shift linkage orientation

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
4redjf
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2024 10:27 am
Current bike(s): 1996 Kawasaki Voyager XII
Has liked: 71 times
Been liked: 9 times

shift linkage orientation

Post by 4redjf »

I wanted to put the factory foot pegs on and noticed when i removed the heel to toe shifter/floorboard, that the linkage ball to the rear of the linkage was touching the exhaust. So for the factory shift arm i changed the orientation to be on top side instead of down to by the exhaust. Everything looks and feels good but i have a problem with it.
With engine running and in N. i tried to put it in 1st but it seemed to only be partially wanting to go. Tried to go up to 2nd gear and it's like it is not getting enough travel to fully engage the gears.
Anyone had this type of encounters and what did you do to solve it? I do see that the connecting arm between the ball joints has some adjustments.
I've tried to attach a picture, not sure if it worked.
User avatar
GrandpaDenny
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1079
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 4:24 pm
5
Current bike(s): 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Has liked: 481 times
Been liked: 436 times

Re: shift linkage orientation

Post by GrandpaDenny »

4redjf wrote: Mon Sep 16, 2024 10:13 pm I've tried to attach a picture, not sure if it worked.
It didn't.

IIRC there's a blurb in the Service Manual about shift linkage adjustment and orientation (or is it orientation and adjustment? It's 3:30 am). Link to the manual is in my .sig below
Dennis Fariello
Philadelphia, PA
2000 Voyager XII "Gertrude" - deceased
1993 Vulcan 88 "Emily"

South Jersey Retreads
Patriot Guard Riders
Warriors Watch Riders

VXII Manuals:
https://amervoyassoc.org/zg1200manuals.php
User avatar
GrandpaDenny
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1079
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 4:24 pm
5
Current bike(s): 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Has liked: 481 times
Been liked: 436 times

Re: shift linkage orientation

Post by GrandpaDenny »

I just took a look, myself, and didn't see anything in the Service Manual, however the exploded parts diagram might help you. It's called the "gear change mechanism"
These users liked GrandpaDenny's post:
4redjf (Tue Sep 17, 2024 1:20 pm)
Rating: 11.11%
Dennis Fariello
Philadelphia, PA
2000 Voyager XII "Gertrude" - deceased
1993 Vulcan 88 "Emily"

South Jersey Retreads
Patriot Guard Riders
Warriors Watch Riders

VXII Manuals:
https://amervoyassoc.org/zg1200manuals.php
triton28
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1009
Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 1:32 am
11
Current bike(s): 1987 ZG-1200 B1
1987 ZG-1200 B1
1990 ZG-1200 B4
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Has liked: 107 times
Been liked: 277 times

Re: shift linkage orientation

Post by triton28 »

If one reads the driver's floorboard installation sheet, found at the Accessories heading on the Voyager XII Tech Center page located on the AVA Home page, there is a note there regarding how the shift linkage is reversed when installing the floorboards.
This note details how both "the bell cranks are reversed 180 degrees for proper shift operation. When installing floorboards, the front points up as shown and the rear points down".
So, when one goes from floorboards to pegs the reverse would be the case for the linkage orientation: front down and rear up.
Hope that helps,
Dave
These users liked triton28's post:
GrandpaDenny (Tue Sep 17, 2024 12:48 pm) • 4redjf (Tue Sep 17, 2024 1:19 pm)
Rating: 22.22%
4redjf
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2024 10:27 am
Current bike(s): 1996 Kawasaki Voyager XII
Has liked: 71 times
Been liked: 9 times

Re: shift linkage orientation

Post by 4redjf »

GrandpaDenny wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 7:36 am I just took a look, myself, and didn't see anything in the Service Manual, however the exploded parts diagram might help you. It's called the "gear change mechanism"
yeah, thanks i have 2 hard copies of the manuals, one from years ago when i had a 93 model and now another manual i received when i bought this 96 bike. Also have the manual pdf version. But looking at manuals does show the linkage with (what i call the arms) pointed up and the linkage on the top going horizontal across. I also so the floorboards description telling to do a 180 with the factory linkage. Which would be putting the linkage arms pointing down and alot closer to the exhaust area.
Later on today i will take another look at it. Thanks for the input.
4redjf
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2024 10:27 am
Current bike(s): 1996 Kawasaki Voyager XII
Has liked: 71 times
Been liked: 9 times

