Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

This is for general posts and questions concerning only the Voyager XII (1200cc, Four-cylinder) Years 1986 thru 2003.

Moderators: the2knights, Highway Rider

Post Reply
User avatar
Mr Jensee
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1987
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:55 pm
15
Current bike(s): Phone 337-781-8158
Home Phone disconnected.
Previous bikes. Yamaha 180, Honda CM200T, Suzuki 1000LNKawasaki ZRX1100.
Location: Lafayette, La
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 9 times

Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by Mr Jensee »

Rode to a friends house yesterday when I left, I stopped to get a burger. When I got back onto the highway the bike wouldn't shift past 3rd gear and lever felt tight but no longer springy. Got off at the first exit approx. 3 miles down and took the back way home. Once off the interstate once I shifted back to first It wouldn't go past 2nd gear. At times it would slip out of second and back into neutral. Anybody have any ideas? I am thinking something in the shift linkage broke but what I don't know. Inspected it last night without pulling the left side cover off and the linkage appears to be intact. I am thinking one of the springs of which I count 4 may have broken. I never shift hard but that doesn't mean one wouldn't snap. All those parts on the outside of the crankcase appear to be available. Today I will open the case and see what may be broken or damaged. If anyone has any ideas or can help please feel free to chime in. Thanks.

Never fun to ride home 9 miles in second gear running the engine up 4500 grand just to maintain 40 mph.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
voyager55
Elite Tourer
Elite Tourer
Posts: 820
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:08 am
11
Current bike(s): 2003 1200
Location: Eden Prairie, MN
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 3 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift

Post by voyager55 »

I'd call Carl
User avatar
Mr Jensee
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1987
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:55 pm
15
Current bike(s): Phone 337-781-8158
Home Phone disconnected.
Previous bikes. Yamaha 180, Honda CM200T, Suzuki 1000LNKawasaki ZRX1100.
Location: Lafayette, La
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 9 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift

Post by Mr Jensee »

Looking at the service manual. There is an external shift linkage I can remove and examine. If that turns up without damage then I will call Carl. I don't have what it takes to remove and split an engine.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
cushman eagle
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1982
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:08 pm
13
Current bike(s): '99 Kawasaki Voyager 1200
1958 Cushman Eagle restoration has been finished,and have put 3030 miles on her!
Location: Orrville,Ohio
Has liked: 852 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by cushman eagle »

Could a broken spring in the shift drum ratchet give those symptoms? :thk:
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
User avatar
Mr Jensee
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1987
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:55 pm
15
Current bike(s): Phone 337-781-8158
Home Phone disconnected.
Previous bikes. Yamaha 180, Honda CM200T, Suzuki 1000LNKawasaki ZRX1100.
Location: Lafayette, La
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 9 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by Mr Jensee »

Next Saturday I am loading the bike up and taking it to my friend Tom's house and we are going to open up the transfer case to see if the shift linkage is busted there. If it isn't neither he nor I want to pull the engine to open it up to do repairs to the transmission. IF that ends up the case then my riding days are over. The bike will be sold for what I can get for it because at this point I don't have the money to put into removing and opening the transmission. Sorry but this is the way it is. There comes a time when everything must end.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
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: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by cranky »

... askin" the Best for a simple and good fix! Best to Ya!!!!!
'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
Gator Mike
Traveler
Traveler
Posts: 219
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 12:39 am
16
Current bike(s): 1994 Kawasaki voyager
2002 Honda 750 ACE
1969 Honda 90
Location: Elton, Louisiana
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by Gator Mike »

Michael I PM'd you
"Laisez les bon temps rouler!"

1994 Voyager XII
2001 Honda Ace
1969 Honda CM91

Louisiana Patriot Guard Rider
Combat veterans motorcycle Association
cushman eagle
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1982
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:08 pm
13
Current bike(s): '99 Kawasaki Voyager 1200
1958 Cushman Eagle restoration has been finished,and have put 3030 miles on her!
Location: Orrville,Ohio
Has liked: 852 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by cushman eagle »

Mr Jensee wrote:Next Saturday I am loading the bike up and taking it to my friend Tom's house and we are going to open up the transfer case to see if the shift linkage is busted there. If it isn't neither he nor I want to pull the engine to open it up to do repairs to the transmission. IF that ends up the case then my riding days are over. The bike will be sold for what I can get for it because at this point I don't have the money to put into removing and opening the transmission. Sorry but this is the way it is. There comes a time when everything must end.
We certainly hope :pray: you find something simple,we do not want this to cause you to stop riding :cry2: Let us know :please:
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
scottolds
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 68
Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:04 am
8
Current bike(s): 1994 Voyager XII
2009 Kawasaki KLR650
2011 Ural Gear Up
1987 Honda Super Magna
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 1 time

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by scottolds »

When I first got my Voyager on the ride home, I was having shifting problems. It was rough at times going up through the gears and even harder to go down through the gears. I ended up having to do some creative toe work for the 700 mile ride home to work the shifter as it was acting like a shifter return spring wasn't working so if I down shifted, I had to gently pull up on the shifter before I could shift again. If I upshifted, it was not as bad but sometimes I had to gently work the shifter back to the middle position.

