ok got things fixed up enough to take it for a 120 or so ride yeaterday and a few more questions
1) how much noise is ok when changing gears, I hear a clunck sound with every shift and the same when letting of the throttle and power back up ( non of the kzs I have make this much noise )
2) air shocks, checked the factory setting and no way that will work I think im at 20 in the front and 28 in the rear and it still seems a bit soft to me
took it out for a ride and more ?
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took it out for a ride and more ?
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Re: took it out for a ride and more ?
If your at 20 lbs on the front and it still feels soft, your fork springs are shot. Replace with Progressive only (0 to 10lbs air), don't bother with stock springs again. Rear should be about 38- 40 lbs if there is adequate oil in shocks.
Some clunking is normal with the Voyager and many other touring or big engine bikes, but there is a possibility that the drive shaft u-joint may be getting worn and loose. Only way to know for sure is to pull it and check, also check rear cush drive to make sure it is ok.
Some clunking is normal with the Voyager and many other touring or big engine bikes, but there is a possibility that the drive shaft u-joint may be getting worn and loose. Only way to know for sure is to pull it and check, also check rear cush drive to make sure it is ok.
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- vxiirider
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Re: took it out for a ride and more ?
If you aren't doing it already try shifting at 3000 rpm's that will help with the gears clunking also. That's where I try to change gears and the shift is pretty silent.
John Ramsay
Charlotte, Michigan
'02 GL 1800 Goldwing Trike
It's the journey, not the destination
Charlotte, Michigan
'02 GL 1800 Goldwing Trike
It's the journey, not the destination
- debron
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Re: took it out for a ride and more ?
Biker King is right, if you are running 20 lbs in the front, something is definitely wrong. Most run 7-10 lbs with stock springs. Change to Progressive springs. You'll love it!
40 lbs is the rear is pretty common and that's what I run, riding solo. However, assuming the shocks hold the air, the best thing you can do is change the oil in the shocks. Many here will swear that the best thing they did on their bikes was replace the rear shocks with Progressive shocks and got tremendous performance improvements. That's true because their stock shocks had the old, worn out stock oil. Japanese oil that came stock was low quality to begin with and is now 15 years old on your bike. I changed the oil in my rear shocks and got a great improvement in ride comfort and handling. My first XII had Progressive rear shocks and my "new" stock shocks handle just as well! I can't tell any difference.
The choice is yours, $250+ for Progressives or about $15 (for a good synthetic) to change the oil in your stock shocks. The advantages to the Progressives are it's a fast and easy swap, and no more air pressure checking (minor issue, imho.) The NorCal Voyagers sell a "how-to" DVD for $10 on changing the oil in the rear shocks.
40 lbs is the rear is pretty common and that's what I run, riding solo. However, assuming the shocks hold the air, the best thing you can do is change the oil in the shocks. Many here will swear that the best thing they did on their bikes was replace the rear shocks with Progressive shocks and got tremendous performance improvements. That's true because their stock shocks had the old, worn out stock oil. Japanese oil that came stock was low quality to begin with and is now 15 years old on your bike. I changed the oil in my rear shocks and got a great improvement in ride comfort and handling. My first XII had Progressive rear shocks and my "new" stock shocks handle just as well! I can't tell any difference.
The choice is yours, $250+ for Progressives or about $15 (for a good synthetic) to change the oil in your stock shocks. The advantages to the Progressives are it's a fast and easy swap, and no more air pressure checking (minor issue, imho.) The NorCal Voyagers sell a "how-to" DVD for $10 on changing the oil in the rear shocks.
Ron in Oregon
AVA Webmaster ("master" is optimistic!)
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1995 Voyager XII
AVA Webmaster ("master" is optimistic!)
AVA Board Member
1995 Voyager XII
- grumpin
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Re: took it out for a ride and more ?
I got this bike at the end of summer. This is the first bike I have owned, and maybe ridden (can't remember ) that did not have a chain drive. At first I was wondering what was going on, then attributed it to the shaft. I have to try the 3000 RPM shift. As far as the shocks and forks, charged mine per the book and it feels fine, actually stiff to me, however I don't think I'm good enough to know! Enjoy!
Dane
2000 Voyager
2000 Voyager
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Re: took it out for a ride and more ?
They can be clunky critters, trans has square cut gears, the good thing it is darn near bulletproof, once you get some seat time you will adjust to how it likes to be ridden, don't be afraid to wind her up a little, she loves that, but be careful, it is a lot faster than you may think, you can ask some of the local Harley riders around here about that.grumpin wrote:I got this bike at the end of summer. This is the first bike I have owned, and maybe ridden (can't remember ) that did not have a chain drive. At first I was wondering what was going on, then attributed it to the shaft. I have to try the 3000 RPM shift. As far as the shocks and forks, charged mine per the book and it feels fine, actually stiff to me, however I don't think I'm good enough to know! Enjoy!
Jim in Fl. 88 XII
89 XII-parts bike-scraped
01 XII-sold
07 Vulcan Nomad
Patriot Guard Rider, Florida.
Sunshine State Voyagers
Veterans Nation Riding Association
89 XII-parts bike-scraped
01 XII-sold
07 Vulcan Nomad
Patriot Guard Rider, Florida.
Sunshine State Voyagers
Veterans Nation Riding Association