[Sarge337]

Ahh ok, il, probably stick a banjo switch on in that case

Yearly test requires one, as seeing as mine will have no horn, blinkers, illegal plate etc this is one I probably won't get away with haha

 

[IMB4U]

Today I bought some pipe and welded up a two into one exhaust. I used the stock pipes and cut the mufflers off and re-angled the rear pipe down a bit, added some new sections and then grabbed an older Vance Hines tip I had lying around. Below are a few pictures of the finished product, I havent decided completely if I am going to put the dual full chrome back on or leave this. Who knows.

 

[mumbles]

The exhaust fits the bike nicely. Very clean.

 

[klaskot63]

cool pic

 

[klaskot63]

This is coming together GREAT! I really like your bars, wish I had changed mine for the Third time to get a little more old school look, but now I just want to get it going lol. Once again,,looks awesome.

 

[IMB4U]

Little update: I changed the headlight to include the vertical bars to match my tail light. I needed to modify the headlight a little because once I installed it I noticed the vertical bars were not straight up and down which was very annoying. I had to take the light apart and drill two new mounting holes in the casing to straighten it out (ebay problems). I also swapped out the muffler tip to a 16" chrome turn out. I will post pictures a little later today.

 

[Same30]

Loving the new bike....I like others have followed your various Vulcan builds over the last few years!

I am based in Australia and after a brief Hiatus from Vulcan ownership, riding a Sportster for 2 years (more trouble than it was worth!) I have just bought myself another project Vn800a to play with.

I had a couple of questions for you if you don't mind as I start to strip mine down

1. Teardrop air cleaner: I have bought 2 of these now (generic for CV / Harley Carb) over the last few years for the last few VN's and have not managed to get them to fit properly... I notice you managed to purchase a VN specific backplate... Any chance you can share where this was from or even better how you have managed to modify the harley ones to fit as I have 2 in the garage!

2. Tank: I have a standard genuine sporty peanut tank that I was going to strip back and put on but now thinking I will buy a new reproduction Peanut tank online... There is a **** of a lot of wiring and bracketry under the standard tank...Have you used custom high tunnel tanks in the past? If so do you have any recommendations on a particular tank / size that has worked for you on these bikes... Freight to Sydney is eye watering from US as it is and so ideally I don't want to buy the wrong one and have to pay to send it back!

3. I used Ultima seats on my last 2 projects mounted in a similar way to you using the existing battery brace... I have a smaller Rich Phillips seat that I was looking to fit onto this one and I notice you had fitted a similar looking one onto the bike with the blue wheels... Are you able to give me any clues / reference images as to how you mounted it.

Appreciate if you can help with these... Again the new bike looks rad. Keep up the good work!

Little update: I changed the headlight to include the vertical bars to match my tail light. I needed to modify the headlight a little because once I installed it I noticed the vertical bars were not straight up and down which was very annoying. I had to take the light apart and drill two new mounting holes in the casing to straighten it out (ebay problems). I also swapped out the muffler tip to a 16" chrome turn out. I will post pictures a little later today.

 

[IMB4U]

Below are a few pictures of the head light I installed and the updated exhaust muffler.

 

[IMB4U]

Same30

1. Teardrop air cleaner: I have bought 2 of these now (generic for CV / Harley Carb) over the last few years for the last few VN's and have not managed to get them to fit properly... I notice you managed to purchase a VN specific backplate... Any chance you can share where this was from or even better how you have managed to modify the harley ones to fit as I have 2 in the garage!

---I have made the Harley air cleaners work with getting creative with things around my garage. It would be hard to say there is a specific way to pull it off. This current bike I did use a Kuryakyn kit that was originally a skull cover. I ditched the cover and modified a tear drop cover to fit.

2. Tank: I have a standard genuine sporty peanut tank that I was going to strip back and put on but now thinking I will buy a new reproduction Peanut tank online... There is a **** of a lot of wiring and bracketry under the standard tank...Have you used custom high tunnel tanks in the past? If so do you have any recommendations on a particular tank / size that has worked for you on these bikes... Freight to Sydney is eye watering from US as it is and so ideally I don't want to buy the wrong one and have to pay to send it back!

---I buy a 1982-Newer sportster tank. All of the tabs need to be trimmed and the electrical will all fit by taking out the gauge cluster wires that will no longer be needed

3. I used Ultima seats on my last 2 projects mounted in a similar way to you using the existing battery brace... I have a smaller Rich Phillips seat that I was looking to fit onto this one and I notice you had fitted a similar looking one onto the bike with the blue wheels... Are you able to give me any clues / reference images as to how you mounted it.

---I mount all the seats regardless of brand the same way. I make a bracket for the front and bolt down using the stock tank mounting hole. The rear is clamped down against the battery brace using washers and bolts from the spring mounts on the seat

 

[Same30]

Thanks for this.. managed to work it all out thanks to the below!

