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Posted by Zoar
- July 11, 2017, 13:43:04 PMQuote from: geewago on July 10, 2017, 22:03:18 PMWhat year and color Drifter do you have?I bought a drifter about a year ago. The tires have 90% tread but they are old. Plus they had the same size tire on the front as on the back. Not only that the front tire has "for rear tire mount only" stamped on the side. I've got a service manual but it says nothing about original tire size. What size is supposed to be on a 800 Drifter? I'm wanting to put some new tires on.
Also I've noticed in pictures a lot of folks have a front fender rail. I can find a lot of rails for various other bikes but none recommended for the drifter. Does anyone know where these are available or what type from another bike would adapt easily on there?
I've given up on finding a seat rail. Apparently none were ever made for the 800. I'll probably just have to improvise there or do without. Thanks for any input on these matters.
Did you put bags on it/does it have bags?
Pics?
Yes, this forum is great and most helpful!
Posted by geewago
- July 11, 2017, 11:14:55 AMQuote from: Troll on July 11, 2017, 07:43:59 AMKinda what I thought too. It doesn't seem to handle quite right to me. May be just because it's old and hard.A true rear tire will have a different tread compound, maximized for tread life, not handling/traction. It USED to be that they were interchangeable, but technology has moved on, and it's no longer the case. Front tires are a different tread compound and tread design than rears.
By the way thanks to everybody for the responses.
Posted by Trall
- July 11, 2017, 08:09:24 AMPic of 800 with 1500 seat rail. Also the 1500 solo seat cargo rack mounted on saddle bags on 800.
Posted by Trall
- July 11, 2017, 08:05:30 AMRegarding a solo seat for a 800. I've seen two come up on Ebay in the past year. Very rare yet ultra cool.
The solo seat rails were made for the 1500 but easily fits a 800. when I had a 800 I just mounted the front to mounting hoels into the center of the left and right seat brackets with lock washers and it stay in place. The rear holes I had some horse type tassels held with a small but and bolt to complete the look. Also had seat fringe the covered the rear two holes for cosmetics.
Never seen fender rail come up. If you like front fender tip. Stark Indian from CA sells one for around 70 and looks great on Drifters. Just use some fender washers when mounting and I use three dime size furniture pads just inside the three points of tip and push and fit in place. Mark and drill and install with tire on.
Here the 800 I had with a 1500 seat rail.
Also pic of fender tip.
Posted by Troll
- July 11, 2017, 07:43:59 AMA true rear tire will have a different tread compound, maximized for tread life, not handling/traction. It USED to be that they were interchangeable, but technology has moved on, and it's no longer the case. Front tires are a different tread compound and tread design than rears.
Posted by Bucko
- July 11, 2017, 01:33:41 AMIt's not that weird to put a rear tire on the front. The direction of rotation should be reversed. In the old days, lots of tires could be mounted front or rear with an appropriate rotation arrow for each.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- July 10, 2017, 22:19:28 PMThe stock tires on the Drifter 800 were frt: 130/90/16 rear is 140/90/16. I would really consider replacing the tires at this point. Metz 888 Ultra are an awesome tire and come in Wide White Walls. I would also go with new rim liners and new tubes.
Front Fender Guard, if you find one you will have the Unicorn in the house. I ordered mine from Belgium like 4 years ago and have seen none since. You might find one from another bike you can mod to fit or even make your own.
Posted by geewago
- July 10, 2017, 22:03:18 PMI bought a drifter about a year ago. The tires have 90% tread but they are old. Plus they had the same size tire on the front as on the back. Not only that the front tire has "for rear tire mount only" stamped on the side. I've got a service manual but it says nothing about original tire size. What size is supposed to be on a 800 Drifter? I'm wanting to put some new tires on.
Also I've noticed in pictures a lot of folks have a front fender rail. I can find a lot of rails for various other bikes but none recommended for the drifter. Does anyone know where these are available or what type from another bike would adapt easily on there?
I've given up on finding a seat rail. Apparently none were ever made for the 800. I'll probably just have to improvise there or do without. Thanks for any input on these matters.