Progressive Suspension on 1999 Drifter 800

CDNRatMan · August 31, 2015, 22:37:00 PM

I think there has been a few people putting Classic exhaust systems on their Drifters with a slight mod required, I would have to look into the old folders to find them but I think Boski is one who did it.

also notice in the parts for the Drifters it shows a drilled rotor and the stock is a solid rotor.

pcarrell · August 31, 2015, 15:12:45 PM

The 99 and 00 Drifters were identical except for color. The 01 and up Drifters were the same as earlier except for chrome and color. The Drifter 800 and 1500 both use the same front fork assembly, which is the same as the Fuel Injected Classic, which first became available in 00.

CDNRatMan · August 31, 2015, 11:00:54 AM

The 99 were only introduced into the UK, AU and Canada and again in limited numbers. I have had very little luck in buying anything from the American market for my bike. Most of what I got and gathered up came from the UK or Belgium.

Right now I am and have been hunting for a drilled rotor for the front. A lot of the sites I have been to have the 2000 and on up Drifter's listed as Drifters. The 99 Drifter is listed in a lot of sites as a 1999 Vulcan 800 C1 (Canada Only). Then the part numbers do not always match up with the 2000 part numbers. I have also seen on a lot of sites and from people telling me that the Vulcan Classic 800, the Drifter 1500 front ends are the same. so one would assume that the 99 Drifter 800 C1 would also be the same. Today I got a drilled rotor from a Drifter 2005 and will see what the difference is.
Partzilla site info
1999 Drifter 800 C1 Canada Only front rotor = 41080-0060 replaced with 41080-1458
1998 Vulcan Classic front rotor = 41080-0129 replaced with 41080-1415
2005 Drifter 800 B10 front rotor = 41080-0129 replaced with 41080-0018

so makes a person sit and wonder. I am waiting for the local Kaw dealer he has a 98 Classic with a sized engine and he was talking about parting it out. So I asked for the front rotor, I will find one that fits, and if not I'll have enough rotors to sell as scrap metal for my next Drifter Rally in WI.

bungl · August 31, 2015, 10:28:38 AM

Hey CDNRatMan - Sadly we didn't fiddle around with sag as it was a little annoying to remove the shock everytime to adjust the preload. We eye balled it! I've tested the damper at 3 and 4 last week-end. I honestly don't think I can get it more dialed in then what I have it now. I'm quite happy with the results!

I'm now on the hunt for an exhaust. I wonder if exhaust from the vulcan 800 classic would work on the 99 drifter 800? Finding parts for the 99 drifter isn't simple as I heard this model was introduced only in Canada. So it's not a popular make for aftermarket parts.

Cheers!

CDNRatMan · August 07, 2015, 18:15:47 PM

Did you check the sag on the bike? The allowances for that might make the difference.

bungl · August 07, 2015, 17:07:29 PM

Got the new shock installed - just need some fine tuning! So far, it certainly seems better. I'm still uncertain about the rebound rate of 1 to 5. I left everything as it was shipped and I find it's a little stiff. Again the stock shock i think was quite tired and I'm comparing to it.

gdrudd13 · July 28, 2015, 08:42:51 AM

I took a completely different route with the rear suspension on my bike, but the shock install is the same, and it is fairly simple and easy to do.

kfoster · July 28, 2015, 08:35:06 AM

Hi,

I just sent you an email, but it looks like you are already set. I am loving the bike with the new shock and front springs.

bungl · July 28, 2015, 08:17:13 AM

Hi CDNRatMan,

Thank you for the reply! After investing a few hours I found a lead on the shock number used and it is 465-1148! I also found the part number for the spring option for heavier load. I'm going to order the shock today. It looks like the installation was fairly simple.

bungl

CDNRatMan · July 27, 2015, 20:07:48 PM

Pastor Dude I am in VA or someplace...lol and am heading home.

Tripewire and I both did the mod with progressive shocks for the rear. bungl, I do not have my paper work with me, but what ever one that they said was for the Drifter 800 is the one I used, and the number sounds right, if you can wait like 5 more days I can be sure.
I did a thread on it and am sure I put the model number in the post.

pcarrell · July 27, 2015, 17:30:41 PM

Ratman is right now on his way home from Drift-In, but he's still posting on his way. He'll probably see this and be able to help you out.

bungl · July 27, 2015, 16:55:29 PM

Ah! I now understand why parts for the 1999 drifter are so hard to find and/or are not in the lists of most US websites. I wonder if the C1 would align with the "Classic" version?

I just wish the pictures in this post were a little bit larger - so I get see the documentation.

http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=28589.msg60777#msg60777

pcarrell · July 27, 2015, 16:51:40 PM

A 1999 Drifter 800 (not available in the U.S.) is classified as a C1
A 2000 Drifter 800 is a C2
A 2001 Drifter 800 is an E1
A 2002 Drifter 800 is an E2
A 2003 Drifter 800 is an E3
A 2004 Drifter 800 is an E4
A 2005 Drifter 800 is an E5
A 2006 Drifter 800 is an E6F

bungl · July 27, 2015, 16:38:54 PM

Thank you! I'm 90% sure that the model is 465-1148 which is compatible with the list below. I'd just like to get a confirmation from someone who installed one.

Cheers,
bungl.

Kawasaki VN800A Vulcan 1995 - 2005
Kawasaki VN800B Vulcan Classic 1996 - 2005
Kawasaki VN800C Vulcan Drifter 2006
Kawasaki VN800E Vulcan Drifter 2006

pcarrell · July 27, 2015, 16:34:02 PM

BTW, it's probably going to be the same as for a Classic as many of the Drifters parts come from that bike.

pcarrell · July 27, 2015, 16:30:33 PM

No problem!

The forum software limits new members from doing some things because of spammers.

bungl · July 27, 2015, 16:27:20 PM

Thank you! Funny thing is I read a few posts on this topic yet no one mentions the model number. I emailed a few board members, hopefully I can get the answer shortly as my stock shock is pretty much done.

Cheers,
bungl

pcarrell · July 27, 2015, 16:23:59 PM

You can't contact him because of your low post count. You get that ability at either 2 or 5 posts, I can't remember which. Give this a read: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=3437.0

bungl · July 27, 2015, 16:06:21 PM

Hi - Hopefully someone can help me. I noticed on this forum that a rider has installed a progressive suspension shock on his 99 drifter 800. Unfortunately the post doesn't say what model it is. I tried to contact the person who posted "tripwire" but the forum won't allow me to contact him. For some reason I get an error.

I called progressive suspension today and they can't confirm the fitment. Would someone know if it's model 465-1148? I don't want to drop $500 on something that will not work.

Thank you,
bungl