Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 800 Only => Topic started by: DKtime on May 31, 2012, 11:21:57 AM

Title: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: DKtime on May 31, 2012, 11:21:57 AM
Does any one know where I can get a rear wheel assembly?
My wife and I just got back from North Carolina and had a great time until...
We were about 80 miles south of Robinsville NC and I started feeling a lump in one of my tires so we pulled over and I find this...
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1079.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw507%2Fjeffrich6%2Fth_DSCF0033.jpg&hash=1502531bfcc818c44880fed799edd825087bb15f)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1079.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw507%2Fjeffrich6%2Fth_DSCF0028.jpg&hash=c628bf4f619af7b6334df7cc47e3dd12572f2416)
I was riding Solo with only about 25# max of stuff in the bags and don't remember hitting anything other than the normal occasional pothole and bump.
So as you can see I'm in need of a rear wheel.  :(

Also a big THANK YOU to Flat Broke Customs of Ellijay, GA  these guys not only stayed on the phone for a couple of hours trying to find me a wheel with no luck, they carried us to the U-haul place, where we rented a box truck to get home, then they loaded the bikes and strapped them down for us. I cant say thank you enough!!!
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: ratze on May 31, 2012, 13:06:14 PM
did that wheel split er did u run over a curb, WOW. bummer, check out powers edge ota michigan, they gotem but ur gona have ta dig deep. good luck an let us know how that wheel  got so banged up.    RIDE ON,,,,,,,,,,,
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: Troll on May 31, 2012, 14:16:05 PM
I'm about 99% sure that this wheel is the same as any 800 Vulcan...
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: DKtime on May 31, 2012, 14:27:55 PM
I haven't double checked but I was told the other 800 vulcans had drum brakes and the drifter has rear disk...  I will check tonight when I get home.
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: DKtime on May 31, 2012, 14:32:38 PM
the split in the tire is from it rubbing on the inner finder mounts, the bead of the tire was no longer holding to the rim at that spot causing the tire to bulge out and rub.

this is only on the right side.
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: Troll on May 31, 2012, 15:38:40 PM
I just did a little checking about that difference in brakes, and you are right, but the wheel rim, itself should be the same...3.00x16. Much cheaper to replace the hoop than the whole thing, if you know someone who knows how to lace and true a wheel. Getting to be a lost art, I'm afraid.
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: 49Reo on May 31, 2012, 18:13:23 PM
Check this item # Item number: 180890773432 on EBay; might do you, price is right.

Good luck;

Regards and such,
49Reo
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: DKtime on June 01, 2012, 11:28:16 AM
Thanks guys,
I'm looking for a new wheel assembly, but cant seem to find one assembled, only the parts.
I guess I'll have to find someone to lace and true a new hoop like Troll said.
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: 49Reo on June 01, 2012, 11:30:48 AM
Have you tried a Kawasaki dealership? It would be pricey, but might bear checking out.

Regards and such,
49Reo
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: ratze on June 01, 2012, 20:25:33 PM
sory about the bad advice, looks like all u need is the rim, (IF) that b the case just abou anybodys got a 16x4 inch, ricks ota jersy (salvage yards) or moto part ota chula vista cal. when u get the rim jes jack the lil beast up an get the wheel off er, take er down to the local bike shop, should be able to geter laced an trued, an the rubber back on it fer about a buck an a half. put it bak on,,,,,,, an RIDE ON.     (used rims ar about 25bucks)
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: 49Reo on June 01, 2012, 23:31:23 PM
DK, one thing I can think of other that impact on the road, that will cause a rim failure, is: some people will just keep adding air to a tire to get the bead to seat on the rim; too much pressure causes the tire to impact the rim with a great deal of force, which could weaken the rim. You might want to insist on the repair shop letting you be there when the tire is installed; then you could make sure it doesn't happen again. I'm not saying that is the cause, but it could be a contributing factor. I watched my brother-in-law put 75 lbs air in a 750-16 tire (back in the good old bias-ply tires and split rims days); 25 lbs more than max for that tire. I drove it about 2 miles and stopped for a stop sign; the lock ring on the rim blew off and didn't touch the ground for almost a hundred yards. So think of what 60-70 lbs to seat the tire on the rim of your bike would do as far as weakening it. Just some food for thought.

Best of luck on your search and repair;

Regards and such,
49Reo
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: DKtime on June 02, 2012, 00:41:45 AM
thanks for all the replies everyone.
I went ahead and got a new outer rim and spoke kit ordered as well as a tire and found a shop somewhat local to lace the rim.

Reo, this was the OE tire with about 38 psi and a little over 6000 miles. I got the bike about this time last year with 1550 miles on the odometer.

thanks again guys!!
Title: Re: Need a rear wheel assembly
Post by: hog77el on June 02, 2012, 10:03:01 AM
Hello DK,  FYI I had the same thing happen a year ago. Only 3000 miles on the bike as I had just bought it at about 2000. I did not hit anything either and the rim showed no impact. The shop I had it at believed it was a rim with a manufacturing defect. Weird for me to look at your picture as mine looked exactly the same. I was fortunate to save the tire as it was not damaged. My drifter sat in the Colorado Rockies for 3 weeks while I tried to find a used wheel. With no luck I finally had it welded. Believe it or not I rode it that way for 10,000 miles. Finally found a used rim in April of this year (a year later). Glad to hear you found a rim. Do I dare ask the cost?