Bike not right!!!

[feenixx613]

Hey all,as the title states my bike is not right....it was before I took it to a reputable shop though. They changed the coolant and now there is a strong odor of antifreeze when riding and is garage parked.I looked and put paper down to catch a drip but none found? Also very poor idleing im messing with the adjuster but the idle is erratic jumping 500 rpm then dropping. These 2 problems where not present before I brought the bike in. They changed the coolant,oil and no work to the carbs just would like to know what may be happening before I confront them. Any pointers would be great,thanks Rob

[ekap1200]

Hey all,as the title states my bike is not right....it was before I took it to a reputable shop though. They changed the coolant and now there is a strong odor of antifreeze when riding and is garage parked.I looked and put paper down to catch a drip but none found? Also very poor idleing im messing with the adjuster but the idle is erratic jumping 500 rpm then dropping. These 2 problems where not present before I brought the bike in. They changed the coolant,oil and no work to the carbs just would like to know what may be happening before I confront them. Any pointers would be great,thanks Rob

Bummer Rob It is such a simple job on the voyager to replace coolent. the drain is in the left side, ( if thats is how they done it. ) and most important is to bleed the air out of the coolant pump to prime it. If they pulled the coolant recovery bottle out of the left side to clean it ; it is behind the fake chrome cover and didn't put the overflow hose back on you would loose some coolant as it comes out of the hose when it reach's temp. Pull you fake tank cover off and look to see if they even put the rad cap back on correctly and look for coolant, Hopefully they just got careless and spilled some anti-freeze and its just sitting on the cyl head and that's what you smell. As for the idle issue Can't say what they did on that. But it sounds like it way out of sync or something is foul with the carbs, They didn't have the air cleaner out ? did they.
How much did it cost you for a fouled up bike. Sorry to hear stories like this it gives mechanics a bad rep. Hope they knew enough to drain both oil plugs and not exceed 3 /qt - 22 oz. or your in for more fun when the oil gets air churned up into it.

[feenixx613]

Actually they charged me $700 for coolant,oilchange,lube all cables rebalance front wheel and install fuel filter.The used synthetic oil!,and replaced plugs! I was doing myself a favor I usually do all that myself.I actually just redid the oil change cause I did not trust how much oil they put in,I have a manual now so I may do the coolant change over.I tried to take the coolant reservoir out to check behind it but just wasn't able to!....one bolt right? It wiggles a little but a tried and tried just couldn't dislodge it! m I doing something wrong? Thanks rob!

[debron]

I tried to take the coolant reservoir out to check behind it but just wasn't able to!....one bolt right? It wiggles a little but a tried and tried just couldn't dislodge it! m I doing something wrong? Thanks rob!

Mine is stubborn also, just have to yank hard! In the back of the reservoir bottle is a pointed nipple that goes into a rubber grommet similar to the side covers and you have to show it who's boss!

[ekap1200]

I tried to take the coolant reservoir out to check behind it but just wasn't able to!....one bolt right? It wiggles a little but a tried and tried just couldn't dislodge it! m I doing something wrong? Thanks rob!

Mine is stubborn also, just have to yank hard! In the back of the reservoir bottle is a pointed nipple that goes into a rubber grommet similar to the side covers and you have to show it who's boss!

Having worked on for years , and broken many a plastic cover I have learned to keep a few spay bottles about the workshop. One with a generous amount of dish detergent mixed in . Before I mess with those stubborn nipples and grometts I spray down behind anywhere they may be. This gives the nipple a little lubrication to allow it to pull out a bit easier. And its good to spray on my hands from time to time to keep me a bit kleener in the shop or clean up a customers bike from my dirty hands. ... hope this little tip helps.

[feenixx613]

Thanks guys I guess I have to eat my Wheaties! Im quitting for the day may get at the coolant change tomorrow!and now that I know there is a nipple and grommet back there Im sure I can do it.I didn't even realize it was you "EKAP"....cant wait for those vent trims! at least the "mistress" wil be lookin good just not running the best!

