'07 Nomad 1600 - Maintenance/upgrades - results

[Caveman]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys. I've been enjoying working on the bike. It feels good to have a wrench in my hands again, but not to be bending over the front end of a car. A nice bike lift, short stool & we're good to go.

I've been looking into progressive springs for the front. You can get them on eBay for less than $80.. seems to be a worthwhile investment.

[lar]

Originally Posted by Caveman

That's what I'm leaning towards.. thanks for the input. How do you like the overall driveability & road sensitivity?

In my opinion the Commander II is the best tire I have had on a motorcycle. It is great on the twisties, and tracks well on grooved pavement and is good in the rain.

[Navigator]

Although I liked the Nomad I was still undecided. I didn't like the way it handled at low speed, finding it very top heavy and a chore to get up off the kickstand. Thus far this is what I have done:

-Cobra running lights
-Cobra rear rack
-Mustang seat and back rest.
-2 inch risers. The riding position was still not right but I couldn't put my finger on what the problem was. My Canadian riding buddy commented that he'd not be able to deal with the Nomad beach bars and I realized that was the problem. Cutting two inches off them achieved amazing results in handling. It feels like I shed 50 pounds off the front end. I was stunned. My hands are closer to the steering head and not so far out. And only 2 inches off the bar ends did this. I took it for a ride around my area yesterday and loved it. It is now definitely a keeper.
-Iridium plugs are sitting on the work bench awaiting installation.
-Hockey puck under the kick stand. The one inch thickness makes it much easier to pick up.

My next upgrade is an aftermarket exhaust, either Cobras or V&Hs. I know that's going to lead to a new intake and a controller. The intake design is goofy. It brings the air in on the left side, takes a 90 deg turn to the right side and another 90 into the intake. That's got to go. Canuckrider had a K&N with the right side backing plate which is as it should be.

I also want to find a good pair of saddlebag racks. I sent two back, the first because they were extremely poor quality, rough and with missing chrome, and the second, Cobras, because they didn't quite get the bend right in the manufacturing process so that they feet didn't sit flat on the bag tops. Would appreciate any tips on a source for good quality bag rails.

[Jllm02199]

Long story short...I've bee using
DPR7eix9 iridium for seven years.
They are great.

[Texas nomad]

Not to sound like an idiot... But how difficult is it to clean the throttle bodies? I've never worked on my mc other than plugs and oil. I don't want to mess something up... I can guarantee mine probably needs it!

[cnc]

Originally Posted by Texas nomad

Not to sound like an idiot... But how difficult is it to clean the throttle bodies? I've never worked on my mc other than plugs and oil. I don't want to mess something up... I can guarantee mine probably needs it!

Very simple. Buy a can of spray carb cleaner and get an old tooth brush. Remove the right side air cleaner cover. You will see the throat of the throttle body and probably see it is quite black inside. Spray a liberal amount of cleaner in the body open the butterfly as well. Use the brush to scrub all the black crap off. You can use a rag to wipe it out. And that's it. You may need to turn down the idle speed after as they generally idle better with a clean throttle body.

[Texas nomad]

Norm,

Thanks! I'll get to it this week when I change my oil.

[Caveman]

Originally Posted by Texas nomad

Norm,

Thanks! I'll get to it this week when I change my oil.

If you have a throttle lock, use it to lock the throttle open.. easier to clean around each butterfly. Make sure you release it before you put the cover back on, that way you won't redline the engine when you start it up.

[Navigator]

I failed to mention that when I cut the bars down I needed to replace the stock grips with an aftermarket set. One of our forum members suggested to me the Avons and they are superb. The grips are "textured" and thus very sticky, unlike the smooth stockers.

They readily accept the palm rest and also the throttle lock. I rode cross country with one of these and in the absence of a Throttliemeister or other expensive throttle lock, this $12.00 piece of kit works very well.

[Caveman]

Nice. The texture looks cool.

Originally Posted by Navigator

I failed to mention that when I cut the bars down I needed to replace the stock grips with an aftermarket set. One of our forum members suggested to me the Avons and they are superb. The grips are "textured" and thus very sticky, unlike the smooth stockers.

They readily accept the palm rest and also the throttle lock. I rode cross country with one of these and in the absence of a Throttliemeister or other expensive throttle lock, this $12.00 piece of kit works very well.

[Caveman]

Changed the final drive oil yesterday--- very easy & doesn't cost much. Mobile 1 Synthetic 75w-90.

[Navigator]

Originally Posted by Caveman

Changed the final drive oil yesterday--- very easy & doesn't cost much. Mobile 1 Synthetic 75w-90.

That's an extremely important one. I had a complete service with all fluids changed and new tires put on this spring. I'll be doing future services myself though with special attention to the final drive as I did on my BMW and Rocket III.

My good friend who introduced me to the Nomad, convincing me to buy one, did not and is now paying the price for a new final drive. It's odd because the guy is an excellent mechanic but just failed to do the proper maintenance on it.

I'll be switching to synthetics in this and my engine oil (Amsoil) next change.

[cnc]

Don't overfill the final drive guys. The method and amount of fluid that the manual calls for puts too much in there which can cause seals to leak. It was more or less determined on here that filling till it dribbles out when the bike is on it's side stand with a 2x4 under it is the correct amount.

[Caveman]

AGREED - this is exactly what I did. I also bought a foot of clear vinyl hose to fit on the spout of the oil container & it made it very easy to fill it up.

Originally Posted by cnc

Don't overfill the final drive guys. The method and amount of fluid that the manual calls for puts too much in there which can cause seals to leak. It was more or less determined on here that filling till it dribbles out when the bike is on it's side stand with a 2x4 under it is the correct amount.

[Caveman]

The oil I drained out of there was pretty nasty.. not sure when it was done last. I'll probably just do this with every oil change since it's so easy

Originally Posted by Navigator

That's an extremely important one. I had a complete service with all fluids changed and new tires put on this spring. I'll be doing future services myself though with special attention to the final drive as I did on my BMW and Rocket III.

My good friend who introduced me to the Nomad, convincing me to buy one, did not and is now paying the price for a new final drive. It's odd because the guy is an excellent mechanic but just failed to do the proper maintenance on it.

I'll be switching to synthetics in this and my engine oil (Amsoil) next change.