How do I build a Drifter?

[CDNRatMan]

   Vulcanpunch not sure how things work in your area. But I have a local powder coating place here that does lots of mine and industrial equipment. So I am also normally only getting gloss black or flat back done, so nothing special. I know that when they have a large order they add mine in and do it then, sometimes I have to wait a couple of weeks but it also cost me less. If you want a specific colour you might have to wait a bit till they have the time and can get to it, also depending on the size of the operation. But it will look much better than a rattle can job.

[Vulcanpunch]

You shouldn't have to adjust the wheels if you set the offset during rebuild. If I had seen your post before you stated the re-assembly I would have sent you this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_GKXKTCNQo

That's a great video by the way. I used it to help me out my rim back together. And yes that would of helped with the offset but as you know the disassembly was fine prior to my knowledge of said video. But the more you know!

[Vulcanpunch]

Have you considered powder coating? Not sure if that is expensive in your area or not. But it sure does a really nice job on the parts.

That's a great idea! I'll have to call them up tomorrow and see if they can fit me in. I don't know why I didn't think of that.

[RockinRollin]

"Unfortunately I won't be able to adjust the offset until I mount the wheels to the frame because I need the break calipers to see how much I need to adjust for offset." You shouldn't have to adjust the wheels if you set the offset during rebuild. If I had seen your post before you started the re-assembly I would have sent you this link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_GKXKTCNQo

[CDNRatMan]

   Have you considered powder coating? Not sure if that is expensive in your area or not. But it sure does a really nice job on the parts.

[Vulcanpunch]

Wish I had a cement floor in my living room like you. But because I have expensive hardwood floors I put a sheet of plywood under the bike, and then when I saw the goop and gunk on the frame of the bike I put 2 old bath towels on the plywood and then a bunch of Scott Shop rags down and then sprayed carb cleaner, brake cleaner and engine cleaner at different times and let it soak well and then scraped the frame clean.............

Oh man, yeah I got lucky with the cement floor. Just from the little that I have cleaned already I'm starting to notice some minor rust that need abraded and touched up.

[CDNRatMan]

Wish I had a cement floor in my living room like you. But because I have expensive hardwood floors I put a sheet of plywood under the bike, and then when I saw the goop and gunk on the frame of the bike I put 2 old bath towels on the plywood and then a bunch of Scott Shop rags down and then sprayed carb cleaner, brake cleaner and engine cleaner at different times and let it soak well and then scraped the frame clean.............

[Vulcanpunch]

Time to get scrubbing all that dirt and grime.

[Vulcanpunch]

Thanks to Ratman helping Rob figure out his swing arm alignment consern https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/index.php?topic=49637.0) I was able to install my swing arm and dry fit the fender! Looks pretty good! Also this forum is super awesome and helpful. You guys rock!

[Vulcanpunch]

Ok so good news and bad news. I'm done trueing/adjusting the spokes and have mounted the back tire to the rim. The bad news is that I have a 17in rim in the front and a 16in tire...after hours of fighting this dang thing I finally gave up for the night. The next day I for some reason decided to check the size on both and was then when I realized  why it didn't want to go in as easily as the back. Soooo lesson learned. Check your rim size and tire size when buying on eBay. Also, have someone with a machine install it. Soooo much easier. 

[Vulcanpunch]

That part will be very hard to straighten and fit to the rear fender. I'd look for another part, It'll make your life a whole lot easier, I'm just say'n.

Thanks, I was afraid of that.

[Old Drifter]

 That part will be very hard to straighten and fit to the rear fender. I'd look for another part, It'll make your life a whole lot easier, I'm just say'n.

[Vulcanpunch]

Question, looks like I might have a rear stay bar that took a hit at some point. I wonder how hard it would be to repair or do I need one to attach the rear fender? I think it might make it hard for it to align with the holes on the fender.

[Vulcanpunch]

So, Vulcanpunch.... I'm curious.   There are three reasons I can think of "building" a Drifter rather than just buying one:
1) you think you can do it cheaper
2) you think you can do it better (than a regular Drifter)
3) just for the challenge, because you'd rather build one than buy one.

So out of curiosity, which one is it??  Or a different option??   Don't get me wrong- I'm not criticizing - I've done many projects for all of the 3 above reasons.   Part of the attraction to owning a Drifter to begin with (for me) is building stuff yourself and making the bike your own--  because a lot of stuff just isn't readily available.

Good question. The main reason is because it's my first motorcycle and I'm not planning on selling it. It's been super reliable and easy to work on. I stumbled upon this forum and saw how sweet looking the Drifter was and I started digging seeing if maybe I could add those cool looking fenders to my bike.
So I guess to sumerise, I just love my bike. I'm probably going to pass it on to my kid if I ever have one.

[greenbarn]

So, Vulcanpunch.... I'm curious.   There are three reasons I can think of "building" a Drifter rather than just buying one:
1) you think you can do it cheaper
2) you think you can do it better (than a regular Drifter)
3) just for the challenge, because you'd rather build one than buy one.

So out of curiosity, which one is it??  Or a different option??   Don't get me wrong- I'm not criticizing - I've done many projects for all of the 3 above reasons.   Part of the attraction to owning a Drifter to begin with (for me) is building stuff yourself and making the bike your own--  because a lot of stuff just isn't readily available.

[CDNRatMan]

  so you are halfway to one of GreenBarn's must do mods to a 800. You will like that.

[Vulcanpunch]

Front is an 18.

[Vulcanpunch]

  We will assume that this is a chain driven bike. Have you seen what your sprockets are? If it is 17/40 configuration you should then consider swapping them to a 18/38 comb for highway riding.

Looks like I'll have to order a 38

[Vulcanpunch]

Just curious, does your 800 have the rear swing arm like a Drifter? Also the plastic fenders off a Drifter won't take much weight, just sayin,..

No, the non drifter 800 comes with a different swing arm. That is one of the differences. Thankfully I picked a swing arm off a drifter a while back ago. So we should be good to go on that part.

[RockinRollin]

Just curious, does your 800 have the rear swing arm like a Drifter? Also the plastic fenders off a Drifter won't take much weight, just sayin,..

[tj]

Front wheel is laced. It was more of a pain then the aft wheel because of the spoke pattern. I'm sure there is a specific order in which to start but as a newbie I had to unlace and relace alot. The best advice I can give is to have a picture of a rim in front of you so you can copy that.

Nice job!

[greenbarn]

  We will assume that this is a chain driven bike. Have you seen what your sprockets are? If it is 17/40 configuration you should then consider swapping them to a 18/38 comb for highway riding.

Agree...   second of the top 3 800 upgrades

[CDNRatMan]

  Should be stamped on it where you can see it......

[Vulcanpunch]

  We will assume that this is a chain driven bike. Have you seen what your sprockets are? If it is 17/40 configuration you should then consider swapping them to a 18/38 comb for highway riding.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm sure the front is 18 but I'll need to double check the back tomorrow.

[OR Seedman]

yeah...mentioned that to him while he was visiting and picking up the exhaust.....