CA model, carbs, air, etc...

[Burnout]

Howdy All,

I have a 1997 Voyager VII, which, unffortunately, is the California model. The fuel pump died on me, luckly not too far from home, so am in process of dealing with that. Wondering if anyone else has ever had the CA model, and in taking the carbs off, going to clean them up, has anyone ever gotton rid of all the smog crap on there? What a nightmare of hoses and junk!

Also wondering, to make things easier in the future, can I just get rid of that air junction box, the top air cleaner box, and just put those single foam rubber filter deals on the back of each carb, and everything work OK? In my younger days (decades ago) I used to work on bikes for a living when I got out of High School back in the 70's n 80's. Been out of it since, but do still do my own wrenchin on bikes. In the older days you could get away with it that way, but this smog crap anymore.. Geezzz

CA does not smog bikes... yet. But.. if they ever do, I give up ridin even tho I want to get out of CA anyways.

Any suggestions, etc, would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

[triton28]

Burnout;
go to the AVA home page, find the Tech Center tab and select Voyager XII in the sub window.
Go to the engine section and the 7th article down, entitled "Carburetor Removal and Install--Additional Items and Tips"
is where Mr. Kauffman outlines what he did with all that plumbing.
I can't comment about individual filters not having ever done that,
Dave

[Burnout]

Hey Dave,
Thanks much for sending me to that info on the website here. There is so much on here that I havent explored yet. Glads its all here and people share about it all

I have spent the past few days getting carbs off, getting the smog crapola off, and figuring a plan of attack. Come to find out, my fuel pump itself was leaking. Throwin that away and doing that aftermarket fuel pump that was posted in the Tech place. Interesting note also, the fuel filter on it was the original Kawasaki part # too... yikes!

Went thru the carbs, which are tired but still in good shape. All good with them, no leaks, etc. I am waiting for those round foam rubber individual air filters to get here in the next couple days, and will post how well that does. I've taken lots of photos thru the process, and some video also. Maybe once I'm all done with the ordeal, I'll post pics and video somewhere.

Thanks again for your help, sir

Have a great summer!

Blake
"Burnout"

[Jimvoyager01]

I would like to see the pictures

[VoyKimmer]

Do not get rid of the air box. You will be sorry. Others have tried your idea ending up in bad running motor. Engine and carbs have been designed to run with the air box.

[ekap1200]

Hey Dave,
Thanks much for sending me to that info on the website here. There is so much on here that I havent explored yet. Glads its all here and people share about it all

I have spent the past few days getting carbs off, getting the smog crapola off, and figuring a plan of attack. Come to find out, my fuel pump itself was leaking. Throwin that away and doing that aftermarket fuel pump that was posted in the Tech place. Interesting note also, the fuel filter on it was the original Kawasaki part # too... yikes!

Went thru the carbs, which are tired but still in good shape. All good with them, no leaks, etc. I am waiting for those round foam rubber individual air filters to get here in the next couple days, and will post how well that does. I've taken lots of photos thru the process, and some video also. Maybe once I'm all done with the ordeal, I'll post pics and video somewhere.
"Burnout"

It has been mentioned before, about modifying the air filter with these carbs with somewhat poor results. these carbs need the proper air flow and in the right amount. The proper air flow is what raises the slides. The design of the air box system keeps the air flow at somewhat of an even rate , so as to not pulse the air to the diaphragms in the carb's and give a smooth raising of the slide. Also the crankcase vent is under the air box. How are you going to hook that up. and the top crankcase vent needs a place to go also. Not to mention now the water you will be allowing to get right at the four dinky individual filters right out in the open, should you get the need to ride in rain for hours on end..... OR the bike has sat all night in the pouring rain with the wind soaking the 4 foam air filters.
Fuel pumps can be had here on the forum as guys are constantly parting out wrecks . . . Properly done and maintained and care used in changing out the air filter these voyager will go 100,000 miles with no need of removing the carbs at all... I have seen more good carbs gone bad by just poor lack of common sense while changing out the air cleaner. Or in the off season NOT covering the intake on the box with some metal screen to keep the vermin out of it in the winter months. Making a mess out of the carbs and allowing crap to enter the engine come spring start up. That air box makes a nice winter home for mice...
Feel free to do whatever you wish but keep in mind many engineers and designers spent considerable time and effort in designing an engine that will go 300,000 miles before a freshening up on rods and mains and the bore's. ( if properly maintained )
Let us know how you make out and remember just post a request for a OEM fuel pump and someone here will chime in with one for sale.

