Newbie introduction

[Muleears]

Hello, I have been in and out of motorcycles for over forty years, but haven't had one for about eight. If I'm in the wrong forum someone please tell me and I'll move this. Yesterday I bought a '02 Voyager with 20K for $1600. The bike isn't perfect. Condition wise it was quite nice, some minor rust on latches and nuts and so on, and a good size scuff on the right side plastics and windshield where the PO got a little to close to a brick wall. The bike started quickly but ran very rough, needed a lot of choke and took several minutes to start running on all four (it was about 30* and very cold the night before). The bike hadn't been ridden consistently for almost two years. Tires were replaced shortly before it was parked. I'm expecting to need all four carbs rebuilt, the tank cleaned, all fluids changed, new brake pads and I'll replace the windshield too (Cee Baileys). Lube all cables and pivot points. I think (hope) I'm still ok at the price I paid, even if I have to spend several hundred to a grand more to bring it up to snuff. Can you folks remind me what else I need to do?

As far as my introduction. I'm soon to be 54, married with kids all grown up and out of the house except when the youngest visits from college. Three grandkids. Active in the Patriot Guard. Hobbies include tinkering with my cars, and now my newest bike. I generally turn my own wrenches on the simple stuff. I look forward to being an active member of the forum, I'm a member of several auto forums also.

Thanks for letting me join!

[Dion]

Welcome I know you will enjoy the bike

[ekap1200]

Welcome aboard Cal, seems you got it for a very good price. We here are loaded with info in these machine's. Seems to have started good for you, with the 30 deg. temp.
These engine's need to see the enrichment at near full or full to start and then back off a bit until you achieve a stable idle. I would look closely at the fuel tank for rust and base my fuel filter changes on that issue. As for the carbs , there are bowl drains connected to a common drain hose. I drain mine often, but one at a time , starting the engine after each bowl is drained, there is a fuel pump on this bike. So if all bowls are drained at once the pump runs a bit longer to fill. It's a odd system of how the fuel pump works, Two different stages of powering it. when running it gets B- pulses from the ignition module. When starting if fires from the starting sys. There is also some members here that have manuals if none came with you bike. Just ask ..... Gene.

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Cal welcome!
As Gene stated check the fuel tank and filter. If they seem to be in good condition add two or three ounces of SeaFoam to every gallon of fuel in the tank and run the daylights out of it. Then follow the recommended one ounce per gallon at least every other tank full of fuel after that for a couple of cycles of fill ups.
As for the price, I'd give you that for it any day! These are well worth the money and yours would be a bargain at twice the price.
Read the forums here and ask questions, there are very few oddities about these bikes.
Enjoy and hope to see you around, don't be shy.

[Muleears]

Gee! I didn't expect such a rapid and information filled response! Thanks to you all. The fuel filters had slipped my mind, that's a very good point. I have an online manual, I'll try to memorize that! It's good to know that you all agree it was a good price. That makes me (and my wife) feel better about the investment. I do have a question that I have not found the answer to in the manual. How do you move the trunk and rear seat back to give the driver more room? I read somewhere that was possible. I don't have the bike here or I'd be searching for the bolt(s) that allow me to do this.

Thank you all again, I look forward to participation.

[gearheadfla]

Welcome in,
Another important tip is for the oil changes, the XII has 2 drain plugs and a filter, you MUST remove both plugs to drain all the old oil out, when refilling use 3qts, 22oz, no more, no less, forget the site glass, if you use more it can develop a lifter tap, it has hyd. lifters and does not require any adjustments at all, it can also develop a oil leak, most common from behind the waterpump/shifter area, 3qts, 22oz, is perfect, also NEVER ride with your saddle bag lids unlocked, if you do there is a good chance one of them will pass you along the road. Seafoam is a wonderful thing, I use it about every 6 or 7 fill ups. It stabilizes the fuel, protects your pump and carbs from the ethanol gas we are forced to use and helps keep everything clean, you have found Kawasaki's best kept secret, it will take you over 300k with a little simple TLC.
Under the trunk from the rear you will find a lever that releases the trunk slides, lots of time they can be a little hard to get to move, work with it a little and it should slide back, there are trunk extenders available to move the trunk back another 3 inches, that makes a lot more room for the copilot.
When you get a chance, post some pics, we are a simple bunch and LOVE pictures here, it don't take much to keep use entertained.

