Voyager rear wheel removal

Got a tech tip for Vulcan Voyager 1700'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
gv550
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:15 pm
14
Location: Canada
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by gv550 »

My rear wheel has been off twice, once by a dealer to replace the tire, and once by me.
If you follow the Kaw manual (as the dealer did) you gotta remove the rear trunk, the chrome trim, the saddlebags, the saddlebag mounts and the muffler just to be able to get the rear axle out. All this took the dealer 2-3 hours, but they had already quoted me the standard 3/4 hours so that's all they charged me ;-) .
When I did the job, I just removed the saddlebags (3 bolts each) and rear shocks (2 nuts each), propped the rear wheel up and pulled the axle out above the saddlebag mount. The right shock comes off easy, just remove the nuts and slide it sideways, the left side chrome trim needs to be loosened enough to pull it sideways to get the shock to clear the stud. Took me about ten minutes.
I did have the bike high enough to drop the wheel out the bottom, most lifts have a hinged rear section for doing this.
Garry
Garry
2009 VN1700 Voyager ABS 625,000+ kms
1999 VN800 Drifter 210,000+ kms
2005 VN1600 Nomad Sold after 239,100 kms
User avatar
RodWestphal
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 13
Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:58 pm
16
Current bike(s): 209 VV1700
2008 Concours14
Location: Alamogordo, NM
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0
Contact:

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by RodWestphal »

Gary
Thanks for the info. Just removed my rear wheel last night. I dropped the wheel below the bag mounts, not above, but still the same result. Took more than 10 minutes, but still got the job done. Took my time to check things out. Getting the new tire put on Thursday and then back on and out for a ride.
RR
Have Motorcycle Will Travel
2009 VV1700
2008 Concours14
Richard
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 1
Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:53 pm
14
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by Richard »

do you know if the 180/60-16 will replace the 170/70-16?
gv550
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:15 pm
14
Location: Canada
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by gv550 »

Yes, a 180/60-16 will fit on a Voyager.
If you are considering a Dunlop E3, the 180/60 is a radial tire while the 160/80 is bias ply.
I am running the 160/80 and getting 25,000 miles from them. The radial will go only half of that distance.
Garry
2009 VN1700 Voyager ABS 625,000+ kms
1999 VN800 Drifter 210,000+ kms
2005 VN1600 Nomad Sold after 239,100 kms
User avatar
1st one
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 32
Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:13 am
15
Current bike(s): 2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager
Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Canada
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by 1st one »

gv550 wrote:My rear wheel has been off twice, once by a dealer to replace the tire, and once by me.
If you follow the Kaw manual (as the dealer did) you gotta remove the rear trunk, the chrome trim, the saddlebags, the saddlebag mounts and the muffler just to be able to get the rear axle out. All this took the dealer 2-3 hours, but they had already quoted me the standard 3/4 hours so that's all they charged me ;-) .
When I did the job, I just removed the saddlebags (3 bolts each) and rear shocks (2 nuts each), propped the rear wheel up and pulled the axle out above the saddlebag mount. The right shock comes off easy, just remove the nuts and slide it sideways, the left side chrome trim needs to be loosened enough to pull it sideways to get the shock to clear the stud. Took me about ten minutes.
I did have the bike high enough to drop the wheel out the bottom, most lifts have a hinged rear section for doing this.
Garry

I have a question? Can any one tell me what procedure they have used to get the correct belt deflection. I have a shop manual and it appears that they require precise measurement. Mark at front of belt cover before pushing on belt then after pushing up on belt. Push up on belt at window with tool to the mark on tool , rotate tire 90 deg, then measure and mark again. Use the max difference on the two measurements. They will give a number in the book, flip the page and its a different set of numbers. So if any one can offer advice I will be most grateful
If your back tire lasts more than a season,
Then your not riding enough

2009 Voyager
1st One
gv550
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 9
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2009 5:15 pm
14
Location: Canada
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by gv550 »

Drive belt deflection is 3.0 to 4.5 mm with 45 N force.
Garry
2009 VN1700 Voyager ABS 625,000+ kms
1999 VN800 Drifter 210,000+ kms
2005 VN1600 Nomad Sold after 239,100 kms
User avatar
TheAudiDoc
Traveler
Traveler
Posts: 112
Joined: Fri Aug 28, 2009 12:55 pm
14
Current bike(s): 2015 Harley Ultra Limited
2009 VV1700 SOLD
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by TheAudiDoc »

did mine last week...piece of cake.....30 minutes of work total....did the E3 180/60 fixed the speedo being off too.... within 1 mph now :thmup:
Work hard.....Ride Harder!
Mike Pisarski , Tecumseh, MI
2015 Harley Ultra Limited
2009 Voyager Silver/Black Sold
2010 & 2011 Showdown 1st Place
It's A U D I
User avatar
Kevin B in Illinois
Traveler
Traveler
Posts: 192
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 9:50 pm
16
Current bike(s): 2001 Honda GL1800
1990 Kawasaki Voyager XII
2002 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 Kawasaki Vulcan Voyager
1969 Kawasaki Sidewinder 250
1965 Kawasaki F2TR 175
2006 Suzuki DL1000
Location: Near Salem, Illinois
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0
Contact:

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by Kevin B in Illinois »

It usually takes me an hour start to finish. It takes my wife less time to do it , but she doesn't have to stop and get a beverage and sit and look at the bike and then turn on the music and listen to the tunes for a while. Last time she helped me change the rear tire...it cost me a little more since one of her diamonds fell out of her wedding ring set. Got a great deal on the Dunlop, but the ring being fixed added some moolah to the deal so it evened out. All in all it was time well spent together :tho:

Kevin Braddy
IPVMC
President
RichLee
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Jan 25, 2014 12:36 am
10
Current bike(s): 2011 voyager 1700
Location: San Antonio, Tx
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by RichLee »

:?: Anyone have pictures or video on how to easily remove the rear wheel?
User avatar
ewilberg
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2014 9:37 pm
10
Current bike(s): 2011 Vulcan Voyager 1700 ABS
Location: Fair Oaks, CA
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by ewilberg »

gv550 wrote:Yes, a 180/60-16 will fit on a Voyager.
If you are considering a Dunlop E3, the 180/60 is a radial tire while the 160/80 is bias ply.
I am running the 160/80 and getting 25,000 miles from them. The radial will go only half of that distance.
So I got the E3 and my ABS light stays on any suggestions on how to fix that?
Thanks
Eric
Thanks,
Crash
User avatar
ewilberg
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Jan 19, 2014 9:37 pm
10
Current bike(s): 2011 Vulcan Voyager 1700 ABS
Location: Fair Oaks, CA
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: Voyager rear wheel removal

Post by ewilberg »

TheAudiDoc wrote:did mine last week...piece of cake.....30 minutes of work total....did the E3 180/60 fixed the speedo being off too.... within 1 mph now :thmup:

So I put the E3 on my Vulcan Voyager 2011 1700 and the ABS light stays on and ideas how to fix that?
Thanks,
Eric
Thanks,
Crash
Post Reply

Return to “Tech Tips - Voyager 1700 V-Twin”