Got a few things for the bike

Jim O · 11-12-2013, 06:21 PM

Well, my Nomad now has double the miles of when I bought it a couple months ago and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. I recently purchased chaps for the highway bars (from Airlite.com) and they arrived today. It's getting colder now and I'm hoping it makes my ride more comfortable. I also bought and installed a headlight modulator from Signal Dynamics. It was plug-n-play so no wires to splice. The brake light modulator will take a single wire cut and I will do that this weekend.

Next, I want to get 1" risers for the handle bars, a nice fairing that will hold a radio and speakers, pegs for the highway bars, and a luggage rack. I'll wrap it up with a Mustang seat w/ driver back rest...when I can print some more money.

Loafer · 11-12-2013, 08:26 PM

It is always nice getting something new for the bike and your eyes.
Don't end up like Hoss on the TV show Pawn Stars and have your credit card cut in half.

hullster · 11-12-2013, 09:21 PM

And if you do just use your wifes....

Jim O · 11-13-2013, 06:55 PM

Thanks guys...I'll keep those valuable tips in mind!

Bud2rat · 11-13-2013, 07:33 PM

Hey Jim, Hope all is well with you. And yes it is getting cold. I've only rode my bike twice since last seeing you. Stay in touch, maybe we can get together sometime over the holidays and ride, weather permitting.

Jim O · 11-13-2013, 09:01 PM

Hey Robert! Last week I rode an hour to work in the mid-thirties. I don't quite have the gear to make that kind of commitment, so I bought the lowers hoping they will block some of the wind. I had long-johns, pants, and leather on my legs, and they still got cold. Toes got colder. All in all though, it was no where near the worst ride I've done so I'm betting the lowers are going to help quite a lot! I'll find out later this week...and I'll keep in touch.

0vationdave · 11-13-2013, 09:16 PM

I have been thinking about the lower chaps as well, so please post the results after you install and take a ride or two!

thanks,
Dave

Jim O · 11-22-2013, 08:48 PM

Dave...I wanted to let you know that I believe the chaps are helping quite a lot! Keeps engine heat near my feet, so toes stay warmer. Also, blocks a LOT of the wind that drove that cold air into my legs. Now most of the wind is on my knees. I recommend the chaps to anyone who thinks they could use some help battling the cold weather. I also believe it will help a lot when it rains but I've not had an opportunity to test that theory out just yet. Any day now, I'm sure.

**cnc** · 11-22-2013, 09:08 PM

They really help in the rain, most times my boots are dry. I used to have rain over boots, I never bother with them anymore.

HeyJoe · 11-22-2013, 10:22 PM

Hey Sunday looks good for you. It's only about 28 F but sunny. If you layer on, including gloves and socks, you're good to go for about 30-40 minutes without your hands and feet going numb. Weather in your part of the country today looks absolutely fantastic! Wish we had that up here. 59F? Would welcome 59F with open arms right about now :). I Might get lucky and have one more warm(er) day before the bike is put to bed for the season.

Jim O · 11-23-2013, 08:06 AM

Hey, HeyJoe...you are right. It's raining today (Saturday) but some of your air is headed our way tomorrow and it should be much colder. I will absolutely test out the chaps then! I can layer socks but I am not sure about the gloves. However, last year I bought some mittens that are amazing at keeping my hands warm. I do not like the loss of dexterity, but I can operate all of my controls with them on so it's worth the warmth. The biggest problem I had was when someone cut me off, I flipped them the bird and it looked like a wave.

gcsteve · 11-23-2013, 08:40 AM

I put lower chaps on also this year. Rode in 40º weather and my feet are hot. Just put the Reckless fairing on, that gives more wind protection. Also protects my fingers more however not enough. Mittens with hand warmers sound like a good idea. I may do some heated gloves. My over sized lowers keep it off my legs too.

Jim O · 11-23-2013, 08:59 AM

Got a good picture of those lowers?

gcsteve · 11-23-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim O

Got a good picture of those lowers?

I made them out out of plexi glass. Sprayed the back with stained glass paint. These are the lowers before fairing. These are best pics I have for now.

Jim O · 11-23-2013, 05:22 PM

Very nice work! I just removed my windshield so I could lower the bottom part and make the windshield higher. Turns out I now have one frozen nut that I'm going to have to break off or cut of...which means I will need at least one new bolt, washer, and nut. I guess you can order them from Kawasaki but I will google other vendors.

