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Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 10, 2018, 23:01:07 PMOK 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. 
Posted by 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.....
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 10, 2018, 21:43:27 PMAwesome, I see all those pictures of Red all loaded up and it's like you have a passenger with you lol. I have a question about the speedo cable. You had mentioned that it had broken twice on you. I've also read that you can get a Nomad speedo cable because it's 4 inches longer therefore preventing the stress on the cable. Any recommendations on what to get? My old speedo cable was attached to my rear drum break. And it's really long.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 10, 2018, 20:47:33 PMIf you can find one and are running a 2 up seat get it because they are hard to find, great to use as a tie down point also I have one and really use it a lot. Will also have it on Pearl once I get this sorted out with the custom made seat frame......
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 10, 2018, 19:22:19 PMRatman, 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.
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 09, 2018, 15:46:51 PMQuote from: CDNRatMan on February 09, 2018, 15:39:10 PMAre you talking about the triangle piece in the picture. If so they come up on e bay a few times just have to watch for them.....
Yeah, ill have to see when they come up then. Thanks.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 09, 2018, 15:39:10 PMAre you talking about the triangle piece in the picture. If so they come up on e bay a few times just have to watch for them.....
Posted by Old Drifter
- February 09, 2018, 12:17:04 PMQuote from: Vulcanpunch on February 09, 2018, 11:48:09 AMYou can probably make a pair using an old aluminum road sign.I need help guys, I've been keeping an eye open for the swing arm covers but I can't seem to find them. Has anyone ever built/fabricated them? What are the dimensions? These parts are getting harder to find. Appreciate any help.
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 09, 2018, 11:48:09 AMI need help guys, I've been keeping an eye open for the swing arm covers but I can't seem to find them. Has anyone ever built/fabricated them? What are the dimensions? These parts are getting harder to find. Appreciate any help.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 09, 2018, 10:46:29 AMI have the drilled rotor from a 2000 Vulcan Classic 800 on my Drifter, the rotors are interchangeable, not sure of the calipers. Also check the seals on your calipers at this time......
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 09, 2018, 09:36:25 AMQuote from: CDNRatMan on February 08, 2018, 23:14:01 PMI used wet sandpaper to do a final cleaning on the pistons. Did an awesome job and they looked brand new. Time to also replace the 2 seals in the or 4 seals in the calipers.
Good Idea, I was using the Dremel for the caliper housing. Looked like it had minor pitting. But I'll do as you suggested for the pistons themselves. One of the difference between a Vulcan 800 and the Drifter 800 is the breaks. The front is infact disc on both, but they are not interchangeable. I belive this is do to the forks being different. Also they added a second piston on the Drifter which is good, more stoping power.
The aft breaks change from a drum break to a disc break which I look forward too.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 08, 2018, 23:14:01 PMI used wet sandpaper to do a final cleaning on the pistons. Did an awesome job and they looked brand new. Time to also replace the 2 seals in the or 4 seals in the calipers.
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 08, 2018, 21:49:37 PMThe front caliper has seen better days I had to take sone pliers and yank the pistons out. Definitely signs of old break fluid and some rust. In the process of cleaning with break cleaner and a wire brush. Dremel for the win.
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 08, 2018, 19:40:11 PMOk so today at work I wasn't too busy and decided to print a parts catalog so I can see what I need and how much parts cost. Also I ordered two break caliper rebuild kits, one for the front and one for the back. So far taking it apart wasn't too bad. I actuated the break pedal and the Pistons came out. Probably helps to open the break fluid reservoir to prevent back pressure and that way they should come out easily.
Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 08, 2018, 11:51:20 AMWell I had 2 Q tanks also, and forgot my 10 gal fiddler crab tank and a 20 gal ghost shrimp tank that I raised ghost shrimp and used as feeders.......was pretty cool....
Yes not a good idea to use the rear fender to put things on. Once you get the bike on the road, or if you can find someone with a 800 have them ride in front of you so you can see the inchworm effect of the rear fender. Think it was someone on here who described the look of a Drifter 800 going down the highway on a bumpy section looked like an inchworm going down the road. Funny to say but it is as close to the look of it that you can get....lol.....soon I'll be at your point in time....