Re: shift linkage orientation

Post by 4redjf »

triton28 wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 10:36 am If one reads the driver's floorboard installation sheet, found at the Accessories heading on the Voyager XII Tech Center page located on the AVA Home page, there is a note there regarding how the shift linkage is reversed when installing the floorboards.
This note details how both "the bell cranks are reversed 180 degrees for proper shift operation. When installing floorboards, the front points up as shown and the rear points down".
So, when one goes from floorboards to pegs the reverse would be the case for the linkage orientation: front down and rear up.
Hope that helps,
Dave
I saw this and now i will be working to get the shift lever back off, it was a pain to get on the linkage shaft. My question on this is the accuracy of the up and down. are we talking about 12 and 3 oclock? (then the front would be 6 and 12 oclock? for the factory style.) My linkage also has some play in the ball joints but still useable. Thanks for your help on this. By the way how do i include a picture with my writings?
triton28
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1009
Joined: Fri Aug 23, 2013 1:32 am
11
Current bike(s): 1987 ZG-1200 B1
1987 ZG-1200 B1
1990 ZG-1200 B4
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Has liked: 107 times
Been liked: 277 times

Re: shift linkage orientation

Post by triton28 »

For photos I load the jpeg onto my desktop and then when I am posting I just drag the jpeg into the post and let it download into the post.
Sorry I can't help on the relative clock positions of the linkage though.
Dave
These users liked triton28's post:
4redjf (Tue Sep 17, 2024 11:41 pm)
Rating: 11.11%
4redjf
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 63
Joined: Mon Jun 03, 2024 10:27 am
Current bike(s): 1996 Kawasaki Voyager XII
Has liked: 71 times
Been liked: 9 times

Re: shift linkage orientation

Post by 4redjf »

triton28 wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 7:52 pm For photos I load the jpeg onto my desktop and then when I am posting I just drag the jpeg into the post and let it download into the post.
Sorry I can't help on the relative clock positions of the linkage though.
Dave
Thanks for the photo update info.
Problem solved with the Linkage concern. I had it right the first time i put it back together. Just like the manual shows it, the linkage is up in a horizontal manner. both the foot lever arm that connect to the rod going back to the other ball joint, and the ball joint at the shaft, point up.
Here is where i was making my mistake. When checking to see if it would go in gear, i started the motor, its in Neutral, then i put it in 1st gear, and back to Neutral. But when i tried to go up to 2nd gear it would not. Problem solved: IT WILL NOT GO INTO 2ND GEAR IF IT IS NOT ROLLING. So i took it for a drive and it changed gears just fine. Thanks to everyone for the input and hopefully this will help someone later down the road.
Attachments
linkage.jpg
These users liked 4redjf's post:
cushman eagle (Wed Sep 18, 2024 12:19 am) • triton28 (Wed Sep 18, 2024 10:03 am)
Rating: 22.22%
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: 854 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: shift linkage orientation

Post by cushman eagle »

I am glad to hear you got the problem solved :woohoo:
These users liked cushman eagle's post:
4redjf (Wed Sep 18, 2024 11:47 pm)
Rating: 11.11%
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
User avatar
GrandpaDenny
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1079
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2019 4:24 pm
5
Current bike(s): 1993 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500
Has liked: 481 times
Been liked: 436 times

Re: shift linkage orientation

Post by GrandpaDenny »

4redjf wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 11:50 pm IT WILL NOT GO INTO 2ND GEAR IF IT IS NOT ROLLING.
Ah yes, the Kawasaki Positive Neutral Finder System. When it's cold out, you may find that it won't go into 2nd gear until abot 3200 rpm. This disappears as the bike warms up.
These users liked GrandpaDenny's post:
4redjf (Wed Sep 18, 2024 11:47 pm) • cushman eagle (Thu Sep 19, 2024 12:47 am)
Rating: 22.22%
Dennis Fariello
Philadelphia, PA
2000 Voyager XII "Gertrude" - deceased
1993 Vulcan 88 "Emily"

South Jersey Retreads
Patriot Guard Riders
Warriors Watch Riders

VXII Manuals:
https://amervoyassoc.org/zg1200manuals.php
Post Reply

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