That’s a helluva way to kick off an article, but it’s the truth and Nash Motorcycle Company is fine example. Four years ago three brothers, a wife, Jenna, and a couple of staffers, including Marlin, kicked of Nash Motorcycles in a high precipitation area of the U.S. They build up to 20 hot rod motorcycles a year and developed an extensive product line consisting of a line of handlebars, risers, forward controls, fill caps, and kicker pedals. “Hey it’s dry all summer,” Taber Nash, the boss, said putting a positive spin on Vancouver. “I’m a fair weather rider.”
They grew up behind a father in the landscaping business and learned work ethics and small business acumen. They lived in Southern California and Vancouver and worked on bikes and restored cars in High school. They had the opportunity to learn and live the entrepreneurial American dream. But they learned that bikes were where it’s at. “Hell, we can pack 20 bikes in a small garage,” Taber said.
Building bikes is more manageable, more fun, more creative, less cash, less tools, more sex and less equipment. Everything fits, so they went at it. And here are a couple of bikes they built over the last four years. They have no intention of becoming a production manufacturer, but they have the license to afford their customers Nash Motorcycle Company VIN numbers and ease of registration.
Bandit asked that we focus primarily on the Cooper bike. Mike Cooper, from Houston, bought a long stretched red Lardo bike by Nash, but when he flew to Seattle, to seal the deal, he fell in love with the Cooper and subsequently bought two more Nash Motorcycle Company bikes. He offers to haul Nash rides to various shows around the country and has turned into a life-long Nash Motorcycle Company team supporter and friend.
Natch, each one of their bikes sports some array of Nash Motorcycle Company products. The Cooper displays the classic laser cut forward controls, late-model cast Harley mags, Nash Apes, their fender, narrowed Harley fatbobs, the Nash Cigar kicker, and a classic Paughco frame with Nash VIN numbers and replica white-walls. Check out the chart below.
Taber, the Nash owner, we spoke to, is 27 years old, with his brothers who are 32 and 22. They all have the entrepreneurial spirit and have branched into other fields, as the Nash business stepped up and stood on its own. This last year aboard three Nash motorcycles the brothers and customers rode to the Smoke Out East in South Carolina. They finished their Nash AWOL bike the night before the run kicked off and rolled south into Southern California to hook up with other friends, then east to Phoenix and Houston to meet with a rider and their Sancho bike.
The Code of the West, the nature of the Chopper Creed enveloped them as they cut across fields and deserts heading east. Just 150 miles out of Salisbury, SC, with four riders in the pack, Austin blew a rear tire. The bike spun out of control and off the 84 freeway heading north. Austin dislodged himself from the bike as it left the asphalt and watched it spin and flip onto the grassy shoulder. Fortunately another Smoke Out fan arrived in a truck. They loaded the bike and arrived at the HORSE mag event, sponsored by Bikernet.com, on time. Every ride is an adventure.
Until the next cross country wild ride, XENTX Oil sponsors the Nash Motorcycle Company, in addition to Kronick Energy Drinks, and you can check out their bikes displayed in their booths at various events. We’ll keep you posted on new Nash Motorcycles and Products as they grow.
–Wrench
Cooper Model from Nash Motorcycles Spec Chart
Owner: Tracey Wellendorf
City/State: Carrol, Iowa
Builder: Nash Motorcycle Company
Web Site: www.nashmotorcycle.com
Phone: (360)693-4225
Fabrication:NMC
Manufacturing:NMC
Welding:NMC
Machining:NMC/Pacific Precision Machine
Engine
Year: 2006
Make: S & S
Model: Black
Displacement: 97-inch
Builder or Rebuilder: S & S
Cases: S & S
Case finish: Black wrinkle
Barrels: S & S
Bore: Bigger
Pistons: S & S
Barrel finish: Black Wrinkle
Lower end: S & S
Stroke: Stroked
Rods: S & S
Heads: S & S
Head finish: Black Wrinkle
Valves and springs: S & S
Pushrods: S & S
Cams: S & S
Lifters: S & S
Carburetion: S & S Super E
Other: NA
Transmission
Year: 2006
Make: RevTec
Gear configuration: 5-Speed
Final drive: Chain
Primary: 3-inch Open Belt
Clutch: BDL
Frame
Year: 2006
Make: Paughco
Style or Model: Rigid
Stretch: Little
Rake: 36 degrees
Modifications: Some
Front End
Make: Nash Motorcycle Company
Model: Black
Year: 2006
Length: Stock
Mods: Some
Sheet metal
Tanks: NMC
Fenders: NMC
Oil tank: Round
Paint
Sheet metal: Jeff Richards
Molding: Jeff Richards
Base coat: Cream
Graphics: Paul Cameau
Frame: Masic Industries
Molding: None
Base coat: None
Graphics or art: Paul Cameau
Special effects: None
Pinstriping: Paul Cameau
Wheels
Front
Make: H-D
Size: 16-inch
Brake calipers: H-D
Brake rotor(s): H-D
Tire: Avon
Rear
Make: H-D
Size: 16-inch
Brake calipers: H-D
Brake rotor: H-D
Tire: Avon
Controls
Foot controls: NMC
Finish: Powder
Master cylinder: HD
Brake lines: Goodyear
Handlebar controls: HD
Finish: Powder
Clutch Cable: Goodyear
Brake Lines: Goodyear
Shifting: Normal
Electrical
Ignition: S & S
Ignition switch: Key
Coils: Crane
Regulator: Spike
Charging: Spike
Wiring: Centech
Harness: Centech
Headlight: Old
Taillight: Old
Accessory lights: N/A
Electrical accessories: N/A
Switches: Hi Low Beam
Battery: Thunder Start
What's Left
Seat: NMC
Pipes: NMC
Mufflers: None
Exhaust finish: Black Wrap
Gas caps: H-D
Handlebars: 16-inch Copper Gimp Hangers by NMC
Grips: Old
Pegs: Slugger Pegs by NMC
Oil filter: Good One
Oil cooler: None
Oil lines: Hydrolic
Fuel filter: Good
Fuel Lines: Hose
Throttle: Internal
Throttle cables: V-Twin
Fasteners: Yeah
Specialty items:Seat and Seat Spring combination
