weak front shocks

Goombah · March 02, 2013, 16:28:32 PM

CDNRatMan,thanks, I'll check here from time to time. I have other stuff I need to accomplish first anyway. need to fig out the shock issue. Also want to try to fig. out how I can modify a seat rail I bought a couple years ago to work/fit on Logan. thanks again for the help. Goombah

CDNRatMan · March 01, 2013, 12:38:22 PM

I bought the Fender Gurad from Mon-tique, but they seem to have closed up for now, it was $140.00 and $21.00 for shipping. I really like the way it looks and JMPO it looks really nice on there. Thanks. I'll see if I can find one for you ...in chrome of course

Goombah · March 01, 2013, 10:37:00 AM

CDNRatMan, I just went to the gallery,and took a look at your message, and ya, that is just a nut cover,nothing special. Also took a look at your ride. Nice indeed. I kinda like the front fender guard,but of course I would have to go chrome,as to look right on mine. Where did you find it?

Goombah · March 01, 2013, 10:15:38 AM

CDNRatMan, I think what Chief is seeing,and what I'm thinking is what you are seeing. A chrome acorn nut cover.that's got to be it. I don't have any kind of switch,or trick 007 gizmo there. lol, Goombah

chief · February 28, 2013, 19:05:47 PM

Looks like a chrome acorn/cap nut to me...

CDNRatMan · February 28, 2013, 18:53:39 PM

I went and looked at the pictures again,and can not copy and paste the picture now, but anyway, I have it marked in the album, and really am wondering what that is because I have nothing on my 800 that looks like itso just wondering......now I have to figure it out...

Goombah · February 28, 2013, 18:34:05 PM

CDNRatMan, sorry for the mistake.I just assumed that post was from DriftinGirl,as I had mentioned to her to have a look at the pix,in regard to the lowering,rake of front end with mine lower in ths rear. I was trying to figure out what you are seeing on the frame below the ignition. Not sure what you're seeing. there is a chrome nut cover maybe? Anyway,thanks for the comps on Logan. Goombah

Goombah · February 28, 2013, 18:13:14 PM

DriftinGirl, Happy you took a look,cool. Yes, that is my horn behind the shield. It is a bit hard to see,but the horn is also ingraved with "Logan" on the front of it. Ok, now here is the scoop on "Logan". Kind of interesting.Logan, better known as Chief Logan was an American Indian of the Cayuga Nation. He was a good peaceful indian,and always considered a friend of the white man. At some point,some white men murdered several of Logans close family members. It was known as Yellow Creek Massacre. I guess from that time on,Logan looked for revenge,and killed many white men. He was asked to a peace treaty and would not attend,rather,issued a speech that would become famous. The speech was known as "Logan's Lament". This bit of history all happened in the "Ohio Country", which in the mid/late 1700's incompassed what we know now as Ohio,Virginia,West Virginia,and Kentucky. I bought "Logan" from a guy in West Virginia. He did most of the customizing on the drifter(nice work as IMO didn't over do it). While doing so,pulled the Kaw.badges,and thought it needed something of its own. Hence...."Logan" A tribute to a great indian,and a tribute to a great motorcycle,"Indian",which is what the Drifter is all about,a tribute. I think it is pretty cool,and like that he went "Indian" without mucking the bike all up as though a wana be indian. He did the script same as the "Indian "script,and it hints indian just enough IMO. Well, that's the short version of how the bike became a Logan. LOL.

CDNRatMan · February 27, 2013, 20:50:30 PM

Quote
There are a few pics of mine in the photo gallery,have a look,she's a beauty.(againIMO) lol

Well seems your opinion is pretty good, very nice looking machine. I have a couple of questions however.....

in the one picture of the windshield, is that the horn I see behind the sheild?

the picture of the left side of the bike, what is the button/switch/ whatever/ on the frame down from the ignition switch?

and why Logan? ok I am done and nice pictures too....

