Forward controls on 1500 Nomad?

[id-man]

I am having a problem...it's a good problem but a problem all the same. You see I spent all last riding season getting my '04 1500FI set up so it fit me great - as a SOLO rider. This involved removing my passenger pillion and moving the driver's seat back on the rear fender several inches. Moving the seat back also forced it to raise up quite a bit. That looked a little funny if you looked closely (pic below), but it gave me so much more leg room I was resigned to making it permanent by crafting a custom seat from the seat-pan up.

Then the unexpected happened...I met a lovely woman who turned my world upside down in a wonderful way. The trouble is she loves to ride - I know, what a bummer huh?! So off comes all the fancy spacers under my saddle and back on goes the pillion, and away we go. Cool. Except now my ergonomics are way off again. I feel all cramped up in a tight little cockpit with my elbows tucked in and legs bent up. I really need to stretch out.

A custom seat could still accomplish that - one that moves the pillion back further on the rear fender so I can move the rider's butt back also...that'd give me more reach in both arms and legs kinda like what I had with my Rube Goldberg setup below.

But the other way would be to keep my seat in the stock position and get my reach through new handlebars moving my front floorboards forward a couple inches. I have not been able to find one post where anyone has repositioned their front controls, nor found any aftermarket kits for such - is it possible or am I doomed to riding hunched up?



And not to leave out the reason for all my joy, meet the lovely Bonnie.

[HwyRider]

Not sure if these would work for you.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Kawasak...item3f3213787b

I'll have to get down to meet Bonnie.

[Loafer]

Compatible with 6 Classic models. Some measuring needs to be done before
dropping $250. Good idea though. Moving the floorboards and controls can be
done with brackets, try a local machine shop. A rider working at one in my area
was very helpful a few years ago, and he didn't charge me much. Check your area.

[danimal2]

Originally Posted by HwyRider

Not sure if these would work for you.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Kawasak...item3f3213787b

I'll have to get down to meet Bonnie.

When you plug in his bike year make and model it says it's not compatible. I've seen times when these compatibility charts were wrong though. Gotta think there would be some way to modifiy it but $250 is quite a bit on a gamble. Hope you're able to work something out.

Times like these make me glad I've got real short legs.

Congrats on finding a nice lady that shares a love for your hobby.

[davidhollinger]

I have the same problem. I am actually more comfortable with the driver backrest off when riding locally as I can stretch back on the seat. 36" inseam doesnt go well with the Nomad's design. My wife likes to ride also so the solo look didnt last long...actually hurt her feelings when she walked out and saw it. So much for comfort..another win for companionship though.

[id-man]

Companionship rules!
Thanks for the link HwyRider, man those are rough but I'll compare them to what I can see on my stock mounts..if they'll bolt on at least it's an easy way to find out if they'll do the trick without spending lots more. I took a look at Jardine's offerings and they seem to have discontinued forward controls for 'Nomad 1500...maybe just as well because what I was seeing new was over $700. I do happen to be friendly with a local machine shop, maybe crafting some sort of extension brackets on my own could be a possibility. I was already thinking of asking him to extend my brake pedal anyway. Either that or go back to my original idea of modding the seat. Any other input?

[HwyRider]

Unless you can have someone make something like the item in this thread a sidecar would be your best bet for carrying a passenger.

[HwyRider]

Forgot the link.

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=37563

[markclark57]

One more option . . . Get Bonnie her own motorcycle.

[HwyRider]

Looking at the brackets a machine shop should be able to make you a new set of brackets pretty cheap. This one on eBay shows the brackets with the controls bolted to them.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAWASAKI-VUL...5c1c81&vxp=mtr

[HwyRider]

If you have a decent drill press and access to a piece of ⅜" steel you could make your own extender looking at that set up. Just cut a piece of steel that will place the footboards and controls as far forward as you need them and drill 2 holes for the steel to bolt in to the original spots. You would probably need some threaded rod to extend the brake linkage and shifter linkage. It may be more complicated than that but not from looking at the pics.

The extender plate would only stick out ⅜" from the side of the bike and would probably not be noticeable when painted black.

[xlock]

You can always just position your highway pegs to allow for braking and shifting with your heel from the pegs. I'm 6'4 with a 35" inseam and I ride like this 99.5% of the time. I seem to remember a thread a while back that others chimed in on stating they ride in a similar manner.

[id-man]

Originally Posted by xlock

You can always just position your highway pegs to allow for braking and shifting with your heel from the pegs.

I've heard of that before. Lots of interesting ideas here folks, I appreciate them. You've got me thinking in new ways. I'm definitely going to take a hard look at extending my own linkages. The floorboards shouldn't be too hard, nor the brake for that matter (as I was always considering lengthening it anyways). I never looked at the shift linkage too close, I guess it's time.

[HwyRider]

The shifter linkage is just a piece of rod threaded on each end.

[id-man]

Man you're a fountain of knowledge dude! Wanna come work on it with me?> Hehe.
I should have time to dig into it over the weekend. I'll give a report.