Hello everyone!
I'm new to the board and Voyagers although I have 40+ years riding everything from dirt bikes to sport to Goldwings. I was looking for an economical replacement for a Harley I got rid of as I try to get some finances in order. These seem like the perfect choice! Looking forward to many years of this forum and my Voyager. Found this one on CL 5 mins from my house. It was owned by an elderly gentleman who had to give up riding. The bad-its been in storage for at least 2 years and running condition at this point is unknown. The good-only shows 9400 original miles on the odometer, has about every option and accessory I can find and I only paid 3k. Had to take the trailer to which I didn't need, but just couldn't pass this one up. I fixed the choke cable which was frozen, wd40 took care of that. Need to get a battery although everything except the fuel pump is one with a jump box. Radio lights up but switches don't seem to do anything and no sound, but that may be because I don't know how to work it. :) Bike is super clean and really does look new.
Welcome !! Nice looking bike (I have the same one) Nice price
also love that odometer reading ! after you get a new battery ,and get settled in with the new bike ....fire away with the questions ...this is the right place to ask !............Tony
Welcome. From my own experience as a "newbie" to Voyagers and this site, a couple months ago I bought an '88 XII that had been parked for a couple years. Could not wait to hear it run. Replaced battery, fuel filter, and gas and it started up in seconds. Of course the carbs had to be cleaned (in process) because the gunk wouldn't let them function correct.
You can spend hours reading and gain so much insight here on these pages. Probably find a "how to" or comment on just about every subject. So far I haven't really found much mechanical BS talk, less a few opinions, which we all have. Like you, can't wait to get it all done 'for the road!!!'
Update, new battery in, fuel tank was very low so I dumped some redline fuel cleaner and fresh fuel in, voila, she started right up! Bogs a little but sounds really good. Engine I quiet, no ticks, I'm very happy. Gonna change fluids and go from there!
Still working on the project, carbs are giving me fits so everything is back apart. Went ahead and ordered another set of used carbs off a running bike. We will see. While I was at it I installed iridium plugs, NGK insulators and some electrical accessories. Tomorrow it's brake and clutch fluids. Carbs Thursday and with luck it will at least be running by the weekend. I'm ready to ride!
Probably should have dumped the existing fuel before starting. If the fuel is a more than a year old it will only gum up the works. I don't think any amount of fuel freshener is going to fix that.
Fuel was dumped. Don't worry, been an ASE Master Tech since 1993. Just tried the lazy way first. New non ethanol fuel with a good dose of seafoam added for good measure. New to me carbs installed tonight and after some priming she purred to life! Sounds good and quiet, now just need to hook up the Morgan Carbtune and dial in the settings. Put a few parts back on. Flush brake fluid and change coolant and we will be ready! Tires over the winter.
I don't know how you guys keep finding these well kept accessory loaded bikes so often. I would kill for one of those fender guards. They are rarer than hen's teeth so hang on to it.
Yes this bike is loaded with accessories. Didn't know what I had until after I purchased it. The previous owner gave me boxes of parts, manuals, early Kawasaki Accessory catalog with everything that is installed on the bike highlighted in the catalog. Even got the factory soft luggage and a bike cover! Still finding stuff. The mirror in the trunk in broken so I was looking to order one, then I looked in the bottom of the trunk and there is a cardboard box with a brand new mirror. Crazy.
Update, inspection done last saturday, first time I broke it off the trailer and rode it. Rides good, needs a rear tire and the suspension seems very soft. Used my old harley pump and added a few lbs.....oh and noticed that the previous owner had already installed the fork brace! Runs good, really smooth since I synched the carbs and wow what a smooth shifting transmission! Happy here.
New to you' bike , looks ..............brand new. It does look familiar to me also. That artwork on the plastic is fantastic and I seem to remember seeing it somewhere. Great find and we here hope it runs great for you.. Gene Kap
"Its not bad if you don't know something, but when you don't know you don't know; That's when your in trouble". Joe Place 1912-2008 (my grandfather)
...Every used Voyager XII that I have gone to look at....even the 03' that I bought ,has the vanity mirror in the travel trunk busted
I think it's from shutting the lid on a overloaded trunk ....with TWO helmets ! DUH !
Oh, poor baby! Looks like a nice little trailer! Maybe a bit big to haul around behind the bike, but perfect for a riding mower, or so many other items. Maybe just list it on CL and recoup some of that bike investment.
Like others have said, some of that brightwork on the bike is getting hard to find. Sounds like you hit a gold mine, too! Seems to me that any owner who would keep all the original soft luggage and so many small items with the bike would also be the kind to give the bike the best of care and maintenance.
Mr. Jensee, some of us just live right! Well, some of OTHERS do, and I still can't figure out why I was led to find my holy grail!
Lucasind wrote:...Every used Voyager XII that I have gone to look at....even the 03' that I bought ,has the vanity mirror in the travel trunk busted
I think it's from shutting the lid on a overloaded trunk ....then adding TWO helmets ! DUH !
*somethings gotta give !
Even on the Voyager 1300's, two helmets CAN fit in the trunk, but must be set on their sides, and absolutely NOTHING else on the bottom of the trunk! If they had added just a half inch more to the height, all would be an easy fit!
Bug, this find of yours is quite impressive and making me think about looking around for a XII to add to my collection. I have always thought the XII's had a sort of refinement to their styling that the 1300's fell short of. But, I do like the 1300's for their coloring.
Thanks for all the support and replies. I'm really enjoying this project and forum. I plan on working some resto magic on the trailer eventually but it may be a next winter project.
Las test on the bike is the radio which seems to work when it wants to and other times the buttons are inop. Got tag on the bike today but need to update the tires before it really gets ridden.......dry rot.
bugawug61 wrote:Thanks for all the support and replies. I'm really enjoying this project and forum. I plan on working some resto magic on the trailer eventually but it may be a next winter project.
Las test on the bike is the radio which seems to work when it wants to and other times the buttons are inop. Got tag on the bike today but need to update the tires before it really gets ridden.......dry rot.
Lucasind wrote:...Every used Voyager XII that I have gone to look at....even the 03' that I bought ,has the vanity mirror in the travel trunk busted
I think it's from shutting the lid on a overloaded trunk ....with TWO helmets ! DUH !
*somethings gotta give !
Mine was broken when I got it. All I had to do was bring it to a glass repair shop and get the mirror replaced. Cost me all of 5 bucks.
Lucasind wrote:...Every used Voyager XII that I have gone to look at....even the 03' that I bought ,has the vanity mirror in the travel trunk busted
I think it's from shutting the lid on a overloaded trunk ....with TWO helmets ! DUH !
*somethings gotta give !
I think Gene (ekap1200) makes a "Best Engineered" mirror out of stainless steel.
They mostly break from being mounted wrong , when you fold it up the glass is supposed to rest on the rubber bumper.
A lot are broken simply because op's forget to fold them to way they are supposed to be.
Lid closed with glass facing out = broken mirror..
Very sharp looking ride. I also found mine from an older gent that was giving up riding. I found it on Craigslist but mine was just over 3 hours away to get to it. Within minutes of buying it, I was off on a 200 mile road trip to get it home. I guess that takes a little faith in a bike you've never ridden before. This was on Fathers Day 2014, my Fathers Day gift to myself. Still love it and extremely pleased I bought it!!!
Runs good, really smooth since I synched the carbs and wow what a smooth shifting transmission! Happy here.
DUH !
