Winter 2013

[Drift1]

Yea I'd say so . I'm pretty sure your going to find there's no adjustment needed on your valves ratman . Better to be safe then sorry though , of course ! Wonder is all in tell for that grampsizing mod ? If it's just liminating the air box your half way there brother . Rejet the carb and BAM mystery 101 project done on your list 

[pcarrell]

Sounds like Dave is a good friend to have!

[CDNRatMan]

  I had a long chat with Dave (Certified Kaw Mechanic)
Here in this area it seems that a lot of the mechanics do not hold jobs for a long time, they get a good reputation, they work hard and are abused by their bosses, like Dave has been laid off for the winter and he is having issues with his bosses because he refuses to move boats, hot tubs and such around the show room..... anyway, he is reputed to be one of the better bike wrenches in the area, so.....

He had listened to my bike in the fall, and said it sounded really nice a tight. So he explained his idea and his plan to work on my bike. It can be done without engine removal, simply take off the tank, all the stuff up top and remove the air cleaning stuff. Then remove the valve covers, I near pooped when I saw how deep down my plugs were...lol.....I will also be posting some pictures as Dave said that would be fine, he has no issues with it, and I will credit him with doing the work. He also said that best case it is not going to be more then an inspection because everything is in the limits and bang on. So just waiting for him to call me back and let me know what day he is going to do it. I'll keep you posted.

[kw-retrorider]

Ratman: looks like you are making good progress. I know you're not there yet, but do remember to report out on the valve lash as you find it before adjustment....for those of us waiting to do the same thing...or not. Thanks.

[CDNRatMan]

  Really crappy weather outside so I put the paint booth back in place, the final coat of black on the bumperettes are now done and they are drying, and the paint booth is back to being a laundry room, and clothing drying area from snow covered clothing.....will let them cure for a few weeks and start to polish them with some good car wax. Bring the shine out on them.

[CDNRatMan]

  Too late for that foolishness, they have been apart and hanging and dripping for the last few days. This weekend they will be done and ready to mount on the bike. I just have the steering head to check and grease then the forks back on and away we go.
As for the rear shock that is from the supplier and not sure why, but I'll have the front end back together and then the back is a piece of cake. forks, then valves, or rear shock and we are done the major work the rest is easy and will just move along.

[Drift1]

Cool dude !!!  Now being your bike is put away for winter your not able to try these new springs out right away . My suggestion to you is push down on the existing shocks now a few times . Maybe mark the fork with a piece of tape as to how far you can press them . When you replace the OLD springs with the NEW progressive springs try to reach the same mark . GOOD LUCK ... LOL it will never happen  Dude I had a chance to ride with my new front springs and man O man wish I would have did this much sooner .

What's the deal on the rear spring ? Not producing many or selling them out that fast ? Man 6 weeks , maybe I'll have a chance to save up for one of those , for MA-DEUCE 

[CDNRatMan]

   Cool Front springs are here, rear shock is at least 6 week back order right now. So Mr. GreenBarn I am going to follow your instructions and see how well it works......

[CDNRatMan]

  Progressive Shocks rear 645 series are on back order, so that project is on hold till some time in Dec or later, but the front springs should be here by Tuesday. So will get on to that project.

[pcarrell]

Any clue where the rear bars came from on that blue drifter? I really like those.

David made those, as well as the saddle bag protector bars.

[gdrudd13]

I have the large throttle boss (but it black) on mine. I like it. It made a huge difference for me but I know some people don't like them. It lets me stretch out my fingers which is why I like it. I also have the leather covers for the clutch and brake levers. Been there since I've had my bike. They're comfortable as well. I don't have anything to compare them to though so it might not make a big difference. Any clue where the rear bars came from on that blue drifter? I really like those.

[pcarrell]

PC forgive me here , but what are ISO wings , the levers ?

Sorry to mislead.....I gave the wrong name!  They are called the Kuryakyn ISO-Throttle Boss.  These are the ones I have on my bike, but they come in different shapes.  http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/kuryakyn-iso-throttle-boss-fits-right-or-left-grip-each-for-iso-grips-transformer-grips-or-braided-grips/part/KY-6250

Sorry for the confusion.

[pcarrell]

You got that exactly right.  Less vibration at highway speeds due to the lower revs, and it doesn't sound like it's screaming at you at 60 mph...  And the fork springs make a huge difference....  I've said it before, I think the 18/38 ratio and the progressive springs are "must do" mods on the 800.

Sorry, guess I just don't understand what you 800 guys are on about, since our 1500's are built right from the factory..........

MAN, that was fun!

[greenbarn]

Sorry ratman just noticed I posted 18/40 . I meant 18/38 . I thought first gear was going to be a little tougher on the throttle response , but no sir . Dude your going to love this mod .  I even got fancy an added a little bling - bling as you say and went with a gold chain just to give the scoot some pizaaz ......lol

You got that exactly right.  Less vibration at highway speeds due to the lower revs, and it doesn't sound like it's screaming at you at 60 mph...  And the fork springs make a huge difference....  I've said it before, I think the 18/38 ratio and the progressive springs are "must do" mods on the 800.

