Kawasaki could have Built !!!!!

**vulcanscott** · 11-29-2020, 10:04 AM

Looking at the Indian Springfield . Is this not what the Nomad could have been had Kawasaki kept building it ? In Short I Want One !

111-116 CI. Low seat height and center of gravity . factory cams and tuning avail. aluminum frame ? shorter rake and Real Dealer support . 2 times the money used but might be 2 times the bike

ldhthept · 11-29-2020, 11:19 AM

Been drooling over the dark horse version since I saw it. Original Springfield has too much chrome for my liking but what a ride. 2019 and up have the rear cylinder shut off at idle since they are air cooled. Very nice bike but little aftermarket stuff available and Indian accessories are pricey.

**vulcanscott** · 11-29-2020, 11:30 AM

I am finding some already decked out for 14-16 . which is the way I would go to avoid customizing prices . kinda getting into the faze of life where I do not want to work on it .

Chuck A. · 11-29-2020, 12:05 PM

If they would just do something with that ugly front fender.

**vulcanscott** · 11-29-2020, 12:15 PM

Monkeyman · 11-29-2020, 01:06 PM

Had I stayed on 2 wheels, I would have seriously considered an Indian Challenger.

ldhthept · 11-29-2020, 02:23 PM

Yeah I found several used that would work and in that price range but they dont have the rear cylinder cut off and since I live in FL that is pretty importance to me. That valanced front fender can be changed, for a price! Just to add the sissy bar and pad is close to $1k.

**plumber63** · 11-29-2020, 03:58 PM

I would thought you would look at the Roadmaster. You added a trunk and a fairing to your Nomad as soon as you got it. Made me think you should have got a Voyager then.

I don't like windshields and the Roadmaster fairing is blah. The Challenger fairing is a lot better.
They do have a lot more features available compared to Kawasaki, hence the price 30-50% more. But air cooled on that big of a motor is a deal breaker.

They are all to small physically(like the Harleys) for me. At 6'4" and long arms and legs.

**vulcanscott** · 11-30-2020, 06:33 AM

Troy my 1st look was at the Roadmaster but I actually have the batwing back off the Nomad now . it is more of a travel thing . I like the old Classic Windshield and Chrome 50s Look . The Trunk is a Wife amenity . which can be made quick release but looks incomplete until I modify/slot it and the Nomad backrest both so I can swap chrome and all . I imagine that My Tight A$$ will stay with what I have anyway . Was just realizing How Much the Springfield looks like a Nomad especially when you solo the seat . Look at Those Lines !

ldhthept · 11-30-2020, 10:08 AM

If they would offer the Challenger Water cooled motor in the Springfield for a reasonable price I think that would be a hit.
Vulcanscott, I agree, hard to justify $15-20k for a toy. Ive got my eye on another Mean Streak!

andyvh1959 · 11-30-2020, 11:48 AM

Exactly. A Mean Streak is easy to find at reasonable cost these days. It would be easy to change things like the fenders and exhaust to give it a really unique look. Use a rear fender from other Vulcan models, add a front fender from maybe a Yamaha Star 1100. A Baron air intake and V&H exhaust or Freedom exhaust and it'd be a hot ride with great handling and brakes. Parts are easy to find and insurance would be far less expensive than a brand new Indian.

If you want floorboards, lots of parts available on ebay. Bags? Lots of options that mount on the Mean Streak. Even found factory hard bags on ebay just for the Mean Streak. Not as big as the Nomad bags but maybe you don't want real big bags. Best thing is you'd have a unique bike. Buy an Indian Springfield and you'll certainly see others just like it.

BrokeAss · 11-30-2020, 11:50 AM

I'd go for a 1700cc Drifter with hard bags. Nobody builds a reliable Indian like Kawasaki.

mbarr10 · 11-30-2020, 01:51 PM

BrokeAss, You may have something there.

ballbreaker · 11-30-2020, 07:34 PM

I was just thinking and wondering how we ever rode without synthetic oils, liquid cooled engines and rear cylinder shutoff in 80 - 90 degree weather in the good old days. LOL

andyvh1959 · 12-04-2020, 10:47 PM

Heck, wouldn't it be easy to take a Nomad, put the Drifter front fender on it, do a classic 50's Indian style paint job on it, and use the Nomad side opening bags to cover up the rear wheel like a Drifter rear fender would do anyway? Do a single muffler exhaust on the right side like was common on the Indian back in the 50's. Maybe do the painted front forks like was common on 50's Indian, with a bezel/cowl over the headlight. Wide whitewall tires and you have it all style wise.

