Air Dam

[Bdog]

:) I was looking over my buddies flchx 103 and noticed something I've never seen before? I asked him about it and its an aftermarket item. Its an air dam so the air is redirected from under the bucket so that it won't come up over the tank and hit the rider..cool..so I had to make one for myself ;)
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u319/blackiedog/summer%202011/100_0981.jpg

[AlabamaNomadRider]

You did a great job. It looks really good. Should do the trick.

[ringadingh]

Neat idea!

[Jared]

I like it!

[Idaho]

Two questions;

first, did it do the job you hoped it would do? Make any difference in the air that comes through there. A windshield bad probably does the same thing.

second, is there any chance it will hit the fender when the fork compresses? It looks like it could be close.

[rewindgy]

I put one off of the Harley decker, I think it was $30 for the chrome on - seems to do the job.

[tonik]

I saw something similar on a R*-Star a couple of weeks ago. Picture our fork fairings removed and a dam basically right beside the turn signal on the outside....attached to the fork. So instead of the fork lowers directing the air over the windshield it acts as a dam in that area. I am considering mocking something up to test it and then build a nice one if it works.

It sounds ugly but you really don't see them because of the angle they sit at.


Edit: To describe it better...the 'dam' is at a 90 degree angle to the fork...so the flat face of the dam points right at the ground at the same basic angle as fork. It is maybe 4 or 6 inches square.

[Bdog]

Two questions;

first, did it do the job you hoped it would do? Make any difference in the air that comes through there. A windshield bad probably does the same thing.

second, is there any chance it will hit the fender when the fork compresses? It looks like it could be close.
It seems to work, imo. it probably makes the front end more stable due to air flow. Theres no chance of hitting the fender, the pic I took doesn't show the angle very well. I think it would be noticed more if I had a fairing on instead of a windshield...John

[recumbentbob]

I'm lost on this one...........never had a problem with air flow under the head light............ http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

[blowndodge]

I'm a little lost too? What problem do I have without one? I've never had a air coming up under the tank that was blowing between the forks before?

[recumbentbob]

I'm a little lost too? What problem do I have without one? I've never had a air coming up under the tank that was blowing between the forks before?

Me neither and besides if you put that air dam on there you stop all the air flow to the steering head bearings.

And everyone knows what happens when they over heat....... http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

[cptmorganfred]

hey john. i read your posting about the air dam and noticed the great machining on your footboard mounting brackets. i thought "i've seen that bike before". i talked to you a the tourist info at field on the may 2-4. good to hear from you again. i just looked at the front of my bike and there really is a huge opening there for no reason. the air dam just might be a good idea.

[Bdog]

Hey Fred..yes it was good meeting you in Field. It got nastier that day as I headed up thru the glacier to Rocky mountain house. Freezing rain it was..oh well eh. The air dam might be want you need or maybe not?

[Bdog]

I'm a little lost too? What problem do I have without one? I've never had a air coming up under the tank that was blowing between the forks before?
Bd....your in that dry heat so you might not notice it! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Dave]

I'm lost on this one...........never had a problem with air flow under the head light............ http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif


Me neither.

[cyclecat]

Wow we discovered years ago that filling the space between the fender and headlight bucket stopped about 50% of the buffeting experienced on a Nomad. I have posted that a fork bag works a number of times.

[Bdog]

Yes that would definately work and have a second use too. I found less buffeting too.

[cyclecat]

Fork bag, larger lowers, and engine guard covers is the combination to stop all of the buffetting.

[rickyboy]

CC ...nice to see you hang'in around. Have you sold those two beauties yet? Or perhaps you changed your mind.

[recumbentbob]

Fork bag, larger lowers, and engine guard covers is the combination to stop all of the buffetting.

Or drive a car or truck.... http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif :)

[cyclecat]

Both Nomads are gone-Brian's sold first, a week after putting it on Kijiji, and mine went 3 weeks later. We got a really good price for both, despite the higher mileage, and both went far enough away that we probably won't have to see them being ridden by someone else.

[cyclecat]

recumbentbob - good for you if you like buffeting- personally I didn't like the feeling that my head was going to be ripped off.

[rickyboy]

Any plans for another bike CC? I don't recall why you sold them.

[cyclecat]

We always knew that having 2 cruisers was an expensive hobby but until we got the quads we never realized how expensive. A typical weekend of gas for the Nomads was costing us $150 whereas we can run for a month on the quads for that. We are enjoying the quads, not quite the same thing, but close enough and sometimes better.

