/another question

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
jake100
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 12:31 am
6
Current bike(s): 92 voyager
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

/another question

Post by jake100 »

I have a 92 model and I'll be darned I i can find a oil sight glass do some not have them how do u chk the oil
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: /another question

Post by cranky »

... on the left side, just in front of the kickstand, below the oval metal cover
on the side of the motor... shine a light, and you will see a circle about the size of
a 50C piece, clean it off... that's it... 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
cushman eagle
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1983
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: 858 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: /another question

Post by cushman eagle »

The oil sight glass is on the left side,you have to be off the bike and look past the shift lever towards the center of the bike near the bottom.It would help you to find an operators, and service manual.Those can be found on this site,I think by Mr.Jensee.
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
User avatar
Highway Rider
Webmaster
Webmaster
Posts: 852
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:19 pm
16
Current bike(s): 2003 ZG1200 Voyager
2006 VN900
1978 KZ650 D1 SR
Has liked: 140 times
Been liked: 40 times

Re: /another question

Post by Highway Rider »

Webmaster
Jim & Karol
2003 Voyager XII
IBA #57976
IBA 1500 miles in 24 hours
IBA 1500 miles in 36 hours
IBA 1000 miles in 24 hours
It's not the destination, It's the ride
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: /another question

Post by voyager55 »

Post regular questions in the General forum. This forum is only for Tech tips
User avatar
Highway Rider
Webmaster
Webmaster
Posts: 852
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:19 pm
16
Current bike(s): 2003 ZG1200 Voyager
2006 VN900
1978 KZ650 D1 SR
Has liked: 140 times
Been liked: 40 times

Re: /another question

Post by Highway Rider »

Your issue with this being posted here is?
Webmaster
Jim & Karol
2003 Voyager XII
IBA #57976
IBA 1500 miles in 24 hours
IBA 1500 miles in 36 hours
IBA 1000 miles in 24 hours
It's not the destination, It's the ride
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: /another question

Post by voyager55 »

Looking where the oil sight glass is located is not a Technical Problem Or the answer a Technical Tip.
Keep the forum questions in the proper forums


Highway Rider wrote:Your issue with this being posted here is?
User avatar
Highway Rider
Webmaster
Webmaster
Posts: 852
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 12:19 pm
16
Current bike(s): 2003 ZG1200 Voyager
2006 VN900
1978 KZ650 D1 SR
Has liked: 140 times
Been liked: 40 times

Re: /another question

Post by Highway Rider »

If you read what this forum is for it states this "You can also ask about tips or procedures here" which is what he was asking about
Webmaster
Jim & Karol
2003 Voyager XII
IBA #57976
IBA 1500 miles in 24 hours
IBA 1500 miles in 36 hours
IBA 1000 miles in 24 hours
It's not the destination, It's the ride
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: /another question

Post by Mr Jensee »

Jake for the record the sight glass is inaccurate. At oil change put the right amount of oil, 3 quarts 22 oz. and you will be fine. I change mine every 4000 miles.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
jake100
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 12:31 am
6
Current bike(s): 92 voyager
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: /another question

Post by jake100 »

Thanks guys did mean to cause a fuss here :-(
User avatar
Me Again
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1789
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:27 am
16
Current bike(s): 1988 1300 Voyager
Location: Wisconsin
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 262 times

Re: /another question

Post by Me Again »

jake100 wrote:Thanks guys did mean to cause a fuss here :-(
It's all good.
Sometimes cabin fever gets a little out of hand .
Image
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: /another question

Post by cranky »

jake100 wrote:Thanks guys did mean to cause a fuss here :-(
... if yer not makin' a fuss, Ya ain't havin' fun!!! GBG

I insist on being able to use the sight glass for a measurement
go / no-go.... find a way to check it, side stand if Ya hafta, but
ya gotta know if you're good/bad... I've run my sweet Gina for
@7K and not lost a visual amount, but ya hafta check it! JM2C
'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
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: /another question

Post by Mr Jensee »

I can agree with you to a point Cranky. But oil consumption is not one of the Voyager's problem. If you use a good oil like I use Rotella T Diesel oil 15/40 and change it religiously every 3 to 4 thousand miles you should be good. If the bike smokes or fouls plugs then you need to keep track of oil consumption. Otherwise I wouldn't fret. And if your bike has over 100,000 miles you can always use a high mileage oil in her.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
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: /another question

