Front Crash Bars - You won't believe this!

[Bull Durham]

I bought my 2005 last fall. It's been years since I've been around a Nomad, last one I was around was about 10 years ago, the '99 model. Anyway, the guy I bought it from never did anything to the bike, kept it stock except he put a Mustang seat on right away and probably the Kuryakyn Foot pegs, unless they come stock, I don't know.

Something never looked right to me, had a nagging thought in the back of my head that something was wrong when I looked at my bike, when looking at the front crash bars on the bike. Thought they looked kinda weird, was never impressed with them. Could never figure out what was bugging me.

So tonight, I was looking at the lowers sold by Xncrman in the Vendors section of KawaNow, wondering if I should get a pair. I've looked at them before, but wasn't sure if they would fit my bars as mine narrow towards the top of the bike. Reread all the messages on his topic, say's they fit all nomads, 1500 and 1600's.

Went out and looked at my bike, came back in and tried finding some of your signature pics where I could see the crash bars well. Was kinda confusing, as I see some people have a one piece crash bar on their bike that runs all the way across the radiator, others have a two piece like mine, bolts on each side, then some of the 'green / green' 1999's have nice, big, exaggerated bars, which I like and am more used to, like my crash bars from the '70's.

Go back and look at my bike and realize the crash bars are upside down and on the wrong side of the bike! What the hell?!! I take them off and put them on the right side, correctly. Now I'm pissed. I have some pics I got from the previous owner, I'm looking at them and see they have always been on backwards / upside down. You think the Dealership put them on that way? In fact, the one pic in my sig line is from the previous owner, just the bike pic.

I'm used to aggressively riding twisties and cornering, and enjoy scraping my floor boards often. Just the way I like to ride. So now when I put the crash bars on the correct way, the bottoms are now the tops, and I've been scraping my crash bars too, besides my floor boards!

Now it's driving me nuts as I've got all these road rash scrapes showing on the top.

Poop. Guess I'm going to have to be looking for new crash bars in the future, or just bring a big wrench down to Maggie Valley for those midnight specials!!
;) ;) ;) ;)

Anyone ever have the dealerships do something stupid to your bikes?

[cyclecat]

The first 1700 we saw at the local dealership had the engine guards on upside down and on the wrong side. I pointed them out and the owner told me I was wrong. I told him the wide side is always on the top, he went and got his 'head mechanic' who also argued with me. They finally got a picture and saw I was right. Both walked away without saying a word. I love it when idiots argue with me only to realize they really are idiots.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Never thought of them possibly being on upside down and on the wrong sides. Guess some people that put them on just don't know what they are doing.

Don't be looking at mine after midnight. The left one has a scratch on the outside. You would want to get perfect ones. Just letting you know.

[Bull Durham]

That's funny, love it when arrogant folks get taught a lesson or two. What's even crazier is Kaw has to put that little plastic strip over the three metal bag strips that say faintly "Left side" or "right side". You'd think mechanics would know which is is left or right, but I guess not.

[wheelie]

Well, I'll be. I would never thought they could be swapped and flipped like that, dang. Hope you find a set of bars soon and for low $
"You'd think mechanics would know which is is left or right" We had a trash truck down today because the techs serviced it last night and could not get the PTO to work. So they started tracing wires and checking connections. The problem? ??? The emergency PTO kill switch was set to off. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif It's a big red button right above the on-off switch. Sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.

[cyclecat]

The first set of engine guard covers I sold, I also put on a guys Nomad. Ran into him a couple of months later and he told me something had happened to the covers when he washed them and they now fit like crap. I took one look and asked him why he took them off to wash them. He asked me how I knew he had taken them off. I knew because he has the covers on upside down. Wide side always goes on top.

You mentioned that some bars are one piece going across the top of the rad and some are separate pieces? 1500's are one piece and 1600's are two separate pieces.

[cyclecat]

BTW engine guard covers are a lot cheaper than new bars. Put a set of covers on and don't take them off.

