Messages

Pete...my bad...was just following the language in the string; but you are 100% correct...and terminology counts...they are flange bolts. My point of course, was that an alternative was readily available. Thanks for keeping me straight.

Always nice to get the right part in chrome. I had the same thoughts as Seedman about longer bolts with saddlebag mounts, but was not as patient.

For info and for the non-purist....In the non-chrome category, I bought plated longer metric button heads at ACE Hardware right off the shelf. The hex size is larger than the factory chrome bolt heads (15mm), but they work. I don't take the mounts on and off much. I use nylon washers between the bag and seat brackets. The Ace Hardware bolt heads could be painted black if you had to hide the truth, but I feel good about having a few extra threads supporting the saddlebags.

Nicholas: If you put "engine guard" in the search bar, you will come up with strings where we have discussed this before. When I searched this morning, the first string on the list had conversations confirming that there are folks on this forum that own 800 Drifters with 800 Classic Engine Guards on them. The shape and size of tube is different from the OEM accessory engine guard, but the 800 Classic Engine Guard fits.  I even think I saw a part number. Good luck

The discussion also talks about other engine guards that fit the 800 drifter. The 800 Classic guard is probably the easiest to find and most reasonably priced. Also recommend you look at the forum photo galleries to see members bikes with engine guards installed so you have an idea of what is out there.

Nicely done and congratulations....my favorite color combo for the blacked out year...could never find one myself. Factory windscreen and passing lights; accessory solo seat....looks like a nice straight machine. You will find that you enjoy this bike more, every time you ride it. On my second; no issues; great ride. Best of luck with it and this forum is a great group that you can get lots of help from. Welcome aboard!

Thin Red: On my second 800 ( a 2005) after an accident on the first (a 2002). You won't be sorry...it's a matter of fit. I'm just under 6 ft and 185 lbs. The seating position fits like a glove. I also ride one up only, so I appreciate the comments about two up riding on the highway where you might want more power. That said....
- Have driven over 500 miles each way to a Drift In on the stock seat with the stock gearing with no issues.
- Mechanically, the 800 seems to have less gremlins if you count threads on this forum.
- Carb and chain are old school and contribute to that feel without being a extraordinary maintenance burden.
- Carb is not a problem if you keep your fuel clean and use anti-ethanol additive
- The monoshock needs a one time adjustment to suit the weight of the average American
- The stock windscreen works just right
- Once you find the right brackets, adding bags is handy
- The stock exhaust can be surgically de-baffled to a reasonable but not loud note without other mods
- Although there are ways to pull more HP out of the engine by de-smogging, I haven't felt the need to screw with the consistency and reliability of the stock set up.

Works for me. The 1500 is heavier, has a different seating position and airflow, is more advanced mechanically but I like the hard tail look and aesthetics of the 800 and simply didn't need more power....and in the end...when I sat on and rode my first one....it just fit.

You'll find this forum and its crew very helpful. Good luck with your new ride.

I run it until it stumbles....and it stumbles  so you can't miss it, when it's ready for reserve. Mileage on my 2005 is always in the high 40's; 50mpg if it's a full tank at highway speed. Also use the trip odometer and start waiting for the stumble about 140 miles. Stock engine and intake with partial bafflectomy on stock exhaust.

You won't be sorry with an 800. I like the beige and black out. Nice find. Welcome aboard!

I'm with Troll...sorry to see you go my man...and that was a nice machine. We'll always have the smokey mountains Drift In - Thanks for your camaraderie. All the best and congrats on retirement!

Ditto on the pics....sounds good...let's see it.

Welcome to the forum - nice looking machine.....you definitely will find the forum helpful. Looks like you got a nice straight bike.

hmmm....red, 1999 800 from Canada.....looks just like someone's we all knew and loved.  Nice to have another one back  in the group.

What goes around, comes around....the Ratman is still watching us....and that's a good thing.

Agree on all.....HB Ratman

Lots of used ones on Ebay.....here's another example:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-99-KAWASAKI-VN1500-VN-1500-VULCAN-DRIFTER-FRONT-LEFT-FLOORBOARD-FOOTREST/143025372161?hash=item214cf9fc01:g:NuQAAOSwRYNb-HoN:rk:7:pf:0

Some like this with just the floorboard, some with all the mounting hardware. Some in pairs, mostly listed for the 1500.

I'd check if the part numbers are the same for the 800 and the 1500  on a site like bike bandit, before buying something that just said 1500, but some listings say they fit both. Lots of bikes being parted...so look at used parts listings carefully.

