500/750/800/900cc - Page 175

rustygunner · 07-20-2009

I could build a trailer to pull my 800 with my Nomad

There's no comparison between the two bikes, they are so completely different. I love my 800; me and my 800 have spent several thousand miles together, so I'm kinda attached.
The Nomad burns up the interstate but is kinda suckish on the twisties (zero ground clearance). 800 handles and accellerates more like a large sport bike than a cruiser.
I don't know what to do with this Nomad thing... it's got no carb

I'm as chicken about wrenching on the Nomad as I was with the 800 when I first brought it home.

My wife has taken a liking to my 800... so maybe we will have a Yamaha 650 for sale instead

jeffs99vulcan · 07-20-2009

Big day for my little 800 here yesterday!!!

-New front tire & tube
-New rear tire & tube
-New 38T rear sprocket
-Dynabeads installed, front only (so far, rear pending)
-THOROUGHLY disassembled and cleaned the rear wheel assembly...

Including the drum, hub, chain, sprockets (front and rear)...

And added the rear hub covers I've had for 6 months... except one side is missing a pair of set screws (don't you HATE it when your factory sealed Kawasaki package is missing something that keeps you from finishing the job???

Pics and write-up to follow...

As soon as I have the kiddies fed, I'll take it around the block to make sure everything stays on!

rustygunner · 07-20-2009

Waiting patiently

jeffs99vulcan · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustygunner

Waiting patiently

Holy crap!!! It'll be a longer wait than THAT!!!

Brian Bohlman · 07-20-2009

Here are a few pics! Pegs, grips and new paint are next! I wanted to say thank you to all of the guys at Sumo X for all of there hard work!
6 deg. triple clamps, front and rear fenders and wheels, flip down rear brake kit, lowering kit.

rustygunner · 07-20-2009

Really nice 900, one of the best I've seen IMO.

tkuligowski · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustygunner

Really nice 900, one of the best I've seen IMO.

X2

tkuligowski · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffs99vulcan

Big day for my little 800 here yesterday!!!

-New front tire & tube
-New rear tire & tube
-New 38T rear sprocket
-Dynabeads installed, front only (so far, rear pending)
-THOROUGHLY disassembled and cleaned the rear wheel assembly...

Including the drum, hub, chain, sprockets (front and rear)...

And added the rear hub covers I've had for 6 months... except one side is missing a pair of set screws (don't you HATE it when your factory sealed Kawasaki package is missing something that keeps you from finishing the job???

Pics and write-up to follow...

As soon as I have the kiddies fed, I'll take it around the block to make sure everything stays on!

Jeff you got JUST a rear sprocket?? Aren't you one that alwasy preaching about changing out both sprockets at the same time

tkuligowski · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosmicsclassic

How much pedal travel do you have when you hit the brakes? it should be .8 to 1.2 inches (about 3/4 to 1 1/4), not less. I run mine about 1 inch. You can also adjust the pedal stop to raise the pedal height which will give a little more lever action to increase the stopped power a little. Height should be ,in the resting position, 2.4 to 2.8 inches above the foot peg., Ive got mine right at 2.8. Also check your brake cable for binding, they can fray inside the housing and get tight, I beleive Wiscblue had this simular problem.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will check the brake pedal travel. I don't really think there anything wrong with it The only reason I ever adjusted the rear nut was because I changed the brake pedal height like your talking about. I guess I set it too tight but I think all is well now, will double check with tape measure.

rustygunner · 07-20-2009

I lift the rear wheel off the ground, set it to where it drags a bit, then back off 1/2 turn.

tkuligowski · 07-20-2009

^^^ cool thanks. I'll try that and see if it measures right.

So you guys read my wheelie question. Now for part 2. How does a person do a burnout vs a wheelie? Or maybe i should ask this in the sportsbike section

haha but really I bet some of you think I'm a kid after asking these questions. Not really, just kind of curious of what I can get my machine to do as almost all men are.

jeffs99vulcan · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkuligowski

Jeff you got JUST a rear sprocket?? Aren't you one that alwasy preaching about changing out both sprockets at the same time

Me?!

Yes, that's me... and I did change out the front as well, I just changed it for a new one but kept the same 17T... that's why that one doesn't get a lot of attention in the write-up!

