2000 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad Fi 1500cc
Color is 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Marina Blue

(stock engine, frame, rake and trail on the front-end)

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 rear suspension, wind protection 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 windshield and it would be the bike 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, although, I recently decided to change it a bit by installing a Harley Fatboy front-end and a Doss teardrop headlight nacelle. Some have called it a Drifter-wanna-be or while others called it a Harley-wanna-be. It's all good. Call it what you will but I just call it my bike. This was the concept I had envisioned. I did not build it to show or impress anyone. I built it for me and to ride (and ride I do; I average over 12,000 miles per year on a motorcycle).

Before - This is my bike when I purchased it used in late 2002

After - This is current look as of March 2011

Other Kawasaki components:
• VN1500-R3 2003 Vulcan Drifter
   Rear Brake lever with '48 Ford brake pad

Other Metric components:
• 2005 Honda VTX 1300C rear shocks 12.0"

Harley Davidson components:
• FLST 2006 Fatboy front-end
• FLHR 1995 front turnsignals and spotlights
• Harley Davidson 2003 Oval mirrors

Aftermarket components:
• 99-01 Gilroy Indian motorcycle steel front fender
• Rick Doss teardrop Headlight Nacelle
• 99-03 Gilroy Indian Chief front lightbar
• Wild 1 Chubby (1 1/4") R.K. 16" PB Handlebars
• F&S Tank Bra with pocket
• Thunder Mfg Air Filter on Rt
(Lt Air Filter Removed)
• Thunder Mfg Dash-mount Ignition Switch
• Cycle Visions LED License Plate Frame
• Doss WideTombstome LED Tail/Brake light
• ’39 Ford Teardrop LED tail/brake/turnsignals
   mounted in saddlebags
• CoolSAC soft leather handlebar grips
• Aeromach Seat Rail (no longer manufactured)
• Stock Kawi Passenger Seat mates to
  Custom World Int'l solo rack and
Jardine Ultimate Adjustable Backrest
for two-up riding conditions
(rear seat and backrest are quick detachable)

Custom components:
• wing84 receiver Trailer hitch
• 'Dutch By-Pass' from Motorshop de Mammoet
• Gas tank expanded from stock 4.2 gallons
   to 6.8 gallons by Cycle Art Engineering

My concept was simple - a blend between a Kawasaki Nomad and a Kawasaki Drifter

The Super Chief was a Cobra concept bike by Denny Berg - This was my inspiration

This was taken 11/19/06 and shows my progress of installing a Harley Road King headlight nacelle and a 2003 Vulcan Classic front-end

This was taken 2/24/09 and shows my progress of installing a Doss teardrop headlight nacelle and a 2006 Harley Fatboy front-end

Here you can see changes I've made over time and the transformation

Image:

Adding another bike to the stable :-)

After owning the Nomad for nine years, the time had come to move on to another bike so the Kawasaki was sold. I had been admiring the BMW R1200C ever since it was featured in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. In 2003, BMW made a touring version of this bike; the R1200CL. The one thing that I thought would make the CL model look more appealing to my eye would be to remove the side panniers on the gas tank thus allowing the unique styling of the original R1200C to be seen. As luck would have it, one became available on eBay and I had the winning bid. Now to make the bike mine and put some miles (and smiles) on it :-)

2003 BMW R1200CL

Image:

In an effort to venture into the cruiser market, the R1200C was a motorcycle manufactured from 1997 to 2004 by BMW Motorrad. This R-series motorcycle featured the classic BMW 2-cylinder fuel-injected boxer engine, a Telelever front suspension and a single sided Monolever swingarm rear suspension. BMW first released the R1200C with an advance promotional placement of the motorcycle in the 1997 James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. It was also seen in the Austin Powers film Goldmember.

The touring version, the R1200CL, was launched in 2002 followed by the R1200CLC. This variation came standard with a fork mounted fairing, integral three-piece luggage with the removable top case incorporating a passenger backrest, driver floorboards, tachometer, clock, ABS braking system, cruise control, heated hand grips, exhaust pipe heat guards and a six-speed gear box. The CLC Option included an AM/FM/CD radio and heated front/rear seats. The fairing was unique in that the standard windscreen was "M" shaped and there were four lights, two standard beams on either side of two high beams.

Bike rides and events over the years

Image:

Kawasaki Drifter Promo Ad

BMW R1200C Promo Ad

My motorcycle tour of Arizona in 2008

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