The paint look great Seedman.....what bike did the tank logo come from....I like the horizontal chrome.

Thank you Mr. Greenbarn. All the best to you and the rest of the gang here.

December going out with a bang...over 50 degrees F here in Maryland yesterday, so was out on the road. Hoping for more good weather and riding time in 2019.

Happy New Year all!

Tfrank59 - To answer your question....you can wait another year. Here's another view....

ok....so what ratman would say notwithstanding, let me share my experience on my first 800, which was a 2002 I bought with 10K miles on it. I was aware of the service manual recommendations and am old enough to have experience on cars that you routinely adjusted valves on...everything from air cooled VWs to anything British....so I wasn't afraid to do it (although I had never worked with shims)...until I read you had to pull the engine out of the frame to accomplish this.

While that is what the manual says, I found out and ratman was one who confirmed it could be done insitu but was tight. There are a few videos on this sight that show how. In any case, I kept riding and vacillating. Some said they had them checked and they needed no adjustment. Someone at a Drift-In said "these bikes" are spiritual....don't take a wrench to them...they just run.

In the end, I waited until 22k miles, took it to the dealer, because it was time for tires, etc....and after all that, no adjustment was necessary, although they checked. I rode that bike until my accident last November and it had 30k miles on it.

I replaced the 2002 with a 2005 with 10k miles that now has 13k miles on it.....and you can't even hear the valve train compared to the 2002. Needless to say, they are fairly bulletproof and I am not thinking about valve clearances any time soon.

Same thing happened on my W650...at 18k miles, they were checked and needed no adjustment. So I think the Kawasaki product is good and the service interval conservative.

The decision is individual, but there is plenty of data out there that says it doesn't need to be done as often as recommended.

Ride on!

If I can get to it....would like to install a set of F&S spotlights and light bar from a Classic....last thing Ratman turned me on to on ebay.

Agree with your thoughts Greenbarn. I miss the Ratman everytime I come to the forum.

ok...038s then, like Bucko's photo, with the narrow band and 5 bolts.

I know you guys have figured this out, but just for the record.....have a 2002 and a 2005 800....both came with the WS1 windshield and the decal on the inside surface.

Greenbarn: If you hear anything else or there is anything we can do...an obit; a place to contribute; anything...please post.

I can't believe it man....just shows none of us know how much time we have. Ride while you can.

I will now go toast the Ratman...

This is very sad indeed and a shock. Always had great conversations with Andy on and off the forum. He was always looking out for everyone else. Makes me really sorry I missed his northern Drift-In...at least we have the video.

Did he have a health condition we were unaware of or that he didn't make common knowledge? It didn't occur to me that he was punching a bucket list. Just so sudden and unexpected.

Rest  in peace my fellow 800 rider....

Ratman - nice punk job.....mundane question - what size (diameter) are the round reflectors you chose front and back? Do you have source?

Rob F: on my second 800 with stock gearing and have never been moved by the discussion of changing sprockets. It does depend on where and how you ride. I am Maryland where it is fairly flat; I ride one up and do not ride highway at 70-75 mph.

That said, I also went to the Drift-In in 2013, some 500 miles each way and had plenty of 65MPH time on the highway with no issues.

To my sprocket changing friends, Mr. Greenbarn and Mr. Ratman.....we have had this discussion before. This is not a Harley; it is a better engineered engine designed to run at higher RPM. Because the swap results have been subjective without quantitative back-up from a tachometer or other info on power to RPM at shift points, most of the discussions have been about sound and feel.

I looked at the recommended shifting range that is published....it is much higher than what you feel when you actually ride....as a matter of fact I tried to ride the bike that way as a test...it was ridiculous how much I was winding out the engine. Talk about feel, that just didn't feel right. After that anecdotal test, wasn't convinced I need to change the sprocket ratio, which would only lug this engine... to what end.... just so it sounds like what some may be used to. As a non-Harley guy...I had no frame of reference for that, so stuck with what they built.

Again, just another view and not condemning others experience or preference. Also, to be fair...I have never ridden one with the swap. That might be the only way I might be swayed.

It's obvious in the second close up shot that the aft baffle at the least has been removed. So they are stock pipes, but without baffles.

My 2005 has the rear baffle removed....only moderately louder than with baffles...and not a bad sound.

Personally, not on the side of loud pipes.

All the best Mr. Greenbarn!