Winter 2013

[Drift1]

That's a good start to 2014/2015 winter projects there my friend . Seems your having the same trouble finding those rear floorboards as I am a set of rear crash bars . Maybe GB would make me a set or handy man 49 . I'd ask Troll , but one doesn't want to shake the bear 

[CDNRatMan]

So, Ratman, did projects #13 and #14, the "MYSTERY PROJECTS" ever pan out?   If not, you gonna let us know what they were, or just keep us waiting another year?       How can we help you, if we don't know what you need??? 

ok let me be gentle here, let me be really good about this post.........how can we help , I have been after you for over a year now about project #11 and you have gotten me no place......so 13 and 14 are now on hold actually because they can not be done over the summer.

so my list for winter 2014 are as follows

1. rear folding floor boards, ps no help from GB....
2. mystery project 13
3. mystery project 14
4. black braided brake lines front and rear with colour matched fittings and red banjo bolts

that is the start.........

[greenbarn]

So, Ratman, did projects #13 and #14, the "MYSTERY PROJECTS" ever pan out?   If not, you gonna let us know what they were, or just keep us waiting another year?       How can we help you, if we don't know what you need??? 

[CDNRatMan]

  posted a similar thing in the pub......lol.....

[49Reo]

Don't feel lonely and left out, Troll; it's an epidemic....seems to be everywhere.....

[Troll]

Everything is done on my list except for this little problem keeping me from getting to the street....

[CDNRatMan]

    Well got a call today from the seat guy, and because he is almost caught up on his work in snow machine seats he is going to start on my seat this week and said it should be a couple days and it would be done.
project #8 is off the list because of the windscreen like I said.

project #11 is on hold still because GreenBarn is not helping me......

project #13 and 14 still working on just having a really hard time finding the parts......

so we are moving along and once the snow is gone we will be ready......

[greenbarn]

Well, I tried my darndest to find you something you'd like from the swap meet.... Unfortunately all they had were HD floorboards...

I was going to suggest these: http://www.kuryakyn.com/Products/4026/ISO-Driver-or-Passenger-Boards-for-Metric-Cruisers

But I like the looks of the ones Troll found better.   I don't see how they mount on an 800 Drifter, though, do you??  I don't see anything that goes where the footpeg comes off....

As far as buying them for you, well...    Probably not...    Not that I wouldn't LIKE to.

[CDNRatMan]

  er er er um .......Troll, buddy, (stage whisper now) was kind of hinting to GB to buy them for me........um ok......but thanks for the link....

Hey GB, buddy, pal, friend, amigo....... check this out....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Kawasaki-Black-Passenger-Floorboards-1995-2005-VN800-Classic-Drifter-/301072558882?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item461952ab22&vxp=mtr

this would look so cool on my Drifter after you send them to me.......my birthday is coming up, make a nice retirement gift........buddy, pal, friend, amigo...........

[Troll]

#1. Replace both set of brake pads, this will encompass, rebuilding both calipers and checking all hoses and cables involved in the operation of the brakes, DONE
#2. Bike now has 33 some ks on it and not knowing if the valves have ever been checked or looked at that is in the plans for after xmas,waiting
#3. Seat is getting new foam and gel foam, sculpted and formed, by a local custom seat-maker, waiting at the seat place
#4. Replace front springs with 1500 Progressive springs and new oil, remove and check triple tree bearings and parts, DONE
#5. Replace rear shock, remove all the pivot points and bearings, grease fittings, check and replace as required, grease, DONE
#6. Add what will be black bumperettes to the rear fender, First coat of gloss black and drying, DONE
#7. Replacing all the chrome bullet heads with black ones,  DONE
#8. Build the nacelle' paint it black and install it, have the parts here, decided to forego this mod because of the windscreen
#9. Replace handgrips, DONE
#10. Replace rear sprocket with 38T 0ne because of 0hi0 barn said to  DONE
#11. Rear passenger folding floor boards. Waiting for GreenBarn to find me the parts for this
#12. Rectifier cover at the powder coater DONE
#13. Mystery project, project might be out because lack of finding correct parts required
#14. Second mystery project, still hunting up the parts

Here, look at these and quit yer whinin'!     http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-Kawasaki-Black-Passenger-Floorboards-1995-2005-VN800-Classic-Drifter-/301072558882?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item461952ab22&vxp=mtr

[CDNRatMan]