Still not back on road yet as I am however having issues with my 2 wire Sparto taillight and keep blowing fuses which are a PITA to get to each time they go

On my last VN I used a 3 wire drilled LED light and so connected earth to earth and all worked
With the 2 wire Sparto can you confirm your connections... Tail to Tail, Brake to Brake and where are you earthing?

Bike as it stands this evening:

Same30

1. Teardrop air cleaner: I have bought 2 of these now (generic for CV / Harley Carb) over the last few years for the last few VN's and have not managed to get them to fit properly... I notice you managed to purchase a VN specific backplate... Any chance you can share where this was from or even better how you have managed to modify the harley ones to fit as I have 2 in the garage!

---I have made the Harley air cleaners work with getting creative with things around my garage. It would be hard to say there is a specific way to pull it off. This current bike I did use a Kuryakyn kit that was originally a skull cover. I ditched the cover and modified a tear drop cover to fit.

2. Tank: I have a standard genuine sporty peanut tank that I was going to strip back and put on but now thinking I will buy a new reproduction Peanut tank online... There is a **** of a lot of wiring and bracketry under the standard tank...Have you used custom high tunnel tanks in the past? If so do you have any recommendations on a particular tank / size that has worked for you on these bikes... Freight to Sydney is eye watering from US as it is and so ideally I don't want to buy the wrong one and have to pay to send it back!

---I buy a 1982-Newer sportster tank. All of the tabs need to be trimmed and the electrical will all fit by taking out the gauge cluster wires that will no longer be needed

3. I used Ultima seats on my last 2 projects mounted in a similar way to you using the existing battery brace... I have a smaller Rich Phillips seat that I was looking to fit onto this one and I notice you had fitted a similar looking one onto the bike with the blue wheels... Are you able to give me any clues / reference images as to how you mounted it.

---I mount all the seats regardless of brand the same way. I make a bracket for the front and bolt down using the stock tank mounting hole. The rear is clamped down against the battery brace using washers and bolts from the spring mounts on the seat

 

[IMB4U]

You can run your ground to one of the tail light screws where it is metal to metal. That should work.

 

[ghostchants]

The air cleaner kit came with the adapter and a different cover (skull cover which I just assume throw out). So I bought the tear drop cover separately and still had to drill and tap a new hole for the left screw to fit properly on the covers mounting bracket. I wouldn't have had to do that if I got an SS Super G cover but I didn't want the label on the outside.

As for the lower kit for the rear I got the scootworks lowering link. They updated their lowering link from ones I have got in the past by making it a little thicker and actually engraving a number next to each hole. The instructions were clear in the past but I suppose it takes the guess work out of it. The front I lowered 3" by cutting the spacer down and re-installing.

Hi Steve, would you be able to go into a bit more detail on how you lowered the front end by cutting the spacer? Which spacer is this?
I also have the scootworks lowering kit and will attempt to fit it this winter...any advice on where to get the necessary tools to do this??

Many Thanks

 

[IMB4U]

Ghostchants, The front forks of the vulcan 800a have a metal spacer at the top of the fork on the inside. When you first pop open the c clip you will see what I am talking about. The front lowering kit that you buy is usually just PVC pipe if you weren't going with different springs. What I do instead of buying shorter spacers is just cut the stock ones to the desired height, usually 3 inches.

 

[ghostchants]

Thanks Steve, I think I get what you mean. If I cut that white PVC pipe down then I can lower the front forks relatively easily.
I'm looking to lower the rear 2" (3" if I can get away with the seat not hitting the rear fender) How much length would you recommend cutting off the PVC pipe to get the front of the bike to sit nicely?

Apologies for all the questions...I haven't done this mod before and don't fancy trying to source replacement parts if and when I screw it up!

Is this the pipe you're talking about in the link? http://images.solomotoparts.com/images/D/PS0-1550-1.jpg

 

[BrockGrimes]

Nice build man, check out mine under my profile.
http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/new-rider-forum/157824-brockgrimes.html

 

[IMB4U]

Little update. I have sent my top triple tree, modified headlight mounting plate, fork lowers, and brake caliper to chrome. I should have the parts back in about 2 or 3 weeks to install. I have also made new fender struts/sissy bar, lowered the rear another 1" (totaling 3"), put the vance n hines pipes back on and bought a smaller headlight to put on when the parts are finished.

 

[Same30]

Looks great!

 

[IMB4U]

I got the top triple tree, headlight bracket, fork lowers, and caliper back from chrome and installed. I'll get some outdoor pictures in the spring but for now here are a few shots of the parts installed.

 

[IMB4U]

I took the bike out for a ride and snapped a few pictures outside. First time doing the chrome front end, I am a powder coat fan myself but I wanted to try something differant. I like how it came out.

 

[goddarddr]

You did it again
I like the down to metal tank & fenders