[jandreu]

I kind of like the way they look upside down. ??? http://s2.images.proboards.com/tongue.gif

[cactusjack]

Front crash guards for an '05 are $79.13 each from cheapcycleparts.com.

[Jared]

Now that I look closer to your picture I can totally tell. LOL!!! You're probably pretty lucky that didn't catch on a tight turn and lift the weight off your front wheel. That can kill you in a quick hurry.

[jestephens]

The guards are [relatively] innexpensive.

A few years ago my '05 was knocked over and the front crashbar landed on a square curb, leaving a huge "V" in the bar, and the other side was bent backward from the force that knocked it over.

Even though I don't recall what they cost, I remember I was pleasantly surprised at the cost. Maybe $80 or $90 each. The guy didn't want it on his insurance and paid me cash.

[rewindgy]

Yeah - I was looking at a guy's 1600 a couple of years ago and he was so proud of his new Lightbar & spots and I asked the big question ( why are your signal lights upside down?) and he got all pissed of and told me to take a hike -and then I asked if I was wrong why was there water inside the lenses? The 1600's have a small drain / slot that goes to the bottom. He just walked away mumbling!

[lw]

Not the first time I've heard of the assembler getting it wrong out of the crate. As has been pointed out, there are really two options: Cover them up or replace them.

If you choose the replacement option, cyclepartsnation sells them for $69 and change plus shipping.
Part# 55020 on the left and 55020A on the right
http://www.cyclepartsnation.com/pages/OemParts#/Kawasaki/VN1600-D1_Vulcan_1600_Nomad_(2005)/GUARD(S)

[ringadingh]

Perhaps the original owner put them on upside down intentionally so he could lean further in the corners. Ive only scraped my bars once that I know of. Now that I have a car tire and the bike sits an inch higher I doubt I'll ever lean it over that far.

[cnc]

I was curious, so I just looked at the dealer prep manual and it has a pretty clear drawing depicting the correct orientation. Either the guy assembling the bike didn't bother to look at it, or as Ring said the previous owner removed them and put them back upside down for what ever reason. You could cover the scrapes up with something for now. Chrome foil tape, the carbon fiber look tape etc, or if you add chaps and leave them on they should hide the scrapes.

[Loafer]

Braid some leather or a material over them. Be original!

[schoeney]

Set of engine guard chaps are $59 @ classic chaps (link below). Synthetic marine grade material. Not the hi quality leather like Cycle Cat used to make but they look fine and would be a cheap fix. I have had mine for 3 years. Still look new and easy to clean and take on/off. Side benefit....helped alot w/buffeting.

http://www.classicchaps.com/My_Homepage_Files/Page7.html

[Bull Durham]

Just kind of odd that someone would put them on upside down, whether it was the dealer or previous owner. I really don't think it was the previous owner, I don't think he ever really touched it. Like I said, the way they looked always bugged me, I knew there was something that looked wrong with them. I even thought about them maybe being backwards / upside down, but I thought there was no way that could be, because you'd think they'd be made so they could only bolt on one way. Like I've said before, I was never impressed with the crash bars or any crash bars on newer bikes. They all look pretty chint'ze, and they all seem to bend right over in the smallest of accidents. I've seen bars bend just from people dropping their bikes. I think new crash bars are built more for looks now, than anything else.

I've been thinking about going with the hard lowers, especially for around here where it rains a lot, would be nice. But for you guys with them, how is it in the summer when it's hot out? I know they have the vent to open for air control, but is that enough?

[cactusjack]

If you ever drop your bike, you'll see just how valuable the crash bars are. They will protect it from serious damage. I'd rather have to replace a $80 crash bar than a $1200 saddlebag or $1000 fuel tank.

[lw]

If you ever drop your bike, you'll see just how valuable the crash bars are. They will protect it from serious damage. I'd rather have to replace a $80 crash bar than a $1200 saddlebag or $1000 fuel tank.