So I went from 17-42 to 17-38!

jeffs99vulcan · 07-20-2009

And the brake pedal travel...

Yes, much like Rusty... with the wheel off the ground (using the M.E.S.S.

) I push the brake lever in snug at the hub with my hand, then turn the adjuster in by hand until I can't turn it any more... when I let go of the lever, it comes back just enough to take the pressure off the shoes, and that's usually just about right.

There shouldn't be any drag in my opinion, during normal riding... that's just all bad. In addition to the fact that it's going to run VERY hot and reduce efficiency when needed, it's going to wear out prematurely, and produce excess brake dust all over the place for nothing.

Besides that, it's going to wear quickly to the point that it's not rubbing so much any more, so the purpose has just been defeated...

jetman4u · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkuligowski

^^^ cool thanks. I'll try that and see if it measures right.

So you guys read my wheelie question. Now for part 2. How does a person do a burnout vs a wheelie? Or maybe i should ask this in the sportsbike section

haha but really I bet some of you think I'm a kid after asking these questions. Not really, just kind of curious of what I can get my machine to do as almost all men are.

Ive done a burn out with mine ...just held the front brake stood up and popped the cluch..a lil...and gave it gas...IT WAS AWSOME

tkuligowski · 07-20-2009

how the heck do you hold the front brake and give it gas at the same time!!! I'm due for a new rear tire so I'll make a vulcan 800 smoke show video for all to see if I figure this out. might as well get the fun out of me before replacing the tire!!

Mercury · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffs99vulcan

Me?!

Yes, that's me... and I did change out the front as well, I just changed it for a new one but kept the same 17T... that's why that one doesn't get a lot of attention in the write-up!

So I went from 17-42 to 17-38!

I have the 17-38 combo on my drifter and LOVE IT, like 15K miles like this so far - another 15k the old way i like this way much better

Anyways jeff... ever find your clicking?

On the wheelie thing... id like to know how to do a wheelie on a drifter without killing the rear fender

I am 95% sure my bike will do it... one day when nobody is around im going to drop it to first doing about 15 and gun it

kenny

Joram · 07-20-2009

Hey guys and gals,

Can anyone tell me if throttle cables off a 1500 will fit a VN800A ???

Found a set of SS cables at real good price, but don't know if I can make them work on the 800.

jeffs99vulcan · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury

I have the 17-38 combo on my drifter and LOVE IT, like 15K miles like this so far - another 15k the old way i like this way much better

Anyways jeff... ever find your clicking?

On the wheelie thing... id like to know how to do a wheelie on a drifter without killing the rear fender

I am 95% sure my bike will do it... one day when nobody is around im going to drop it to first doing about 15 and gun it

kenny

Hey Kenny! Been a while!

YES, I found the ticking!!! The chain was unevenly worn, and even with the tightest possible adjustment (within spec), it was too loose on the half-revolution and was hitting a small protrusion on the engine case underneath the front sprocket cover... Pics are here! Start at post #889 and read the next four or five!

The new sprockets... I couldn't get out much, AS USUAL there was a rain dumping tonight, just enough to make a disaster out of my son's last baseball game/bbq and keep me from a nice highway ride... But from what I can tell, I think I'm going to like the 17/38!

jetman4u · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkuligowski

might as well get the fun out of me before replacing the tire!!

Thats why i did it ..i was getting ready to put a new tire on shortly....use fingers for brake and thumb mostly for gas....not the easiest thing ive done...hahaha

jetman4u · 07-20-2009

hey jeff does that make it a lil higher geared???? the 17...38 combo that is

07-20-2009	#3481 (permalink)
rustygunner Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 4,032	I could build a trailer to pull my 800 with my Nomad There's no comparison between the two bikes, they are so completely different. I love my 800; me and my 800 have spent several thousand miles together, so I'm kinda attached. The Nomad burns up the interstate but is kinda suckish on the twisties (zero ground clearance). 800 handles and accellerates more like a large sport bike than a cruiser. I don't know what to do with this Nomad thing... it's got no carb I'm as chicken about wrenching on the Nomad as I was with the 800 when I first brought it home. My wife has taken a liking to my 800... so maybe we will have a Yamaha 650 for sale instead __________________ '95 800A (sold) '01 1500 Nomad "we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good" -Dave Karlotski-