  #1. Replace both set of brake pads, this will encompass, rebuilding both calipers and checking all hoses and cables involved in the operation of the brakes, DONE
#2. Bike now has 33 some ks on it and not knowing if the valves have ever been checked or looked at that is in the plans for after xmas,waiting
#3. Seat is getting new foam and gel foam, sculpted and formed, by a local custom seat-maker, waiting at the seat place
#4. Replace front springs with 1500 Progressive springs and new oil, remove and check triple tree bearings and parts, DONE
#5. Replace rear shock, remove all the pivot points and bearings, grease fittings, check and replace as required, grease, DONE
#6. Add what will be black bumperettes to the rear fender, First coat of gloss black and drying, DONE
#7. Replacing all the chrome bullet heads with black ones,  DONE
#8. Build the nacelle' paint it black and install it, have the parts here, decided to forego this mod because of the windscreen
#9. Replace handgrips, DONE
#10. Replace rear sprocket with 38T 0ne because of 0hi0 barn said to  DONE
#11. Rear passenger folding floor boards. Waiting for GreenBarn to find me the parts for this
#12. Rectifier cover at the powder coater DONE
#13. Mystery project, project might be out because lack of finding correct parts required
#14. Second mystery project, still hunting up the parts

[CDNRatMan]

  ah ok ground effects lighting, wait to see what it looks like......

[racemom91]

should have said LED's - used to be neons, once upon a time - anyway, gonna light it up like a christmas tree - running some led lighting under my bags n tank, etc., fitted up  nice little white leds in my saddlebags today, so at night i can still see all my crap in my saddlebags if i need to.  Running it all to a junction block, then a switch - so should i come into contact with an unappreciating officer i have the option to simply turn it off.  Plus each section will be wired into the block, so if I lose a section or somehow damage one length, the other will still work as they will not be in a continuous line.  I'm thinking it may help a bit when night riding to be seen from the side...friend of ours almost hit broadside last year when the car didn't see him passing in front of them.  Thinking about the gear mod, but won't do that til I need to replace the gear anyway - right now mine is not worn, still looks good.

[CDNRatMan]

  Shock came yesterday morning, can see the difference between them, anticipating a difference between them.
I have one of them but found that on the stock grips, on a long flat stretch it would let the throttle back off and not always slow. Will try it again then with the ISO grips, see if that makes a change.
I have never done this type of valves before so the first time I would like help with it, and that is why one of the local mechs said he would come over to the house and help me.
Yes saw you post on the steering and heard of a few others with issues so that is why when I did the front springs I went and took a look at everything and greased and cleaned and re greased everything that moved.

Ok neons? Splain for us unknowing people, thanks.

Just wish I was as mechaniclly skills as some of our other members, but with the manual and the right tools I'll try anything till I get scared.

[racemom91]

Forget the throttle boss and try this:  http://www.whitehorsegear.com/go-cruise-throttle-assist

I love mine - mind you it's not steady speed, only steady throttle position - so depending on the road yoru speed may vary a bit - but it works great!

I too have the ISO grips and love them.  Did the front springs two years ago - had the valves ran at kawi dealer in Ohio - never again - we'll be doing it ourselves next time!  4 did need minor adjustment by the way and that was at about 8,000 miles.

Totally lost my steering neck bearing at drift in last year - - won't be making that mistake again!  On my list for right now:  neons, oil change, remove rear lowering kit, major cleaning, check front brakes and service clutch and throttle cables.

As for the 1500 vs - - the 800 is a much nicer ride! 

[CDNRatMan]

  Got the confirmation number last night the shock has been shipped. ETA is the 15th on my door step, bought it from Canada's Motorcycle in Montreal QC. Free shipping and so $481.91 and taxes $62.65, $544.56 and my time and labour, with a few pm's to Tripewire to help me out I will have it done soon. Tomorrow going to go and see my seat........everything is on line......

[CDNRatMan]

 I did post that the local Honda Dealer was getting the shock for me, it was supposed to be here the 14/01/14, but the other day they moved the date back to mid  Feb. So I am looking else were;
I did check here at Bike Bandit too and the results were $475.36 for the shock + $31.90 shipping and then customs and Brokerage fees upon arrival, so
I called a Kawasaki shop in Petawawa and they have quoted me $594.95, the one in Sudbury quoted me $595.20.
so I spent last night getting a list of the cost for this part;

Heritage cycle $499.76 free shipping in Canada
Canada's Motorcycle $481.91 free shipping in Canada
Cruiser Customizing $595.00 + $89.40 shipping, + customs and Brokerage fees upon arrival
Motorcycle SuperStore $475.99 + $29.99 +  customs and Brokerage fees upon arrival
Phat Performance Parts $441.38 + $44.09 shipped to APO or $487.99 + $44.09 shipping and then customs and Brokerage fees upon arrival

found a couple on e bay and in most cases the import and brokerage fees are really high, not to include the shipping charges, and most do not ship to an APO so that route is out.