+1

[Bull Durham]

'juz saying, if they were real crash bars, you not only wouldn't hurt the saddle bags or the tank, and also wouldn't hurt the crash bars!

[lw]

'juz saying, if they were real crash bars, you not only wouldn't hurt the saddle bags or the tank, and also wouldn't hurt the crash bars!

but the true purpose is to prevent damage to other parts of the machine, i.e. be sacrificial. They were designed to keep the engine (hence the name engine guard) and painted/plastic parts off the asphalt/concrete etc if the bike is dropped or suffers a relatively low speed crash. In higher speed crashes all bets are off anyway. If you were to make them of a more rigid material they would withstand the "drop" scenario well, however the forces of a crash would be transmitted into the frame mounting points and could/would result in a "battle of the weakest metal". Even though the guards dont seem to extend that far, when the linear forces of the forward motion of a crash are applied, the frame can still be tweaked at the attachment point.

[waterman]

If you ever drop your bike, you'll see just how valuable the crash bars are. They will protect it from serious damage. I'd rather have to replace a $80 crash bar than a $1200 saddlebag or $1000 fuel tank.

Are they that cheap on a Harley?? No being an ass Scott, just curious.

[cactusjack]

If you ever drop your bike, you'll see just how valuable the crash bars are. They will protect it from serious damage. I'd rather have to replace a $80 crash bar than a $1200 saddlebag or $1000 fuel tank.

Are they that cheap on a Harley?? No being an ass Scott, just curious.

Are what that cheap? Do you mean how much do they cost, or are they that flimsy?

[waterman]

Are they that cheap on a Harley?? No being an ass Scott, just curious.

Are what that cheap? Do you mean how much do they cost, or are they that flimsy?

Prices for replacement bags and tank on your Ultra.

[Bull Durham]

Listen, this is going to be one of those topics where there is no right or wrong opinion, opinions are like a$$holes - everyone has one!!

I think new bikes crash bars are crap, period. Crash bars are not suppose to be sacrificial to the extent they are now a days. 5 - 6 years ago, had a friend on a HD Road King, 3 days old, brand new. It's pouring rain out, he's driving into a parking lot. The rain is coming down so hard, it's hard to see. He's probably going top speed, 4 -5 miles an hour, hits one of those little pipes that direct cars in parking lot, they are about two feet high and about 8 -10 inches around. He hits it with his, I believe, left crash bar, going so slow that when it happened, he actually just stepped off the back as the bike went down. Were not talking stepping off and running or taking other steps, I'm talking takes A STEP. He's still holding onto the handle bar in one hand.

The crash bar bends backwards like it's a spaghetti noodle, crash bar folds like Dick Cheney at the Army recruiters office during Vietnam, bends the floor board, etc. Damage to bike? TOTALLED!

1970's: My mom is on the back of a '70's Honda 750-4, going about 65 - 70 mph. Bike has front and rear crash bars, real crash bars. Rear tire blows, ends of fishtailing around and goes down the road backwards sliding on the front and rear crash bar, both people ride it out, never come off the bike. Figure by the time it was fishtailing around, say you lose 5 - 10 mph. Still means your going 55 mph. Damage to bike? Handle bar, front blinker, rear blinker, crash bars.

1982: Kawasaki KZ 750, I still own it, it's in my garage right now. Drunk as hell, riding wheelies in a parking garage, it's raining and blowing rain water into the parking garage. I go for my last stupid, stupid, show off wheelie, hit a bunch of grease, I go one way and bike goes another, but we both happen to be sliding down the down ramp. Bike comes down out of the wheelie, crashes and slides down the down ramp for probably 30 - 40 feet. Damage to Bike? Right handle bar, rear blinker, front blinker, some scrapes on the rear seat grab bar and of course, a lot of scrapes on crash bars. Crash bars not even bent, still on my bike.

Other times in those dark, hard to remember times. Drunk, forget to put feet down at red lights or stop signs on a number of times. Bike falls over, Bull goes boom. Crash bars, no damage.

