Finally got her out on the 4 lane!

[faxxxy]

I finally got her out on the 4 lane!

I have had my bike for almost 3 weeks now and between bad weather and the shop keeping her for a week to fix an oil leak, I haven't gotten to ride.

I did just over 120 miles yesterday.
It was 75 degrees but very windy.

63 miles with a 30Mph tail wind = 37 Mpg

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the Peterbuilt like valve clatter of in town riding, but around 70 Mph this thing is smooth as glass and pure poetry in motion.
The power is smooth and it had no trouble at all pulling even the biggest hills. Curves, bumps, and rain grooves didn't seem to phase the bike much at all.
The seat is plenty comfy for a stock seat.
The fan ran regularly and that is concerning. I wouldn't expect to ever hear the fan come on in such cool weather.

The ride home..
63 miles 30 Mph headwind = 28 Mpg.

The headwind caused a hefty loss in gas mileage, but my friends 1900 strato-liner performed similarly.
The bike didn't get knocked around as bad as I would have expected it to, however it was directly into the wind and not a crosswind.

What I took away fromt his ride.

1. I need a throttle lock and a boss for my iso-grips.
2. I need to adjust my shifter. I can't get my boot under it and the heel shifter is so low it's unusable.
3. I need a cupholder.
4. I could have used an Ipod.
5. I need to find about a dozen rattles and buzzes.
6. I need to replace a badly scratched windshield. Looks like someone tried to clean it with a scotchbrite pad.
7. I need to do an inspection of the cooling system and find out why the fan runs so much.
8. I really would like about 2 more gallons in the fuel tank. A 100 mile range is severly limiting for any real distance riding.

Overall, this ride has made me much happier with the bike.

[strobe]

Glad you got to put a few miles on her, and leak free now I take it.

You get used to a lot of the little engine noises. They still worry me at times though, thinking there is a new one.

It took me a few rides to get used to the heel toe shifter on the Nomad. I had the same issue with not being able to get my boot under the toe shifter, but now would not change it, I got used to it and quite like the setup.

[ringadingh]

Nice to hear that the bike performed well. The mileage does vary a lot with speed and wind. Check the cam chain tensioners to see if they are rubbing yet. You may be due for extenders.
Check the fan system, it may be the sensor going bad or a partially stuck thermostat, or low coolant level etc. Gadgets page has some good troubleshooting info for this same problem I think.

[Netnorske]

Faxxxy,
The heel and toe shifters are on separate arms, so just adjust the heel shifter up a notch to put it right where you need it. Mine was low at first too, but after adjusting it you can bang the gears....

[oldbones]

I also got out this weekend. Started out for chuckster's, and
it was 31 deg. I had to stop for a coffee break !! Made it in
about 3 hr's ( 117miles ) Got one of his fames hitches, lunch
and headed back home. I cut the trip down to 2 hrs. Amazing
what 50+ deg. And 75-80 mph. will do. Thanks again to chuckster.

[cactusjack]

You should be able to go farther than 100 miles on a tank! If I'm out on the open road, I can get 160+ on a tank and did 180 once. I was sweating the last few miles to the gas station.

[strobe]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

You should be able to go farther than 100 miles on a tank! If I'm out on the open road, I can get 160+ on a tank and did 180 once. I was sweating the last few miles to the gas station.

Once that little fuel light comes on and you know there are no gas stations around it gets a bit more stressful hey....been there, hate that!

[ballast]

I just put on the Vista Cruise Control lock thingy. It worked pretty well today on my ride with Netnorske. Have a windshield on the way from Clearview windshields. Got the one with the little recurve at the top. Wish it would get here.

I agree about more distance. I get 120 out of mine regularly around town. When I open up on the highways my mpg goes up considerably. I don't know if you have a carb'd model, I suppose that could make a difference.

[faxxxy]

Originally Posted by yridehd

I don't know if you have a carb'd model, I suppose that could make a difference.

Yes it is a carb'd model. That is one factor.
I'm a big boy, the bike thinks it's riding two up all the time.

I have never switched to reserve, I just wait for the gas gauge to show empty and I run for fuel. It's only happened once, and I was able to get 3.5 gallons in it. I don't know what size tank it actually is. I've owned older bikes in the past that the reserve tank didn't work on so I am a little hesitant to run it dry.

[cheriann]

Glad you were able to get out in the open like that!!

Your tank only holds 3.5 gallon? My Vulcan 900 and hubby's Nomad hold a little over 5 gallons (5.3 I am told by hubby)

[schoeney]

Hey Faxxy-

I am with you...I need an ipod for the road! Is it legal to use earphones while riding?

Your mpg and fan issues don't sound normal. I would post these issues in the garage forum to get some of the good gearheads to give you a couple suggested fixes.

You might want to put your model year in your avatar or in your sig....might help us/them figure out suggestions/answers quicker.

Good luck!

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by schoeney

Hey Faxxy-

I am with you...I need an ipod for the road! Is it legal to use earphones while riding?

Your mpg and fan issues don't sound normal. I would post these issues in the garage forum to get some of the good gearheads to give you a couple suggested fixes.

You might want to put your model year in your avatar or in your sig....might help us/them figure out suggestions/answers quicker.

Good luck!

Washington state has no restrictions on helmet speakers.

http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/l...t.asp?state=wa

[faxxxy]

Originally Posted by schoeney

Hey Faxxy-
You might want to put your model year in your avatar or in your sig....

Not a bad idea at all.. Thanks!

[jd01]

Hey Faxxxy,
I have a 2001 burgundy carbed Nomad just like yours. That year carbed model's gas tank holds 4.2 gallons total. I think the last .9 gallon is reserve that you would have to switch over with the toggle under the left side of the tank when it starts sputtering, been there,done that! I can usually go about 120 miles before I have to hit reserve. I usually start looking for a gas station by then though. The fuel injected models get better gas mileage IMO.