Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 800 Only => Topic started by: mittico68 on December 22, 2018, 12:00:49 PM

Title: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on December 22, 2018, 12:00:49 PM
Hi guys.
Lately I came across this nice Drifter (look at pic).
I'd like to add those upper fork springs to ma-deuce.
Does anybody know where to look for?
Thanx and Merry Xmas!
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: chief on December 22, 2018, 17:04:20 PM
Good question. I haven't seen those before.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: greenbarn on December 22, 2018, 20:26:40 PM
That LOOKs  like an idea that I currently have for my 800....  but have not started yet.  I want to replace the upper fork cover with a fake spring --  or wrap the upper cover with said spring-- haven't decided yet.   So I don't know anything about that bike, but looks like what I want to do .
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Tfrank59 on December 23, 2018, 21:50:25 PM
We need to figure out what to call them because I did a fork spring search and of course it brings up inside springs. I don't think I could put them on my bike because that's where my windscreen mounts are, but I'll help look for them.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on December 24, 2018, 02:01:10 AM
Quote from: Tfrank59 on December 23, 2018, 21:50:25 PM
We need to figure out what to call them because I did a fork spring search and of course it brings up inside springs.
That's what I did, too, with same results...
And that's why I wrote this post, hopin' that some of you Gurus can help me out.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Old Drifter on December 24, 2018, 08:44:15 AM
Quote from: Tfrank59 on December 23, 2018, 21:50:25 PM
We need to figure out what to call them because I did a fork spring search and of course it brings up inside springs.

Tried this and came up with interior fork springs too. "Motorcycle ornamental exterior fork springs"
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Troll on December 24, 2018, 13:18:21 PM
I believe they are just covers made for H-D
https://www.jpcycles.com/product/125-953/arlen-ness-retro-chrome-fork-boot-covers   Seems to me there were a lot of those kind of things around about 15 years ago. New covers to make your blockhead look like a knuckle...stuff like that...
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: greenbarn on December 24, 2018, 23:03:23 PM
http://www.bikeexif.com/banana-bike-yamaha-xs650

Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on September 16, 2019, 11:53:18 AM
Quote from: greenbarn on December 22, 2018, 20:26:40 PM
That LOOKs  like an idea that I currently have for my 800....  but have not started yet.  I want to replace the upper fork cover with a fake spring --  or wrap the upper cover with said spring-- haven't decided yet.   So I don't know anything about that bike, but looks like what I want to do .
GB, did get to anything with it, so far?
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: chief on September 16, 2019, 12:20:07 PM
What Troll said... I think they are covers, not actual springs.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on September 17, 2019, 01:44:43 AM
Okay, but anybody knows where to find them?
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: greenbarn on September 17, 2019, 22:14:38 PM
Quote from: mittico68 on September 16, 2019, 11:53:18 AM
GB, did get to anything with it, so far?
Nope, I have not done anything with mine so far.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Hatchet54 on October 05, 2019, 14:42:57 PM
I've seen this bike before and was also so struck by the idea that I started thinking of how to do something similar.

My only thought so far has been to find an actual spring of the correct diameter, and slide it onto the fork uppers fully compressed (or not, depending on the look you want). Very similar to that Bonanza bike build.

Obviously a soft spring would make this easier...heck a Slinkie would probably work if it was the right width...
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on October 07, 2019, 08:29:22 AM
That's what I was thinkin' too, but I can't figure where to ask for...
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: chief on October 07, 2019, 15:08:42 PM
try searching for MOTORCYCLE FORK BOOT COVERS...
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on October 08, 2019, 01:34:15 AM
Thanx Chief, I'll try this one too.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Hatchet54 on October 08, 2019, 02:36:54 AM
Hey, I just got a wild idea that might be exactly what we are looking for.

While trying to think of ways to create my own pseudo-Roadhouse exhaust, I found these...

https://www.jpcycles.com/product/4400291/j-p-cycles-flex-exhaust-covers

MIGHT work out just perfectly for a fake spring fork cover!  ;D
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on October 08, 2019, 09:46:14 AM
Quote from: Hatchet54 on October 08, 2019, 02:36:54 AM
Hey, I just got a wild idea that might be exactly what we are looking for.

While trying to think of ways to create my own pseudo-Roadhouse exhaust, I found these...

https://www.jpcycles.com/product/4400291/j-p-cycles-flex-exhaust-covers

MIGHT work out just perfectly for a fake spring fork cover!  ;D
I guess they're not wide enough to cover the upper front forks... :(
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: chief on October 08, 2019, 13:09:33 PM
Quote from: mittico68 on October 08, 2019, 09:46:14 AM
I guess they're not wide enough to cover the upper front forks... :(
Yeah, I think that may be a problem with a lot of these things.

Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Hatchet54 on October 08, 2019, 17:53:35 PM
It doesn't have to be just that specific one, guys. Do a search for exhaust tubing. This one is 4 inches wide:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Stainless-Steel-Flexible-Exhaust-Tubing-4-Diameter-/121772460787
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on October 09, 2019, 01:37:49 AM
Quote from: Hatchet54 on October 08, 2019, 17:53:35 PM
It doesn't have to be just that specific one, guys. Do a search for exhaust tubing. This one is 4 inches wide:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/12-Stainless-Steel-Flexible-Exhaust-Tubing-4-Diameter-/121772460787
It could be an option, but to tell you the truth that doesn't match my style.
And it would force me to dismantle the upper triple tree, just to slide them over the forks...
I'll continue the hunt.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Hatchet54 on October 09, 2019, 10:32:13 AM
Why not just buy a spool of thick, soft wire (something like a roll of solder comes to mind) and wrap it? That way you get it to form to the taper of the fork, as well as not having to disassemble the tree. Would be easy, and looking at the photos, I'm fairly certain that is what he must have done.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on October 09, 2019, 11:59:54 AM
Quote from: Hatchet54 on October 09, 2019, 10:32:13 AM
Why not just buy a spool of thick, soft wire (something like a roll of solder comes to mind) and wrap it? That way you get it to form to the taper of the fork, as well as not having to disassemble the tree. Would be easy, and looking at the photos, I'm fairly certain that is what he must have done.
Good idea.
I think I'll give it a go.
I'll report, asap.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Hatchet54 on October 09, 2019, 18:17:22 PM
Quote from: mittico68 on October 09, 2019, 11:59:54 AM
Good idea.
I think I'll give it a go.
I'll report, asap.

Can't wait.
If it goes well for you, I might just try it myself too.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on March 19, 2020, 12:51:04 PM
Update.
After a lot of mumblin' and searchin' around the net, I came to this solution: you can apply one of those chromed profiles, available in automotive shops.
I bought mine sometime ago, for just 5 bucks.
And the result is not bad, at all...
Look at pics, please (BTW: that's a mock-up, as you can see).
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Hatchet54 on March 19, 2020, 15:58:36 PM
Oh hell yeah! Great idea! Let's see it all finished, I'll bet it's beautiful.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: Old Drifter on March 20, 2020, 12:31:15 PM
It looks like you found a way to duplicate the look that you posted back on December 22, 2018. I really think you nailed the spring look! Great job Marco!
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on April 22, 2021, 11:31:33 AM
Final update.
During last winter, I finally was able to put on the fake springs. And I like it!  ;)
See attached pics, please.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: greenbarn on May 22, 2021, 08:12:05 AM
That looks real good.   Do you have any close up pics?? 
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: tj on May 25, 2021, 09:12:37 AM
Had me fooled...cool look.
Title: Re: Where could I find those springs?
Post by: mittico68 on June 02, 2021, 12:21:08 PM
For your eyes only...