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JoBear's Home Page
   2000 Kawasaki Nomad Fi 1500cc
Two-tone Jet Black & Gamma Gray   (90 cu.in.)
This is my story regarding my motorcycle. For my next bike, I had narrowed my decision down to the Vulcan 1500cc for various reasons and was specifically interested in both the Drifter and the Nomad. I thought the blacked-out theme (lack of chrome) of the early model Drifters (1999-2000) looked really sharp. Though indifferent about the articulating rear fender action on the Drifter, I really liked the full valence front fender; much like that on the Indian Chief. I also liked the conventional rear suspension, windshield and hard saddlebags of the Nomad. I thought I'd prefer a blend of the two thus creating a touring style Drifter by utilizing the front-end of the Drifter and the rear suspension and saddlebags of the Nomad. Throw on a Road King headlight nacelle with a detachable touring outer fairing and it would be perfect for me. Well, since such a bike was never made, I decided to make my own. What you see here is my concept becoming a reality. Some have called it a Drifter-wanna-be. That's all good. Call it what you will but this is the concept I had envisioned. It's not a tribute to anything. It's just my bike. I ride about 12,000 miles per year so this bike is not for show; it's for me to ride.
 Harley Davidson components:
 • FLH 60-84 Road King Headlight Nacelle
 • FLHRS 04-07 Chrome Wind Deflector
 • FLHR 1995 complete Lightbar setup
 • Harley Davidson 2003 Oval mirrors

Kawasaki components:
 • VN1500-E6 2003 Vulcan Classic front-end
 • VN1500-J2 2000 Vulcan Drifter Front Brake rotor
 • VN1500-R3 2003 Vulcan Drifter Rear Brake lever
                                      with '48 Ford brake pad
Other Metric components:
 • 2005 Honda VTX 1300C rear shocks 12.0"

Aftermarket componets:
 • Detachable Fairing for FLHR Road King
 • 4X1 handlebar risers with antique style top clamp
 • F&S Tank Bra with pocket
    (Lt Air Filter Removed)
 • Signal Dynamics Dual LED License Frame
 • Doss WideTombstome LED Tail/Brake light
 • Rear LED turnsignal lights mounted in saddlebags
 • CoolSAC soft leather handlebar grips
 • Aeromach Seat Rail (no longer manufactured)
 • Stock Kawi Passenger Seat mates to
    for two-up riding conditions
    (rear seat and backrest are quick detachable)

Custom components:
 • 2000 Gilroy Indian motorcycle steel front fender
 • Saddlemen Gel Pad inserts in stock seats
 • Debaffled stock Kawasaki Nomad mufflers
 • 'Dutch By-Pass' from Motorshop de Mammoet

 • Gas tank expanded from stock 4.2 gallons
     to 6.8 gallons by Cycle Art Engineering
My family posing with the Nomad during the Headlight nacelle and front-end modification phase
I had to take a picture of this. The mileage of my bike just prior to riding up to Daytona for Bikeweek 2007

( To date, I have over 68,000 miles showing on the odometer )




This was my 1954 Chevy Pick-up I owned since 1981
 This was my daily commuter vehicle. In 2002, I sold the P/U and bought the motorcycle above as my daily commuter. I'm currently
looking for a 'running' 1954 or 1955 1st series Cherolet Suburban. Does not need to be all original but my wife says it must be in
running condition (hehe). The nose of the Suburban will look exactly like this truck. If you have a lead, contact me via e-mail
I completed quite a few modification over the 21 years I owned this truck. I persevered in retaining the stock 1954 Pick-up 3100 series
body, interior and gauges. Since this was my daily commuter, I added front disc brakes, power steering and a tilt steering column for
comfort. I graphed in a stock 1976 C-10 P/U 2WD IFS suspension, Engine, and Tranny. I also utilized a 1980 C-10 12-bolt P/U Rear-end.

 

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