[Bill O]

..... Also very poor idleing im messing with the adjuster but the idle is erratic jumping 500 rpm then dropping.

Try some Sea Foam in the gas tank to help clear up that surging of the RPM's. I've seen un-sync'd carb cause this problem, but more that not, it's carbs starting to gum up. A couple of tanks of good gas treated with Sea Foam, and take 'er out on the road for a nice run.

Just a thought.
Bill O

[Steve do]

Mine did the same thing when I got it, it would idle at 900 then go to 1500 at different times. Not sure how much the other fellow rode it, ( 2003 model, 29,000 miles ), after a few tanks of gas and running the ---- out of it, it idles normal now. The next step was to put some gas treatment in it. Good luck and ride safe.

[feenixx613]

I just Put some seafoam in the tank! I used it in my 1400 intruder a lot!,thought the xii would be different ,waiting for some good weather and time off for a good run! I envy the riders down south, up here in Canada our riding season is very short.

[Mr Jensee]

FYI, I just changed my radiator coolant a couple weeks ago. All I had to do was drain the coolant from the screw under the radiator, pull out and empty the reservoir bottle and added the specified gallon of 50/50 diluted green coolant. I used Prestone. All it cost me was the price of the coolant. I worried that I had a leak somewhere when I used a funnel to replace the fluid though the radiator cap but once filled it had no drips. I filled the remaining coolant to the low level in the reservoir and started and ran it sitting on the center stand for a good 20 minutes. No leaks, no evidence of any air bubbles. It has run fine ever since. Next time try to get your hands a little dirty and learn how to change your fluids and oil and you will gain the confidence you need to do other things on your Voyager. Yeah it's scary the first time but folks here will walk you through almost any procedure. And most of us are only a phone call away if you have any doubts. Plus it will save you a ton of cash in the long run. About the idle. Make sure if they pulled the fake tank off that they didn't accidently disturb a plug wire. I have experienced motorcycle shops doing weird things when you bring it in for work. On one bike my horns were disconnected when I got it back and it ran poorly. I found a 1/4" drive extention lodged in my shift linkage when I got it home. Inspect inspect, inspect.

Also click the link in my signature Chapter 3 for more help.

[feenixx613]

Thanks bike seems to be running better but now new problem ....only has first and second gear all I did was replace the oil and filter with rotella t6 3quarts 22oz I usually work on all my bikes ive done valve clearances and adjustments,rebuilt carbs etc, just had no time to do the maintenance myself but I tell ya never again.

[gearheadfla]

Thanks bike seems to be running better but now new problem ....only has first and second gear all I did was replace the oil and filter with rotella t6 3quarts 22oz I usually work on all my bikes ive done valve clearances and adjustments,rebuilt carbs etc, just had no time to do the maintenance myself but I tell ya never again.

One thing you will NEVER have to worry about on your XII, adjusting valves.

[Mr Jensee]

Is the bike now idling? Is it revving in neutral? Will the clutch fully engage in all gears while you are running it while it is on the center stand? Check this first. As I stated in another post, If the clutch did not engage in any gear, check your DOT4 fluid in the clutch reservoir. It should be light colored. If it isn't, change it out, drain the entire master cylinder and look for residue in the bottom. If it is use some toilet tissue to wipe it out and add new fluid slowly while cracking the nipple down by the shift lever under the side cover. If you have no manual check the one in my signature. Use a piece of silicone tubing to put over the nipple and drain the fluid into a clear jar. Once you start adding fluid slowly pump the clutch lever which should force fluid down the line and out the nipple. pump until you have no bubbles or trash showing in the tubing or in the bottom of the jar. tighten the nipple and remove the tubing. finish filling the reservoir until it reaches the upper mark. do this slowly to avoid creating more bubbles. Check the feel of the clutch lever and if it seems fine, put the cap back on the reservoir. If you cleaned it correctly and there was gunk in the line, your transmission should shift cleanly now.