UPDATE READ BOTTOM POSTS- THE OEM 1500 SEAT RAIL FITS 800 SOLO SEAT EASILY WITH SLIGHT MODS. READ BOTTOM POSTS.
Hello everyone. Here is my first posting that I need some guidance on. I recently bought a 2001 Drifter 800 and have just purchased a Factory Drifter solo seat rail from an owner of a 2001 Drifter 1500. I know there hard to find and jumped at the chance to buy it. It's in the mail and should have it next week.
The solo seat rail is the factory rail for the factory 1500 solo seat.
The 1500 owner had seen his rail on a 800 Drifter but was not sure exactly what I would need to do for to make it fit the 800. He said on the 1500 two of the four mounting points are on the 1500 top of shocks and the other two on frame near where the four solo seat bolts (two on each side) go to attach the solo seat to the bike. He thought I would add a two holes in the area of the bolt seat mounts (one each side) for two new mounting points and was not sure what to do for the two other mounting points that would normally mount to the 1500 top shock nuts.
So any suggestions on the best placement and how to mount a 1500 solo seat rail onto the 800.
Thanks in advance
Anthony
Do you have a stock OEM solo seat?? I hate to tell you this, but the seats and mounts are completely different on the 800 and 1500. I'm not saying it won't work - almost anything can be made to fit with enough time and fabrication skills. But it may not be easy.
What exactly did the PO mean by his comment? Did he see his actual seat rail previously mounted on a 800 bike? Or did he see a rail that looked just like his on a 800?
I do not have a 1500 seat rail to look at, but I get the gist of where you say yours is supposed to mount. The front bolts may be close enough to the seat mounts on the 800 to line them up with one of them - or you might need to drill a new hole in the seat brackets to mount it to. However the back mount - the one that bolts to the upper shock bolt - I don't know where you would mount that on a 800. There is nothing back there where the 1500 shock is. This might take some creativity.
The stock 800 seat rail mounts under the seat pan, if I recall.
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EDIT:
I went out to the shop and looked at mine. The 1500 shocks mount just below (about 2") one of the seat mounts (I think it's the rear of the two --- I have a Corbin seat and they only use one bolt per side.) That is going to be somewhere in the vicinity of your 800 seat mounts, but I wouldn't think they would line up. I think you'll just have to wait until it shows up and see how it fits. Good luck in your endeavors.
The PO only saw the same seat rail design/style on an 800 solo
stock seat. He did not know how it was mounted or if the 800 had the exact same factory seat rail but made of course for the 800.
So both seats are factory original solo seats.
I was hoping someone here already has done this mod to make a factory 1500 solo seat rail fit a 800 solo seat.
Also what is the high value of a factory rail?
Sorry no knowledge of the solo seats. Hope it woks out for you
Quote from: Trall on November 28, 2015, 15:14:53 PM
Hello everyone. Here is my first posting that I need some guidance on. I recently bought a 2001 Drifter 800 and have just purchased a Factory Drifter solo seat rail from an owner of a 2001 Drifter 1500. I know there hard to find and jumped at the chance to buy it. It's in the mail and should have it next week.
The solo seat rail is the factory rail for the factory 1500 solo seat.
The 1500 owner had seen his rail on a 800 Drifter but was not sure exactly what I would need to do for to make it fit the 800. He said on the 1500 two of the four mounting points are on the 1500 top of shocks and the other two on frame near where the four solo seat bolts (two on each side) go to attach the solo seat to the bike. He thought I would add a two holes in the area of the bolt seat mounts (one each side) for two new mounting points and was not sure what to do for the two other mounting points that would normally mount to the 1500 top shock nuts.
So any suggestions on the best placement and how to mount a 1500 solo seat rail onto the 800.
Thanks in advance
Anthony
Sorry, it's not going to fit your 800. Entirely different design. These things are very hard to find and always bring a premium price.
Quote from: Troll on November 29, 2015, 09:11:53 AM
Sorry, it's not going to fit your 800. Entirely different design. These things are very hard to find and always bring a premium price.