Gene Kap 93,208 miles on a 2000,

[passin thru]

Speaking of fuel pumps, from time to time I see where E-Bay or someone is saying that the fuel pump for a Kawasaki 1700 will fit the XII. It looks to be a 4 wire plug and is considerably less expensive than what's listed for the XII. Does anyone know if it is a direct replacement?

P.S. I'm going off memory here and it's been a while since I've seen this so I might have some of this screwed up. Sorry.

[Burnout]

Hello everyone..

Finally got everything back up and running. I am planning on putting the stock air boxes back on. Yes, the round foam filter things do not make for it running very well. Had to try it anyways. I had already ordered the filters before someone mentioned about it. Thanks for the info.. now I know

The stock fuel pump itself did not work, and was leaking bad, even just sitting there sometimes. Especially, for whatever reason, in this winter times when it was cold. The fuel filter even had a Kawa stock part # on it.. guessing it had never been changed before, maybe? The fuel pump that I put on is an Edelbrock #17303 and is 2 to 3.5psi. It was $50 at Orielys Auto Parts store. I did find out in the process of installing it, that it is a gravity fed fuel pump. The fuel line coming out the bottom of the gas tank, I had to re-route to go below that side to side frame rail, and mount the pump below that so as to not loose any of the reserve gas that it has. The pump is working great and no problems with it. The red and black wires from the fuel pump, I hooked to the harness red and black wires.

I am still tinkering and getting everything buttoned back up, and also getting ready to put the stock air boxes back on soon. Weather out here in Northern CA in the Sierra's hasnt been very cooperating lately I'll post more once everything is back up to done-done on it.

Thanks everyone for your help and comments Tried adding photo of fuel pump, but it would not work. I'll figure it out.

Blake
"Burnout"

[Mr Jensee]

I got a spare fuel pump for my Voyager XII off ebay for very few bucks. It is brand new. I would try there before ordering an OEM off a supply site. And I could have told you getting rid of the airbox was a bad idea. Carl Leo informed me of that some time ago.

[Nails]

Well, I'm late to this party, but I'm gonna beat that dead horse anyway.

Ditto VoyKimmer, ekap1200, Mr Jensee, and now you: The large airbox (especially the second one) greatly improves low-end performance. I know this from messing with thumper dirtbikes.

I think the snorkels in that airbox don't do anything except muffle induction noise. However, I don't see an easy way to cut them off without compromising the airflow into the boots. I mean, the smooth bevel is essential to prevent turbulance (which can act like a dam). I'm extrapolating from culvert design, but I think removing the snorkel and replacing it with a well-executed bevel that is flush with the airbox wall would be a gainful mod -- slightly better airflow and a very nice induction noise. Wish I know how to make that happen.

Also, the reed valve assembly doesn't appear to be necessary. Not having it in the way sure makes it easier to remove the valve covers. (I read about a guy like that ;)

[ekap1200]

I got a spare fuel pump for my Voyager XII off ebay for very few bucks. It is brand new. I would try there before ordering an OEM off a supply site. And I could have told you getting rid of the airbox was a bad idea. Carl Leo informed me of that some time ago.

Good to hear the stock air box going back on.... its not just the voyager but all bikes with this type of carb setup seem to work well with the stock setup. It is a well thought thru machine and these carbs respond nicely when you open the throttle. And not to shabby on horse-power either.
On the fuel pump however I would prefer the stock set up of electrical wiring and electrical operation and leave the key/on - pump on set up for the emergency use a few thousand miles from home.
Key/on - engine stalled - laying on side = pump off. Worked out well for me when ' I had me and the bike kicked on our side and skidding to a halt. Bike sat on its side a min or two before I could get the key off. And ended up starting it up and limp ridin it the 2 miles home.
but that just my 2 cents
Gene K

[Eydugstr]

Was looking at this and wondering....Has anyone on the forum tried using these to eliminate the air valve setup on XII voyagers? https://www.murphskits.com/product_info ... 4Dtc2qEpV3

For $30 I'd be willing to buy a set and compare dimensions with those from a Voyager.

[Nails]

I can't open that link, but a bit of 2" aluminum flat bar is a lot cheaper.

[823JIM]

Has anyone ever just done away with the CV carbs and used a set of 29mm smooth bores. These were real popular back in the day on Z1 900 and KZ1000 kaws . I had a set on a Z1 with an 1170cc kit for drag racing, so I'm sure they would supply enough fuel/air for a stock Voyager.