As an example, we just spent 5 days in Kalispell, our favorite holiday spot, and we rode the quads everywhere. They are street legal and since they are Kawasaki 650 v-twins, they will go highway speed, so getting anywhere is easy. In fact easier than the Nomads - no more weight to hold up when stopped, no more careful maneuvering in parking lots, no more shifting, no more leather to clean, and best of all, they have reverse. We can explore more of the countryside on the quads since we can now go down the gravel roads instead of turning around when the pavement runs out. The downside? Quads are not street legal in Canada. But there are thousands of off-road trails in BC and Alberta that are more fun than highway riding.

The Nomads were also getting old, and like us, were starting to act and show their age. We got more than we thought we could get for Brian's, especially with 110,000 kms, and what I wanted for mine so we made out ok. We parked the Nomads the middle of August last year, and didn't ride them again; it's been almost a year since we rode the last time and even though I miss my Ruby, I don't miss her as much as I thought I would. We didn't see any point to having them sitting in the garage not being ridden when someone else could be riding and enjoy them as much as we did.

[recumbentbob]

We always knew that having 2 cruisers was an expensive hobby but until we got the quads we never realized how expensive. A typical weekend of gas for the Nomads was costing us $150 whereas we can run for a month on the quads for that. We are enjoying the quads, not quite the same thing, but close enough and sometimes better.

As an example, we just spent 5 days in Kalispell, our favorite holiday spot, and we rode the quads everywhere. They are street legal and since they are Kawasaki 650 v-twins, they will go highway speed, so getting anywhere is easy. In fact easier than the Nomads - no more weight to hold up when stopped, no more careful maneuvering in parking lots, no more shifting, no more leather to clean, and best of all, they have reverse. We can explore more of the countryside on the quads since we can now go down the gravel roads instead of turning around when the pavement runs out. The downside? Quads are not street legal in Canada. But there are thousands of off-road trails in BC and Alberta that are more fun than highway riding.

The Nomads were also getting old, and like us, were starting to act and show their age. We got more than we thought we could get for Brian's, especially with 110,000 kms, and what I wanted for mine so we made out ok. We parked the Nomads the middle of August last year, and didn't ride them again; it's been almost a year since we rode the last time and even though I miss my Ruby, I don't miss her as much as I thought I would. We didn't see any point to having them sitting in the garage not being ridden when someone else could be riding and enjoy them as much as we did.

Sounds pretty neat. I have never ridden a quad but sure see a lot of them around here.

[cyclecat]

A quad is definitely a different ride than a Nomad and I am enjoying it.

[recumbentbob]

A quad is definitely a different ride than a Nomad and I am enjoying it.

I'd like to see a photo of them................. :)

[dabull]

BDOG...if you are looking for a second opinion I know someone interested (me me me me me :)

I've seen the like on other bikes and have oft thought of trying to fabricate something like you done...but alas, I have no skill....

[cyclecat]

recumbentbob We are headed over the Logan Pass on the week end, for the first time this year since it only opened 2 weeks ago, and will get some pics of the quads in front of the 'big drift' The drift is supposed to be over 30 feet deep and they cut the road right through the middle of it so it should be pretty cool to see this year. The snow pack at the Logan Pass was still at 139% a month ago so there should be lots of snow left at the top of the pass.

[recumbentbob]

recumbentbob We are headed over the Logan Pass on the week end, for the first time this year since it only opened 2 weeks ago, and will get some pics of the quads in front of the 'big drift' The drift is supposed to be over 30 feet deep and they cut the road right through the middle of it so it should be pretty cool to see this year. The snow pack at the Logan Pass was still at 139% a month ago so there should be lots of snow left at the top of the pass.

Sounds really neat, I'm looking forward to seeing them........ :)

[Top Cat]

I know I have said it before, but I will say it again.
John has way to much time on his hands. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Bdog]

Tim...your right! I run a dozer up and down hills all day/nite. Sometimes the clank, clank, clank gets to me and the imagination takes over on what to do next with the Nomad, next thing ya know...something comes to mind and I find the need to share with my Nomad bros...John

[recumbentbob]

I really like your saddle bag racks.
Look great........... :)

[Top Cat]

John, if a person has the talent and the tools to make the things he or she imagines, it would be a shame to waste either.
Obviously you have the tools and the talent, more power to you. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[Bdog]

Tim..thanks and I hear what your saying, but when your turn something that you like doing into work...then its work. I have the luxury of a good paying job and time off to do whatever I want to..so when I'm in the shop..I'm luvin it. I was getting really backed up on local jobs and now am down to only two to do which I should get done this week. I usually only do projects that I dream up, things that aren't out there or one-offs. The locals keep me busy...John