That's not good news. I'll still try to see if I can add a bracket or fastener or something to make it work but if not sell or trade.
Maybe someone Here has a factory 800 solo rail they Don't need that will trade for mine they do?
Quote from: Trall on November 29, 2015, 09:35:20 AM
That's not good news. I'll still try to see if I can add a bracket or fastener or something to make it work but if not sell or trade.
Maybe someone Here has a factory 800 solo rail they Don't need that will trade for mine they do?
I'm pretty sue there never was a rail for an 800...only the 1500. Don't modify it, these things usually sell for $300 in unmolested condition
Quote from: Troll on November 29, 2015, 09:37:56 AM
I'm pretty sue there never was a rail for an 800...only the 1500. Don't modify it, these things usually sell for $300 in unmolested condition
Thanks. Yea that was my next question if anyone has a 800 Factory Solo Seat Rail if so what are the mounting points on the 800 Drifter to mount it?
I know the PO 1500 of the rail as mentioned above said it mounts on the 1500 to four points. Two points in holes on the 1500 frame near where the solo seats 2 bolts each side are and the other two points on the 1500 nuts on top of each shock.
Won't know until it comes in the mail but thinking I can add a mounting hole/bracket on frame near to solo seat mounting bolts for two of them and possible adding the other two to the rear fender in the area of the 1500 shocks.
In the interim- Does anyone with a 800 have a Factory solo seat rail on there bike? Was that an factory option for the 800 if so how does it mount?
I really want to make this work if possible they look so cool in my opinion.
Quote from: Troll on November 29, 2015, 09:37:56 AM
I'm pretty sue there never was a rail for an 800...only the 1500. Don't modify it, these things usually sell for $300 in unmolested condition
I just remembered when I bought my Drifter in the paperwork was a original 2001 Kawasaki Accessories catalog for 1500 and 800 Drifter parts.
The catalog shows a solo seat rail for the 1500 only that can be used on the solo stock seat or the Fire & Steel. Part # K53020-296A for chrome and 287A for black.
That answers the ? if the 800 had a factory seat rail available. Answer=No
but it also means the 1500 solo seat rail could be mounted on a 800 since the PO had seen his exact same rail on a 800 Drifter but did not know how they mounted it.
So if your the owner of a 800 Drifter with a 1500 solo seat rail mounted on your 800 then please post how you did it?
Seat rail pic from catalog
UPDATE- A 1500 OEM solo seat rail will fit a 800 Oem solo seat.
My 1500 seat rail came today in the mail and it took only 20 minutes to install it on my 800 solo seat.
All I had to do was put two holes in the main seat brackets for the front two mounting points on the left and right side and then add two small L brackets (also called corner brackets) for the rear two mounting points and it looks like it was made for the bike. I have seat fringe so you won't see the brackets when completed and installed.
I Just dropped it off at the Powder coater and to get the seat rail and my air cleaner cover powder coated. It is only 65 for both. The chrome had a few worn spots and wanted to make it more custom.
Getting them done in the color called transparent red which almost looks like a chrome red color it's pretty neat.
I Will post pics when powder coating done.
Here are some when I was making the 1500 fit on my 800 seat. The Green painters tape was to keep the fringe out of the way and prevent scratches.
Pics
pics
Looks good, trall...
I have a solo stock seat for my 800, and it came with a rail on it. I always assumed it was an OEM 800 rail. I guess if they didn't make one, maybe it's not! I'll have to see if I can dig it out to see how it mounts.
That would be interesting for a alternate way.......Like I posted earlier my 2001 Kaw. accessories catalog only had the oem seat rail for the 1500 but IDK about other model years.
These rails really make your seat and bike POP............Another nice accent / old school look....
Looks great Trall! Seems like it wasn't a real big deal to mount after all.
As for your cataloge, the only big seat listing changes that I ever noticed between the years was between 2000 and 2001 when they went from the stock 2up seat to making the solo seat stock and the 2up an optional package. That would have also changed the finishes on some parts, like maybe a rail, from powder coated black to chrome. Other then that, 2001 to the end of the model run should have pretty much been the same.