11-12-2013, 06:21 PM	#1
Jim O Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Red Springs, NC Posts: 56	Got a few things for the bike Well, my Nomad now has double the miles of when I bought it a couple months ago and I'm enjoying the heck out of it. I recently purchased chaps for the highway bars (from Airlite.com) and they arrived today. It's getting colder now and I'm hoping it makes my ride more comfortable. I also bought and installed a headlight modulator from Signal Dynamics. It was plug-n-play so no wires to splice. The brake light modulator will take a single wire cut and I will do that this weekend. Next, I want to get 1" risers for the handle bars, a nice fairing that will hold a radio and speakers, pegs for the highway bars, and a luggage rack. I'll wrap it up with a Mustang seat w/ driver back rest...when I can print some more money. __________________ Jim - 07 Vulcan Nomad Red Springs, N.C. VBA #02496 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-12-2013, 08:26 PM	#2
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	It is always nice getting something new for the bike and your eyes. Don't end up like Hoss on the TV show Pawn Stars and have your credit card cut in half. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
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11-13-2013, 06:55 PM	#4
Jim O Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Red Springs, NC Posts: 56	Thanks guys...I'll keep those valuable tips in mind! __________________ Jim - 07 Vulcan Nomad Red Springs, N.C. VBA #02496
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11-13-2013, 07:33 PM	#5
Bud2rat Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: St. Pauls, NC Posts: 2,089	Hey Jim, Hope all is well with you. And yes it is getting cold. I've only rode my bike twice since last seeing you. Stay in touch, maybe we can get together sometime over the holidays and ride, weather permitting. __________________ Robert Torrey VBA# 02077 Vroc# 27672 1996 800A Customized (SOLD) 2001 1500 Nomad (The Mistress) 2013 Voyager 2014 SE Rally - Elkins, WV 2016 SE Rally - Helen, Ga Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-13-2013, 09:01 PM	#6
Jim O Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Red Springs, NC Posts: 56	Hey Robert! Last week I rode an hour to work in the mid-thirties. I don't quite have the gear to make that kind of commitment, so I bought the lowers hoping they will block some of the wind. I had long-johns, pants, and leather on my legs, and they still got cold. Toes got colder. All in all though, it was no where near the worst ride I've done so I'm betting the lowers are going to help quite a lot! I'll find out later this week...and I'll keep in touch. __________________ Jim - 07 Vulcan Nomad Red Springs, N.C. VBA #02496
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11-12-2013, 09:21 PM	#3
hullster Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: central florida Posts: 154	And if you do just use your wifes....
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11-13-2013, 09:16 PM	#7
0vationdave Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Linden, Mi. Posts: 509	I have been thinking about the lower chaps as well, so please post the results after you install and take a ride or two! thanks, Dave __________________ 2012 Lime Green Vaquero. Because chicks dig green Rockford Fosgate Punch PBR300X2 Amplifier Polk-Audio DB521 Speakers Rockford Fosgate Punch PEQ Equalizer Garmin Nuvi 4555 GPS Unit Kawasaki Aux Light Kit Ipod Kit w/4th Gen Ipod Laam Custom Seat w/modified Backrest Avon Grips w/RACNRAY's mod Aluminum Mirror Risers Clearview Large Windshield Chuckster Trailer Hitch 12v accessory plug VROC Member #36236 "I have not failed, I just found 10,000 ways that won't work" - Thomas A. Edison
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11-22-2013, 08:48 PM	#8
Jim O Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Red Springs, NC Posts: 56	Hey Dave... Dave...I wanted to let you know that I believe the chaps are helping quite a lot! Keeps engine heat near my feet, so toes stay warmer. Also, blocks a LOT of the wind that drove that cold air into my legs. Now most of the wind is on my knees. I recommend the chaps to anyone who thinks they could use some help battling the cold weather. I also believe it will help a lot when it rains but I've not had an opportunity to test that theory out just yet. Any day now, I'm sure. __________________ Jim - 07 Vulcan Nomad Red Springs, N.C. VBA #02496
	0

11-22-2013, 09:08 PM	#9
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	They really help in the rain, most times my boots are dry. I used to have rain over boots, I never bother with them anymore. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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11-22-2013, 10:22 PM	#10
HeyJoe Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Ottawa Ontario Posts: 78	Hey Sunday looks good for you. It's only about 28 F but sunny. If you layer on, including gloves and socks, you're good to go for about 30-40 minutes without your hands and feet going numb. Weather in your part of the country today looks absolutely fantastic! Wish we had that up here. 59F? Would welcome 59F with open arms right about now :). I Might get lucky and have one more warm(er) day before the bike is put to bed for the season.
	0

11-23-2013, 08:06 AM	#11
Jim O Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Red Springs, NC Posts: 56	Hey, HeyJoe...you are right. It's raining today (Saturday) but some of your air is headed our way tomorrow and it should be much colder. I will absolutely test out the chaps then! I can layer socks but I am not sure about the gloves. However, last year I bought some mittens that are amazing at keeping my hands warm. I do not like the loss of dexterity, but I can operate all of my controls with them on so it's worth the warmth. The biggest problem I had was when someone cut me off, I flipped them the bird and it looked like a wave. __________________ Jim - 07 Vulcan Nomad Red Springs, N.C. VBA #02496
	0

11-23-2013, 08:59 AM	#13
Jim O Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Red Springs, NC Posts: 56	Got a good picture of those lowers? __________________ Jim - 07 Vulcan Nomad Red Springs, N.C. VBA #02496
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11-23-2013, 05:22 PM	#15
Jim O Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Red Springs, NC Posts: 56	Very nice work! I just removed my windshield so I could lower the bottom part and make the windshield higher. Turns out I now have one frozen nut that I'm going to have to break off or cut of...which means I will need at least one new bolt, washer, and nut. I guess you can order them from Kawasaki but I will google other vendors. __________________ Jim - 07 Vulcan Nomad Red Springs, N.C. VBA #02496
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