Crash Bar, New Rider

[kw-retrorider]

Pete: It is what it is. That's what's great about this forum....you can always learn something.

At least you got it on there....the mod sounds minor. The guard is worth having.

[CDNRatMan]

  I know that I have always had ti wrestle with my crash bar every spring to mount it back in place at the lower mounts because that is a tight fit. Then it install the 2 bolts and slowly move it into place at the top., but I can understand how KW is suggesting to mount the bar.
Someone had issues with their shifter also being in the way, so if tolerances are off a bit or a part is not fitted in the correct manner there can be issues.

[mittico68]

Perhaps lost in translation.

Nope.
It's been your meticolous answer to drive me to the conclusion...

[Pete]

Perhaps lost in translation - but the comment on driving on the left was meant to be light-hearted.

[mittico68]

AND, it's not the English who drive on the wrong side of the road. Up until Napoleon everybody drove on the left, a standard inherited from the Roman Empire who decreed it so. Driving on the left traces its roots back to warfare involving mounted troops and the use of chariots. You guys only drive on the right because you choose to follow a pointless change instigated by a megalomaniac midget Frenchman.

Cool down...
I was just kiddin'...
Now I could talk about the english sense of humor AND how much your disappoint is so far from it, BUT I won't do it, because I don't wanna hijack this thread.
Ride safe.

[Pete]

Hi Retrorider,

Perhaps it is a tolerance thing and some bikes are a problem and some not.  I wasn't trying to swing it up into position. I tried every which way to fit the crash bar including a bit of brute force, but ultimately the top bracket is thicker than the gap behind the steering lock as you can see in the photo that I posted - you can see why I had to grind some metal away. The bars could not be fitted without modification; I sent the photos to the chap that made them and he agreed that they wouldn't fit.

If you have a painted crashbar it's not great problem, is h=just requires a bit of metal removal and a paint touch-up.

[kw-retrorider]

All: I have a 2002 with the same locking set up in Pete's picture. I had the Belgium engine guard on my machine for two seasons, didn't have to make a modification to get it on, and had it on and off more than once.

What I do remember is that you had to put it on the machine in a certain order....and that was to attach it at the top first loosely, then muscle it to the bottom bolts on each side, loosely....then tighten everything up at the same time. That means you are not swinging the top in last to meet the lock interference after the bottom bolts are in....you get the top bolts attached loose, then swing in the bottom. The guard comes with no instructions, so the first time I tried to fit it, I wondered why it didn't seem to fit...then I altered the order of the install.

Only mod was the drilling the holes further down the bracket for the horn, which made the install cleaner with no interferences.

If you blow the attached photo up, you can see the 2 securing bolts on top separate from the 2 lower horn bolts and the locking cylinder in front of them both.

[Pete]

My understanding is that the "C" models have the steering lock in the headstock (bolt locking into a hole in the stem) and the "E" models have the steering lock on the frame (bolt locking into the lower yoke; i.e. it's an age related feature, not a country related feature.

AND, it's not the English who drive on the wrong side of the road. Up until Napoleon everybody drove on the left, a standard inherited from the Roman Empire who decreed it so. Driving on the left traces its roots back to warfare involving mounted troops and the use of chariots. You guys only drive on the right because you choose to follow a pointless change instigated by a megalomaniac midget Frenchman.

[mittico68]

My bike (a '99 800) also has got its lock mounted on the frame, behind the triple tree.
Englishmen always try to be different, such as for the driver's side of roads, steering locks, etc. ... lol...

[CDNRatMan]

  ok so the UK bikes are different then? See Pete you folks are special......lol.......say hi to Uncle Malcolm when you see him....

[greenbarn]

Mine is a 2002.  Honestly I did not know so I went out to the shop to look.  It is mounted on the frame, just behind the triple tree.  The lug on the lower tripe tree locks into it.

[CDNRatMan]

 Hi Pete, I never knew that so today I learned something, but is that change in the lock also include the UK and US models or only the UK models? GreenBarn where is the steering lock on your 800?

[Pete]

There is a small problem fitting the crashbar shown by Ratman (Hi Ratman, how are you?).

The later bikes have a steering lock fitted to the frame, the locking bolt sliding into a boss on the underside of the lower yoke. The steering lock prevents that crashbar being a simple bolt-in.

I fitted this crashbar to my 2002 VN800 by using an angle-grinder to put a groove into the plate that forms the top part of the crashbar. The groove is required to clear a boss on the steering lock. The groove only needs to be about half the thickness of the plate, not a slot all the way through. Without putting a groove in the plate the crashbar will not fit a later bike.

