New member in MD (almost)

[vaccam]

Hi All,

Just wanted to say hi from an almost new 1500 Nomad owner. I put a down payment on a garage kept, Grey/Silver 2001 w/ 7k miles on Wednesday evening. I am hoping to pick it up this Saturday.

Unfortunately, it snowed Wednesday evening, here in the east, and I was not able to take a test drive. It seemed very clean, only one owner, and the PO had the Pennsylvania inspection performed. Hopefully all is fine.

I spent the last several weeks perusing this board to learn about the bike and found you all very knowledgeable and helpful. Seems like a great site and I hope to be a regular contributor.

I’ve had a Vulcan 750 for the past three years, and put about 13k miles on it. I like the 750 when riding by myself, but it is a bit cramped when riding with my wife. I am looking forward to not having our helmets bag together when I shift or make a quick stop. I am 5’6”, 160 lbs., but the bike seems to fit me pretty well. My feet are flat on the ground with my boots on (just), the handlebars could be a little closer. I think one of the first mods I will do will be risers, probably PhatRisers II, and then a luggage rack, then maybe remove the baffles. I was happy to see the PO installed the front light bar. one less mod for me to do.

Here is a link to some quick photos I took of it. I did not have much room to work with, I’ll post a better ones after I get it home. http://www.flickr.com/photos/vaccam/2093494072/

Michael

[Todd]

Welcome almost officially to the forum. http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

Nice looking bike.

[dakals]

Hello from Wisconsin.

Welcome vaccam. looks like a beauty. You can take the stickers off of the bags fairly easily - makes for a cleaner look.

Welcome Vac!

[vaccam]

Welcome vaccam. looks like a beauty. You can take the stickers off of the bags fairly easily - makes for a cleaner look.

Thanks all!

wolfman, Thanks, that was going to be one of my first questions. Those stickers really stand out.

One question I do have, my current wheel chuck on my trailer is 5.5" wide, is this wide enough for the 1500's front tire?

Thanks...

One question I do have, my current wheel chuck on my trailer is 5.5" wide, is this wide enough for the 1500's front tire?


Thats going to be really close. The front tire is closer to 6 inches wide.

[vaccam]

That is what I was thinking. I might try to get another one before tomorrow.

You won't need the wheel chock if you put the straps on both engine gurads pulling at a forward, out and down angle and straps on both bag guards pulling at a backward, out and down angle. Tighten the straps good so you can shake the bike as hard as you can and the trailer wiggles but the bike doesn't.

[ringadingh]

Welcome Vaccam , hope you enjoy the new bike. It will be a big change from your 750, until you get used to it .

with a little finess this can be a one man job. Put the bike on the trailer with it on its kickstand, set all straps semi loose and gradually tighten them untill it lifts the bike off the kickstand and compresses the suspension.

[trip]

Welcome to KawaNOW, vaccam.....make yourself at home.

Nice bike!!!

Trip

[rlfaubion]

Congratulations on the bike, and welcome

[vaccam]

with a little finess this can be a one man job. Put the bike on the trailer with it on its kickstand, set all straps semi loose and gradually tighten them untill it lifts the bike off the kickstand and compresses the suspension.

wolfman,

Thanks for the tips. I will give that a try.

Another question regarding the straps. does each strap need to be rated for the bikes weight?

[Yellow Jacket]

Welcome! Nice looking bike! Grab a cool one and get comfortable.

I use 1 inch ratchet straps. They have a breaking stregnth of around 1200 - 1800 lbs I think but a "working" strength of 600lbs and I use 4 of them one on each bar. I picked some up at u haul that are specifically designed for bikes. They have a loop in the strap (attatch the hook to the loop) so only the strap makes contact so it doesn't scratch anything. I would only reccomend the ratchet style. The pull straps are crap IMO.

I use 1 inch ratchet straps. They have a breaking stregnth of around 1200 - 1800 lbs I think but a "working" strength of 600lbs and I use 4 of them one on each arm and leg. I picked some up at u haul that are specifically designed for freaks. They have a loop in the strap (attatch the hook to the loop) so only the strap makes contact so it doesn't scratch anything. I would only reccomend the ratchet style. The pull straps are crap IMO.

We're talking about motorcycles here Wolfie.... not your private life.... ::)

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x4/sjmarsing/smileys/haha.gif http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x4/sjmarsing/smileys/naughty.gif

:-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*