I took it to Carl thinking I had a problem in the transmission and it turned out that the shifter needed to be pulled out of its holder, cleaned well, and greased. Once that was done, it returned fine and has been working flawlessly for the last 22,000 miles.

Hope your issue is that easy.
Image
User avatar
Mr Jensee
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1987
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:55 pm
15
Current bike(s): Phone 337-781-8158
Home Phone disconnected.
Previous bikes. Yamaha 180, Honda CM200T, Suzuki 1000LNKawasaki ZRX1100.
Location: Lafayette, La
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 9 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by Mr Jensee »

I hope it is an easy fix. Contacted Carl and he has agreed to walk us through the removal and reinstall of that cover plate. I am hoping for an easy fix. Will know something by the end of next Sunday.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
cushman eagle
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1982
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:08 pm
13
Current bike(s): '99 Kawasaki Voyager 1200
1958 Cushman Eagle restoration has been finished,and have put 3030 miles on her!
Location: Orrville,Ohio
Has liked: 852 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by cushman eagle »

Mr.Jensee,I hope you have found a simple solution to your shifting problem :pray: Let us know. :please: :thmup:
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
User avatar
Mr Jensee
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1987
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:55 pm
15
Current bike(s): Phone 337-781-8158
Home Phone disconnected.
Previous bikes. Yamaha 180, Honda CM200T, Suzuki 1000LNKawasaki ZRX1100.
Location: Lafayette, La
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 9 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by Mr Jensee »

I promised I would keep everyone concerned apprized as to the status of what we found. Well the verdict is in. Nothing that I hoped was wrong panned out. Looks like the problem is deep inside the transmission. Tom and I were on the phone with Carl while Tom was disassembling the shift mechanism. He was immensely helpful walking us through the removal of the drive shaft as well as the starter which we didn't realize had to come off. However the bike is still broken. Carl offered to repair if I can get it to him. This is a set of logistics I am going to have to overcome. The soonest I can deliver it to him would be January. I have a buddy who recently married and moved to the east coast of Florida about 30 miles from Carl. We should be able to stay with them the week it would take to have Carl remove the engine and make the repairs. However I need to have my dialysis unit find and contact one or more units near my friend who by the way is also named Leo, to make arrangements for treatments. I will be working on the options the next couple of months but as I see it now either Carl works on it for a reasonable fee or let it go. I want to be positive and look to getting it fixed. This hasn't been a good month. My company disability payments ended October first because I turned 65. That will be a significant drop in income. Last Thursday my central heater didn't come on, had to have the circuit board replaced. Only $685. Wasn't expecting that one. Now the bike. Maybe I could do an online telethon. Just kidding. God's been unusually good to me these last few years. I have to believe it will work out. Thanks for all the concern though. I appreciate it.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
Jimvoyager01
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 99
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2015 1:35 am
9
Current bike(s): 2001 voyager
Location: Long Lake, Minn.
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by Jimvoyager01 »

My wife and I will pray for you :clap: :thmup:
cushman eagle
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1982
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:08 pm
13
Current bike(s): '99 Kawasaki Voyager 1200
1958 Cushman Eagle restoration has been finished,and have put 3030 miles on her!
Location: Orrville,Ohio
Has liked: 852 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by cushman eagle »

I have also been praying :pray: that you can get it going again. :thmup:
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
User avatar
Mr Jensee
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1987
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:55 pm
15
Current bike(s): Phone 337-781-8158
Home Phone disconnected.
Previous bikes. Yamaha 180, Honda CM200T, Suzuki 1000LNKawasaki ZRX1100.
Location: Lafayette, La
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 9 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by Mr Jensee »

I am working with dialysis to set up 3 days of service in early January at a location near Carl Leo. If Carl is good with that we will head out the 5th for Daytona after treatment that morning. Planning to stay with friends in Palm Coast about 35 min. north of there. This will give Carl a week to do the work if it all works out right. I would not trust the bike to anyone here locally to do the job right. If it all goes well I am still on for the Rally in Kerrville in June.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
Jimvoyager01
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 99
Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2015 1:35 am
9
Current bike(s): 2001 voyager
Location: Long Lake, Minn.
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by Jimvoyager01 »

Horray horray :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:
User avatar
Mr Jensee
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1987
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:55 pm
15
Current bike(s): Phone 337-781-8158
Home Phone disconnected.
Previous bikes. Yamaha 180, Honda CM200T, Suzuki 1000LNKawasaki ZRX1100.
Location: Lafayette, La
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 9 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by Mr Jensee »

I am just too stubborn to give up too easily! :pray:
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
cushman eagle
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1982
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:08 pm
13
Current bike(s): '99 Kawasaki Voyager 1200
1958 Cushman Eagle restoration has been finished,and have put 3030 miles on her!
Location: Orrville,Ohio
Has liked: 852 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: Need some advice Voyager wont shift (edited)

Post by cushman eagle »

Mr Jensee wrote:I am just too stubborn to give up too easily! :pray:
Thank you :thanks: for not giving up :thmup: :woohoo: we hope to see you soon!
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
Post Reply

Return to “General - Voyager XII (1200 Four)”