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Posted by CDNRatMan
- February 11, 2018, 13:29:57 PMYou would have to figure out your own distances. I have found that no two are the same.....
check out these place....
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 11, 2018, 06:58:02 AMQuote from: CDNRatMan on February 11, 2018, 00:17:27 AMThe 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.
Posted by Vulcanpunch
- February 11, 2018, 06:47:52 AMQuote from: mittico68 on February 11, 2018, 03:31:20 AMIf 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.
Posted by mittico68
- February 11, 2018, 03:31:20 AMQuote from: Vulcanpunch on 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.
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!
Posted by 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.
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......