Gonna update Voyager suspension

[Oldveteran]

Trikers with Voyagers: This is going be a continuing thread. My aim is to take the metal-to-metal contact out of the suspension forks on the Voyager kit I have. It is an old one with twin shocks, but the principle is the same on the forks and the fork hangers. I will replace the hangers (wet or grease bolts), bushings to nylon, side isolation with nylon washers, and radius the edges of the fork itself so it will not cut into the nylon bushings. I have most of the locations for parts lined up, and will post pictures and parts availability list, prices, and part numbers as I go. As well, I will pass along the riding experience and capability of new part set-up. I am not sponsoring or supporting any particular retail dealer or manufacturer. Everything is coming off the internet.

Oldveteran (I don't give up easily!)

[dadztoy]

Will watch your progress with interest even though I ride a Tow-Pac machine... Always interested in projects of others...

Les

[baba67]

Being a "Old Veteran" myself and riding with the voyager kit for a couple of years now.

I have been experimenting with different ideas to quiet down the rattle issue we get "annoyed" with on an otherwise great outrigger kit.

You would think that "Voyager" would be all out to come up with the rattle solution.

I will be waiting for your next post, and following closely your recommendations and solutions, Thank you for helping us all with this issue,

Bob,

USMC Viet Nam 68

Trikers with Voyagers: This is going be a continuing thread. My aim is to take the metal-to-metal contact out of the suspension forks on the Voyager kit I have. It is an old one with twin shocks, but the principle is the same on the forks and the fork hangers. I will replace the hangers (wet or grease bolts), bushings to nylon, side isolation with nylon washers, and radius the edges of the fork itself so it will not cut into the nylon bushings. I have most of the locations for parts lined up, and will post pictures and parts availability list, prices, and part numbers as I go. As well, I will pass along the riding experience and capability of new part set-up. I am not sponsoring or supporting any particular retail dealer or manufacturer. Everything is coming off the internet.

Oldveteran (I don't give up easily!)

[peteg59]

Sounds good Dallas

Perhaps you could contact someone in the Voyager company with your solution to the "rattling" of parts on their kit(s), and sell them this new "fix" you came up with, (once you have it together, of course)?

That could be a potential win~win for you in developing a solution to a problem you're having, AND perhaps getting paid for doing it!

[Oldveteran]

Will watch your progress with interest even though I ride a Tow-Pac machine... Always interested in projects of others...

Les

Thanks, Les, for the encouragement. I'll so my best to get all of this on the tube at Trike Talk!

Oldveteran

[Oldveteran]

Being a "Old Veteran" myself and riding with the voyager kit for a couple of years now.

I have been experimenting with different ideas to quiet down the rattle issue we get "annoyed" with on an otherwise great outrigger kit.

You would think that "Voyager" would be all out to come up with the rattle solution.

I will be waiting for your next post, and following closely your recommendations and solutions, Thank you for helping us all with this issue,

Bob,

USMC Viet Nam 68

Thanks, Bob, Semper Fi! Oldveteran (Army boy)

[Oldveteran]

Sounds good Dallas

Perhaps you could contact someone in the Voyager company with your solution to the "rattling" of parts on their kit(s), and sell them this new "fix" you came up with, (once you have it together, of course)?

That could be a potential win~win for you in developing a solution to a problem you're having, AND perhaps getting paid for doing it!

I do appreciate your input and attention, Pete! I will cure this thing. Oldveteran

[dadztoy]

Thanks, Les, for the encouragement. I'll so my best to get all of this on the tube at Trike Talk!

Oldveteran

[Oldveteran]

IT IS ALIVE!! I have put nylon where steel used to be, and although it is not where I want it to be mechanically (remember, I'm pretty anal) it is a full and rewarding step down the right road! I am still using steel axles, but I have ordered new ones with grease fittings. So far, I have put a nylon bushing over a steel 1/2" x 5/8" bushing that goes on the 1/2" wet bolt axle. The nylon bushing is 11/16" ID x 3/4" OD x 1" L. This replaces the OEM steel stuff. Now, I had to EXPAND the rear fork by 1/8"on the suspension to accommodate the BEST thing I did. By expanding the internal width of the suspension fork, I was able to insert two nylon washers within the spread of the fork. Now there is 1" nylon roller, and two 1/2" ID x 1 & 3/16" OD nylon washer that are 1/16 " thick at the ends of the new roller in the fork. These form a nylon directional guide on the sides of the fork. The suspension head glides smoothly in the NYLON CHANNEL I made. I did realign the unit and made certain that the fork axles were in alignment with each other by threading them in or out of their respective carriages. I took it out and VIOLA! the thing is quiet! I ran up to about 40 MPH on my bumpy stretch of pavement, pulled the clutch, and shut off the engine. No suspension RATTLES! I could hear the tires on the pavement and a muffled rattle from the Tour Pac. That's about all and I did not hve my helmet on so I could LISTEN. I will CLEAN the mess up and make it presentable for your inspection. MORE to come.

Oldveteran

[peteg59]

It is rewarding when one comes up with a solution to a nagging issue, as it sounds like you've done. Good job Dallas.

Hopefully these nylon "adders" are easy to see, & monitor, for wear?

Delrin is another good material that is pretty tough as far as wear goes. Not in the same price range as nylon unfortunately, but could go farther from a maintenance standpoint...

[baba67]

[QUOGreat now you need to put together a tutorial for all us other "old Vets" and voyager fanatics...Great job...TE=peteg59;478395]It is rewarding when one comes up with a solution to a nagging issue, as it sounds like you've done. Good job Dallas.

