-800-REAR-DRESSER-BARS-/190779389282?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6b567562

[Drift1]

RATMAN.....little info for ya.The guy in NJ,is his name Fritzsimmons?If so he gets his crash bars from motorsloop(Guido Broux) so not only are the bars similiar....they are exactly the same,my man.That being said if your going to order them,go right to the source.
How did you get Guido?I've tried with no success.Looking for a set of the rear bars,but don't want to spend the 6 figures in one spot...know what I mean.Looking to get a 1500 model to dress up like a doll.....maybe next year

[CDNRatMan]

kw-retrorider
thanks for all the info it is great, I want and need a bar in black nothing else will work for my ride.
I did contact the guy in NJ, he left me a phone number to call.
His charge is $270.00, waiting for him to let me know what the shipping charges will be.
Just a side note the guy in NJ has a bunch of negative scores on E Bay, so not a good feeling about that either
Motorsloop, Guido got back to me right quick with all the info and the conversion rate, his product is $171.16 and $92.00 for shipping, total = $263.00
waltervl
I did also look at the link you posted, sent them an email asking about shipping to Canada,
Their cost for the bars was $142.65 plus shipping if they would ship to Canada, so I am waiting for that.

Now I talked to my Brother-in-law he said last year at the bike show in Toronto there was a hall of people selling parts and "stuff" so I am going to hit that hall and take my time to look for any 800 parts I can find. even if I find one at the right price I'll pay to have it powder coated if the price will work out right. Once I find out I'll let people know....

Drifter 1 I'll look for parts for your military look too, and what price range are you comfortable for me to spend, like in the 6 figures?...ok I'll spend your money.

[Drift1]

KW,thanks for the help and info,much appreciated.

RATMAN,find another place that has the bars....scootworks.com,they have them listed for $180.37......not sure about the shipping cost etc.Honestly I would hold off to see what kind of steal you can mustard up at the show,my man.Wish I could've been able to make that.......

[waltervl]

For European (no shipping to USA/Canada but you can ask ) check http://www.empmotorparts.nl/en/webshop/crashbars-top-line-35-mm
They make the parts themself. For 800 and 1500 Drifters, black and chrome.

I bought the passenger footpeg lowering brackets with them.