[ekap1200]

Only the rear seat and the tour pac move forward and back. your screwed on the front saddle , aside from having a custom one piece saddle made up. You must be a tall man, I am 6-2 and the seat is in a nice position for me, but about an inch too low. I just deal with it, and still find I can, if needed, do a 900 mile day without discomfort. Look under the trunk , from the back of the bike, and you will see the lever to move the trunk rear-ward and look on the side of the passenger saddle for its lever. There is also another trick ( trunk-extenders ) that will allow more room for the trunk to go back. I think there are a few people that manufacture these still. There are not many gremlins about this bike, if you read the forums you will come across all of them... Be good on PM's and this machine will last you, neglect it and it will leave you in grief, Money cures all issues, and don't take the manual's procedures as God's word all the time. The fuel filter swap can be done from the left side of the unit without removing the fuel tank. Gene Kap

[Muleears]

The PO tells me he just changed the oil and filter. He wasn't sure what oil he used but he said it was what was recommended in the manual..... I think I'll change it anyway . Have I seen people using Rotella T 15-40? Or was that for something else? I know I used it in my MB diesels. He also said he changed the clutch and brake fluids with DOT 3. Isn't this supposed to have DOT 4? It is at the shop right now being evaluated for the work it needs. I'm supposed to have a number later today.
Thank you again gentlemen!

[debron]

DOT3 will eat the rubber, or so I'm told! Also, changing the oil is a good idea. You don't know if the po drained both drain plugs. Rotella T 15w 40 is correct or 5w 40 if you use the T6 synthetic.

[Lance McCaw]

I am also a newbie to this site. just got a 1987 1200 in excellent shape with 48,000 mile. Everybody on here is very helpful with info. Enjoy your bike I know I am if this snow ever melts

[Muleears]

DOT3 will eat the rubber, or so I'm told! Also, changing the oil is a good idea. You don't know if the po drained both drain plugs. Rotella T 15w 40 is correct or 5w 40 if you use the T6 synthetic.

I guess I'll be changing brake/clutch fluid too then! Will I need to "flush" the DOT3 out with a solvent of some sort or can I just drain and refill with DOT4? I have a mighty-vac, can I just suck the new stuff through and displace the old? I know some brands of DOT4 are different colors, which would allow me to tell when completely flushed.

I will probably use the T6 synthetic, I use synthetic in all my other vehicles.

[kjsett]

DOT3 will eat the rubber, or so I'm told! Also, changing the oil is a good idea. You don't know if the po drained both drain plugs. Rotella T 15w 40 is correct or 5w 40 if you use the T6 synthetic.

I guess I'll be changing brake/clutch fluid too then! Will I need to "flush" the DOT3 out with a solvent of some sort or can I just drain and refill with DOT4? I have a mighty-vac, can I just suck the new stuff through and displace the old? I know some brands of DOT4 are different colors, which would allow me to tell when completely flushed.

I will probably use the T6 synthetic, I use synthetic in all my other vehicles.

Carl Leo (our XII Guru) recommends T6 and I have been using it in my Cummins for years and both my wife's bike (a Kaw Vulcan 800 - '96) and my '03 XII have been using it since 1st oil change.
Oil change is "TWO" drain plugs and the filter assy. I use Fram (the number escapes me at the moment) that I get at a local O'Reilly's Auto parts but be sure to check for both O rings (my first box didn't have them and I had to go get another during my 1st change) in the package. I believe Carl recommends 3 qts and "22oz" exactly for a change after draining. I just use the sight glass to see if something is there, but trust Carl as to that is the correct amount (as I believe everyone else here does also).
Course I am just repeating here what others have said before me. So read the posts and enjoy.
As to the seat, I found a almost new Corbin on Ebay ($800 value for $400), but if you need the comfort, and have the money, I believe that there are better seats. I rode mine for two days straight with the stock one and had to use pads to make those 12 hr rides (and not that comfortably). My Corbin takes 8 to 10 before it gets that way, not 2hrs (without the pads) with the stock one.
Got to get to work, enjoy.
Ken

[Chris near Kansas City]

I believe Carl recommends 3 qts and "22oz" exactly for a change after draining. I just use the sight glass to see if something is there, but trust Carl as to that is the correct amount (as I believe everyone else here does also).

