well, I decided to go ahead and have a solo rack made for my drifter that would attach to the upper bolt holes on the saddlebag mounts that I have been selling. I had it designed so that I could mount my old style chrome fender rack directly to it. I had it made so that you could adjust the height to 3 different settings (about 2 inches total height movement). I have it at the lowest mounting height on the bike and there is still plenty of room for the rear fender at maximum compression...It is made of the same steel as the bag mounts and has the same heavy powdercoating. It works on either the 800 mounts or the 1500 mounts. I sat directly on it on the bike and it didn't budge....very strong....and....I have two complete sets for sale in the classifieds.... ;)
Great idea, that looks awesome! I'm sure that will be a big hit with other 800 owners too.
Thanks...it works with the 1500 mounts as well. The mounting holes match both models. I can also have it made with just a flat top and no mounting tabs for the chrome rack. I am hoping others want try it out....I also hung a couple of tool bags to the frame and they sit on top of the saddle bags....just seeing what I can add here and there...the mount is strong enough to put a seat pad on if you want...
enough room for a month or more of kit......
Really stunning!
It makes me wanting a set... but not for now: I've already drained my budget for this year!
That's a great addition to the Drifter acc. Looks great and your bag mounts are perfect so I am sure these are as well.......I got two of the factory cargo racks and love it. I have one mounted a small luggage chest with no saddle bags. The other to my solo seat set-up saddle bags with your bag mounts. Now 800 owners have a lot more options. Good job....
that is a great looking addition. strange my 06 came with what must be an OEM solo rack, which bolts directly on to the fender somehow and is quite strong--I've had at least 25 lbs on there and it don't even budge.
I had the chrome solo rack mounted directly to the fender as well, but since it bounces up and down all the time, I was looking for an alternative....I saw the factory solo racks that mount on the 1500 to the saddlebag mounting arms and thought "hey...I can figure something like that out for the 800". Instead of just making it into an all-in-one rack and mount, I made the mount fit the rack (with curved mounting points) and adjustable height settings where it bolts to the saddlebag mounts. It actually works on both the 800 and 1500. and if you want to take the chrome rack off, you can bolt a trunk to it with some minor spacing to allow for the curved mounting holes....I have had mine on now for a couple of weeks and it looks like it "belongs" on the bike....I also put a pad on top and sat on it....it held my 240lbs with no problem...the only issue that I have had so far is that opening the saddlebags is a little bit of a pain, since the fold open towards the fender and the mount is in the way a little bit...but I can live with that until I can afford to get the Saddleline bags I want....
thanks for the compliments...and Happy New Year to all...
cant wait for my set to arrive...love the look of it on the bike
Stig
Going out tomorrow...6-10 business days and it will be there... ;D
Well...the racks and mounts are now sold out. I most likely will only order more mounts when I get enough interest for more. The chrome racks are available on ebay, but you really have to look around. I will also look into making the mount just like the OEM 1500 style with the rack built in....but it would most likely be with a flat bars instead of round bars, to save cost on the manufacturing....
to Allstateguy and HurtSoMuch...Let me know how you like this setup and take lots of pictures.... ;D
one thing I really need from someone on this forum is the exact distance between the 1500 saddlebag mounts I have sold on here when mounted on the bike. Inside measurement across the rear wheel and fender. I assumed that it is similar to the 800...but you know what happens when you assume... :o So, please help me out so I can make sure new rack/mounts are 100% compatible across both models....
Thanks,
I will take one when you make more.
I will be ordering 4 new mounts with racks this morning. I expect to have them in stock in a couple of weeks. I will re-post the classified ad when I get them in....
finally got mine..but its to freaking cold to mount it ..need heat in my garage..will post pics as soon as mounted..looks awesome..nice quality
Just park it in your living room like ratman does.....you can sit on it and watch tv....hahaha. I know what you mean about being cold....we have had much colder than normal weather here in Oregon...been down in the teens at night and not even above freezing during the day....that is very rare where I am...and now we are suppose to get a bunch of freezing rain with ice buildup over the next couple of days.....I think I will work from home starting tomorrow until Friday.....
Glad you like the mounts and rack.....looking forward to see some pictures when you are done....
:o OR being a smart a$$ does not look well on you, you need not lower yourself to PC's standard......lol.......I am tinkering with a solo seat in my living room, Nothing like working on the bike or watchng a hockey game sitting on my bike, looking outside and knowing it it is like -27*C and starting to snow, and I am nice and toasty warm........
rather be a smart a$$ than a dumb a$$...LOL. how is the springer solo seat coming along?
