How do I build a Drifter?

CDNRatMan · February 20, 2018, 20:02:34 PM

Well I bought this and am getting it re welded to make a custom seat for my build....

Vulcanpunch · February 20, 2018, 18:56:41 PM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on February 20, 2018, 18:38:37 PM
ok some more clarification would be nice, make, how does it mount.......

I hope it fits like this. It's supposed to be the solo seat with the attachment brackets.

CDNRatMan · February 20, 2018, 18:38:37 PM

ok some more clarification would be nice, make, how does it mount.......

Vulcanpunch · February 20, 2018, 17:28:55 PM

Got home to this

CDNRatMan · February 16, 2018, 10:00:24 AM

Now that is one cool lift. Sadly it would take up far too much room in my living room, so no lift for me.

Wow $144.00 US for the tail light, you should ask on the forum for people if they have parts your looking for they might give you a better price. Also check out the classifieds and see what is on there in the way of parts.

I used the bars off a 2017 Vulcan Classic. When I sat on the bike it was really comfortable seating and the bars felt so good, so bought them powder coated them and will see how it works out for me.

Vulcanpunch · February 16, 2018, 04:07:56 AM

Yeah the bars is something I want to change they look kinda cool but the ergonomics (wrists and seating posture) I feel is better with something more similar to the OEM ones. I paid $144 with shipping for the tail light. And the trailer thing with an axle is a home made motorcycle table I made from a YouTube video I saw.

https://youtu.be/Jz8oFhyBrhk

CDNRatMan · February 15, 2018, 23:11:51 PM

Those are different bars for sure. What did you pay for the tailight? So what is behind the forks is that a trailer? or just a table with an axle?

Vulcanpunch · February 15, 2018, 21:06:38 PM

Took the handle bars I had off if the old 800 and temp installed in drifter forks. Also replaced the front break reservoir with my old one because it looks in better shape. Got a couple of items today in the mail as well.

Vulcanpunch · February 15, 2018, 11:32:23 AM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on February 15, 2018, 11:26:56 AM
The manual should show that it is inside the housing, not a good drawing........so next step? I am heading to physio soon and then tomorrow off to the powder coating place and see what is ready for pick up.......

Nice, can't wait for them to call me too.

CDNRatMan · February 15, 2018, 11:26:56 AM

The manual should show that it is inside the housing, not a good drawing........so next step? I am heading to physio soon and then tomorrow off to the powder coating place and see what is ready for pick up.......

Vulcanpunch · February 15, 2018, 06:41:04 AM

Oh! Yeah I see it now! Thanks fur clarifying that for me. The picture made it seem like there was a piece sticking out. Thanks again Ratman!

CDNRatMan · February 14, 2018, 22:32:26 PM

Vulcanpunch, not sure if you understand that I am an old man, I have mobility issues and you are my biggest pain in the .........You have me climbing the stairs constantly to the living room to check on things for you. I am going to ask VA about a chair lift so I can just ride up and down.
Ok so this "missing" part is not missing, I checked both bikes, it is actually inside part #11011A and it is in there tight, so I did not try to take it out. But if you take a flashlight and look inside you will see it.........

Vulcanpunch · February 14, 2018, 21:36:09 PM

Thank you guys. That is indeed the OEM air intake which gathers ambient air from underneath the tank. Interesting that none of the bikes I've seen have it installed. I have been looking into the grampsize and scooterize modifications you can do which basically make the airbox obsolete if one does decide to do those mods. The more you know!

Ogri · February 14, 2018, 18:58:01 PM

Picture of it here if it helps at all:

https://www.cmsnl.com/1997-a3a-vn800_model12571/air-filter-chamber-duct_140731623/

CDNRatMan · February 14, 2018, 16:15:17 PM

now I have to go and look at both bikes because I never seen that part either......

Vulcanpunch · February 14, 2018, 16:04:00 PM

While looking through the parts catalog I came across a part I might be missing, its 14073A that attaches to the air clener box. My question is where does that part attach to? Is that where the air intake is below the gas tank?

CDNRatMan · February 11, 2018, 21:36:04 PM

That is why I have mine in the living room, because I can just sit there and watch TV and relax and work as the whim takes me, or just sit there and polish Red, perhaps just sit there and remember the rides we had.....the super cool people we rode with.......
Vulcanpunch this is what riding a Drifter is part of......

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cFAAuKBdJU

Vulcanpunch · February 11, 2018, 21:27:20 PM

Yeah I'll have to look into the gas mileage more in depth. Thanks for the link. I'll have to keep an eye on it. They seem to have good stuff. The grind continues. I grab a part, inspect for missing hardware, clean it and touch it up if needed. Still have alot to do but I try to get in the garage once a day.

