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No judgements here, fellas, just the facts.....per our local Kawi dealer:  "We have changed several  800 Classics to a 38T rear, but they started with a 42T rear. Customers all love it!"   (That computes to a 10.5% change from stock.)  He then told me that one tooth (17 up to 18) on the front would yield 6% RPM drop, about 250 RPM through the whole range. Two teeth on the rear (42 down to 38) is another 5% change from stock. As it turns out, I have to consider my surroundings before I go 18/38, like elevation (about 1560 feet @ local airport), flat terrain (if I get up on an 8' stepladder, I can see Saskatchewan), and the elements (30 MPH is just a nice breeze). Decisions, decisions!

Yeah, that looks right....maybe an older version with square back corners on the lids and not lockable....

I looked high and low, inside and out, top to bottom and I can't find any logo on either bag.  The local Kawi dealer's been in business since the early '70s and he said he'd never seen a set like them. When I've done a search for "drifter 800 stylized saddlebags" I find page after page of pix of owners bikes and only one pic like mine.  The other set of bags I have are embossed with a Vulcan logo and are bigger, so no mystery there.     I haven't really kept up with Kawasaki accessories since 1972 when I bought a new 250 Enduro, so I figured the rear fender package rack was stock?
Also, it came with no service records other than the owner's manual. So, last December the local dealer went thru it for me; it's been jet kitted along with the aftermarket exhaust, but not "grampsized".  (I DID read up on that in here!)

OK.......got some professional help!   Hope this works.....rog

Well,....had to get the grandkids to help me on  Paypal......I'll have to draft them again about sending photos!  I don't even have a cell phone....

OK.......got some professional help!   Hope this works.....rog

Well,....had to get the grandkids to help me on  Paypal......I'll have to draft them again about sending photos!  I don't even have a cell phone....

Well,....had to get the grandkids to help me on  Paypal......I'll have to draft them again about sending photos!  I don't even have a cell phone....

Hey, Seedman.....I got the bag mounts on and they fit perfect.  Really high quality fit and finish.  The first set of bags I mounted were the ones that imitate the rear fender style and color.  From a side view they almost disappear!  Thanx again!

Hey, Seedman.......I got my '90 PC with 6700 miles on it. It started out in Louisiana and migrated up to Jordan, MN. Rode it for eight years and sold it with 44,000 miles. Absolutely loved the "sport-touring" designation, but didn't think I could handle the riding position when I got two new knees......Sorry about being so far off topic, except maybe I never had to worry about saddlebag mounts with THAT bike!

Shoulda gotten back sooner.....sorry.   This confuser belched over the weekend!  Thanx for the info, gentlemen.
I've always shot for 50 mpg at 70 mph, (like my old Pacific Coast) so I'll use your info to try for this!

I bought this last August with two sets of saddlebags and I'm wondering if it's normal to attach the bags to the swingarm so they bounce up and down with the wheel?

On another note, have any of you folks ever done a comparison between fuel mileage and final gearing?  Thanx!