Messages

Thank you. With the addition of 2 of these tips, that would make it a very expensive exhaust system.

I did a Roadburner exhaust swap and would like to see if anyone knows where I can get fishtail tips for 2.5" O.D. pipes ?  I have searched the internet and found nothing.

Update to choking issue......I backed out the adjustment screw on bottom of carb. took it for about 100 mile run this past weekend. I did not have the sputtering issue as before. I hope this has fixed the problem but time will tell.  I appreciate your input on my problem and I will keep you guys posted.

I posted this same problem previously.  I Grampsized my 800 and followed the instructions to the letter.  Now,  when I am running in 4th or 5th gear, and seems to have a strong headwind, the motor sputters and chokes. I had an idea to try to pull the choke lever while its sputtering, and the motor smooths out and seems to run better. If I release the choke lever and it retracts, the motor sputters again. I don't know if I am getting too much air and need to put a baffle back into the breather, or turn the adjusting screw further out to make the air/fuel mixture richer.  I need someone to enlighted me if they have had this type of problem after Grampsizing a bike.

Hey guys. I apologize for the delayed response. I did go for a ride yesterday for a little bit. The bike seems to be running fine at the moment. And, my parts order came in from Babbits the other day. The parts I received were the spark plug boot ends. No wires. So, guess if I need to replace the wires, it's like build-a-bear, but build-a-wire. I am going for a ride after my CMA chapter meeting next Saturday and I get to lead the pack. I am hopeful the problem has been solved but we will see what happens. And again, thank you for your input into my mechanical issue.
God Bless gentlemen!

I took a small screwdriver and cleaned out the inside of the plug cap. I see a stud in the center if the cap. I sprayed the wire with silicone spray and clockwise threaded it back into the cap. I reinstalled on the bike, hit the starter and she fired right up, yes , both cylinders. I haven't taken her out yet for a run. Looks like catastrophe has been avoided. Thanks for the assistance. I love this forum.

I just called Babbits were I placed the order for the wires. Lady told me they were out of stock and had to order direct from Kawasaki. That was the excuse they gave me anyway. I see inside of the plug boot, looks like a slot cut across the brass end cap. So, I am thinking maybe I can unscrew the end cap and repair the darn thing. I couldn't get it to brake loose. Next thought was maybe I can reinsert the wire back into the boot. I read were some boots have a screw tip inside that the wire threads onto. Looking at the end of the wire that came out, it was smooth. I didn't see any sign of an indention in the end of the wire. Nor do I see any sign that anything would have been crimped on the wire and pulled off. Is there a chance anyone has ever repaired/reinserted the wire back into the boot successfully?

Ok, went home last night, tightened the bolts on the battery terminals. I pulled the plugs. They only have a couple hundred miles on them but looked alittle sooty but didnt smell like gas. I recheck the gaps and reinstalled them. And here's where everything started going south. After I tightened the plug in the back head, I tried to fish the rear plug wire around to pop back into the hole. The plug wire came out of the boot and now I have a 2 piece plug wire.  I ordered another pair of plug wires probably won't see them until end of the month. So, not sure, but maybe this was the problem, a bad connection at rear plug. After I put on the new wires, I will road test and report back.  I appreciate the responses to my post. God Bless!!

I don't notice this in any other gear except 5th. I rode about 100 miles this past weekend only coughed when I felt a strong headwind running about 65mph in 5th gear. At times it feels like a power loss, like its going to start coughing, and I twist the throttle alittle more and seems to push through the strain. I will pull the plugs tonight to see what condition they are in and report back.

I ride a 02 800 drifter. I Grampsized the bike when I bought it used. Runs great except sometimes when I am riding in 5th gear at 65mph, the bike sputters and coughs. Once the engine died but started back out after I pulled the clutch in then back out.  I changed the plugs. Old plugs only had 3k miles, looked ok. I put Roadburner dual exhaust on it. I noticed the baffles are black were the exhaust exits the pipes. Might be running rich. Anyway, I have read on forums it could be the battery, it could be the kickstand switch, fuel tank venting etc, etc. One guy changed battery, fixed the problem. One guy ran irodium plugs, fixed his problem. I want to know if Grampsizing has anything to do with it. I also heard maybe I need a new fuel pump.  To many maybes. Has anyone on this forum had this issue and if so, what was the fix.

A funny story but true. Just last Sunday I rode my 800 Drifter to church. I came up to a intersection where a county sheriff was controlling the lights. He yelled "Hey" at me. I looked over and he said "Nice "Chief."  He said his was parked in the back lot. Said he loves his and sold his Harley to get it. Said the Chief was a real chick magnet. I don't have any name badges on my scooter and since he was a cop, didn't mention my bike wasn't a real Chief. I just waved and said "Yes, they are chick magnets."

I bought a set of Road Burner pipes off ebay made for the drifter 800. Pipes are a little loud but I love the sound. After I installed the pipes, I rejetted the carb with Dyno-jet kit, modified the air cleaner, and drilled out the hole in the slide. Put it all back together and man, what a difference it made. It was like riding a new bike. Better throttle response, better sound, runs great. The best thing is the Road Burner pipes are guaranteed not to blue. I only have about 2k in the pipes, but no sign of blueing yet.
I think I paid about $400.00 but I still see them on ebay. Search Kawaski Drifter exhaust pipes on ebay. Awesome pipes, cheaper than Longshots but look the same. Read up on Gramp-sizing if you buy these pipes.

Good Morning. I also have a 02 800 Drifter and wanted saddlebags on a solo seat set-up. This past week I fabricated some bag mounts and are going to tweek the design. I bolted the brackets and bags down and went for a ride. No problems, no issues.
Seems like this is a common problem with this bike. Being a former Harley rider, and now own the 02 Drifter, I absolutely love this bike. As soon as I have a finished proto-type, I will post some pics to see if anyone would be interested in purchasing a pair.
I have already had fellow riders in my CMA group comment how awesome the bags look with the solo seat set-up.

I bought my 04 800 used on ebay. When I started it up it was to quite. I took a look at the end of the pipe. I can see where someone ran something through the pipe, but can't tell how extensive the mod was. I joined my local CMA  chapter and went riding with a bunch of Harleys. While riding behind and in between them, I could not hear my exhaust and just felt for the shift points. I found a Road Burner exhaust made by Hard Chrome, on ebay for somewhere around $350.00 I think. I put them on, Grampsized the air cleaner, jetted the carb, and man what a difference in sound and performance. It depends on what you are looking for, but my modified 2-into-1 pipes were just to quite for me. I Traded up from riding a custom hardtail chopper, and a Road king to the 800  Drifter. Now it sounds just as good as it looks. I will take some pics with the mods and send them in the near future.

I bought some used pipes from a cycle salvage place. The pipes were off a Classic 800 Vulcan. I had the fella cut the mufflers off and send me just the pipes and shields. They did bolt up on the jugs, but the angle on the pipes were not the same as the Drifter 800. The rear pipe touched the side cover and the front pipe angles towards the floorboard. I wanted to make a pair of custom Fishtail pipes to hang on my Drifter 800 but didn't work out the way I planned. So the anwser is no, the pipes off the 800 Classic will fit the jugs, but will need to be bent to accomodate the RH side cover and the RH floorboard.

HELLO New drifter member here. Is a 2005 drifter 1500 for 4000.00
a good deal mint condition 800 miles yes 800 miles

I would make sure it did not have a salvage title. I saw a 1500 for sale on line cheap, because it has a salvage title.