Go Back   Vulcan Bagger Forums > Technical :: Maintenance :: Performance > 1500 & 1600 Nomad

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 03-31-2015, 07:33 AM   #1
Sparks500   Sparks500 is offline
Member
 
Sparks500's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Aurora, Il
Posts: 61
Just got her home

My 05 nomad. She's got a few little things that need attention, but, a few questions I have:

How much should the engine vibrate? It shakes a bit, but nothing alarming.

What's the best manual? I have a Clymers, but the PO handed me a Kawasaki.

When I give it a little gas in neutral, theres a little buzz coming from somewhere in the front when I let off.

And, I found one of the rear turn signal housings was cracked, so I'll be looking for a replacement.

Thanks.

Just so you know, the plans are, in a few weeks, to get a set of V&H baggers, Barons big air kit, and a fuel processor, once I figure out which one to get.

The trip home was only about 30 minutes and the license place is closed on Monday, so it was far too short. This bike is a gas to ride, but with all that stock breathing apparatus, she sounds a little asthmatic.....



Login or Register to Remove Ads
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 08:29 AM   #2
redjay   redjay is offline
Top Contributor
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,920
It is a V Twin, they vibrate.

It could be the radiator fan shroud that is giving the "buzz" in the front.
If I remember correctly I put some thin rubber between the shroud and the radiator.
It could also be the connectors in the headlight hitting the headlight bucket. Some foam should fix that issue.

Personally I would steer clear of the V&H baggers due to quality issues.

Many on here have used the Dobeck TFI, myself included.

Last edited by redjay; 03-31-2015 at 10:48 AM.
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 10:40 AM   #3
HwyRider   HwyRider is offline
 
HwyRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: South Shore, MA
Posts: 4,629
The quality issues are with the Vance and Hines header pipe not the fuel pack.
__________________
VBA # 02424
VROC # 35971

2010 Nomad 1700
Metallic Diablo Black/Metallic Titanium
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 02:21 PM   #4
macmac   macmac is offline
Sr. Contributor
 
macmac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600
Posts: 12,484
You want the stupid open loop TFI since there is no O2 sender. TFI by dobeck and nothing else. VUH baggers are ok but over time the rear head pipe cracks about 3 inches from head. Mine have and a weld fixed it.

Redjay has it, rad shroud or loose plugs in the lamp bucket, for the buzz. Shakes....... loosen and re torque the engine mounts (all of them )
__________________

06 1600 Nomad
Just call me Mac
molon labe come and get it
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 03:44 PM   #5
Sparks500   Sparks500 is offline
Member
 
Sparks500's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Aurora, Il
Posts: 61
Are the Cobras better? Pipes, that is



Login or Register to Remove Ads
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 03:48 PM   #6
redjay   redjay is offline
Top Contributor
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,920
I am pretty sure Cobra has a better reputation for quality than V&H.
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 04:15 PM   #7
GIBBY   GIBBY is offline
 
GIBBY's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Osceola,WI
Posts: 3,083
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparks500 View Post
Are the Cobras better? Pipes, that is
Better quality, better sound!
__________________
Mike "GIBBY" Gibson
Osceola, WI
VBA # 1279

2011 National Rally
2012 NCR Rally
2012 Antlers Rally
2013 National Rally
2013 Antlers Rally
2014 NC/SC Rally
2014 Antlers Rally
2015 VRA/VBA Rally
2016 NCR Rally
2016 Antlers Rally
2017 Antlers Rally
2018 NC/SC Rally
2018 Antlers Rally
2019 Antlers Rally
2020 Antlers Rally
2022 Antlers Rally
2023 Antlers Rally


2021 Indian Roadmaster Limited
2022 Indian Roadmaster
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 04:55 PM   #8
dshelly   dshelly is offline
Sr. Member
 
dshelly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Belgrade, MT
Posts: 2,824
IMO there is nothing wrong with the V&H pipes. I believe the cracking issue is due to the bike running lean, resulting in the tubing to harden and get brittle from the heat and cooling cycles. This is one of the reasons I elected to get my headpipes (V&H) sprayed with ceracoat. My theory is that if the pipe stays cooler it will stay more flexible and be less apt to crack. Also adding the Dobeck unit and adding some fuel to help with the lean running issue. I could be full of shit too.....
__________________

Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger
2014 Harley Ultra Classic
2007 1600 Nomad (Black)
Shellenberger Machine
Belgrade, MT
Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter)
VBA # 2395
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 09:36 PM   #9
macmac   macmac is offline
Sr. Contributor
 
macmac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600
Posts: 12,484
Quote:
Originally Posted by redjay View Post
I am pretty sure Cobra has a better reputation for quality than V&H.
IMO Cobra pipes tend to rust off the chrome faster unless they are well cared for. V&H has the more mods to baffle your way. You can use glass wrap, wood stove rope, roofing flashing, tin cans, bug screen, and mix and match any of that rope and bug screen etc etc. A judgement call that calls for anyones judgement.
__________________

06 1600 Nomad
Just call me Mac
molon labe come and get it
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 09:37 PM   #10
macmac   macmac is offline
Sr. Contributor
 
macmac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600
Posts: 12,484
Quote:
Originally Posted by dshelly View Post
IMO there is nothing wrong with the V&H pipes. I believe the cracking issue is due to the bike running lean, resulting in the tubing to harden and get brittle from the heat and cooling cycles. This is one of the reasons I elected to get my headpipes (V&H) sprayed with ceracoat. My theory is that if the pipe stays cooler it will stay more flexible and be less apt to crack. Also adding the Dobeck unit and adding some fuel to help with the lean running issue. I could be full of shit too.....
yeah that is / was a real good idea.
__________________

06 1600 Nomad
Just call me Mac
molon labe come and get it
 
Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2015, 09:41 PM   #11
redjay   redjay is offline
Top Contributor
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Ontario
Posts: 6,920
"IMO there is nothing wrong with the V&H pipes. I believe the cracking issue is due to the bike running lean, resulting in the tubing to harden and get brittle from the heat and cooling cycles. This is one of the reasons I elected to get my headpipes (V&H) sprayed with ceracoat. My theory is that if the pipe stays cooler it will stay more flexible and be less apt to crack. Also adding the Dobeck unit and adding some fuel to help with the lean running issue. I could be full of shit too....."


If that were the case why do the stock head pipes not crack, nor the Cobra headers ?
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2015, 01:37 PM   #12
Sparks500   Sparks500 is offline
Member
 
Sparks500's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Aurora, Il
Posts: 61
How many of the V&H pipes have broken?
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2015, 02:45 PM   #13
HwyRider   HwyRider is offline
 
HwyRider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: South Shore, MA
Posts: 4,629
The slip ons don't break it's the full exhaust.
__________________
VBA # 02424
VROC # 35971

2010 Nomad 1700
Metallic Diablo Black/Metallic Titanium
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2015, 05:50 PM   #14
ubernomad   ubernomad is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Spokane
Posts: 143
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparks500 View Post
How many of the V&H pipes have broken?
Here's the problem....the guys who complain about a cracked rear pipe typically say it on a website like this. If I had to guess I'd say maybe 10% of all Vulcan owners are on this website. Point is, the rear pipe crack gets blown way out of proportion to how many are currently installed without any problems.

I've got VH True Dual baggers on my 1600 and have had zero problems. Quality seems very good and the chrome itself is flawless. Hardware is good but I will admit the VH head pipe flange sucks. I think the key is to properly aligning and tightening the exhaust system so it doesn't cause excessive stress on the head pipe. Plus, being rear cylinder it is more likely to run hotter and therefore suffers from more severe hot/cold cycling like others have pointed out. Running lean only makes the problem worse.
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-01-2015, 06:01 PM   #15
dshelly   dshelly is offline
Sr. Member
 
dshelly's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Belgrade, MT
Posts: 2,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by ubernomad View Post
Here's the problem....the guys who complain about a cracked rear pipe typically say it on a website like this. If I had to guess I'd say maybe 10% of all Vulcan owners are on this website. Point is, the rear pipe crack gets blown way out of proportion to how many are currently installed without any problems.

I've got VH True Dual baggers on my 1600 and have had zero problems. Quality seems very good and the chrome itself is flawless. Hardware is good but I will admit the VH head pipe flange sucks. I think the key is to properly aligning and tightening the exhaust system so it doesn't cause excessive stress on the head pipe. Plus, being rear cylinder it is more likely to run hotter and therefore suffers from more severe hot/cold cycling like others have pointed out. Running lean only makes the problem worse.
Way to go there Uber... My sentiments exactly..

Like you also stated, the flanges suck.... Just re installed my pipes with the collars I made ( copy of the oem but a little heavier). Waaaay better.
__________________

Dave "(dshelly)" Shellenberger
2014 Harley Ultra Classic
2007 1600 Nomad (Black)
Shellenberger Machine
Belgrade, MT
Various Bagger Member (Harley Chapter)
VBA # 2395
 
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.