The crashbar fits the early bikes that have the steering lock in the headstock and does not require any modification.

[CDNRatMan]

   here was me thinking when you said exchange rate was in his favor was because MD had its own currency.....

[kw-retrorider]

Grinnell: Send you a PM. Exchange rate in your favor. Cheaper to order new.

[kw-retrorider]

Grinnell: The engine guard I  have, like the one ratman has, is an aftermarket part. I had it on my machine until I found a black factory engine guard.
So the aftermarket guard is extra now. Has some minor scratches from dropping the bike on it once in the garage; but is drilled for the horn as described by ratman. There's a string on the forum here somewhere when I originally did it.
Don't have to sell it and you know you can buy a new one from overseas in either black or chrome; but will send you a PM after I work up a price this weekend.

[CDNRatMan]

Well if you have the stock exhaust then no need to grampsize yet. That can come later. Start to look for the parts you want and collect them...lol......

[grinnell]

Stock exhaust for now. I am trying to figure out all the "must have" goodies I want while still remaining married  I also have a 4 month old (our first) at home so my riding is strictly a commodity at this point but I got the bug pretty quickly. I looked/convinced my wife for 3 years before finding the exact drifter I wanted but it didn't have any of the add on's I wanted ie: bags, windshield, crash bar, gramp size mods, etc. I even sold a prized 1989 Jag XJ6 w/ 33k original miles to finance my endeavor and kicked some extra into the kidos college fund. The bike I settled on did have the right color-black/cream, zambini indian badges, clean, and only had 1,800 miles. Was a original mid 70's owner that just didn't ride anymore so I have exactly the bones of a bike I want just trying to budget out the rest.

[CDNRatMan]

 grinnell:
You are only 900 kms south west of me, so I think if you ride up here in July to attend our Northern Drifter Rendezvous, you will be able to put faces to names and enjoys some really good riding and company.
Glad the pictures were of help to you. Always remember that powder coating a used item is a very viable option, powder coating covers a lot of stuff, ask our buddy GreenBarn about the exhaust system he bought for next to nothing......
You will really like the Metz 888 awesome tires I really like them, and of course in WWW, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and Spray Nine cleaner and they stay nice and white.
You will really enjoy the sprocket swap it will be a noticeable difference. What exhaust system are you running?

[grinnell]

RatMan.........you truly are THE MAN! Really appreciate the detailed pics, helps a lot!

RetroRider I have the exact same bike as you, year, color combo, even down to the back fender rack (different shape) minus the bags (coming later hopefully once I figure out setup) was leaning towards a chrome/ss guard but I like the look on yours. I am in Grand Rapids, MI. Why are you selling? Any marks, scratches, dents etc? Mounting hardware in good shape, not pitted or rusted? What are you asking w/ shipping?

All
I will be sure to post some pics when I get everything back in order, putting on some Metzeler 888 WWW, going w/ the 18/38 sprocket setup and trying to find a moto shop that will take the time to grampsize correctly.

Thanks in advance everybody, really like the community here! Have owned tons of cars (Mercedes, jags, VW, Mitsubishi, Land Rover, etc) and this group is the best by far and it doesn't hurt we have the coolest looking bikes 

[kw-retrorider]

Grinnell - Welcome

Have a used black engine guard like the one Ratman describes, that I could consider selling.  Where are you located?

You have to want it in black, but here's what it looked like on my 2002 800....I went to a Fire and Steel engine guard

[mittico68]

Maybe you could try this: http://www.empmotorparts.nl/en/crash-bars/crash-bars-top-line-35-mm/crash-bars-top-line-35-mm-black/14-11-0355-bl-crash-bar-top-line-black-coated
I know that's not the same one you're lookin' for, but that's what I've got on my bike and it's really been a simple bolt-on. And it's even cheaper than the one from Belgium...

[CDNRatMan]

grinnell:
No drilling in the bike, only in the engine guard. 2 small holes, very simple. I have attached some pictures for this mod and it is really easy. You may have to adjust your foot lever for the toe shifter if it is not in the correct alignment.
My windscreen came on the bike I think it is a Fire & Steel and I really like it. If you hunt around you will find one sitting around. Install is very easy. With it attached to the forks and the correct mounts it is really nice.

[grinnell]

RatMan, Thanks for the info. Whenever you may have a second could you post a couple of close up pics of where you drilled the two holes on the center mount and how you determined how high/low to drill? It took me 3 years to find the exact bike I wanted (always knew it would be a drifter though) and drilling at this point scares the hell out of me. Also, really like your windshield what brand? Where did you get it? Easy install? Recommend?

[OR Seedman]

by the way...pics are always welcome...especially from new members.....