Cactus Jack, your accident the other week. What type of damage to your bike? From what you said and the pictures you posted; fairing, handle bars, crash bar, floor board, frame, saddle bags, etc. Front crash bar looks like it was worn half way through from the slide and you weren't even going that fast, correct? 20 - 30 mph?

Like I said, there is no right or wrong, it's just my opinion that crash bars on the bikes I see now a days, I think, are mostly for show. There pretty, shiny and look nice.

[cactusjack]

Are what that cheap? Do you mean how much do they cost, or are they that flimsy?

Prices for replacement bags and tank on your Ultra.

No idea. Don't want to know. ::) Not sure where to find out. I don't have a parts catalog. I doubt the bags are as expensive as the Nomad, though.

[cactusjack]

Well, I was doing 35-40 miles per hour when I went down. Bike laid over on the left side, then flipped over on the right and slid maybe 50 feet down the road. They totaled it due to frame damage. If it wasn't for that, I figured $2600 in parts, a good part of that was the tank and fairing. The tank was damaged when the frame damage occurred. The handle on the right side bag was damaged, but not the bag itself. Bags and tourpak didn't have a scratch on them, thanks to the crash guards.

[schoeney]

CJ, Your avatar pic is still scaring the bejeezus out of us!

[rewindgy]

I tend to agree the newer crash guards are almost just there for looks. When I popped that little old lady the crash guards folded likea cheap suit! I pulled the ones side back with bare hands! The tubing isn't that weak - it's the way they mount it to the frame work - the tabs bend real easy. Of course the crash guard folded up into the tank! I think the ones on the 1500 are better as they are one piece? However, the Kawaski one's I put on my 800 Drifter state right on the instructuions that they are basically for show and not for crash protection ( and they are a one peice design) - I still have the instructions - I should go and read it again - I remember i had a good laugh the first time when I opened the box!!

[cactusjack]

I tend to agree the newer crash guards are almost just there for looks. When I popped that little old lady the crash guards folded likea cheap suit! I pulled the ones side back with bare hands! The tubing isn't that weak - it's the way they mount it to the frame work - the tabs bend real easy. Of course the crash guard folded up into the tank! I think the ones on the 1500 are better as they are one piece? However, the Kawaski one's I put on my 800 Drifter state right on the instructuions that they are basically for show and not for crash protection ( and they are a one peice design) - I still have the instructions - I should go and read it again - I remember i had a good laugh the first time when I opened the box!!

That's Kawasaki's legalese. They don't want to be sued by someone under the impression that crash bars will protect them from impact. They do however mitigate damage if the bike is tipped over, which is all they are intended to do, besides look pretty.

[Jared]

If I remember right, last year when Kris was on his way to the Cortez rally, someone backed into his bike and the crash bar folded up on him. He went to a auto shop and thy stuck another pipe in it and bent it back into place.

I'm sure they help on a light drop, but I think if there is any forward movement, they tend to fold.

[ponch]

CJ, Your avatar pic is still scaring the bejeezus out of us!

I like the previous one better.

[ponch]

If I remember right, last year when Kris was on his way to the Cortez rally, someone backed into his bike and the crash bar folded up on him. He went to a auto shop and thy stuck another pipe in it and bent it back into place.

I'm sure they help on a light drop, but I think if there is any forward movement, they tend to fold.

if they are too rigid the frame will bend when contact happens.

[Bull Durham]

if they are too rigid the frame will bend when contact happens. [/quote]


Say what?! Holy crap, we are in big problems if our frames start bending if our crash bars are rigid. Now, I will grant you that the frames do bend pretty easily now a days, but that has nothing to do with the difference of rigid crash bars and bendable crash bars. The frames just bend because they are made with the thinnest metal possible to make them a safe ride and to get the biggest profit for the motorcycle manufacture, but not one shred of ounce extra metal in the frames to make them super strong like they used to.