Goombah · February 27, 2013, 19:18:45 PM

DrifterGirl, thanks for the additional info. Mine was done very similar to yours then. I didn't know all the info on the spacers, but I knew mine was lowered 2" up front,and 3" in the back. I can give you a little suggestion on yours before you do much riddin'. I realize mine is a bit lower in back,and it might not be an issue with yours being a bit taller,but here's the thing anyway. You of course will not have as much ground clearance as you did,and pulling into a lot of driveway entrances will bottom mine out if not carfull. there is a grease fitting under your engine/trans.,that is very easy to catch and sheere off. I removed the fitting,and put a plug in its place,which eliminates the possible problem. Just make sure you put the fitting where you have it handy when you service,or grease,or have it done,so that it can be put back in long enough to grease it. There is (IMO) not any noticeable diff.in the rake having gone 3" in the back, but two is a good choice I would think. There are a few pics of mine in the photo gallery,have a look,she's a beauty.(againIMO) lol ! Anyway,thanks again for the added info on the spacers. Goombah

DriftinGirl · February 27, 2013, 00:42:58 AM

The kit comes with a choice of three new spacers ( for 1, 2, or 3 inches of lowering) It was a straight swap original spacer out, new (I did 2 inches) in. No change to spring. I also lowered back by 2 inches to keep rake the same. This was more involved...changed the arm and added pre-load adjustment to rear shock. Kept detailed instructions that came with the kit but they are back in Nova Scotia so can't do a better summary cause my memory is the pits!

Goombah · February 26, 2013, 18:15:36 PM

Well, thanks everyone for some thoughts on my shock problem. I'm not sure what the scooter works kid does either, since I wasn't the one who did the lower. I like the lowering job,and yes the rear was lowered as well,and I know that involved something done with the swing arm, as I was given the orig.part when I bought the drifter. I certainly agree the lowering has adverse affect on cornering( dragging my footboards once in a while. I am always aware of the issue I guess when riding,so I have learned to live with it. Been riding this one for about 5 yrs. and guess I'm just used to it. I guess I am thinking the oil levels are low.I guess the spacers have been changed to shorter ones being that DrifterGirl just had hers done and knows. Troll, thanks for the measurment specs as well.Thats a good place to start with a tape,and see what kind of travels I have. As always,thanks Chief for your thoughts as well,and perhaps DrifterGire can answer a point you brought up as to the springs being cut down,or if shoter springs come as parts of Scooter works kit. (I guess I should look up the Kit and see what's in it as purchased.) Well,thanks again everyone, guess I better think about fixin' things,spring is just around the corner here in Oregon.

chief · February 25, 2013, 19:41:25 PM

Yeah sounds like time for a front fork inspection.

DriftinGirl · February 24, 2013, 23:16:01 PM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on February 24, 2013, 19:26:37 PM
Driftergirl, did you not do this mod to your ride? If so what did you do to the front?

What I did was also the Scootworks kit...it involved changing to shorter spacers up front. Since I did this late last fall haven't really had the opportunity to test it out. But sure couldn't bottom it out by pushing.

CDNRatMan · February 24, 2013, 19:26:37 PM

Driftergirl, did you not do this mod to your ride? If so what did you do to the front?

chief · February 24, 2013, 18:51:53 PM

I agree with Troll. I'm really not a fan of lowering bikes you plan to ride normally. Those who do, have to live with the limitations lowering presents. I honestly don't know how they lowered your bike, what they did in the front forks, how they handled the monoshock height... etc. I need to get up to speed on that and the scootworks kit!!! I would normally suggest you check the springs and oil... but I don't know what they did to the front fork springs... cut them down? use shorter springs? use shorter spacers, no spacers?

Troll · February 24, 2013, 18:14:31 PM

Your front suspension travel is 5.9". This is the total travel from completely unloaded to bottomed out. If you have average static sag of about 2", then you have roughly 4" of suspension travel. If you lower the bike by 2", you have little more than the promise of suspension travel. If this were mine, I'd put the correct progressive suspension kit in with the correct (they list it in the instructions) preload spacers, and the correct amount of fork oil. If the rear has been lowered, you will need to correct that, as well. Ground clearance=lean angle. You don't need to drag things on the ground while making a turn....

CDNRatMan · February 24, 2013, 17:45:13 PM

not sure how the lowering kit works in its self, but I would be thinking low fork oil first off, or your springs are worn out?

Goombah · February 24, 2013, 16:56:43 PM

I have an 800,and it was lowered using scooter works kit, by previous owner. I think lowered 2" on front end. Shocks are really weak,as in when I am sitting on bike I can hold front break,and push down and bottom them out. any ideas as to a fix? Thanks, Goombah.