Vulcan Drifter Riders

DISCUSSIONS => Drifter 800 Only => Topic started by: Darth Wraith on September 09, 2013, 03:41:58 AM

Title: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on September 09, 2013, 03:41:58 AM
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JMSEQmSphB4/Ucxi14-fcGI/AAAAAAAACzo/IHm0mhaiak4/w958-h717-no/CIMG0026.jpg)

Almost on top of the higher mountain pass from Romania - the old strategic road of Transalpina - with my girlfriend ( the Shadow owner)...
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on September 09, 2013, 03:46:36 AM
In the garden...(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.motociclism.ro%2Fforum%2Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcore%26amp%3Bmodule%3Dattach%26amp%3Bsection%3Dattach%26amp%3Battach_rel_module%3Dpost%26amp%3Battach_id%3D911871&hash=7c8183a13c0a8e9d72a131d96b36b16fb07d7366)
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Petemoss on September 09, 2013, 23:29:11 PM
What a freakin sweet ride.  Nice bike.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: greenbarn on September 10, 2013, 14:38:31 PM
N  I  C  E....   I love 2-tone drifters.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: 49Reo on September 10, 2013, 23:55:46 PM
Very nice.....
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on September 11, 2013, 10:43:12 AM
Really COOL Drifter!
That's exactly the way I'd like to paint mine :)
By the way, as far as I can see, you've fitted a single sprung seat by leavin' on the original one's brackets (just like the mod I'm gonna try...). Could you please give some more infos and (even more appreciated) pics of that mod?
Thanx since now and ride with pride. 8)
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on September 16, 2013, 05:31:08 AM
Give me your email and I send you some photos, of course...
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on September 16, 2013, 10:25:02 AM
OK.
Here it is: mittico68@gmail.com
Thanx for your help ;D
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: greenbarn on September 16, 2013, 12:25:23 PM
Quote from: Darth Wraith on September 16, 2013, 05:31:08 AM
Give me your email and I send you some photos, of course...

If you don't mind posting them on here, too, that would be great....  Might help one of us out in the future...
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on September 18, 2013, 06:23:10 AM
I,ll try, tomorrow
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on September 19, 2013, 08:59:41 AM
That's how it looks under the seat.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on September 20, 2013, 05:47:19 AM
Thanx Darth Wraith, for your time.  :)
Hope not to bore you, but I'd like to know what kind of bracket is the big black one I see attached to the back of the two springs: oem or homemade? Since that my Baby has got a two up seat, I've never seen that kind of bracket... :o
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on September 20, 2013, 07:58:44 AM
It's made from raw steel, actually the opening was not enough for the fender up movements ( we have bad roads, it was necessary to install progressive springs in front), so I cut more from it. I think I could simplify the thing, to leave only the spring support, but the initial plan was for a very strong "basement"... :))
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on September 20, 2013, 08:00:44 AM
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201958991358083.1073741832.1283917645&type=1&l=587074244f (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10201958991358083.1073741832.1283917645&type=1&l=587074244f)

I put back the 2-seat, I had a passenger...
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on September 20, 2013, 12:53:40 PM
My winter plan is to put a sprung single seat on, but leaving me the possibility to put back on the oem 2up seat (my wife loves to ride wide me ::)).
The matter is: how to do it without removing the bracket, as far as my Drifter's got two new rear bars that bolt on it and I'd like to let them on (btw, pic is comin' soon...).
I'm thinkin' about mountin' the OEM single seat brackets (just to bolt the rear bars) and add some kind of stuff like Darth Wraith's mod, in order to keep the two brackets joint togheter, but I don't know how much light it has to get from the rear fender.
Any suggestion from all of you would be really appreciated... :)
Thanx
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on September 20, 2013, 12:57:28 PM
Oooooops!
I meant to write: "my wife loves to ride WITH me"... :-[
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on September 20, 2013, 23:47:58 PM
Well, my mod is probabl exactly what you need. You can swap the seats by removing from the frame the four screws that fixes the seat supports only.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on September 21, 2013, 04:03:52 AM
Thanx Darth W., but even though it could be a simply solution (You're referring to the solo seat, right?), I think I wouldn't like the look it could give to my bike: too cheap :-\
I was thinkin' about makin' some homemade stuff, something not too flashy and more in line with the two sidebars.
Btw, here's the picture of my Baby.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: kw-retrorider on September 21, 2013, 08:08:37 AM
Thanks to the group, I got rid of the "wuh, wuh" noise, so took the time to finally install a set of K5000-227 bags with Osprey/Traveleer 1/4" steel brackets.