11-29-2020, 10:04 AM	#1
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	Kawasaki could have Built !!!!! Looking at the Indian Springfield . Is this not what the Nomad could have been had Kawasaki kept building it ? In Short I Want One ! 111-116 CI. Low seat height and center of gravity . factory cams and tuning avail. aluminum frame ? shorter rake and Real Dealer support . 2 times the money used but might be 2 times the bike Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by vulcanscott; 11-29-2020 at 11:14 AM.
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11-29-2020, 12:05 PM	#4
Chuck A. Advanced Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Hartselle Alabama Posts: 989	If they would just do something with that ugly front fender. __________________ Have A Good One, Chuck Patriot Guard Riders Sons Of Liberty Riders Alabama Road Captain 2015 Voyager 2003 1500 NOMAD FI sold 6/19 VBA #2993 RUSSELL DAYLONG SEATS ROCK!! DAMMIT TOOL: Any handy tool that you grab and throw across the garage while yelling "DAMMIT" at the top of your lungs There is no substitute for laminar flow in which a helmet is the primary disturbance. SO MANY ROADS, SO LITTLE TIME.
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11-29-2020, 12:15 PM	#5
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-29-2020, 01:06 PM	#6
Monkeyman Top Contributor Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Wilkesboro, NC Posts: 6,289	Had I stayed on 2 wheels, I would have seriously considered an Indian Challenger. __________________ Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860
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11-29-2020, 03:58 PM	#8
plumber63 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 984	I would thought you would look at the Roadmaster. You added a trunk and a fairing to your Nomad as soon as you got it. Made me think you should have got a Voyager then. I don't like windshields and the Roadmaster fairing is blah. The Challenger fairing is a lot better. They do have a lot more features available compared to Kawasaki, hence the price 30-50% more. But air cooled on that big of a motor is a deal breaker. They are all to small physically(like the Harleys) for me. At 6'4" and long arms and legs. __________________ Troy Donat VBA #02401 2015 Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad black(sold) 2016 Salem, Antlers, 2017 Eureka Springs, Lake George, Antlers 2018 Custer NR, Antlers
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11-29-2020, 11:19 AM	#2
ldhthept Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 1,033	Been drooling over the dark horse version since I saw it. Original Springfield has too much chrome for my liking but what a ride. 2019 and up have the rear cylinder shut off at idle since they are air cooled. Very nice bike but little aftermarket stuff available and Indian accessories are pricey.
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11-29-2020, 11:30 AM	#3
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	I am finding some already decked out for 14-16 . which is the way I would go to avoid customizing prices . kinda getting into the faze of life where I do not want to work on it .
	0

11-29-2020, 02:23 PM	#7
ldhthept Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 1,033	Yeah I found several used that would work and in that price range but they dont have the rear cylinder cut off and since I live in FL that is pretty importance to me. That valanced front fender can be changed, for a price! Just to add the sissy bar and pad is close to $1k.
	0

11-30-2020, 06:33 AM	#9
vulcanscott Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: chandler okla Posts: 854	Troy my 1st look was at the Roadmaster but I actually have the batwing back off the Nomad now . it is more of a travel thing . I like the old Classic Windshield and Chrome 50s Look . The Trunk is a Wife amenity . which can be made quick release but looks incomplete until I modify/slot it and the Nomad backrest both so I can swap chrome and all . I imagine that My Tight A$$ will stay with what I have anyway . Was just realizing How Much the Springfield looks like a Nomad especially when you solo the seat . Look at Those Lines !
	0

11-30-2020, 10:08 AM	#10
ldhthept Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Tallahassee FL Posts: 1,033	If they would offer the Challenger Water cooled motor in the Springfield for a reasonable price I think that would be a hit. Vulcanscott, I agree, hard to justify $15-20k for a toy. Ive got my eye on another Mean Streak!
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11-30-2020, 11:48 AM	#11
andyvh1959 Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Green Bay WI Posts: 755	Exactly. A Mean Streak is easy to find at reasonable cost these days. It would be easy to change things like the fenders and exhaust to give it a really unique look. Use a rear fender from other Vulcan models, add a front fender from maybe a Yamaha Star 1100. A Baron air intake and V&H exhaust or Freedom exhaust and it'd be a hot ride with great handling and brakes. Parts are easy to find and insurance would be far less expensive than a brand new Indian. If you want floorboards, lots of parts available on ebay. Bags? Lots of options that mount on the Mean Streak. Even found factory hard bags on ebay just for the Mean Streak. Not as big as the Nomad bags but maybe you don't want real big bags. Best thing is you'd have a unique bike. Buy an Indian Springfield and you'll certainly see others just like it. __________________ My $1200 Vulcan, to start from.
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11-30-2020, 11:50 AM	#12
BrokeAss Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Ohio Posts: 296	I'd go for a 1700cc Drifter with hard bags. Nobody builds a reliable Indian like Kawasaki. __________________ '09 Nomad 1700 - Ivan's flash - Kuryakyn Alley Cat - V&H slip-ons - Triple hi/low beam H4 headlights - Desert Dawgs - Half the F&S Catalog
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11-30-2020, 01:51 PM	#13
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	BrokeAss, You may have something there. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
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11-30-2020, 07:34 PM	#14
ballbreaker Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: canada Posts: 487	I was just thinking and wondering how we ever rode without synthetic oils, liquid cooled engines and rear cylinder shutoff in 80 - 90 degree weather in the good old days. LOL
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12-04-2020, 10:47 PM	#15
andyvh1959 Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Green Bay WI Posts: 755	Heck, wouldn't it be easy to take a Nomad, put the Drifter front fender on it, do a classic 50's Indian style paint job on it, and use the Nomad side opening bags to cover up the rear wheel like a Drifter rear fender would do anyway? Do a single muffler exhaust on the right side like was common on the Indian back in the 50's. Maybe do the painted front forks like was common on 50's Indian, with a bezel/cowl over the headlight. Wide whitewall tires and you have it all style wise. __________________ My $1200 Vulcan, to start from.
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