Vulcan Drifter Riders

Hello, I am going to ask a question here that has been covered before, but maybe not into the same detail as i need.

Today my wife and i were riding the drifter 1500, and hit a rather larger bump in the road, and bottomed out pretty good, after getting home and after the bike cooled i was cleaning it up and noticed the left rear shock leaking oil.

It is stock, and was set at the factory pressure i am sure.

a couple of questions:
1. is it possible to fix the shocks?
2. Others have suggested the PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION HEAVY-DUTY 440 IAS SERIES SHOCKS.
what is their max loading?

together we are tipping 500+ Lbs.

3. what are some of my alternatives to carry this load?

I notice they have a 812 series shock on the progressive site also. Does anyone know if it is heavier rated than the 440?

Essentially, i am asking what can be done to make the drifter carry say, 600 lbs. of crew & gear?

Thanks.

45 Bravo

edit: I also saw something on the HD ultra classic shocks, are they any better or heavier duty than the factory drifter shocks

Well, kaw has the shocks set up for 175# from factory. They should be bumped up considerably... I had about 45psi in mine... which is the max end of the range... and pre-load set to 4. Still didn't like it. If you see oil leakage, its likely the shock is history.


The 440's are plenty heavy duty... there are others that would likely work as well. You don't want the thing to ride like a rigid!

Thanks, Well, i have 1 shock that is shot, so i either need to find another, or upgrade.

the 440 shocks are HOLY MOSES priced.. even on ebay.

but gotta do something.

what others would you suggest?

45 Bravo

Yes, and its dangerous to ride with one bad shock.


Some folks have used the 412's. I rode with them for one ride... they did fine, but I already had ordered the 440's. The place I was using back then had ordered the wrong ones. I just took them and re-ordered the 440's... then sold the 412's.


With the floating fender, shocks are really important.

I have the 440 hd 13" shocks full load with the wife and gear is almost 500 lbs  And I  do still bottom out once in a while.  I don't mind bottoming out its the damage it does to the fender I dont like.  I'm going to add a 1 spacer to the shock. but you may want to get the 13.5" shocks. 
Mark

Thanks for the input. That leads to my next question. would 13.5 or more help the issue, and what is the max i can go?

13.5? 14?

Thanks again.

Ian

Be aware you may be putting additional stresses on the drive line if you change it too much. Additionally, with the 440 HD you get the combo of a heavy duty spring. You don't ride totally loaded all the time, so you may be able to live with the occasional fender bump that you might get with the 440 heavy duty (different from reg 440). I have a pad and fender bib on the fender where mine used to hit.

ok, i am 330 (down from 385 last january), the wife is 200+, i ride daily, we LIKE to ride together several times a week (just an evening cruise).

So the 13.5 inch 440hd is the way to go you think?

I wonder if anyone on here has a set for sale because the ride was too stiff.

of course, there would not be a warranty with the used ones.

Ian

I have been looking and so far I can't find a 14" shock  that will fit a Drifter of any brand.  Chief is correct  about the drive line the drifter was not designed to carry a lot of weight, but  my wife and I have put about 6000 mile on ours fully loaded with no problems.
Mark

Mark, if you don't mind my asking, what is fully loaded weight?

My wife and I and full bags just under 500# .   But because the tour pack and top bag are behind the rear wheel the stress on the rear of the bike is more like 550# I was having problems with the front end floating but have solved that.
Mark

cool, thanks for the input. that is the magical numbers that match us.

but we take short trips, and never carry packs or extra clothes.

she can't ride for hours and hours. even with the good corbin seat

Ian

Hi, after several conversations with Progressive Suspensions, (they are the only US company that makes shocks that i can find) there are other companies that re-brand progressive shocks and sell them under their name & model numbers.

I could never get them to actually say how much the load rating on their HD 440 shocks are, and if they find out what model of cycle you have, they will not sell you shocks that are not a "direct replacement" for your cycle, they will sell shorter ones but not longer ones. And they will only say, "for loads more than 240 lbs."

After much searching, and a lot of reading I found a company in England (on ebay they are called bits4motorbikes.) They sell Hagon shocks. My Honda 1976 cb750f had a set of these on it when I bought it used, and they carried me & the wife 2up with no problem.

They will build you a custom set of shocks to your weight & length specifications for a very reasonable cost.

For them to build me a custom set with progressive rate springs, for a 99' 1500 Drifter, 13.5 inches long and designed to carry 40 stones weight (560Lbs.) for the affordable price of $319.74 shipped to my door, with an unlimited mileage, 2 year warranty.

I will let you know how they do.

Has anyone else here had any experience with this brand before?

here is the ebay link for the drifter shocks http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-VN1500-Drifter-1988-Pair-motorbike-shocks-/260846224352?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3cbba583e0 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kawasaki-VN1500-Drifter-1988-Pair-motorbike-shocks-/260846224352?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item3cbba583e0)

45 Bravo

Looks cool , let me know how they work!

Personally no experience with Hagon Shocks, but from my surroundings and internet forums in Europe I only hear good feedback.

Well, I paid for them on the 30th with paypal, (friday am) and they arrived this morning 8:30 am via DHL from the UK.  FAST SHIPPING.
they look good, black with chrome springs, I will post pictures.

I am putting them on this evening, and will let you know what i think.

Later.
45 Bravo

Well, they are heavy duty, that is for sure.

I ordered the 13 inch shocks so they are the same length as the stock shocks.

when we set it on the ground, the bike didn't sag any.

when i sat on it, it settled about 1/4 - 1/2 inch.

The shocks are on their softest settings.

The ride is good, but firm, maybe they will soften a little after some use.

With the wife on they settle about 1/2 inch farther, maybe.

The ride 2 up is softer than solo, and we never bottomed out, so looks like we got it right.

There is a rubber spacer on the shock shaft that shows the max the shock has traveled up the shaft, and will also act as a extra buffer IF you were to bottom out. it is still half way up the shaft where it was when we got it.

I would suggest them so far to anyone who is in need of something heavier than the stock shocks offer,
or want something tailored to their exact weight requirements,
or don't want to pay progressive's price for their shocks.

Custom shocks for $320 shipped, with time from order to your door less than 7 days.
You can't beat that.

Pictures to come, and updates if things change with them.

45 Bravo

Hi, well, I am 2000+ miles into my new shocks by Hagen from the UK.

The BEST money I have ever spent (other than buying my Drifter.)

When riding solo (300+Lbs) i use them on the lightest notch, when my daughter is riding with me, she is 21 and (add about another 120 lbs), I move it to the second notch, and when my wife and I are riding (I won't go there on that weight) i move it to the 3rd notch.

It tracks smooth with no bad tendencies (unless i have it on the stiffest setting and then ride solo without adjusting it) then there is a little hop on bumps and stiff, but all in all, they are a great replacement.

They are easily adjustable with the included wrench, and takes about 30 seconds total. 

We have hit a few hard bumps, a couple have bottomed out, and they are still ticking.


Pros:
• Half the price of Progressive
• Custom built to your weight specifications
• Easily adjustable without special pumps
• Nitrogen filled
• Unlimited mileage warranty

Cons:
• Not adjustable by an air pump
• Not made in the USA
• Requires a wrench (included) to adjust the pre-load
• Non adjustable dampening

All in all, if you need to carry more than stock shocks can, and you don't mind non adjustable dampening, look in to them.

45 Bravo

Thanks for the update I will be changing mine over this summer.
Mark