Monkeymans mods

[Monkeyman]

I don't have a blog so I thought I'd start a thread chronicling the modifications I'll do to my Nomad. I can't leave anything alone. If a peanut butter sandwich could be modified, improved or altered, I'd do it. :)

The bike was purchased with a light bar (F&S?) and some "frugal" highway pegs (hate to say "cheap").

The first thing I absolutely had to do was remove the Vista Cruise. I'll add some Kuryakyn ISO grips and Throttle Bosses this winter.

Next, I removed the side reflectors from the license plate. I know reflectors are good but they just look...out of place. Eventually, I'll lay the plate down probably using Gadgets trick if I can buzz the reflector off and find a good way to light it up.

[Monkeyman]

Today, I started on solo'ing it out. I removed the back rest and rear seat. I hope a rear fender rack will hide those bolts.

I cleaned up all the hidden spots behind the bags and under the seat. When I remove the seat (for future mods), I'll clean there, too.

[2x18wheeler]

Monkeyman, good luck with the mods. I think it will be kind of neat to watch your progress over the next few months.

[mobandy78]

You'll like the solo set up. I did that to mine also!

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Always enjoy following mods on people's bikes. I don't do many but enjoy seeing and reading about what others are doing. Good luck with the mods.

[ringadingh]

If you removed the cold idle solenoids, that vista cruise would come in handy.

[macmac]

Here's how you mod a vista cruise, Note the engine is off the vista cruise is locked ON, other wise you wouldn't see it.

[cajun2wheels]

I really like the solo look.

[Monkeyman]

More info, Mac?

[crazygene49]

I took my rear seat off also. I installed a Mustang fender bib, because I already had saddlebag chaps installed. I'm plannining to buy a lay down tag holder from www.motosport.com.

[dholmer]

Monkeyman, whats wrong with the vista cruise and how much do you want for the highway pegs... In my case, something is better than nothing (even if they are frugal)...

[Monkeyman]

I just think the Vista Cruise looks ugly and out of place. I'll keep the highway pegs on for now. This winter I'll get a set of Kuryakyn pegs then these (as well as a bunch of other OEM stuff) will be up for grabs.

[Monkeyman]

Here's my new lay down plate. I bought mine off of eBay for less than $30. It's for a HD so it involved a bit of modification. I had to drill out the mounting holes in the plate as well as trim a bit off the bottom of the rubber stand off. It's a bit crooked as it needs a bit more grinding on the plate. (Doing it all with a Dremel and broke the bit.)

BTW, the bike has now tasted my blood. We are one.

[Loafer]

Blood Sisters... ;)

[Monkeyman]

The mods are small now due to lack of funds but the big projects will be this winter.

Todays mod is a grip change. I bought a used set of Avon grips from jp58 this week. (Great doing business with him.) Today I installed them. The official instructions said to wrap some sort of double sided sticky tape around the left bar then stick the grip to that. Per Mr. 58, I used some clear silicone. We'll see if it lasts.

I tried to remove the left end cap (per Mr. Gadget) so I could reuse them to cover the motor mount bolts but completely destroyed it (and cut a slit in my thumb aswell) so I'll just have to move on to plan B when I get around to covering them.

I followed the destructions off Mr. Gadgets site so I was able to keep my left grip more or less intact. I have no idea what I'll ever use it for but it went in the toolbox anyway. The wrist rest is a pain to mount without a LONG screwdriver but if you're good at making something out of nothing like me, you can do it. (I put a long phillips drill bit in a socket attached to a socket/screwdriver handle...bit wobbly but it worked as the screw is on the inside of the grip. I knew this set up before I bought the grips. Not as handy as the ISOs but doable.)

Anyway, the pics tell the story so here they are.






I'm letting the silicone cure for 24 hours in the closed garage on an 82 degree day so it should be as good as it'll get by tomorrow morning. If I can twist the grip off, I'll try something else.