Simple personalization

[Drift1]

RATMAN,thanks for that info.How did you come up with that idea,if you dont mind me asking?Like I said earlier,I've never seen that done before.

Now that you have gotten the fender  done, you can address that "whitewall" tire....at least the chrome wheel looks shiny!

I just had to laugh at this post,TROLL.RATMAN did such a great job on the molding that i wasn't going to go there,glad someone else did

[Troll]

Now that you have gotten the fender  done, you can address that "whitewall" tire....at least the chrome wheel looks shiny!

[CDNRatMan]

 actually it was easy, I laid the moulding on the floor in front of the fire place for a few hours, when it was nice and warm I then started once I got to the little bump out, I used my heat gun on low and got it hot almost too hot to touch and used my needle nose vice grips to hold it in place and then make the slits on the inside, the moulding comes with a small amount of plaible glue in the base of it, I also used a small hammer to ensure I had it down and tight to the base. It has stayed tight to the bump out so far.
So both fenders and the fuel tank have been completed.
45 notice I did it in black and not chrome...lol....

Thanks.

[Drift1]

RATMAN,i have to give credit were credit is due......you pulled that one off, bud!That's one hell of a clean look.I thought it looked fine just the way you had it earlier,but this is great.2 questions for ya,did you have to use the hot water method that your auto body man suggested.....and the slits you had to make to the molding to form tightly done on the inside of the fender I would imagine...how difficult was that?Once again, great job RATMAN

[CDNRatMan]

  Glad you like it. Thanks.

[pcarrell]

Wow, what a difference!  It didn't look like it needed anything before really, but it looks so much more "finished" now!

[CDNRatMan]

 Well after a bit of time and work I got it done and it is cool. Glad my second job has me using my hands a lot becuase the moulding seems to want to tangle up and not just slide on. Bu the fender is now done and so it will be re installed tonight. Think I am done now with the mods and personalization and will wait for a bit now and see what is happening with others.

[Drift1]

RATMAN,Great job on the molding.I like the rear fender just the way you have it now.Looks clean,good planning on the start/stop points hiding them behind the fender rail.Thanks for the pics,i see were the fender gets thick there,that's definately going to be a pain in the you know what.Dude I would leave it just the way you have it set now,the reason being that thick part will probably collect dirt and stuff in the molding if there's a slight gap at all.This is going to make it tough to clean and eventually It's going to start peeling off.My vote would be leave it just the way it is now.Looks very clean and no ones going to see the inside of the fender near the frame any how.....

[49Reo]

Paint the chrome part black with a spray-bomb, set it in place with the lens. As long as you get to the paint before it is cured, you can remove the paint from the chrome with solvent without hurting the chrome. Then, you would know if you want it chromed or powder-coated.....

Regards and such,
49Reo

[CDNRatMan]

Thanks, I am not a chrome fan but I do think that the bezels look really nice chromed and the spot lights really brings out the black colour.
I could get the Indian head powder coated, in either black or red, just for a different look. Something I need to think through...lol like I said 3 more months at least......

[49Reo]

Looking really good, old man; I was looking for a blacked out version when I bought mine, but up here they are few and far between in either configuration. Are you going to powder-coat the chrome light bezels as well? As to the fender light, you could always get one powder-coated; that mine set it apart too. Whatever you do, it looks awesome.

Regards and such,
49Reo

[CDNRatMan]

  Ok Drift1 I will take back my last comment, the fender is now off, 6 bolts, and one quick disconnect. Also while out for my nitely walk I came across the owner of the body shop down the road from me, on a side note he painted the rocker panels on my Jimmy this summer and did an awesome job and more then he charged for..... so mentioned what I was doing, he told me to use hot water and a really sharp exacto knife to mke really fine cuts to remove the dimples on the back side of the moulding and to take my time around that area. So tomorrow morning off to Canadian Tire to buy another roll the moulding and do the complete rear fender, and do that side first so as to not lose my temper and get the BIG HAMMER out....

[CDNRatMan]

  ask and you shall recieve......

I only did the bottom portion of the rear fender, and the reason is that the fenders are thicker then I expected, the moulding is meant for a car door edge so not really that thick. I actually used a small ball peen hammer to make sure it was getting on and into the groove, and had to at times use a screwdriver to keep the moulding spread apart to slide on to the edge of the fenders.
Drift1 think of the work getting it around that popout in the third picture, now I suppose you could remove the fender from the bike, undo all the wiring harness. Then with a couple of really careful cuts (slits) and some gentle application of heat you might be able to mould it around that part. I do have at least 3 more months to ponder and think if I want to do the complete fender or just leave well enough alone. Some thing to think out. But to do the whole fender I am sure it will have to come off to do it correctly and make it easy.

[Drift1]

My PO ,but I think it looks awsome,post a pic of the rear fender when you get a chance...

[CDNRatMan]

Yup regular car moulding I picked up at Canadian Tire for like $10.00 and it did the tank, front fender and part of the rear fender. I kind of like it now.

[Drift1]

Looks fantastic RATMAN.I especially like the molding you added,good thinking it really does give a clean look.I've never seen that done before.What is it?regular car molding.

[CDNRatMan]

  I am still mulling over the idea of the Indian head front fender light......still not sold on it .....will think it over.......

[CDNRatMan]

ok got the light bar done and mounted next couple of days we ..actually the mech from the Kaw dealer ship is coming to my house to wire it for me, his idea, and he said a case of beer would be decent payment.....lol...fine with me....not having to pay shop rates. Plus he is a buddy from way back....lol....

Some pictures to look over ......49 I copied the original headlight set up for the idea....

[marshalldoll]

Comming right along. Looks nice!!
Dan

[ChilliDrift]

Looking good Rat.

[CDNRatMan]

what are you doing up so late? Figured at your age you would have been in bed at dark.

oh and thanks.....

[pcarrell]

Looking really good!

[CDNRatMan]

rear lights and that was it for today....

[CDNRatMan]

the tank edges now

[CDNRatMan]

  ok so I am really liking the original look of the Drifter 800, I do not want to stray too far from that old school look. I have ordered a few parts which in my mind were like options you can order later from the dealer for the bike, I could not find a blacked out light bar with the blacked out spotlights, I did find an original one in chrome so bought it and had it powdercoated. as per photo's of the original ones also bought the visiors for all the lights. The front fender guard and sissy bar came from the Netherlands as options for the 800. I then added some body moulding to parts just because I think it gives that finished look and makes it more mine, and swapped out some of the button nose bolts. I think I have left the bike still in the orriginal look other then when I add the Indian head fender light. As I get the changes done I'll post pictures and see what people think. Thanks.