Clip

Got a tech tip for Voyager 12's from your personal experiences, or one complete with pictures and instructions, here's where to post it. You can also ask about tips or procedures here.

Moderators: the2knights, Highway Rider

Post Reply
Roadrash
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2016 12:38 am
8
Current bike(s): 1998 Kawasaki Voyager
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Clip

Post by Roadrash »

This c clip at the top of the tube is being a pain. Do you guys have a special tool to get this out? I'm thinking maybe a dental hook. Amazing this clip barely sticking out can hold these forces
User avatar
cranky
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1037
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:36 am
8
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager
Location: San Jose, KalEfornYa
Has liked: 303 times
Been liked: 80 times

Re: Clip

Post by cranky »

... not sure where you are, but doesn't the book reference a special tool, with right
angle nose pieces that come to a fine tip, that goes into the little loops on the ends of
the clips, to collapse the clip enough to be lifted out of where they are?

Without that tool, you have a battle on your hands, as if you can apply enough
force on one end of the clip, it will loosen a tad and spin on Ya... and
frustrate the $#%)#$%!#)$ outta you! FWIW
'03 Voyager - http://tinyurl.com/mqtgpwp VROC pics of Gina
Cranky - Bill Snodgrass AVA # 6544. VROC # 16804
Cranked >128K miles, Mtn bike-no motor!!!
San Jose, KalEfornYa
User avatar
Lucasind
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1790
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:44 pm
11
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager 1200
1988 Voyager 1200
1985 Voyager 1300
2008 Concourse 1400
1985 LTD 1100
1981 CSR 1000
1981 CSR 650
1979 KZ 650
1973 XL 350
1988 Eliminator
1975 CB 125
1965 S 65
and a bunch of parts !
Location: Toledo, OH
Has liked: 194 times
Been liked: 69 times

Re: Clip

Post by Lucasind »

After taking the weight off the bike ....you will need to push down on the center plug . then work with what ever small type off "pick" device that you have at hand. For the first time doing this ....it may be a big help to get a second person to assist. .....one guy push down on the center of the top fork cap ,while the other guy picks out the clip. :-D
90% OF ANY JOB ...IS GETTING STARTED !
Roadrash
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2016 12:38 am
8
Current bike(s): 1998 Kawasaki Voyager
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Clip

Post by Roadrash »

Yes crankyb there's been some cursing but I am trying not to hurt my baby's feelings. They really should have put a c-ring that would work with some c-ring pliers. Has anybody replaced these stupid things with that style of c-clip?
User avatar
ekap1200
Master Fabricator
Master Fabricator
Posts: 1364
Joined: Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:54 pm
16
Current bike(s): 2000 voyager end of year total. 108.634
Location: Williamstown, New Jersey
Has liked: 33 times
Been liked: 134 times

Re: Clip

Post by ekap1200 »

Roadrash wrote:Yes crankyb there's been some cursing but I am trying not to hurt my baby's feelings. They really should have put a c-ring that would work with some c-ring pliers. Has anybody replaced these stupid things with that style of c-clip?

One suggestion on that, DON'T
"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)
User avatar
Lucasind
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1790
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:44 pm
11
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager 1200
1988 Voyager 1200
1985 Voyager 1300
2008 Concourse 1400
1985 LTD 1100
1981 CSR 1000
1981 CSR 650
1979 KZ 650
1973 XL 350
1988 Eliminator
1975 CB 125
1965 S 65
and a bunch of parts !
Location: Toledo, OH
Has liked: 194 times
Been liked: 69 times

Re: Clip

Post by Lucasind »

Some guys have fabricated a "pusher tool" to aid in doing this. picture a "c-clamp" sort of looking device that has had the one end altered to allow gripping of the fork tube,, then just tighten,and allow the mechanical leverage of screw threads to push and hold against the fork spring pressure, then you can work on popping out that pesky clip , while the tool does the pushin :-D

Somewhere on this forum, I recall someone posting a picture or sketch of the one they made. using the "search box" you may find that post from some years back. I drilled a hole in a tire iron,and put a bolt in it,then use the bottom side of the handle bar as my leverage point to push down on the fork tube cap. ......job goes pretty smoothly using this method. :-D
90% OF ANY JOB ...IS GETTING STARTED !
User avatar
Lucasind
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1790
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:44 pm
11
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager 1200
1988 Voyager 1200
1985 Voyager 1300
2008 Concourse 1400
1985 LTD 1100
1981 CSR 1000
1981 CSR 650
1979 KZ 650
1973 XL 350
1988 Eliminator
1975 CB 125
1965 S 65
and a bunch of parts !
Location: Toledo, OH
Has liked: 194 times
Been liked: 69 times

Re: Clip

Post by Lucasind »

Image


Ok ....I went back into my old pictures and found this one that I took for some one else that was doing what your doing .



anyway......once you get in there.....here is a look at a stock spring next to a progressive,so that you can make the comparison. .........hope this helps you ............Tony :-D


Image
90% OF ANY JOB ...IS GETTING STARTED !
User avatar
JHD
Traveler
Traveler
Posts: 158
Joined: Fri May 27, 2011 4:58 am
13
Current bike(s): '92 Voyager XII
'09 FLHT Police
'03 RE Bullet 500
'77 XS 360-2D
Location: Edmonds, WA
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 2 times

Re: Clip

Post by JHD »

That is nifty and simple devise to take the fork springs out. How do you properly refill them with fork oil when replacing the spring in this manner? Because to properly fill the fork it needs removed, completely drained of old oil then fully collapsed to properly measure the height of the new oil being put into the fork. I didn't think changing out the stock spring for the progressive was all that hard to accomplish with the fork removed. I guess for me it has to do with the proper fork oil change which if not done correctly can effect the way your new progressive springs operate.
Roadrash
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 20
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2016 12:38 am
8
Current bike(s): 1998 Kawasaki Voyager
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Clip

Post by Roadrash »

Thanks Lucas these look like some good methods.
User avatar
VoyKimmer
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 526
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:47 am
16
Current bike(s): 2002 Voyager XII
1996 Voyager XII
Location: Gurnee, Illinois
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 104 times

Re: Clip

Post by VoyKimmer »

I have had better luck removing the fork tube with it off the bike servicing the forks. Just do it one at a time. Not a bad job and you can grease the speedometer sending unit at the same time and change the front tire if needed.
User avatar
Lucasind
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1790
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:44 pm
11
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager 1200
1988 Voyager 1200
1985 Voyager 1300
2008 Concourse 1400
1985 LTD 1100
1981 CSR 1000
1981 CSR 650
1979 KZ 650
1973 XL 350
1988 Eliminator
1975 CB 125
1965 S 65
and a bunch of parts !
Location: Toledo, OH
Has liked: 194 times
Been liked: 69 times

Re: Clip

Post by Lucasind »

Re: Clip
Postby Roadrash » Sun Nov 06, 2016 7:22 pm

Thanks Lucas these look like some good methods.



your welcome "road rash" I just took the time to offer a quick and easy way to REACHING YOUR OBJECTIVE TO YOUR INITIAL QUESTION ,,,,,,,.......removing the clip.
and then of course you saw what followed............ :-(
90% OF ANY JOB ...IS GETTING STARTED !
Post Reply

Return to “Tech Tips - Voyager XII (1200 Four)”