Post by JHD »

Unless you have split your case like I have you don't know that there is probably a 1/2 qt + of oil that stays in the pump. I would assume that this might be part of the problem of using the sight glass to verify the true amount of oil you have in the motor. I would suggest following Mr. Leo's feelings on not using the sight glass and to only add the specific amount of oil during your scheduled change and then forget about the level until the next oil change. Unless you have actual leak or are burning oil as Mr Jensee points out, you should have no worries. *WARNING* Use of the ZG1200 sight glass can lead to second guessing oneself.
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: /another question

Post by cranky »

... ya'know... all the assurances in the world can't help when you're on a road
out in the desert... 180 mile stretch between Tonopah and Ely.. and it's been
a few 0000's and you just don't know....

I WILL have a way to check it!!!!!!! Mandatory!!! on the side stand, crash guards...
there WILL be a way!!! .... just sayin'....... I really DO appreciate the thoughts...
but I rely on myself.... can't help it... just me.... Thanks!!!!
'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
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: /another question

Post by JHD »

cranky wrote:... ya'know... all the assurances in the world can't help when you're on a road
out in the desert... 180 mile stretch between Tonopah and Ely.. and it's been
a few 0000's and you just don't know....

I WILL have a way to check it!!!!!!! Mandatory!!! on the side stand, crash guards...
there WILL be a way!!! .... just sayin'....... I really DO appreciate the thoughts...
but I rely on myself.... can't help it... just me.... Thanks!!!!
Crazy sight glass readings and mirages in the desert will twist you up. If you haven't talked to Carl already about using the sight glass, you should. I felt it was necessary to read also, then had a discussion with Carl on the subject. All I can say is I sleep better now. Thank You Carl.
User avatar
Me Again
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1789
Joined: Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:27 am
16
Current bike(s): 1988 1300 Voyager
Location: Wisconsin
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 262 times

Re: /another question

Post by Me Again »

I agree with Cranky. Even if you never plan on using it you should at least know were the level should be on the sight glass.
Last summer I was about 250 miles from home when the oil level warning came on. This is a common failiar on a 1300 and normally I would have ignored it ,but because it had not gone off in some time I decided to stop and check anyhow .No oil in the sight glass ,no oil on the engine everything seemed ok so I put in a pint and the level looked ok again. about 75 miles own the road my foot slipped off the peg and when I looked my pants and shoe were full of oil .Had I ignored the light and not checked the sight glass I probably would have been walking home .Turned out a bolt had loosened on the stator cover and the oil was seeping out.
Had it not been for a sight glass I probably would have wrecked the engine .I agree that under Normal conditions you are ok ,but what about the not so normal.
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: /another question

Post by Mr Jensee »

A motorcycle is like your body. Don't ignore things that look, feel or sound strange. There is something wrong. I was like that the day my transmission wouldn't go into 3rd gear. No warning but as I left the hamburger stand I noticed as I got on the road that shifting from first to second felt strange. Had to ride home 10 miles in 2nd gear going no more than forty miles an hour. I just thank God that I wasn't 50 miles from home. Fun.
For Voyager XII Manuals click the link below.
https://1drv.ms/f/s!Ao3K0Ai2gvglgS3l7J4pBJrjfBhc
User avatar
Thud300
Traveler
Traveler
Posts: 130
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:51 am
9
Current bike(s): 1991 Kawasaki Voyager XII
1998 Kawasaki Concours
1989 Kawasaki 454 LTD
Location: Decatur, IL
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: /another question

Post by Thud300 »

The sight glass works pretty good if the bike has been sitting on the center stand for a while. Otherwise, not so much.
Returning neglected Kawasakis to glory since 2014
1991 Voyager XII "Xaviera"
1998 Concours "Connimus Prime"
1989 454 LTD "Merlin"
cushman eagle
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1983
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: 858 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: /another question

Post by cushman eagle »

I agree,Mr.Thud! :thmup: I check my sight glass about every 1000 miles,but I let it set on the center stand for an hour or so.
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
Post Reply

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