Hopefully these nylon "adders" are easy to see, & monitor, for wear?

Delrin is another good material that is pretty tough as far as wear goes. Not in the same price range as nylon unfortunately, but could go farther from a maintenance standpoint...[/QUOTE]

[Oldveteran]

It is rewarding when one comes up with a solution to a nagging issue, as it sounds like you've done. Good job Dallas.

Hopefully these nylon "adders" are easy to see, & monitor, for wear?

Delrin is another good material that is pretty tough as far as wear goes. Not in the same price range as nylon unfortunately, but could go farther from a maintenance standpoint...

I knew about DELRIN but it is pretty costly and not yet available in needed sizes. You can definitely see the parts I assembled, and time will tell about the wear strength of the nylon. I'm going to ride it awhile keeping it lubricated and see what kind of wear patterns I get. Will keep ya'll posted.

Oldveteran

[dadztoy]

old vet,

you might also check at various Marine Supply shops... The larger ones have some decent selections of delrin type bearing materials...

[speedbuggy]

I have did some mods to my Voyager kit also. I have used better washers with rubber backing,

put rubber between all metal parts and undercoated all areas.

It helps take out the rattles and creaks.

Still have some rattles and knocks and working on them.

[Oldveteran]

Hey gang! Just put 872 miles on the "plastic" Voyager, and I must admit, I am quiet pleased with my creation. Tear down showed very little impact on the nylon bushings and washers. About .003 inch on the left bushing and no measurable wear on the right one. The road taken was pretty sedate and smooth, but there were some areas that caused some bouncing around and gave the unit a good test ride. The unit stayed mostly rattle-free and tight. One member on this forum suggested washers and bushings made from Delrin, so I believe I will money up and order some pieces if I can find the right sizes. Accordingly, I AM JUST TICKLED PINK!

Oldveteran

[Oldveteran]

I have did some mods to my Voyager kit also. I have used better washers with rubber backing,

put rubber between all metal parts and undercoated all areas.

It helps take out the rattles and creaks.

Still have some rattles and knocks and working on them.

Thanks, Speedbuggy. I will get some "isolation" rubber parts and some undercoating or that stuff the crazy guy seals up boats and such with.

Oldveteran

[baba67]

Or better yet,

Why not put a kit together and make some money?

I for one would be interested.

Keep up the good work...

Hey gang! Just put 872 miles on the "plastic" Voyager, and I must admit, I am quiet pleased with my creation. Tear down showed very little impact on the nylon bushings and washers. About .003 inch on the left bushing and no measurable wear on the right one. The road taken was pretty sedate and smooth, but there were some areas that caused some bouncing around and gave the unit a good test ride. The unit stayed mostly rattle-free and tight. One member on this forum suggested washers and bushings made from Delrin, so I believe I will money up and order some pieces if I can find the right sizes. Accordingly, I AM JUST TICKLED PINK!

Oldveteran

[ROADRASH 49]

Hey gang! Just put 872 miles on the "plastic" Voyager, and I must admit, I am quiet pleased with my creation. Tear down showed very little impact on the nylon bushings and washers. About .003 inch on the left bushing and no measurable wear on the right one. The road taken was pretty sedate and smooth, but there were some areas that caused some bouncing around and gave the unit a good test ride. The unit stayed mostly rattle-free and tight. One member on this forum suggested washers and bushings made from Delrin, so I believe I will money up and order some pieces if I can find the right sizes. Accordingly, I AM JUST TICKLED PINK! n

Oldveteran

I am so excited and can't wait to see your final product list of parts you used on your Voyager. In 2015 I bought the Custom kit with reverse for my '06 Honda VTX 1300 and am extremely pleased with it. After a 2,300 mile road trip, I am ready to quiet it down a little! Does anyone else get tire oscillation bounce on rough road strips? I reloaded my spring load from recommended 1/4" to 5/8" and it really seemed to solid it up over most conditions. When my group goes on rides, it will be much better to have mine run quiet on the rough areas so I won't have to explain the rattles with "Nothing wrong here, move along!" LOL

[Oldveteran]

I now have over 1000 miles on the "nylon" Voyager and the latest inspection shows very little if any wear on the components I installed. I am using waterproof trailer bearing grease on the wet bolts and suspension rollers. It stays on and lubes really well. Just gonna keep riding and see what developes. If problems arise, I will get them on the site.

By the way, I just ordered a Kuryakyn passenger grab rail for my ride so the wife will have something to hold on to besides me, not that I am complaining, but the way the scooter now rides takes some adjustment by the passenger because (1) they don't know what input the operator is going to do next and (2) they don't have the handlebars to hang on to when he/she does it. I have learned to be nice to my wife. It took about 40 years, but I am a fast learner!

Love you guys!!

Oldveteran

[Oldveteran]

LISTED ITEMS FOR CONVERTING VOYAGER TRIKE TO NO METAL-TO-METAL IN SUSPENSION FORKS
PART	SIZE	PART NUMBER	PURCHASED at	NUMBER	PRICE (ea)
Nylon bushing	ID 1/2” x OD 7/8”		eTrailer or Lowes	2	$0.61
Grease bolt	OD 1/2” x 2 & 13/16” L		McMaster Carrr	2	$3.18
Nylon washer	ID 1/2” x 1 & 3/16” OD		Lowes	4	$0.37

Oldveteran