;D :o 8) ok this is your thread so it is ok if we wander off topic for a bit.
Solo seat is now on my list of things to get done. I replaced the rubber dampers in the rear hub.....wow what a difference 3.11 mm makes. New brake pads done, new 800 watt stereo system done, new round reflectors done. So today went to all the local stores looking for a piece of aluminum for the seat. Ended up going to a metal fab shop and they had me a section for $5.00. I have a solo seat from fredakamike but the mounting bracket is not correct, so I wanted to order one, but your link he does not ship to Canada. So found one in China, and ordered it, well it has never shown up, got my funds refunded so that is ok. Then a fella down the highway he builds seats and mods them, he has a spare mounting bracket, so I borrowed that one. Only issue is that the springs are at a really steep angle to the plate. I'll pm you a few pictures of it. I am ordering some different springs so I can try to bend them to the angle I want. I'll pm you with the pictures and still make a running thread once I get going on it.
Oh and ride safe in the rain....... I am going to go qnd shovel the snow from the upper back deck..........
don't shovel too hard..... ;D
I actually wound up re-seating the springs back about 1.5" to take some of the tension and angle out of them....and to move the seat back a little because I felt like I was up on the tank...I just used a wide piece of 1/8" thick flat stainless steel and off-set the springs back into new holes. now they sit back about 1" from the cross-member under the seat. much better seating position for me...and now I only have to remove the tank bolt and the 2 bolts through the cross-member and the whole seat with springs, mounting plate and front bracket come of in one piece.....
Right now I have a bobber seat that seems too small for what I wanted, so going to check out a larger seat later this week. Will do nothing definite till I have the seat I really want.
Visions of a metal tractor seat spring into my head........
I think this is the right color
Well ok guess I have to dig out that picture again.......
you mean like this one......
PERFECT! Although it might be a tad bit uncomfortable to use your rolling work seat...... :o
here is the one I bought: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Large-Harley-Davidson-Motorcycle-Chopper-Solo-Seat-Brown-Vinyl-17-W-x-16-L-/172227828914?hash=item2819941cb2
I dyed it black, since the brown really didn't go with anything else on the my bike..$5.00 bottle of black leather dye at Walmart....The seat itself is quite comfortable...not very much padding, but the shape is good for pressure points....
I think that we have started to get off-topic now in this thread.....LOL
Quote from: CDNRatMan on January 16, 2017, 23:32:43 PM
you mean like this one......
Mr Ratman, I didn't know that you're gonna make a bobberized bike of your Drifter... ;)
mittico68, only because Uncle Ronny and OR_Seedman are forcing me into it........
OR, I like that seat but it would be better in black and he had none I asked him via an email. I am going to be heading out to see my seat guy once my ankle is better.
yeah...that's why I dyed it when it came in....I had it on the bike while still brown....thought about dark brown saddlebags....but decided it would be a whole lot cheaper just to re-dye it black. the leather on the seat is quite porous....so it took in the dye really well....did two coats and then some black leather polish...can't tell now that it was ever another color....
One drawback, however, is that the leather does scuff easily....it is really soft and has a nice grain, but it is easy to mark accidentally if you are careless....
:o ok good info so i'll look for my seat guy to find me the correct pan for my seat.
allstateguy has posted pics of the new rack and mount on his 800 in his gallery...check it out ...although he did say to please excuse the dust ;)
I have added 4 additional racks w/mounts for sale in the classifieds. If interested, please purchase through the classified ad.
Thanks,
Beautiful rear rack design! ;)
thanks....I think there are a few of us that have a need for it....I don't keep mine on all the time, but it will be nice to have when I go on longer trips..if you can strap it down, the rack will definitely take the weight....now I just have to figure out how to attach an adjustable backrest to it... ;D
since the saddlebag mount topic is old, I thought I would add to this thread....I have ordered from my fabricator 2 sets each of the 800 model and 1500 model saddlebag mounts I sell here. they will be ready in about 2 weeks....I will post on the classifieds along with the rear rack/mount combo. I also list them on ebay (the last 4 sets sold there). One set of the 1500 is spoken for by a new member...Dave at Osprey is still sending inquiries for mounts over to me (THANK YOU, DAVE) and I recommend that they join the forum. I have only been ordering a couple at a time, as I have to pay for them when they are done and then wait for them to sell....anyway, there will be some available shortly...
Thank you to all the members here that have purchased them in the past....
OR Seedman