Jim's Moto muses

no longer have the Nomad but have other interests.

Shortly after selling the 2003 Nomad, I decided to share my life with Solita. We have quite a busy schedule and every day is an adventure. It's been nearly five years now and no regrets whatsoever.

I have known this lady for about thirty years, but only recently we decided to make it permanent. No paperwork, just an understanding and it seems to be working out marvelously so far.

You might ask...do I miss the motorcycle ? Well, not really. Of course from time to time I do reminisce about the old times, the gathering of friends, the rides, campfires and comradery. I have kept my membership active and once in awhile check in on the website to see what folks are up to and even manage to post sometimes.

In short I am happy.

Flickr Photo Download: dyno run 2009

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Rock Store Visit July 26 2008

Finally made it to The Rock Store in the hills above Santa Monica and Malibu. This popular is a weekend hangout for bikers from all walks of life including several Hollywood Celebrities, Jay Leno, Char, and the like. It is likely you will dind somebody on a Sunday morning if you look!

I met up with a the Los Angeles Vulcan Riders and Owners club (LAVROC). There were only eight of us today, but the club is quite active and usually plans rides every weekend.

Rock Store Visit July 2008

Finally made it to The Rock Store in the hills just above Malibu near Santa Monica. This quaint restaurant located in the Santa Monica Mountains is a weekend place where motorcyclists from all walks of life gather, often times including Hollywood Celebrities. Jay Leno is known to frequent this spot frequently on Sunday Mornings.

I met up with a group of guys from The Los Angeles Vulcan Riders and Owners Club (LAVROC). There were only eight of us this time. The club is quite active and usually organize some sort of ride each weekend.

Cooks Corner Revisited

It has been awhile since I have visited Cooks Corner in El Toro near Lake Forrest. I rode the Ortega Highway and then over Antonio Parkway down through Trabuco Canyon and Live Oak. On the way I had to stop for a deer in the road. It was odd seeing it at that time of the day but it was quite overcast and that section of road goes through a wooded area. The animal just stood there and looked at me before jumping off into the woods and flanked me. For a moment there I thought it would jump back in front of me. I wish I had the presence of mind to take a photo.

Cooks Corner is a biker hangout on weekends with hundreds of bikes. Most Harleys but you will see a mix of other makes and models. They have a decent barabecue on weekends as well.

Four way flasher video

First attempt at adding a video. I have a new digital camera to replace the one that was stolen from my motorcycle. (my bad).

New Mufflers.

These new mufflers were obtained by going to a local Harley Davidson Dealer and inquiring as to what happens to old parts when someone has new after market installed. He told me they are kept in a discard bin for ten days and then thrown out! These were practically new and did not cost me one cent!

Start by taking a piece of flat bar about 11 inches x 1.25 inches and drilling holes to match the muffler brackets.

Bolt on to the new mufflers.

After slipping on to the headers, mark holes for drilling to fit the existing brackets and you have a NEW SOUND!

A bit of Nostalgia - Fender Lighting

Not all that bright but adds a little "difference".

A frontal view.

and from the side..
Kind of "retro" Looking.
It seems like there is no end to little projects. I added this fender light after seeing one similar in a profile. I could have used an "Indian replica", but went with this one instead. I was a bit nervous about drilling holes in the fender as you only get one shot at it and then you are committed. The wires are secured beneath the fender by imbedding in a bead of silicon adhesive.

LED LIGHT STRIP

This is with only tail/running lights. Note, the LED Strip is a single intensity bulb array but the addition of a diode circuit allows it to function as dual intensity. When the brakes are applied, it is twice as bright!

With Brakes

Later on, I modified the LED strip by replacing the existing strip with two smaller ones on the ends and a 9.5 inch in the middle. The middle strip is connected to the run/brake lines via a diode bridge circuit. All three LED strips are housed in the original plastic housing.

Still Later, I used the same concept and placed a flexible LED strip inside the OEM turn signal housings, powered them from the same Diode Bridge Source, and now have run/turn/brake functions from the turn signal housings.

trunk mountings

These are a few photos of how the quick release bracket fits on the mounting rack. Note I used 4 inch strap hinges in the front to position the bracket forward. The underside of the trunk shows the fittings that slide into the bracket.

Rifle Bronze Tinted Shield

Took a little ride today and went past the Old Hideout on Highway 76 ner Lake Henshaw. Its been closed for awhile, but I would not be surprized to see it spring to life again. It was a weekly hangout for local bikers and a strange combination of cruizers and sport bikes.

Its in the details

Kurakyn shift peg and rear pad covers. The rear is actually a harley brake pad cover.

Kuraykyn Brake Pedal pad cover. A little more area than stock/

Custom air intake using Automotive K&N Filter, 8.5% increase in Horse Power for under $20 and did NOT require any after market fuel module! (flash drowns out red color of filter).

These are the Large Kurakyn Silver Bullets mounted to the existing turn signal light bar. They complement the J&P 60/55W spots also shown.

Mustang Tank Bib and Kuryakyn ISO Grips

Took 1/4 inch chrome automotive trim around turn signal lenses for a finished look

Here is a Kuryakyn Horn cover that is inverted for a different look.

This was made possible after completely removing the stock air filter and cross over tube re-routing the hose from the clean air cannister purge to the other side up into the now new air cleaner (Caddman Mod).

Here is the crankcase breather I added in March 2009. The crankcase is now vented directly to the outside air instead of being fed back into the air intake system. Hopefully, this will prevent carbon/sludge buildup caused by excessive "blow-by".

The Hunt Shunt

Ut oh, no head lights!

Removal of right side cover, below seat

Junction box revealed.

Determined that there was (1) no power to headlight circuit and then (2) alternate power source

Ran a short jumper between unused terminal and the one feeding the headlight circuit.

Voila! Let there be light. But they come on as soon ignition comes on..

These were shot in and around the famous Hotel Del Coronado where legend has it that many ghosts of a by-gone era reside. And San Diego sky line as seen from the island.

Like this!

a little closer look. I need to get rid of the yoke.

While waiting for bags to be painted, I added these convertible soft bag using the hardware for the OEM hard bags.