So this morning I decide to go to the local Kaw shop, and low and behold, new guy in the parts department. Seems the owner has moved his son and the other parts guy to the main store in Sturgeon Falls. So the new guy right off asked me if I had and prices in mind, when I asked about the shock, he was hunting for a book to find it and find the part number, so I gave him the part number from Progressive, and the SKU# from each of the sites above.
He did say that he would match the lowest price I could find in Canada from a dealer. So tomorrow I'll go back and ask if he has a part and a delivery date for me.

[Troll]

Seems to me you posted somewhere that the rear shock was back ordered through your local dealer, so here's a link to a place that claims to HAVE it: http://www.bikebandit.com/2000-kawasaki-vulcan-800-drifter-vn800c-shocks/n1166?m=149514&f=2

[Drift1]

I see the scoot is coming right along and should be all tuned up for drift-in 2014 . Glad most of your to do plans are coming right along 

[CDNRatMan]

  Thanks guys and yes the progress is coming along and pictures will be posted one the bike is being re assembled, mind some pictures have been posted under their own thread.

[mittico68]

Well, well, well.   Looks like you've now got more stuff DONE than yet to be done!    looks like great progress.   Where are the pics?

Yeeeeah! PICS PLEASE
btw: HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! (Here our countdown is: 3 hours left)

[greenbarn]

Well, well, well.   Looks like you've now got more stuff DONE than yet to be done!    looks like great progress.   Where are the pics?

[CDNRatMan]

  With Christmas over and the New Years celebrations will be over soon and then to get my projects back on track, and the list is getting shorter........

#1. Replace both set of brake pads, this will encompass, rebuilding both calipers and checking all hoses and cables involved in the operation of the brakes, DONE
#2. Bike now has 33 some ks on it and not knowing if the valves have ever been checked or looked at that is in the plans for after xmas,waiting
#3. Seat is getting new foam and gel foam, sculpted and formed, by a local custom seat-maker, waiting at the seat place
#4. Replace front springs with 1500 Progressive springs and new oil, remove and check triple tree bearings and parts, DONE
#5. Replace rear shock, remove all the pivot points and bearings, grease fittings, check and replace as required, grease, re install,on order ETA 14/01/2014
#6. Add what will be black bumperettes to the rear fender, First coat of gloss black and drying, DONE
#7. Replacing all the chrome bullet heads with black ones, DONE
#8. Build the nacelle' paint it black and install it, have the parts here, decided to forego this mod because of the windscreen
#9. Replace handgrips, DONE
#10. Replace rear sprocket with 38T 0ne because of 0hi0 barn said to DONE
#11. Rear passenger folding floor boards. still hunting for the right ones
#12. Rectifier cover at the powder coater DONE
#13. Mystery project, project might be out because lack of finding correct parts required
#14. Second mystery project, still hunting up the parts

Ok so now to go and get the colour matched so I can fix a couple of spots on the fenders, then call the Mechanic to do the valves and we can now tee up a time and date to get that done. So everything is going along on time and with in my budget, now if Uncle Troll and Uncle Greenbarn get me my rear folding floor boards I could sign off another project...

[CDNRatMan]

ok an update is in order.....

#1. Replace both set of brake pads, this will encompass, rebuilding both calipers and checking all hoses and cables involved in the operation of the brakes, DONE
#2. Bike now has 33 some ks on it and not knowing if the valves have ever been checked or looked at that is in the plans for after xmas,waiting
#3. Seat is getting new foam and gel foam, sculpted and formed, by a local custom seat-maker, waiting at the seat place
#4. Replace front springs with 1500 Progressive springs and new oil, remove and check triple tree bearings and parts, DONE
#5. Replace rear shock, remove all the pivot points and bearings, grease fittings, check and replace as required, grease, re install,on order ETA 14/01/2014
#6. Add what will be black bumperettes to the rear fender, First coat of gloss black and drying, DONE
#7. Replacing all the chrome bullet heads with black ones,  DONE
#8. Build the nacelle' paint it black and install it, have the parts here, decided to forego this mod because of the windscreen
#9. Replace handgrips, DONE
#10. Replace rear sprocket with 38T 0ne because of 0hi0 barn said to DONE
#11. Rear passenger folding floor boards.  still hunting for the right ones
#12. Rectifier cover at the powder coater
#13. Mystery project, project might be out because lack of finding correct parts required
#14. Second mystery project, still hunting up the parts

[CDNRatMan]

  grampsizing was never on my list but will talk it over with Dave. Project 11 and 12 are still waiting for parts and more info.