Front end swap (and some other swap questions as I go)

[thrasherbill]

I have an 86 with pitted fork tubes that won't hold a seal. This weekend I am picking up a complete parts bike with good forks. I'm not sure what year the parts bike is yet (I only looked at it briefly last night) but it has the newer style seat and is silver/blue so I'm guessing 94 or newer. I know the fork tubes got bigger after 86 so I'm wondering if the head tube/stem changed as well and will I be able to swap the complete newer front end onto my 86? I did some searching around the forums and couldn't find this previously discussed.
I've had the 86 for 2 years, bought it with 78,000 miles on it and it's at 106,000 miles now. Still runs like a top and coming from 20 years of sport bike riding I can't believe how much I enjoy riding the old Voyager. My riding friends call me Grandpa now and the bike is affectionately known as "The Couch".

Thanks in advance!

[thrasherbill]

And just for kicks...
Dog is my co-pilot ;)

http://smg.photobucket.com/user/digital ... 2.jpg.html

[triton28]

The only front end components which changed after the 1986 model year were the chrome fork tube, the fork tube top cap, internal fork springs, internal fork filter, and the internal fork compression cylinder.
The outside diameter of the fork tube however remained constant from 1986 through to 2003. It was the inner fork tube diameter that changed as the wall thickness of the fork tube was increased starting with the 1987 model year. This wall thickness increase also necessitated a different fork tube top cap, internal springs, internal fork filter and internal fork compression cylinder size as well.
So to answer your question, yes, just slip the new tube assemblies up through your existing lower triple tree/yoke as the yokes did not change size.
If you make the swap, make a note in you log book so you or the next owner don't order any wrong, 1986 tubes/caps/filters/springs or compression cylinder components in the future.
Dave

[thrasherbill]

Thank you that is great news!

[thrasherbill]

Picked up the parts bike on the weekend. It's a 2000 going by the color. It's a bit of a shame to part this bike out but it has no paperwork so registering it here is a huge pain. It's missing the top box and the saddlebag lids, the front fairing is damaged on both sides but otherwise seems to be in good shape. 57,000 kms on the clock (don't know if it's rolled over or not, could be 157). I was also told it has carb issues but I put in a battery and fired right up on the choke and revved up nice and smooth with no bad engine noises. I plan on hanging on to the engine for a future swap into my 86 (the 86 has 106,000 miles on it). So far I have swapped the windshield, seats and rear shocks to the 86, front end will be the next job.

[triton28]

Bill;
if you haven't already done so, check the igniter, mounted on the air cleaner housing, on your 1986 and change it out if it has the last 4 digits 21119-"1179", or no part # showing, as all of the 1986's came with the bad "1179" igniter which had overly advanced idle timing and exhibited a nasty habit of backfiring leading to broken starter chains/crankcases.
The parts bike should have the good igniter: 21119-1248.
Dave

[thrasherbill]

Thanks Dave, the 86 does have the 1248 igniter already!