[Drift1]

PC forgive me here , but what are ISO wings , the levers ? You know I bought and installed covers from Chillowee last year . The thing is the fringe just was to my liking on my scoot . Guess it really didn't go with the theme .
Thanks for those picture's I saved them to my drifter file . I think that bike is so pretty I'd be scared to ride it LOL . Always was a fan of the necille front , but imop don't like the blinkers below so much . Wow that nomad came out looking sweet as hell !
Man are we hijacking ratmans thread or what  ....... sorry there fella 

[pcarrell]

PC , thanks for that tip I'm definitely going to try those there gel pad gloves . Man the numbness I got STINKS . Think I'll try different handle bar grips as well for the comfort . My stock ones are pretty well worn out any how .

It's hard to go wrong with the ISO Grips with ISO Wings!  To lose the chrome look, glue on some leather grip covers ( http://www.chilhowee.net/grip-covers.html ) and top it off with some lever covers to match ( http://www.chilhowee.net/kawasaki-lever-covers/LC004.html ).

Oh yea that drifter is amazingly pretty by the way . I have that bike saved from before , I believe you showed it to me last year ?

Yeah, I trot out pics of David's old scoot once in a while.  He did such awesome custom work on it ya know.  Here's links to all the pics of it that I have.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/Other%20Peoples%20Bikes/3LowRes.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/Other%20Peoples%20Bikes/1LowRes.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j319/pcarrell/Drifter/Other%20Peoples%20Bikes/2LowRes.jpg

Oh, and I almost forgot, this is a Nomad that David did a nacelle for.  The owner of this Nomad added a metal Gilroy Indian front fender.  He had to do quite a bit of custom work, including widening it, to make it work, but it's all steel.

[Drift1]

Sorry ratman just noticed I posted 18/40 . I meant 18/38 . I thought first gear was going to be a little tougher on the throttle response , but no sir . Dude your going to love this mod .  I even got fancy an added a little bling - bling as you say and went with a gold chain just to give the scoot some pizaaz ......lol

[CDNRatMan]

  D1 I did the 18/40 last summer and found a huge difference, this winter I am doing the 18/38 for more of a over drive thing. I am so stoked about the new grips can not wait to try them.

thanks pc will try that later tonight.

[Drift1]

Ratman I like the look of the castle , looks like a man cave  my basement ( also known as the man cave ) looks just this . Nothing like watching tv or listening to tunes all in the comfort of warmth and a cozy chair .

Dude I took the bike out for a quick 33 mile ride and let me tell ya what a HUGE difference between the new neck bearings , progressive springs and that 18/40 sprocket upgrade . Your going to absolutely LOVE the feeling . I don't know about GB , but for myself big difference in the vibration as well on the highway . I'm very pleased and like so many others wish I had done this sooner !

PC , thanks for that tip I'm definitely going to try those there gel pad gloves . Man the numbness I got STINKS . Think I'll try different handle bar grips as well for the comfort . My stock ones are pretty well worn out any how . Oh yea that drifter is amazingly pretty by the way . I have that bike saved from before , I believe you showed it to me last year ?

[pcarrell]

The easiest way I know of for doing the word document stuff is to just open up the document on your computer and then copy / paste it.  To add pics, you can then post it, then go to "modify post" and it opens it up in a new window for editing.  Just under the text editing box is a button to add attachments.  Click that to upload pics from your computer.  If you want the pics to be inserted into the text instead of all at the end, you'll need a web hosting site for the pics.  I use photobucket.  (It's free!)  I just insert the img link into the text at the appropriate place.

[CDNRatMan]

  pc how does one get a word document and post it with the pictures? Or anyone who knows let me know. Thanks

[pcarrell]

How do them grips feel ? I'm a victim of the right hand numbness myself . partially due to military and a lot to do with running chainsaws for the past 16 years .

Hey Drift, read the top part of my post above this one.

[pcarrell]

grips came today from Value Accessories, bought the Kuryakyn Black ISO 6345 like you, but I passed on the throttle boss, I tried one and just could not get comfortable with it. If I am right there is like a 1" difference in the diameter between the grips so this should help my numb right hand, like putting arthritic grips on a golf club.

I had the same issue even with the ISO Grips (which I like).  I added some leather and some ISO Wings, and that helped, but what finally cured the problem was some deer leather (deer leather is the only leather that stays soft after it gets wet and dries out) fingerless gloves with gel filled palms.  Totally cured the problem!  I can ride all day with no numbness!  Now I don't ride without them!  I got mine here, but you can get them at any place that carries a good selection of leather motorcycle gear.  http://www.chilhowee.net/motorcycle-gloves/GL-IM010.html

A nacelle is that cover behind the headlight in front of the forks that hides all them cables and hoses, found it on the Drifter Riders Forum, on the delphiforums. I have it saved to a word document but can not figure how to pass them on to anyone...lol.....computer genius is not me...

This is the write up I got from my friend David a couple of years ago.  If you want a round headlight, just use a Harley part.

And it looks great!  (Sorry.....best pic I have of the front of his old ride.)

[CDNRatMan]

  I could do it like a golf grip......mmmmmmmm...and that is really easy.....

[gdrudd13]

What I did on the left grip, and what has worked well so far, is that instead of putting glue on the entire length of the bar, I just put glue on about the last 1.5 inches of the grip closest to the switch cover. Mine was a fairly tight fit so that let me get it most of the way on without having to worry about the glue. It's held well so far for about 1k miles. Although mine probably would have been fine without glue with how tight of a fit it was.