Charlie O'Neal's Voyager project

[Mr Jensee]

This is my self imposed charity project on my friend Charlie Oneal's 2001 Voyager who died last year from stage 4 lung cancer. The bike is being fixed up to sell with the money going to his widow. This may take some time because I can only do what my health allows but so far I give thanks to the generous donation of a fellow AVA member through which I was able to pick up and install a new battery, air filter, oil filter and oil. Got the oil changed today, did some more cleaning. Overall the bike is in very good shape. I am going to have to dig out my old digital camera to post picture updates. Next I will be draining the fluids and changing them out. Lastly I plan to drain the carburetors if they haven't already been drained. Install a new fuel filter and then fresh gas. Waiting right now on the cable luber that was suggested to use to free up the throttle cables. Then I will free up the brakes. I suspect the bearings on both wheels are going to need attention. I cant wait to start it.

Charlie and Diane in 2010

[Mr Jensee]

Today (Friday) I refurbished the three brake calipers. New brake fluid. Everything works now.

[cushman eagle]

I am glad to see the progress you are making

[Mr Jensee]

Charlie's Voyager today

Saturday I completed replacing all the fluids minus the coolant. I cant really do anything with that until I get it running. So far that is a no. I put 2 gal. of gas in her after replacing the fuel filter. She will not start. Acts like it wants to but is pouring gas all over the garage floor. Looks like stuck float valves. Looks like I am going to have to pull the carburetors off next and take them with me to Florida to Carl when I take my Voyager to him. One thing that bothers me is that this bike still has the original air shocks and they don't stay charged. It makes it hell to get onto the center stand. More news to come.

[Mr Jensee]

Going to pull the carburetors tomorrow, Tuesday. Anybody have any suggestions on how to ease this process please chime in.

[Thadbaker86voyager]

Lots of patience! Lol! They slide out the left side. Starter removal gives a bit more room. Installing is harder, getting everything lined up and connected. The springs on the air box boots to carbs are the most "fun". More trying of the patience than difficult.

[cranky]

... I'd think some pics with a digital camera and some alpha sticky labels on wires/hoses/etc - on
both ends might be a good reminder.....

[Mr Jensee]

Well I got the carbs off. 2 hrs. A record for me. Removed the top and bottom air box and the coolant reservoir first. You are right, getting the throttle cables off was a bear . I might decide to remove the starter before I reinstall them but that wont be till after Christmas. The good news is I didn't resort to a barrage of four letter explelitives doing it!

[Mr Jensee]

The little woman and I are packing to leave for Florida. Friday morning while I am in dialysis she is going to pick up the motorcycle trailer. Hopefully by 1 pm Friday we will be on our 10 hour trek to Carl Leo's house. We will stay with 2 friends of ours who moved to Florida about a year ago. Unfortunately my very good friend is diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. We are headed there 2 weeks early because I don't know what kind of condition he will be in by January. If you think about it say a little prayer for him.

[cushman eagle]

Yes,Mr.Jensee,I will pray for him,and a friend of mine,who was also just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

[Mr Jensee]

Cushman we will say a little prayer for your friend also. Also praying we will have safe passage on the trip. Never towed a motorcycle on a trailer with the Kia Optima. Sometimes I wish I still had the V6 Sonata. That thing could tow!

[cushman eagle]

Thank you, MrJensee,for your prayers.His name is Bob Howard,he is the father of our daughters college roommate,20 years ago.I will also pray for your safe trip,and for Carl to find an economical repair for your bike.

[Mr Jensee]

We are staying at a my friend Leo Melancon in Palm Coast. He has stage 4 cancer and was admitted tonight to the hospital with a secondary infection. I hope he wont be in there more than a couple days. He has an optimistic attitude about the whole thing which is quite remarkable. I will keep Howard in my prayers while here. On the good news from Carl, says my bike is fixed and ready to go but he needs to test ride it to make sure. Haven't heard yet when I can pick it up. Getting excited but need to spend most of my day at dialysis tomorrow. I am pretty swollen up after 4 days without the treatment. Cant even make a fist with my hands right now. Hopefully I can pick the bike up tomorrow afterwards. Plan to ride it from his home to here about 40 miles. Will load it on the U-Haul trailer on the weekend just before we come home. You should see Carl's new residence. It is like something off HGTV. He has a spotless garage where he works on bikes. Well enough for now. I have to get ready for bed.

[cushman eagle]

Mr.Jensee,we are glad your bike is repaired and would like to know what Carl found to have failed

[Mr Jensee]

Me too! Hope to pick it up this afternoon. I plan to ride it from Ormond Beach to Palm Coast.

[Mr Jensee]

This is the last report on our trip. Carl repaired my Voyager, she is loaded on the trailer to come home. Unfortunately I have been very sick these last two days with vomiting and diarrhea and fever. Yesterday I was too sick to post anything. In the morning (Saturday) we are headed one more time to dialysis then headed back to Louisiana. I am fortunate my wife loves to drive so if I can she drive most of the trip. The bike had a burr on the third gear. Carl had to replace it. Might just be a factory defect. Carl says he has never seen this on a Voyager. Figures. Anyway I rode it from his house to Palm Coast without a hitch. Shifts like it is supposed to. Carl Leo is amazing. His price was very reasonable as well. Have Charlie's carburetors back looking great. Carl said all I have to do is install them.

[cushman eagle]

Thank you for the report,Mr.Jensee .It would be interesting to know how the burr came to be,and why it waited to show up now

[Mr Jensee]

We made it home after a 14 hour non stop except for gas trip. Bike is in the garage. I have a coolant leak but not planning on addressing it till I have had some rest and gotten better. After Christmas I plan on returning to working on Charlie's Voyager and putting the carbs back on her. Right now all I want is some much needed bed rest.

[Gator Mike]

Welcome home Michael. We saved the cold weather for your return. Of course the folks up north are going to be laughing at our "cold weather". Glad the bike is safely home too. Get plenty of rest before you get start working and riding. Merry Christmas

[vxiirider]

Happy to hear that you had a safe trip and wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Our cold up here in Michigan is supposed to be a "high" of 18 degrees on Christmas day with 3 inches of snow. UPDATE ------ 5 inches of snow on the ground with another 5 possible today -------- what happened to global warming ????????????