It was a relief that it fit and would mount so easy.
Iam still tweaking the rear two mounts. The front two mounts on left and right of 800 seat bracket make the rail rock solid and the rail does not move just with those alone.
So I mocked it initially to use the two corner brackets on the rear two mounts to the hard plastic seat shield under the seat for cosmetic reasons since not needed for support. That way I don't need to add two small holes and washers on the back side of the plastic shield but if I do it's no big deal.
Or I could use 3/4" or 1" round aluminum bar to connect the two rear mounting holes with the bar between. Need to check with a machine shop for cost.
Either way it will look good because now I rocking a bad ass looking seat rail on my Drifter 800.
Again for cosmetics and a finished look even though the rear two mounts are partially covered from the seat fringe. That way if I or anyone ducked their head under the seat it looks finished instead of two mounting holes not connected to anything. Details, details lol.
Why not get fancy and tap the rod on both sides so you can just thread the bolts into them?
Quote from: pcarrell on December 02, 2015, 10:42:33 AM
Why not get fancy and tap the rod on both sides so you can just thread the bolts into them?
That's exactly lwhat I just did. I went to the local metal shop and they cut the exact size being 11" of 3/4" Aluminum rod cost $5.23 and then went down the street to the machine shop who tapped threads for two 3/8" bolts (they supplied stainless bolts) and they did it while I waited 5 min for $35 and dropped it back to the powder coater.
The aluminum rod makes it look like it was made for it and completes the look.
I'll have it back in two to three weeks and post pics of the Transparent Red color and mounted on the seat. Stay tuned.......
Nice work, looks great! Glad it worked out, you were lucky to find it. I'm still look'in.
First off Trall....nice job and nice documentation.
This might mean there is hope for 800 owners that one from Singh for a 1500 might be similarly fit.....
I never heard back from Singh on making one for the 800, but I know he markets one for the 1500....can't be much different if it's made to attach to the shocks, etc.....this may get me motivated again on seat rails.....thanks
Just got the seat rail back from powder coater today. All I can say is WOW WOW WOW and WOW. The transparent red looks like Red Chrome in person. Installed with flat and locking washers, one to each seat bracket and it stays locked in place. The two rear holes have a 3/4" aluminum round bar that was cut to length and tap/die with two screws to look complete and connected. The seat fringe hides most of it but looks awesome if I had no seat fringe.
That looks great! Now we need a pic of it mounted to your ride!
looks really good and so much different then a chrome one.
Quote from: Trall on December 21, 2015, 16:16:21 PM
Just got the seat rail back from powder coater today. All I can say is WOW WOW WOW and WOW. The transparent red looks like Red Chrome in person. Installed with flat and locking washers, one to each seat bracket and it stays locked in place. The two rear holes have a 3/4" aluminum round bar that was cut to length and tap/die with two screws to look complete and connected. The seat fringe hides most of it but looks awesome if I had no seat fringe.
UPDATE- 3-2-2016 -I got a PM from Old Drifter (Gene) with a keen observation about the 3/4 aluminum bar may hit my rear fender, especially from driving down the road. For those that don't know, I went and had the 3/4" bar made for cosmetic reason to attach to the rear solo seat rail bracket holes that mount to the shocks of the 1500 and unused on the 800. Well I got all my fenders and tank back from the paint shop and I am in the process of reassembly and placed a towel over my rear fender and it is touching with the seat mounted and of course would be touching more from driving conditions. Another factor was my bike is in the air for winter storage with scissor jack in the front area and a standard floor jack on the rear swing arm or what you call that area. After lowering bike to the ground the brought more clearance but with driving conditions would bring rear fender up and down so no bar needed for 800.
So off with the 3/4" aluminum bar. I just used the color matching bolt and a nut and filled the hole and attached two color matching bike tassels for a finished look.
Hats off to Old Drifter from saving me from scratch or worse........
Trall
P.S. I will post updated pics soon when bike is back together again..........
Glad to hear that everything worked out! Can't wait to see the pics.