Suspension observation...OK, a DUH!

[k7nutN7nut]

As some of you may know, my '00 V XII is "new to me", after swapping the engine from the "salvage titled" '00 into the blown head gasket bike, I have only run the clock up to , just over 3700 miles. The salvage titled bike had 2453 miles on her and I kept the gauge set with each engine. So, I haven't done the math yet, let me grab the HP...
OK, I went out and looked at the Voyager...3824
Sooooo, according to my calculations, that's a whopping 1371 miles I have piloted a Voyager XII!
Now that's not counting the 80 mile round trip to work, when the speedo cable fell off the front wheel, for that trip...different story, but I fixed it.
I know it may get annoying how I compare to the KLR 650 alot, but for the last 9 years, that's what I have had and believe you me, other than the transmission, there is nothing else on that bike that does NOT have my finger prints on it!
Some for improvements, some because of parts failure?
I only mention, because of this...
Over the years, I learned how to change the fork seals on my KLR without Kawasaki's "special tool" for holding the shaft, way down inside the tube. I then couldnot help to see oil puking out the portside fork on the Voyager as soon as I started riding it. Other than the top of the fork tube, will call it the "retaining ring", the V XII and KL:R are the same. So I changed the seal and all is good.
Now something I was Noticing in riding forth and back to work...going through corners, I'm not sure how to explain it or name it, but the bike would "pogo", front would go up while rear would go down, then change, back & forth! Not real big, but it's not confidence inspiring, and being an X-road racer, I really like confidence in cornering, if you know what I mean!?
Now, on the KLR, I found the manual says how much air you can put into the forks, but I found NO-air and regulating with different weights of oil, then later getting Progressive fork springs, did WAY more for it, than air?
So, I decided to pull the Voyager back into the shop, get her on the center stand and read up on the suspension. Now, understandably I was a skeptic on "air" improving your ride? However, I read about it and then put air in the front, because I had the portside fork off to change the seal, therefore there was NO air up front. The rear I never touched, it had about 21PSI in it and the rebound were not the same. So, I put the 7.5 pounds in the front, increased to 25PSI in the rear(just to fell a change) and set the both rebound's to 3.
Now, what you've all been waiting for...it corners like a dream(as good as a tank can), it has stability, predictability and no more "pogoing"!
So, in conclusion, I definitely found that my KLR and my Voyager XII need to be handled differently in it's settings...there's the big DUH for this thread!
And, just to regurgitate the obvious, this forum is a BIG help, thanks to all members who "pass on" there knowledge!

[gearheadfla]

Switch to Progressives front and rear and forget about the air, the ride and handling 100% better, it's the best mod I have done to the 88.

[Mr Jensee]

for probably less than $300 for both front and rear the Progressive springs and shocks will turn the old Voyager into a different animal. Probably the best thing you can do for her and yourself. The air suspension will drive you nuts.

[Gator Mike]

Ditto on progressives. I've only done the front because the forks were almost bottoming out when braking (with 8# of air). Progressives fixed that plus an uneasy feeling I was getting in tight corners. She now feels like the front end is glued to the curve.......Gator Mike

[k7nutN7nut]

Hey guys, just an update on my "pogoing". It came back, so I have been playing with the air and rebound. I got it pretty good, except in right sweepers and
one day at home, I was looking at...I'm not sure what, but on the starboard side in front of the saddle bad, this is what I saw...



I think I figured out why it corners "better" in left sweepers!?
I had to tear down the bike anyway, to change the antenna for the Yaesu FTM-10SR, so I changed the rear shocks over to the "donor" bike set, they had 2453 miles on them. Why I didn't do that when I swapped the engines...I didn't know either one was bad, guess the added air & daily riding caused it to show it's head?
Oh and to add insult to injury, the Dunlop E-3's are shot! The front looks like it could go through the summer...maybe, but the rear has one wear hole on it.
Not sure what you call it, but the cords aren't showing, but the first layer of rubber is gone, the second is showing. While I have everything pulled off to change the rear shocks and antenna, I'm just leaving it torn down waiting for tires and I'll ride the KLR to work next week. Well, I guess I wont have the storage for awhile?

