Carl Leo Surgery

[gearheadfla]

I know all about the meds making you tired, I also have been going through some heart issues lately, not NEAR what Carl is dealing with, I have had A-Fib issues with a heart rate around 200, Cardo Doc put me on meds to keep my rate in the 50's. That KICKED MY A** until he got me adjusted, at noon everyday I was DONE. I'm doing a lot better now and back to work full time. So Carl, hang tough and you will be up and running soon, Lori sends her love and has a special hug saved for you the next time we see you.

[96desertXII]

Fast recovery Carl

[JHD]

Carl has been patiently helping me through my starter chain tensioner replacement project that I started two weekends ago. Last week I pm'd him about sending my carbs out to him for a rebuild, mailed them off and then took my wife on vacation for her birthday. When I returned home I see that I have a voice mail and when playing it back I am completely shocked to hear Carl's wife Cheryl tell me that Carl had just had heart surgery and that my carb set had been received and to call her about carbs. Well the first thing that went through my mind was who cares about my carb set. Well even though he had just had surgery Carl still cared enough to have his wife call me to talk about it. Well all I care about is his full recovery so he can keep doing the things in life that he enjoys.

So Carl, if you get a chance to read this post I just want you to know that your full recovery is the only thing of importance. I know that a guy like yourself will try to push things anyway and knowing myself I would probably do the same. But like it or not, following your doctors orders to the T will most likely be best. I am glad to hear that your surgery went well and we can talk carbs down the road when you are back to 100%.

Prayers for a speedy recovery go out to you.

Brad & Marcela Rice

So an update to this original post.

Carl contacted me last week about my carb set (I knew it wouldn't take him long to jump back in). We had a short conversation about how he was very weak and under strict restrictions on how much weight he can lift (< 5lbs) and so on. He has quit smoking (cold turkey) and is bored out of his mind because the meds they have him on make it impossible to concentrate doing the simplest things like watching TV or reading (couldn't even imagine).

I talked to Carl for about 15 min yesterday, he has sent me a rebuilt carb set that was intended for his XII and would then rebuild my set for himself at a later date when he is feeling better. Carl is a stand up guy, putting others before him even though he has just had major surgery. I do appreciate the things he has helped me with since I purchased my Voyager.

When I first heard Carl's voice yesterday I knew immediately that he had improved quite a bit from the week before. Because of this I was able to have a lengthier conversation and we talked about installing the new starter tensioner. Carl gave me a ton of pointers so I would be on the right track putting everything back together. So my tensioner failed before I even purchased the bike a few years ago. When I split the case a few weeks ago I found the little spring that actuates the cam that ratchets against the plunger was sticking out of the side. Well I was able to get it back together and it appeared to work fine. Well I called Carl about what I had found and he stated that I should not take a chance and replace it. So I ordered up all the parts for this job and received them 2 days ago. The first thing I did was pull out the tensioner and compare it to the one I have. Well sure enough, there was a major difference. The plunger assy. rests on a hump on the plastic injected molded chain guide. Well the one I removed didn't have this hump. Looking at the guide you would not know that it even was injected with the hump on there. I did find a small piece of plastic from the hump in the oil pan and Carl said the rest probably came out during an oil change.



So troubleshooting this problem since I bought this bike a few years ago Carl was not convinced that it was the tensioner. It did not make sense to him. My XII is a 93', which has the upgraded tensioner and also he had never seen one fail and to him would be very uncommon and highly unlikely. So he was partly correct, the tensioner itself did not fail, it was the chain guide that's attached to the tensioner that failed, creating the complete failure of the tensioner assembly.

I can't wait to start reassembling everything and try out that fresh carb set that Carl has graciously sent my way (pro bono). I really think this will transform my $1500 CL find into the Touring bike I have envisioned since I first read an article about the Voyager XII many years ago. Don't get me wrong, I have fixed basically everything that needed attention and have toured many miles since purchasing but this is the final piece to the puzzle.

Should be a great touring season this year and I owe a great deal to Carl for patiently walking me through the troubleshooting and procedures for the repairs. It is rare for someone to have so much knowledge and be so willing to share it like he does.

Thank you again Carl for all that you do. You are an irreplaceable asset to the Voyager community.

Brad

P.S. If any members are looking at purchasing some factory parts I would suggest getting them through partshark.com if you like saving money. This parts house has hands down the best pricing compared to the rest of them. If you don't believe me go to the parts site you usually use get a price on something and compare it with the pricing at partshark.

[Lucasind]

great post Brad

[cushman eagle]

Glad to hear,and an answer to prayers that Carl is doing well.

[Chris near Kansas City]

I would suggest getting them through partshark.com if you like saving money.

Appreciate the info. Fork tubes are $231 each through them. Cheapest I've found for OEM tubes.

Chris

[VoyKimmer]

You can also get forks from Franks Maintenance and Engineering made for the voyager for about $135

http://www.forking-by-frank.com

[VoyKimmer]

This may be their new website.

http://www.frankmain.com

[Chris near Kansas City]

Spoke to them briefly on Friday. $289 for the pair and they are running about a week behin they seem to have a great reputation, but was curious if anybody has used their tubes for a voyager.

[joelcolletti]

I was looking for Carl's phone number, so I went to the boards, and just found this post. I have been wondering why I haven't heard back from Carl on a part I was trying to order from him, and was going to try calling today: Now I understand why. I'm really glad to hear Carl/you're on the mend; wishing you a speedy and complete recovery Thank you for posting; and for the updates too.

[crash33]

Wow, just saw this, get well soon Carl and listen to the Docs for once

[NSASarge]

In 2008, I had triple bypass surgery. Tubes to my lungs came out later that day and I was walking the next day. Got caught stealing coffee from the nurses station and walked beyond the range of the heart monitor. That was funny! ! ! Was back on my 2005 Nomad 1600 within 30 days. It's amazing what they can do!

Get well soon!

Ride it when you can!

[Hip001]

Get well soon Carl!
Mark & Dawn