I think it just comes down to everything made nowadays is made as cheap as possible, it's the way our society has gone. Make something just barely strong enough to get by so the companies can maximize every penny for maximum profit. We have become a 'disposable' society, if something happens and it happens to be a vehicle, just total it and get a new one. Or if it's some other type of product, just throw it out and buy a new one. See any radio, VCR or TV repairmen anymore? You ever have anything go wrong with your washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, etc? You can either pay someone to come in and replace a circuit / motherboard, or for another hundred buck$, you can just go buy a new one.

[ponch]

if they are too rigid the frame will bend when contact happens.



Say what?! Holy crap, we are in big problems if our frames start bending if our crash bars are rigid. Now, I will grant you that the frames do bend pretty easily now a days, but that has nothing to do with the difference of rigid crash bars and bendable crash bars. The frames just bend because they are made with the thinnest metal possible to make them a safe ride and to get the biggest profit for the motorcycle manufacture, but not one shred of ounce extra metal in the frames to make them super strong like they used to.

I think it just comes down to everything made nowadays is made as cheap as possible, it's the way our society has gone. Make something just barely strong enough to get by so the companies can maximize every penny for maximum profit. We have become a 'disposable' society, if something happens and it happens to be a vehicle, just total it and get a new one. Or if it's some other type of product, just throw it out and buy a new one. See any radio, VCR or TV repairmen anymore? You ever have anything go wrong with your washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, etc? You can either pay someone to come in and replace a circuit / motherboard, or for another hundred buck$, you can just go buy a new one.



I said too rigid and I stand by my comment.

[Bull Durham]

Hey, stand by your comment all you want. Like I said, I'm just talking about my opinion. Doesn't mean I'm right and your wrong. Just my thoughts, that's why it's called a "forum".

God only knows, I do think I was wrong once before in my life, but it was so long ago, I can't remember what it was about....... <smile>

[ponch]

Hey, stand by your comment all you want. Like I said, I'm just talking about my opinion. Doesn't mean I'm right and your wrong. Just my thoughts, that's why it's called a "forum".

God only knows, I do think I was wrong once before in my life, but it was so long ago, I can't remember what it was about....... <smile>



And my point of view is from someone that is technical and fixed things for a living, although not as much hands on anymore as much as digital/virtual non-sense. The same logic applies though and so does physics and engineering. ;)

[lw]

I did see a set of Lindby bars today post-accident and they were for the most part unscathed other than a few scratches. Appears that a Ford Explorer blew a front tire and then smacked the left K rail and then crossed to the right in front of the rider who smacked the rear bumper shoving his forkes, fender etc backward. Explorer ended up pointing the wrong direction on the driver's side with the roof against the right K-rail. (Seat belted occupants walked away uninjured, but needing a change of laundry) From the looks of it, the post-impact skid was about 30 feet. Helmetless rider escaped with only a few spots of road rash at the knees and elbows and a ride to the trauma center for X-rays, scans and whatever they could bill him for. Very lucky fellow, apparently very strong bars. I'll try to get the phone pics I took posted tomorrow evening.

[duneseven]

I ran outy of gas along I/90 in MT. on my sprtster once and the guy on CJ's avavtar pic stopped and helped me.. He said he thought he had some gas At his house, I thought he was going to ask me to ride along. All I could think of was squeal like a pig . He never asked, thank god. I had already decided to push it 10 miles to the next exit if he did. THe guy returned with a gas can and gave it to me I grabbed a 10 or 20$ bill and tried to give it to him . He said no, just pass the favor on . So some time first impressions aren't correct

[Bull Durham]

"and gave it to me"

Not even going to ask......................... ;-)

[minst7877]

The Lindby bars on the 1600 classic I was on in 09 when it went down did not fair any better than Scott's did. Folded and ground about a third of the way thru. Don't like that three point mounting system they use and that top radiator bolt that it uses is pretty small and bends easily.

DC