That's the way I do it. With the 3 qrts 22oz, the oil ends up right in the middle of the sight glass.

[suzib6sw]

Cal, welcome from a fellow Virginian (well here by transplant from the mother-land

Mine runs rough till it warms up even with the sea foam if its not run regularly, but the seafoam should help..
Once summer comes, try a litte Marvel Mystery oil in the gas and alternate with seafoam..
Throttle response improves.. ..

Looks like you're a tad over 4 hours away from me here in Radford (Close to Roanoke on I81), but if you are over this direction, give me a yell..

Also welcome to our other newcomer Lance..

Cheers..

[Muleears]

Cal, welcome from a fellow Virginian (well here by transplant from the mother-land

Mine runs rough till it warms up even with the sea foam if its not run regularly, but the seafoam should help..
Once summer comes, try a litte Marvel Mystery oil in the gas and alternate with seafoam..
Throttle response improves.. ..

Looks like you're a tad over 4 hours away from me here in Radford (Close to Roanoke on I81), but if you are over this direction, give me a yell..

Also welcome to our other newcomer Lance..

Cheers..

Will do Pete. I just ordered a Cee Bailey windshield for it today. I added two inches in height and width, I'm a big boy... Ouch, spending hundreds and I haven't even ridden it yet!

[Lucasind]

.....welcome Muleears , I think i can speak for us all, that we're all glad/envious that you got your voy 12 for only 1600.$.... THE HUNDREDS UR SPENDING ON HER NOW , WILL MAKE UR 2014 RIDING SEASON WELL WORTH IT ! when ur done with ur bike, you might have less into urs , than many of us paid for ours , from the get ,go...................... cheers ..................tony

[Muleears]

I want to post a pic of the bike but I'm confused by the method. Do I need to include it as an attachment and if so where? Or do I use BBC code and if so how? I read the post at the top of the forum but it points me to contact an administrator. I hate to appear so ignorant but I've never posted a pic this way before. At the moment I only have one pic of it and it resides on my PC not the public domain. It's the same pic as the one in my avatar, just larger. Thanks for any help.

[debron]

I want to post a pic of the bike but I'm confused by the method. Do I need to include it as an attachment and if so where? Or do I use BBC code and if so how? I read the post at the top of the forum but it points me to contact an administrator. I hate to appear so ignorant but I've never posted a pic this way before. At the moment I only have one pic of it and it resides on my PC not the public domain. It's the same pic as the one in my avatar, just larger. Thanks for any help.

First, the photo size is limited to 800 px wide and 600 px high, max.
Second, the photo has to be hosted someplace on the web, such as a site like Photobucket or Tinypic.
Third, Get the URL address and copy and paste it between the Img tags in the edit window. Click on "Preview" to see if it worked!

Here's a sample:


Here's the result:


I use photobucket (free.) In photobucket, when you click on your photo, you will see a box on the right side "Links to share this photo." Click on "Direct" and the link will automatically be copied to your clipboard, then simply paste the link between the Img tags.

[Muleears]

I want to post a pic of the bike but I'm confused by the method. Do I need to include it as an attachment and if so where? Or do I use BBC code and if so how? I read the post at the top of the forum but it points me to contact an administrator. I hate to appear so ignorant but I've never posted a pic this way before. At the moment I only have one pic of it and it resides on my PC not the public domain. It's the same pic as the one in my avatar, just larger. Thanks for any help.

First, the photo size is limited to 800 px wide and 600 px high, max.
Second, the photo has to be hosted someplace on the web, such as a site like Photobuckek or Tinypic.
Third, Get the URL address and copy and paste it between the Img tags in the edit window. Click on "Preview" to see if it worked!

Here's a sample:


Here's the result:


I use photobucket (free.) In photobucket, when you click on your photo, you will see a box on the right side "Links to share this photo." Click on "Direct" and the link will automatically be copied to your clipboard, then simply paste the link between the Img tags.

Thanks Ron, I shall give it a go!
Ha! it worked. That, by the way is a pic of my new to me bike. It is actually a photo from Craigslist where I found it!