Photo for Ratman, who is tracking blacked out wanna be 800s....my 2002 with black spots, turns signals, engine guard, upper triple tree, risers and speedo housing.....
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: CDNRatMan on September 21, 2013, 10:12:09 AM
  AWESOME kw, looks really nice, notice you have the bumperettes on yours, and can you take a couple of close ups of them and the mounting? Thanks.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on September 21, 2013, 13:49:58 PM
Quote from: mittico68 on September 21, 2013, 04:03:52 AM
Thanx Darth W., but even though it could be a simply solution (You're referring to the solo seat, right?), I think I wouldn't like the look it could give to my bike: too cheap :-\
I was thinkin' about makin' some homemade stuff, something not too flashy and more in line with the two sidebars.
Btw, here's the picture of my Baby.

Nice rear crashbars. Where did you find them?
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: CDNRatMan on September 21, 2013, 14:32:16 PM
  Noticed the rear guards also and wondering if your spouse uses them as her foot pegs or you remove them when riding 2 up?
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on September 22, 2013, 02:33:57 AM
Quote from: Darth Wraith on September 21, 2013, 13:49:58 PM
Nice rear crashbars. Where did you find them?
Those are Ted's Design rear bars and you can find them right here on this Forum: http://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/TedDresserbars.html
Ted is a true professional seller and the transaction went as smooth as glass.
Btw, I've bought mine on ebay ($99,00 plus shipping ;D): http://www.ebay.com/itm/190878280478?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on September 22, 2013, 02:47:11 AM
Quote from: CDNRatMan on September 21, 2013, 14:32:16 PM
  Noticed the rear guards also and wondering if your spouse uses them as her foot pegs or you remove them when riding 2 up?
Yes, she uses them that way and told me they are very comfortable (so now I have to find some new excuse, in order to be able to put on my winter plan's solo seat... ;) )
I have taken care to protect the bars from scratches, gluing a rubber black gasket on the side where feet are resting (in the posted pic there is a brown tape on, that just yesterday I covered with the gasket).
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: kw-retrorider on September 22, 2013, 05:14:56 AM
Ratman - See photos on the bumperettes. Appreciate that you are trying to incorporate later revisions to your early bike, like I am incorporating earlier pieces on my later bike....but this one not as easy as it looks.

- The machine screws are 4mm allens that hold the plastic bumperettes on
- Tabs are welded to the existing assembly and the tubing is even relieved for the space that the machine screws take up...thoughtful detail for a nice fit.
- Note the rubber bushings with tapped inserts....more nice detail since the parts are plastic.

Although you could get away with welding tabs, then drilling, tapping and neoprene washers...they still might stand out further if you don't relieve the original bracket assembly...again, not as easy as it looks.

It would be a nice upgrade to your machine all in black....suggest you find the rear fender support assembly used and complete, then powder coat...they are on all chromed 800s...easier than what it would take to mod what you have....good luck.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: kw-retrorider on September 22, 2013, 05:16:51 AM
Ratman - Here are the photos:
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: CDNRatMan on September 22, 2013, 09:11:54 AM
  COOL thanks, I don't have a drifter to use as a ref. but I am working on a few ideas here. They look just like the ones I bought, could not find them in black, and because they are plastic powder coating them is out of the question, so plastic rattle can it will be.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on October 08, 2013, 07:47:59 AM
Finally, restored OEM solo seat, and crash-bar...
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on October 12, 2013, 04:58:24 AM
New riser clamp, fire and steel.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on October 12, 2013, 11:06:08 AM
Cool Drifter. I like the 2tone paint.
Btw, where did you find the ignition switch? I know there is a link on this Forum, but it leads to nothing at all :(
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on October 12, 2013, 12:57:52 PM
It's a all metal vintage replica of a HD classic switch, I guess it's easy to find on ebay, not expensive. I made the plate and modified a little the switch to attach it to the tacho house using two screws ( I got to change the tacho light, so I will take a picture for you then) and then the electric stuff...
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: greenbarn on October 12, 2013, 15:02:00 PM
That's pretty cool, I like it.

So where did you put your idiot lights that were there where the switch is now?  Did you leave the original key switch under the tank, or delete it?
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on October 12, 2013, 23:45:50 PM
The original switch and the idiot lights are now in the spare parts box...  :) I am not sure where is the best place for the idiot lights, I could put them on the headlight in a classic style, but I'm still thinking and open to suggestion...
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on October 13, 2013, 02:02:10 AM
I guess I'm going to make a 2 cents question, but here I go: does the new ignition switch work, or is it just a fake switch?
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on October 13, 2013, 04:11:48 AM
It's working. This is the link - but I guess it's easier for you to buy such a thing from your country - http://www.moto-gear.ro/contact-pornire-cu-cheie-36-72-big-twin-produs-157236.html (http://www.moto-gear.ro/contact-pornire-cu-cheie-36-72-big-twin-produs-157236.html)

