Need help with a basket case... Should I replace the motor?

[KISSfanJoe]

Hello from Austin, Texas!

I bought a Voyager about a year ago after regretting selling my first one. I was lucky enough to find one in about the same shape that was the same year and color! I rode this bike for a couple of months and had a few issues here and there, then the transmission started popping. The dog ears on a couple of gears were messed up and a couple of shifting forks were bent. Took the bike to a recommended mechanic in Austin and he pulled the bike apart, and was supposed to fix it! After bugging him and bugging him, and hearing a trail of lies, I decided to go pick the bike up from him. Turns out he pulled the motor and didn't do anything to it but pull it apart. He hadn't even ordered the parts! Got the bike back and my deposit I gave him to buy the parts. Now I have a basket case Voyager in my garage! However, I am looking to fix the bike as a fall/winter project. I am fairly mechanically inclined, and not too scared of the motor. My question is though, my motor has 26,000 miles on it. I would be looking at putting a new or possibly used gear set in from a bike with close to the same mileage. The head gasket is bad on my Voyager motor as well. The previous owner had apparently used that sealer that you pour in. I am honestly looking at having my head machined or putting a new head on, and doing the gears as well as a few little things on the outside of the motor while I have it out. Should I fix the motor I have or should I order a new motor off of Ebay? I have seen them that are running motors, but all appear to have something wrong with them. Head gasket, just leaks in general on a "3,000 mile motor." I am between a rock and a hard place on this one. I do want to get this bike back on the road though. I have too much time and money in it at this point, I might as well have fun with the project and enjoy my bike again! I am not planning to ride across the country on the bike. I use it as a commuter and weekend ride bike. Would like to go on a long ride but not out of Texas really.

I will say this, I am thankful that I bought a Victory while this was in the shop! I do miss my Voyager though!

[JHD]

I would suggest fixing it. I just pulled my motor and split the case to install a new starter chain tensioner. The motor just turned over 60k and runs perfect. Your motor with 26k has barely worn off the factory assembly lube. Half the work is done by having the motor removed and I assume the cases split. The time consuming thing for me was making sure everything was clean before I reassembled the motor. Lots of cleaning and detailing inside and out, plus a new coat of paint once assembled. I would suggest using new parts unless you can get used ones from someone like Carl Leo who you can trust will sell you something used that is within spec. Should be a great project for you. I wish you luck and hope you go for it. Carl is the man for you to call. He will put you on track and give you the best advise to complete the work the right way.

[KISSfanJoe]

I would suggest fixing it. I just pulled my motor and split the case to install a new starter chain tensioner. The motor just turned over 60k and runs perfect. Your motor with 26k has barely worn off the factory assembly lube. Half the work is done by having the motor removed and I assume the cases split. The time consuming thing for me was making sure everything was clean before I reassembled the motor. Lots of cleaning and detailing inside and out, plus a new coat of paint once assembled. I would suggest using new parts unless you can get used ones from someone like Carl Leo who you can trust will sell you something used that is within spec. Should be a great project for you. I wish you luck and hope you go for it. Carl is the man for you to call. He will put you on track and give you the best advise to complete the work the right way.

Thank you! Yes, the mechanic pulled the motor and when I went over the first time, he had the motor taken apart, but he has since then put it back together. I did speak with Carl Leo when this first happened, he is a book of knowledge! I am really leaning towards replacing the gears and stuff myself. It will save money and it can't be too hard, plus I have the liberty of taking my time since I have a couple of other bikes to ride. I am thinking I will just tear mine down since I know this motor has not been abused by myself or the previous owner.

[EFC7018]

I agree, I would repair it. At least you know what you got. It is like buying a used vehicle that "runs" good supposed. You really don't know what you are getting , and you may end up with 2 motors and 2 that need repair.

[Lucasind]

hello ,KISS fan Joe, trying to understand this story, ....you found a mechanic to accept this job,write up a repair order,take from you a parts deposit, remove the engine from the bike ,then disassemble the engine, then reassemble the engine, then do nothing else but give you your bike back(disassembled) and return your money ? what was said at this point ? just curious.....tony

[davidl]

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Might want to contact the lonestarvoyagers.org members in the Austin area. We have a few in the area. Also you are invited to come to Glen Rose for our Voyage Home in October. You can get more information on our website.

On your problem, I would do the work myself if you are mechanically inclined. Carl Leo is the man when it comes to Voyagers.

