Finally picked up my Drifter/Road trip from hell

John Hopkins · April 10, 2014, 17:57:57 PM

Let's hope that this is just a blip and when you get to ride it you have no more problems..I've ridden more bikes than I can remember, the Drifter is quite slow but handles well and it stands up to some hard long distance riding without overheating. I've ridden a lot worse..

John.

moosewing3 · April 08, 2014, 16:19:32 PM

Pretty uncharacteristic for this shop and mechanic. I've had worse mistakes made and much poorer response. Put the solo seat on today while I had the bike apart.

CDNRatMan · April 08, 2014, 15:28:22 PM

might have been his first Drifter to work on and he was just so overwhelmed, so perhaps we cut him a bit of slack..........

49Reo · April 08, 2014, 14:29:59 PM

Ahh. So a bit of negligence on the service tech's part. Good thing it didn't go up in flames.

Troll · April 08, 2014, 14:18:20 PM

Money back is nice, but what would they say if there was a fire??

moosewing3 · April 08, 2014, 14:12:09 PM

49, this was not part of the safety, while I had them doing safety I had an issue with the throttle cable so I had them repair that at the same time. I got off the phone with them this morning, they were very apologetic and are providing a refund.

Pilgrim · April 08, 2014, 13:55:17 PM

When you reinstall the fuel line you must push it in till you hear the click or it will come loose. I think it says in the service manual to be sure you hear it click. Who ever worked on it probably did not push it in far enough...you should have no problem with it now.

49Reo · April 08, 2014, 13:00:49 PM

When I took the tank off to install my power commander, it was tight coming off and going on; that being said, that was 6 years ago, and it has never popped off. I think that if I had that issue, I would remove the tank and inspect that very closely on both ends.

Why would they have had to take the tank off, anyway? When I last brought a bike in to Canada, all they did was check serial#, lights, tires, brakes,(just that they pumped up and weren't leaking) and headlight-on system. I never even unloaded it; they did it right on the trailer, never even fired it up. Took less than 5 minutes.

moosewing3 · April 08, 2014, 10:53:41 AM

Do you know if this a standard wear item Troll? My guess is that when the nechanic had the tank off or propped he didn't get it clicked on all the way. I had to press very hard and took three attempts to get it to seat. Worried now that it might pop off again so was wondering if anyone else has had this issue.

Troll · April 08, 2014, 10:15:15 AM

That's the pressure line from the fuel pump. Some safety check...Did they remove the tank, or just try to set you on fire?

moosewing3 · April 08, 2014, 10:03:57 AM

Either that or it just doesn't like me. Best part is my wife keeps reminding me that there was NOTHING wrong with my old Classic.

49Reo · April 08, 2014, 09:57:32 AM

Quote from: moosewing3 on April 08, 2014, 08:30:23 AM
I use the guy in Gatineau because I still have lots of family in Ottawa and my BK chapter is there so I'm up there once a month anyway. So the epic of getting the bike home continues, was a decent day yesterday so I went to pick the bike up from the shop that had been doing the safety and repairing the throttle cable. Was riding along getting a feel for my new bike and all of a sudden it get real quiet and I can smell fuel. Pull to the side of the road see fuel all down the side of the bike. Turn everything off can't find the problem. Turn the key and notice fuel puming fast from under the tank. Go through a whole adeventure getting a trailer, mine and everyine else's is still snowed in. Get the bike home, pull the seat and tank, see that there is a back line that has a very odd clip/ check valve (I think) that is not really attached. muscle in till I hear a click, hopfully this does it.

That bike has a black cloud hanging over it.

moosewing3 · April 08, 2014, 09:49:14 AM

My cousin actually owned the local Kawasaki dealer, his partner wanted to buy him out, quickly went bankrupt, and stiffed him on the money he owed him. There is one in Ottawa and one in Belleville though which is reasonably close, but he doesn't carry much stock. Luckily my daughter lives five minutes from the dealer in Cornwall. Even better she lives about 20 minutes from the Ship It Shop just across the border so I order tons of stuff from the US and get free shipping lol.

CDNRatMan · April 08, 2014, 08:48:37 AM

yes understand that you folks down south are already riding. No Kaw dealer in the area since Ben's closed, or is there one close to you, I can not remember any that way. Glad it worked out for you.....

moosewing3 · April 08, 2014, 08:30:23 AM

I use the guy in Gatineau because I still have lots of family in Ottawa and my BK chapter is there so I'm up there once a month anyway. So the epic of getting the bike home continues, was a decent day yesterday so I went to pick the bike up from the shop that had been doing the safety and repairing the throttle cable. Was riding along getting a feel for my new bike and all of a sudden it get real quiet and I can smell fuel. Pull to the side of the road see fuel all down the side of the bike. Turn everything off can't find the problem. Turn the key and notice fuel puming fast from under the tank. Go through a whole adeventure getting a trailer, mine and everyine else's is still snowed in. Get the bike home, pull the seat and tank, see that there is a back line that has a very odd clip/ check valve (I think) that is not really attached. muscle in till I hear a click, hopfully this does it.

CDNRatMan · April 06, 2014, 21:59:51 PM

wow away over there.....lol.....

moosewing3 · April 06, 2014, 20:31:57 PM

Gatineau actually

CDNRatMan · April 06, 2014, 19:32:38 PM

are you doing the painting or someplace in the city?

moosewing3 · April 06, 2014, 18:22:25 PM

Nope on the bobber, ordering new fender tomorrow. Already had the paint booked and picked before I picked her up. Going with Plasti dip again, in a two tone, one of them a custom colour. Waiting on a quote back for ceramic powder coating on the pipes. Hope to start tearing down this week, but apparently I'm supposed to finish remodelling the bathroom I tore apart last week. Non riders have no idea how to prioritize.

greenbarn · April 04, 2014, 21:15:11 PM

Quote from: moosewing3 on April 03, 2014, 20:00:00 PM
We do it has three different towns to cover. Took some pics of the fender damage today.

I must admit to liking the "before" pictures better...

I sure hope the rest of the mods go better!

Like I said before, Wing.... This is y our excuse to paint it whatever color you want to. I'm mighty partial to two-tone, myself....

Quote from: John Hopkins on April 04, 2014, 21:06:21 PM
you might be able to trim that off and make it look quite good..

Bobber project?

John Hopkins · April 04, 2014, 21:06:21 PM

you might be able to trim that off and make it look quite good..

John.

moosewing3 · April 04, 2014, 05:48:16 AM

Honestly the badassglass ones are only $250 I'm just going to order one of those.

CDNRatMan · April 03, 2014, 21:34:20 PM

pretty extensive.

Have you thought to look around one of the scrap yards in Kingston, see if by chance they have a rear fender..........just a thought

moosewing3 · April 03, 2014, 20:45:44 PM

Nope

Troll · April 03, 2014, 20:09:55 PM

I don't think a tip is going to cover that.....