07-20-2009	#3482 (permalink)
jeffs99vulcan Keeper of Donkey Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 13,813	Big day for my little 800 here yesterday!!! -New front tire & tube -New rear tire & tube -New 38T rear sprocket -Dynabeads installed, front only (so far, rear pending) -THOROUGHLY disassembled and cleaned the rear wheel assembly... Including the drum, hub, chain, sprockets (front and rear)... And added the rear hub covers I've had for 6 months... except one side is missing a pair of set screws (don't you HATE it when your factory sealed Kawasaki package is missing something that keeps you from finishing the job??? Pics and write-up to follow... As soon as I have the kiddies fed, I'll take it around the block to make sure everything stays on! __________________ Jeff - Ottawa, Ontario '99 Vulcan 800 Classic I WAS THERE! Day of Donkey August 8, 2009 Kansas March '09 M-o-M

07-20-2009	#3483 (permalink)
rustygunner Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 4,032	Waiting patiently __________________ '95 800A (sold) '01 1500 Nomad "we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good" -Dave Karlotski-

07-20-2009	#3485 (permalink)
Brian Bohlman Newbie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Alexandria, MN Posts: 5	My Sumo X 900! Here are a few pics! Pegs, grips and new paint are next! I wanted to say thank you to all of the guys at Sumo X for all of there hard work! 6 deg. triple clamps, front and rear fenders and wheels, flip down rear brake kit, lowering kit.

07-20-2009	#3486 (permalink)
rustygunner Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 4,032	Really nice 900, one of the best I've seen IMO. __________________ '95 800A (sold) '01 1500 Nomad "we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good" -Dave Karlotski-

07-20-2009	#3490 (permalink)
rustygunner Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 4,032	I lift the rear wheel off the ground, set it to where it drags a bit, then back off 1/2 turn. __________________ '95 800A (sold) '01 1500 Nomad "we are small and exposed, and probably moving too fast for our own good" -Dave Karlotski-

07-20-2009	#3491 (permalink)
tkuligowski Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Beatrice, NE Posts: 815	^^^ cool thanks. I'll try that and see if it measures right. So you guys read my wheelie question. Now for part 2. How does a person do a burnout vs a wheelie? Or maybe i should ask this in the sportsbike section haha but really I bet some of you think I'm a kid after asking these questions. Not really, just kind of curious of what I can get my machine to do as almost all men are. __________________ Tony 1998 VN800B

07-20-2009	#3493 (permalink)
jeffs99vulcan Keeper of Donkey Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, ON Posts: 13,813	And the brake pedal travel... Yes, much like Rusty... with the wheel off the ground (using the M.E.S.S. ) I push the brake lever in snug at the hub with my hand, then turn the adjuster in by hand until I can't turn it any more... when I let go of the lever, it comes back just enough to take the pressure off the shoes, and that's usually just about right. There shouldn't be any drag in my opinion, during normal riding... that's just all bad. In addition to the fact that it's going to run VERY hot and reduce efficiency when needed, it's going to wear out prematurely, and produce excess brake dust all over the place for nothing. Besides that, it's going to wear quickly to the point that it's not rubbing so much any more, so the purpose has just been defeated... __________________ Jeff - Ottawa, Ontario '99 Vulcan 800 Classic I WAS THERE! Day of Donkey August 8, 2009 Kansas March '09 M-o-M

07-20-2009	#3495 (permalink)
tkuligowski Wants better weather! BTK Expert Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Beatrice, NE Posts: 815	how the heck do you hold the front brake and give it gas at the same time!!! I'm due for a new rear tire so I'll make a vulcan 800 smoke show video for all to see if I figure this out. might as well get the fun out of me before replacing the tire!! __________________ Tony 1998 VN800B

07-20-2009	#3497 (permalink)
Joram Kimberly Dawn 1966 - 2009 BTK Expert Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Panama City, Fl Posts: 996	Cross check question Hey guys and gals, Can anyone tell me if throttle cables off a 1500 will fit a VN800A ??? Found a set of SS cables at real good price, but don't know if I can make them work on the 800. __________________ 1995 VN800A Just Get a Bigger Hammer !! National Vulcan Riders Forum

07-20-2009	#3500 (permalink)
jetman4u Im not a newbie anymore.. BTK Beginner Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Berea,Kentucky Posts: 59	hey jeff does that make it a lil higher geared???? the 17...38 combo that is

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