500/750/800/900cc

[yenkoz28]

Is this flange part of the bike, or is it a bracket included in the muffler kit?
thanks

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by yenkoz28

Is this flange part of the bike, or is it a bracket included in the muffler kit? If it wouldn't be to much trouble could someone send me a picture of the area you must grind. My email is buckalew@bresnan.net
thanks

Why don't you think about buying your pipes from beartooth and then you can drive to Red Lodge ( about an hour away)and have Jim and his crew put them on for you. If not you might check out the ride and events forum on this site so you can make plans to meet a few of the western wacko's in RL this July. The mounting flange that we're talking about come with the pipes one you try to mouont the rear pipe you'll see where the flange needs grinding.

[yenkoz28]

Ok, so I don't have to grind on part of the bike (I just don't like to grind on some original part of the bike like the frame). I bought the bike from Jim last year, because the local Billings kawi dealer charges way to much for his bikes.

[Spok]

Originally Posted by yenkoz28

Ok, so I don't have to grind on part of the bike (I just don't like to grind on some original part of the bike like the frame). I bought the bike from Jim last year, because the local Billings kawi dealer charges way to much for his bikes.

i'm sure jim and the gang would love to help you out with a set of pipes, some of the best folks i've had the pleasure of meeting

[Mercury]

Hi all... Im on the road of research and I feel like im getting nowhere.

I will say out of all the saddlebags ive looked at i like the mavrick II's the best so far.

Can anybody point me in the right direction for getting saddlebags for my 2000 drifter 800, im trying to make the bike carry stuff, but not distroy the look of the rear fender either.

Thank you, Ken

[Scruffy]

Willie and Max American Classic Edition, plain or studded, fixed or zip off. Willie and Max or similar "Pony Express" style bags.

May be blasphemy to some, but HD Heritage Softail bags look era correct. As do some of the late-model "Indian" bags.

Whatever you do, stay away from real leather unless you really like the smells of saddlesoap and neatsfoot oil...
-Scruffy

[Mercury]

thanks scruffy... ill look at those, i wonder what other drifter owners have on their bikes...

like i said i think the kawasaki bags will look correct, but there REALLY expensive.

I dont want to have to modify the bags to fit... i want bags made for this bike - ill check out the ones you said, thanks

if anybody has pictures that would be great!

Kenny

[pooeg]

After 20 years away from having a bike, my husband just bought me a Vulcan 500 LTD for my 40th birthday. Where would be the best "cheapest" place to get accessories, I would like to put a passenger backrest on. Also will the backrests for the 800 fit??


Thanks

[Mercury]

theres a guy on ebay that sells the kawasaki acessories cheap

goto kawasaki.com and get the part # then type that in ebay... you may be surprizrd

kenny

[JimFitz]

Got a question. Hope someone has an answer. I need a new front tire on my 800A. I've always run Michelins on my cars and trucks and have had really good luck with them for the past 35 or so years.

Does anyone have any experience with the Michelin Commanders? Are they worth the extra money? (seem to be $20 to $40 more than Dunlops or Bridgstones). The back B-Stone Exedra hasn't worn that much but I may replace it too, just to keep it all in the family.

If not the Michelin, then what do y'all recommend. the B-stone didn't get many miles (6,000) but I do just run around town with lots of turns, plus stops and gos. Plus I'm kinda heavy on the front brake.

I know I'm opening a can of worms asking for everyones opinions, but hopefully I can separate the wheat from the chaff.

Thanks much.

[2WheelFun]

Originally Posted by JimFitz

Got a question. Hope someone has an answer. I need a new front tire on my 800A. I've always run Michelins on my cars and trucks and have had really good luck with them for the past 35 or so years.

Does anyone have any experience with the Michelin Commanders? Are they worth the extra money? (seem to be $20 to $40 more than Dunlops or Bridgstones). The back B-Stone Exedra hasn't worn that much but I may replace it too, just to keep it all in the family.

If not the Michelin, then what do y'all recommend. the B-stone didn't get many miles (6,000) but I do just run around town with lots of turns, plus stops and gos. Plus I'm kinda heavy on the front brake.

I know I'm opening a can of worms asking for everyones opinions, but hopefully I can separate the wheat from the chaff.

Thanks much.

I switched from the stock Bridgestones to the Michelin Commanders and am now on my 2nd pair and they are great tires...IMHO.

I got around 11,000 miles on my last rear tire and the front could have gone another 5,000 but I had them changed out due another long ride this summer coming up.

I'll buy them again when these need replacing.

When your ready to buy be sure to check HERE.

[JimFitz]

Whistle,

Great info. Thanks. It's always good to get a recommendation from someone who has the experience and has purchased them more than once. If you go back to a brand then you must have been happy with them.

Thanks also for the MAW website. Their prices bring the tires down to more in line with the other makes.

Jim

[2WheelFun]

Originally Posted by JimFitz

Whistle,

Great info. Thanks. It's always good to get a recommendation from someone who has the experience and has purchased them more than once. If you go back to a brand then you must have been happy with them.

Thanks also for the MAW website. Their prices bring the tires down to more in line with the other makes.

Jim

Your welcome, Jim!

Good luck on whatever you decide to go with!

[JimFitz]

Whistle,

I got another question now. My local Kaw dealer will match the prices of MAW (He mainly wants the mounting and balancing fees which is fair enough for me) but, what if the 80/90 H 21 is not available and they want to substitute a MH 90-21. Is that the same tire? and what about a 130 or 150 size on the rear? They cannot find (locally) a 140/90 H 16. Should I just wait for the correct size or go with a larger (or smaller) tire?

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by JimFitz

Whistle,

I got another question now. My local Kaw dealer will match the prices of MAW (He mainly wants the mounting and balancing fees which is fair enough for me) but, what if the 80/90 H 21 is not available and they want to substitute a MH 90-21. Is that the same tire? and what about a 130 or 150 size on the rear? They cannot find (locally) a 140/90 H 16. Should I just wait for the correct size or go with a larger (or smaller) tire?

The MH 90 will work fine. You ought to go with a 150/80 on the rear because it'll look better.

[2WheelFun]

Originally Posted by woodchucks800

The MH 90 will work fine. You ought to go with a 150/80 on the rear because it'll look better.

I agree with Woody, Jim.

[JimFitz]

Thanks guys.

I was kinda leaning that way anyway. I dont think there will be any clearance issues with the 150. It is only 3/8 to 1/2 inch wider.

Jim

[woodchucks800]

Originally Posted by JimFitz

Thanks guys.

I was kinda leaning that way anyway. I dont think there will be any clearance issues with the 150. It is only 3/8 to 1/2 inch wider.

Jim

There won't be. most of us 800 riders have gone to a 150 without any issue's, enjoy the wider look.

[WrenchTwister]

I run only premium in my 750. The sticker located in the trunk I'm pretty sure says to run 91 octane, so in the absence of this, I run 93. I have an '05.

[Ezzie]

Does anyone know if foot boards are available for the Vulcan 500? Sure would like to have them.