If you want to do it, make sure that you insert an 100ohm resistor on the ignition wire.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Troll on October 13, 2013, 08:58:11 AM
Do you need the resistor in the circuit for an 800? I'm thinking no. The resistor goes to the EFI computer so the system's built in theft protection won't kick in.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: greenbarn on October 13, 2013, 15:58:00 PM
The 1500's have theft protection?  I did not know that- never heard of it... tell me about it.   100 ohm resistor?   starting to sound like the 90's GM products, with a resistor chip built in the key.   GM had something like 15 or 18 different resistor values built into the key, and the BCM has to see the right value to disable the anti-theft.  The antennae ring built into the key cylinder always goes bad, or the really-really fine wire going up the steering column starts to break, and it causes what start out as intermittent no-starts, soon to turn into permanent no-starts....

Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Troll on October 13, 2013, 16:08:08 PM
  I had (have, but now all it does is control my amp) one of those thunder ign switches on mine, installed by the P.O. I was starting to have some intermittent no start problems back in '10 after a long ride. No fuel pump until it cooled off. Turned out it was the ign switch wiring. There is one pin on the EFI computer that shows no connection in all the wiring diagrams. That pin gets a specific voltage signal from the switch. If it doesn't see the signal, or an incorrect value, then it won't turn on the fuel pump. This is rather expensive information...I bought a fuel pump, thinking that was the problem...it wasn't. The dealer called Kawasaki inquiring about the problem. They thought it was the EFI computer...Kaw. told them about the anti theft device built into the switch and EFI computer. I now have a factory stock ign. switch, and no more issues. There have been quite a few of the '99s with this failure, so if the pump won't run, that's the first thing to investigate...
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: greenbarn on October 13, 2013, 16:45:20 PM
So the resistor is actually in the ig switch, and sends a reduced voltage to the ECM?  So if you were to try to "hot wire" the bike, by jumping the ignition switch, it still wouldn't run b/c it wouldn't see the fuel pump enable signal, from this resistor?   Of course if they were all built w/ 100ohms, I guess the thief can just wire that in.  'Course, this probably wasn't all that well known back when they were new, I suppose....
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Troll on October 13, 2013, 17:24:19 PM
It's not all that well known now. The tech at the dealer, who's quite knowledgeable, hadn't heard of it before, but he won't forget it..and neither will I..
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: greenbarn on October 13, 2013, 18:08:34 PM
The hardest learned lessons are the longest remembered....

Just curious, is the Drifter the only vulcan w/ this security feature??   From what I read when researching model numbers, the Drifter was considered the "top of the line" vulcan when it came out.  There was the plain-old-ordinary-old Vulcan, then the Classic was an upgrade, and the Drifter was the Premium.  I would agree with that... ;D
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on October 15, 2013, 02:21:39 AM
No, all VN800 have that feature, and EN500, too.

Meanwhile, autumn in Romania:

Title: Re: My 800
Post by: greenbarn on October 15, 2013, 17:34:02 PM
nice pics
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: CDNRatMan on October 15, 2013, 18:55:08 PM
very nice pictures hey Mr. 0hi0 sure makes you wish you could take photos too eh!
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: greenbarn on October 15, 2013, 19:21:32 PM
Quote from: CDNRatMan on October 15, 2013, 18:55:08 PM
very nice pictures hey Mr. 0hi0 sure makes you wish you could take photos too eh!

Hey,I can take pictures.  Actually I'm quite talented here are some special ones just for you ratman...

You will find:
1) Pic from the bike show.  I think this was a Drifer, but he was going so fast, the fenders look smaller.

2) some scenery from vacation. 

3) the biker chick at the beach in her red-white-blue biker bikini

4) a recent wedding where I was the guest photographer

5) finally, a bachelor's party, with some hot dancers.

Disclaimer/ copyright notice:  these are not really my intellectual property, but shared from the internet...

Title: Re: My 800
Post by: CDNRatMan on October 15, 2013, 20:14:48 PM
   :P Think Chief should hire you to the staff as the forum photo guy....your amazing....
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: mittico68 on October 16, 2013, 01:45:43 AM
Hey guys, does anybody know a good eye doctor? My eyes just see blurry pics! ;D
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: testpilot on October 29, 2013, 19:37:36 PM
I took my glasses off and they cleared up. Nice photos, Greenbarn.
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: greenbarn on October 29, 2013, 21:30:06 PM
 ;D LOL
Title: Re: My 800
Post by: Darth Wraith on October 31, 2013, 06:37:37 AM
Probably some sort of advanced 4D visual technology from outer space...