[KISSfanJoe]

Thanks guys! As for the mechanic situation... My uncle helps manage a small Harley repair shop in town. When the bike broke we called him and he recommended this mechanic who is their machineist. He is a motorcycle mechanic teacher for the local community college, but he takes on side jobs for extra money. We called him and asked him what he thought a fair price was, he told us and I agreed to drop the bike off. I took the bags, tank cover, and bottom fairing off, and rode the bike out to his house, got my work order and left. He told us it would probably be a couple of months. Knowing that he had other obligations and it was fixing to get cold outside we were fine with that. He told us that he would call us when he tore the bike apart so we could give him money to help with the parts. He wasn't sure what damage was done. He called us a month or so later and we gave him an $800 deposit for parts and partial labor. Every few weeks I would call to ask about the bike. A few months ago I called and asked about the bike. He said there was an electrical issue. The next month the electrical issue was resolved and he needed to run gas through it. I told him it had been long enough and I was not waiting anymore. I wanted the bike whether it was done or not. I was very excited that I would get my bike back within the month. He said that he was busy with work and class but by the end of the month I could get it. I asked what I owed him several times and he couldn't tell me. I called at the end of the month and said I was coming to get the bike. He said well I can't tonight, I said I will come tomorrow then. He said I'm busy with class. I said I will come Wednesday, no later. We argued back and forth. He said he needed more time, I told him he has had a year. He started yelling at me and saying "this is ridiculous" I told him yes it was! He said fine I can get the bike, he will just take his parts out of the motor and give me the bike back. We argued about that and in the end he agreed to give me the bike and my $800 dollars back. He had left the bike outside in the elements so I told him if the paint on the fenders and fairing was messed up, I would be suing him for the value of the bike. I am still talking to my lawyer friend asking what I should do about this situation. I may just have to lick my wounds, fix it myself and move on.

Sorry to hear of your troubles. Might want to contact the lonestarvoyagers.org members in the Austin area. We have a few in the area. Also you are invited to come to Glen Rose for our Voyage Home in October. You can get more information on our website.

On your problem, I would do the work myself if you are mechanically inclined. Carl Leo is the man when it comes to Voyagers.

Thank you very much for telling me about the group! I have been looking for some local guys with Voyagers! They also might be of assistance. About 6 years ago my father sold his Voyager and has regretted that ever since. We found one for him but even though it's fun, it just isn't the same as his old one! I have seen the videos of the "Son buys dad his dream car." I might be interested in finding this old bike and giving it back to my father since he had to sell it to help the family financially. The bike actually re-surfaced a couple of years ago for sale, but we weren't in the position to buy it back.

As far as the motor goes... Unless I can find a cheap motor that I know is in good shape, I will most likely rip it apart myself and I think with the help of my shop manual, Carl Leo and some local help I have, I should be able to get the bike back on the road!

[EFC7018]

Hello, sorry to hear your story, that is a tough pill to swallow!
I am sure with a manual, Carl Leo, and other help, you could fix yourself.

[KISSfanJoe]

Hello, sorry to hear your story, that is a tough pill to swallow!
I am sure with a manual, Carl Leo, and other help, you could fix yourself.

It is a very hard pill to swallow! Especially since a year ago, I rode the bike to him and was enjoying it on a weekly basis. Oh well! Things happen. Even though I am very upset about my situation, I am just going to look at the positives. I got my bike and money back without the confrontation I expected. I feel a little better that the bike is with me, even though it is in pieces, and quite honestly it does not look TOO complicated to put a motor back in. I can also have some fun and put a different horn on the bike, maybe a few lights behind the fairing, replace my crappy speakers... There are a few positives and you guys have been great!

[KISSfanJoe]

UPDATE! I spoke with Carl on the phone last night and I think within the next few weeks my dad and I are either going to ship the motor to him, or I am going to throw it in my truck and take a vacation! Honestly... I really like the second one.. I am going to pay him to fix the bottom end for me and look over the top end. (Since the previous owner had a leak up there.) That will really give me piece of mind and I know when he is done with it, I will be able to ride the bike anywhere!

[JHD]

UPDATE! I spoke with Carl on the phone last night and I think within the next few weeks my dad and I are either going to ship the motor to him, or I am going to throw it in my truck and take a vacation! Honestly... I really like the second one.. I am going to pay him to fix the bottom end for me and look over the top end. (Since the previous owner had a leak up there.) That will really give me piece of mind and I know when he is done with it, I will be able to ride the bike anywhere!

Yes, great decision. Great time to travel to Florida.

[EFC7018]

Yea, that sounds like a plan, vacation would give you more bang for the buck.When I talked to him a couple weeks ago, somebody was going to see him fro Maine , I think, to have the starter gear put in.He seems to be pretty popular and real good At what he does, hence the title " Guru". So that sounds like a good move.

[KISSfanJoe]

Yes, he said people from all over have him fix their stuff! In fact he just got done with a motor from Europe! I would have no reservations with my bike after he puts his touch on it!