CDNRatMan · February 11, 2018, 13:29:57 PM

You would have to figure out your own distances. I have found that no two are the same.....

check out these place....

http://stores.ebay.com/greensmotorcyclesalvage/

Vulcanpunch · February 11, 2018, 06:58:02 AM

Quote from: CDNRatMan on February 11, 2018, 00:17:27 AM
The Drifter 800 has a fuel gauge, I have included it in the picture, it is that little counter with the numbers on the bottom, when it gets to 150 I start to look for fuel, at 170 I am starting to sweat, at 190 I am in a small panic, at 200 I am thinking of how far will I have to walk.....lol.......

That's interesting. Mine does have the same gas gauge then. But my empty number was at 80 miles. I wonder if someone rejeted my carb? 80 miles would equal 128 kilometers.

Vulcanpunch · February 11, 2018, 06:47:52 AM

Quote from: mittico68 on February 11, 2018, 03:31:20 AM
If I can add my 2cents, I'll answer your questions, too, since I've been riding a lot 2up with my bike (a red 1999 Drifter 800).
That grab rail is not very comfortable (that's what my wife has told me, always...), because it forces the passenger to have a unnatural position, with his arms attached to the body and stretched really backwards.
So, if you're gonna be lucky enough to find a sissybar for your bike, go get it wathever the price should be: your passenger's gratitude is absolutely worth much more!

Thank you for your imput, yes I can see how for a passenger it would not be so comfortable. As for my wife she would never ride in the back of my motorcycle, she laughs every time I mention it. She would rather ride her own. She is the reason I got started riding motorcycles. She rides a 2005 Ducati Monster 695. Before that she had a Kawasaki Ninja 250 she learned on.

mittico68 · February 11, 2018, 03:31:20 AM

Quote from: Vulcanpunch on February 10, 2018, 19:22:19 PM
Ratman, what is your opinion on the seat grip? uses on road trips? good to tie thing to? how often do you carry passengers? thinking about getting one.

If I can add my 2cents, I'll answer your questions, too, since I've been riding a lot 2up with my bike (a red 1999 Drifter 800).
That grab rail is not very comfortable (that's what my wife has told me, always...), because it forces the passenger to have a unnatural position, with his arms attached to the body and stretched really backwards.
So, if you're gonna be lucky enough to find a sissybar for your bike, go get it wathever the price should be: your passenger's gratitude is absolutely worth much more!

CDNRatMan · February 11, 2018, 00:17:27 AM

The Drifter 800 has a fuel gauge, I have included it in the picture, it is that little counter with the numbers on the bottom, when it gets to 150 I start to look for fuel, at 170 I am starting to sweat, at 190 I am in a small panic, at 200 I am thinking of how far will I have to walk.....lol.......
The sissy bar is another of the hard to find items for the Drifter, I bought this one from Belgium and it was made by Ledrie and sadly they are out of business now. This sissy bar was made for the Drifter and came with its own grab handles, not sure of what I did with the old set I'll have to look around and see if they are still here. Just remember that a 800 and 1500 are not the same grab bars. Again if you stick on ebay every so often you can find a grab bar. Also see if there is a salvage yard in your area, and check them out often looking for parts, there is a few in the USA I'll have to hunt them up again, the issue I had was most did not ship to Canada so I just deleted them......see if I can find them for you.
I am enjoying reading your build and really like some of your questions they are good ones. Wait till I start to do the build on Pearl, I just waiting for the parts from powder coating.

Vulcanpunch · February 10, 2018, 23:01:07 PM

OK cool, then I'll go with a stock speedo cable. Hmmm I've never had a fuel gauge and I'm not sure about the signal lights.... WOW, that is AMAZING the 800 Drifter has the capability to hold all those bags, AND its only the little brother of the 1500 . In a lot of your picture you have a back rest for a passenger that I see comes in handy for strapping down all your gear. Did you have that custom made to be part of the grip bar we were talking about earlier or is that an all new set up? Definitely a good adage to live by. Also, thanks for reading my build, It has helped keep me motivated to get it done.

CDNRatMan · February 10, 2018, 22:30:44 PM

Ok correction my speedo cable only broke once and that was on my Trip from North Bay to Sparta WI and then to Montana and back via Winnipeg. Now to be honest I have never had an issue with my stock speedo cable, I am going to say after 18 years and it broke, well that is ok. Just remember that on a Real Drifter...lol....if your speedo cable snaps you have no fuel gauge, and no self cancelling signal lights.....so you need to remember to turn off the signal lights.....
My last trip I was on a lot of roads with unknown distance between gas stations and towns. So I opted to carry a 15 liters of fuel so that was like 2 full tanks of fuel, and all my gear for the next 25 days......those are the 2 pictures, and really it is only 2 pieces of kit, a set of throw over bags and a Large tour pack, the pack will hold a full face helmet in the top, and I carry that in case of really bad weather so I can keep going. Then a full rain suit and 2 jackets, old adage the kit you need is the one you left behind....lol....the tour pack is also my backrest and very comfortable, all totaled my 250 lbs and just over 100 lbs for kit and I was set to go.....