AVA-Voyager 1700 Tech Tips

Engine Heat

Too much heat from your engine? A number of Vulcan Voyager 1700 owners swear by a radiator coolant called Engine Ice. They claim the engine runs noticeably cooler and that there is much less heat coming off the engine. Visit the Engine Ice website here.

Frayed Wire Insulation Under the Gas Tank

1700 Frayed Wire Repair Numerous 1700 owners have found that the wires that go into the bottom of the ignition tower rub against the gas tank or frame causing them to wear through the insulation which causes a dead short, causing the main 30 amp fuse to blow, completely shutting down all systems on your bike. This always happens when you're miles from nowhere, of course. To protect yourself, inspect these wires and wrap them in electrical tap, plastic loom, rubber, or what have you. It's usually the brown wire but wrap all of them.

The wires are located upper left front near the ignition switch. You need to take off trim, gently work off ignition trim (round piece that goes around lock). Pop seat and unbolt 2 bolts where the seat connects into the bracket up front by the bottom of the tank. You don't need to take the tank completely off, just move it enough to remove it from front rubber mounts and let it rest on the mounts while you go to work with electrical tape.

When putting tank back on round rubber mounts up front, pay attention to the rubber line that is on right front side. You don't want to get that caught up with the bracket that fits into the rubber mounts. Once lined up on rubber mounts (use flashlight to inspect both sides) gently apply pressure to the top of the tank and push down. Use a soft cloth across the tank so you don't scratch the tank. Also it would be a good time to put fresh coat of wax on before putting trim back on.

Kickstand

Does your 1700 lean over too far on the kickstand for you? A kickstand from a Vulcan VN1500 is a direct replacement and is about 2" longer than the stock 1700 stand. Just be careful when parking on slopes that lean the bike the wrong way! If the bike it too upright, wind could push it over!

Oil Level Checking Procedure

Voyager 1700 Oil Change Due to the semi-dry sump lubrication system on the Vulcan 1700 models there is a special oil level checking procedure. Using the chart below, let your bike idle for the time that roughly corresponds to air temperature. Next shut the engine off and allow it to sit for another few minutes.

After all of the oil is settled make sure your Vulcan 1700 is on level ground and off the kick stand. Remove the oil dipstick, clean it and re-install it, screwing it all the way down. Remove it again and take your oil level reading.

If you do not allow the unit to idle for a time or fully screw in the dipstick you may get a false oil level reading and overfill the engine with oil. Too much oil may result in the excess oil being pumped into the air cleaner and leaking onto the ground.

Click Here for Kawasaki's PDF Instructions

Voyager 1700 Oil Change Temp Table

Oil Screen Maintenance

The oil screens on 2010 and newer Voyager 1700s DO NOT NEED TO BE CHECKED unless some major mechanical malfunction happens...this is strait from Kawasaki themselves. -- Mike Pisarski

Quick Change Trunk

1700 Quick Change Trunk Want to create a "Vaquero" look to your 1700 Voyager? Or just like the streamlined look of a touring bike without the trunk? But still want to be able to put the trunk back on easily for that cross country trip? Here's how one AVA forum member did it.

Click Here for the pdf instructions.-- David McClister

Radio Antenna Option

If your 1700 has a CB and you like symmetry and a balanced look, consider replacing the stock radio antenna with a replacement auto one. You may also get better reception in the bargain. Go to AutoZone (or similar) and get a 31" black spiral replacement antenna for a vehicle. It will cost about $12.99. See installation instructions on the AVA Forum here.

Radio Reception

Poor radio reception may be due to a grounded antenna. The photo at right is the antenna mount and cable connector. Remove the connector A and check that the lower "washer" on the connector is connected to the cables middle conductor and the upper "washer" is connected to the cables shield. It gets grounded from the mounting bracket when the connector is installed... the ground source is from the bracket grounded to the frame. With an ohm meter make sure there is no continuity between the two washers.

If they check out OK there is a possibility the antenna being grounded can be explained if the connector at the antenna base was twisted and installed "upside down". Again, the washer connected to the cables shield should be facing up and contact the mounting bracker when installed.

Tire Removal (Rear)

If you follow the Kawasaki manual you have to remove the rear trunk, the chrome trim, the saddlebags, the saddlebag mounts and the muffler just to be able to get the rear axle out. Instead, just remove the saddlebags (3 bolts each) and rear shocks (2 nuts each), prop the rear wheel up and pull the axle out above the saddlebag mount. The right shock comes off easily, just remove the nuts and slide it sideways, the left side chrome trim needs to be loosened enough to pull it sideways to get the shock to clear the stud. Have the bike high enough to drop the wheel out the bottom, most lifts have a hinged rear section for doing this. -- Garry VanderEyk

Trunk Tray Removal

To remove the bottom tray from the trunk you need to remove four plastic locking pins. To remove them, push the center in about 1/4 inch which will release the locking mechanism. Then just lift under the top cap with your finger nails and they will come right out. To install, push the center pin out the top about 1/4" and insert into the hole. Then just push the center pin in flush with the top. -- Rod Westphal

American Voyager Association

Voyager 1700 Tech Tips

Click here to access Voyager 1700 Manuals