[k7nutN7nut]

OK, I got a pic of the tire today and uploaded it to the web site, you think I can get through the Summer?

[SgtSlag]

I'm not offering offense, so if you take it, that would be stealing...

Pre-ride inspections will help you avoid much of this. The bike should be visually inspected before each ride, to examine the condition of the tires (wear, pressure, defects), the lights (checking function of all, prior to ride), and to look for any obvious signs of repairs needed (things broken/mis-aligned, fluid leaks). There is an acronym of TCLOCK, or something -- don't know what it means, exactly, but it is a simple laundry list of things to check before riding.

You only have two wheels for traction, support, and braking. If you tour, TCLOCK becomes even more critical. If you ride two-up, well, you get the idea.

At least once per year, the bike should be gone over thoroughly, and fluids should be changed on a schedule. There are maintenance reminder app's that can help you track, and schedule, maintenance, to keep on top of these things. The old addage of, "an ounce of prevention saves a pound of cure", is ever so true on motorcycles. Cheers!

[Gator Mike]

Ditto to what SgtSlag said. TCLOCK stands for Tires,Controls,Lights,Oil,Chassis,Kickstand. I'm guilty of not doing it before short rides but getting better. My nephew is a believer because he had relatively new tires but just happened to notice a spot that looked much like yours after a ride. He now looks religiously........Gator mike

[gearheadfla]

OK, I got a pic of the tire today and uploaded it to the web site, you think I can get through the Summer?

Also notice the cracking in the treads, that along says this tire is done, always check for cracks or anyting else that just don't look right, remember, the only thing between you butt and the road at 70 mph is the tires, it's never good when the two meet.

[k7nutN7nut]

Thanks for the "tips" guys, and no offense taken. The truth is, back in March when I got the engine swapped, the rear "stock" tire from the donor bike was ruined in the accident, it would no longer hold air. This tire was on the '00 I traded for and when I moved the tire to this wheel, I knew I was on "borrowed" time, I just didn't have the coin for a tire at the time!? I was just hoping it would have got me to June(I go on "day shift"), but alas, no dice! No problem, I'm ordering a rear tire and putting the 2453 mile front tire on...BTW how are the "stockers"...as if I have an option?
So, until the tire gets mounted, I'm on the KLR...I sure miss the storage!

[MalamuteMike]

If not sure about the tires, check the date code, the numbers are in a oval I think on the left side and is a 4 digit number, first 1& 2nd#'s are the week and the 3 &4#'s are the year (2712)= 27th week and 12=2012 if the tires are over a few years old I would change them to be safe and if you find a 3 digit code get them off now those tires are so old they might have been made during the civil war, only problem was they didn't know how it air them up back then and they found a warehouse full and put them on motorcycles really they quit using 3 digit code I think back in the late 1990's.

[k7nutN7nut]

If not sure about the tires, check the date code, the numbers are in a oval

I will have to check that later...at work now. But, I was able to get the new tire mounted on the wheel and because of the money shortage, I had to get a "cheaper" tire, could not get an E3 like I took off it! I got a Shinko Tour Master 230, a friend has one on his Shadow 1100, I'll let you know...unless I'm dead!?
But, wouldn't you know it, I get the bike back together a little later than I'd hoped, but who cares, I still got to ride her to work tonite...but it rained, first time in over a month! Brand new tires AND, it rains! Careful in the curves. I remember learning how to slide my Ninja 600 when it rained, but NOT the Voyager.
So, even though it was a "cheak squeezing" ride in, I did also get the the rear shocks changed over. So, new skins and, a NON-pogoing suspension!
First off, the new tires are "round"(curved actually), so cornering is a breeze, it wants to "fall" into curves now, where as before with the wore out tires, I had to "push" it down to hold a line, it was a chore!? Now it's a pleasure to ride and I could see having the wife on board and still having an enjoyable time. Second, not having one of the rear shocks leak, is Sooooooo confidence inspiring. I can't believe it, she feels like a whole NEW/different bike now?
This will be alot of fun...now I just got to get together with Pete and figure out my audio system...I got the FTM-10SR installed now, after modifying the amp. Post pics later.