Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

hank43 · Jul 17, 2011

Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

Just received a Voyager kit this past week, and I am in the process of installing, just wondering if anyone else has installed their own kit?

Bike: Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager /ABS
MTC Kitr: The custom, witrh fiberglass fenders, 15" all chrome wheels, metal mud gard

bigjoey38 · Jul 17, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

Wish I could help..Had mine installed by the seller/dealer.

Check your PM:

oldman · Jul 17, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

Just go by the book take your time you will be OK.leave the bolt on the pan lose tile you make all the adj. o yes check the tire presser first.

vol02 · Jul 17, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

I installed mine on a 02 Suzuki Volusia almost a year ago. read the manual don't take or try any short cuts. Take your time and check your work. You should be ok. Just finished a 1100 mile round trip running 80% at 70 to 80 MPH. Ran and handled great even with one hand on the handle bar.

Papa Zook · Jul 17, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

hank43 said:
Just received a Voyager kit this past week, and I am in the process of installing, just wondering if anyone else has installed their own kit?

Bike: Kawasaki VN1700 Voyager /ABS
MTC Kitr: The custom, witrh fiberglass fenders, 15" all chrome wheels, metal mud guard

Ive done a few...if you have any questions fire away.

ronchi · Jul 19, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

installed 1 on my yamaha 1100 in december and 1 on 02 hd roadking. we were very lucky not having any problems so far. it was in our budget with being on a fixed income. it made it possible to keep riding. lots of knowledge here on triketalk. thankyou everyone.
would be nice to see more accessories available for voyagers though ! be safe ride safe

hank43 · Jul 24, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Bazooka</strong><br />
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<div class="message">Ive done a few...if you have any questions fire away.</div><br />
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</div>Well, there are a few questions. I have completed installation of the Voyager kit on my Kawasaki Voyager, and it seems to lean slightly to the right. How would I check plumb , laying a 4 foot level across the handlebars shows a different levelness than say, laying level across the driving lights, or across the mud guard on the kit. When I go down the road, I feel like I am leaning to the right, but it doesn't look that way when I am stopped. Cornering is really weird, and stopping without putting a foot down is just un-natural! I think it will all get better once I have all the bugs worked out, but would appreciate someones help who has installed one of these before. Nearest dealer to me is about 500 miles away, that's why I installed the kit.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Bike: 2009 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 ABS, approx. 1000 miles on the clock<br /><br />
Kit: Voyager Custom, fiberglass fenders, 15" Kool Chrome wheels<br /><br />
<br /><br />
1. Bike tire pressure is per Kawasaki<br /><br />
2. Voyager 15" tires are at 20 PSI<br /><br />
3.<br />
<br />
Pre-load is 1/2" set with the wood slab provided by MTC<br /><br />
4.

Wheels and suspension torqued as per MTC instructions<br /><br />
5. Voyager shocks set at 35 pounds, rebound set at llll on the shocks.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
BTW, there does not seem to be any torque specs other than the wheels and the rear suspension. Belly bracket u-bolts and Nylox nuts have no torque specs? what is "tight"<br /><br />
hank

Papa Zook · Jul 24, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>hank43</strong><br />
<a href="showthread.php?p=74276#post74276" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a><br />
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<div class="message">Well, there are a few questions. I have completed installation of the Voyager kit on my Kawasaki Voyager, and it seems to lean slightly to the right. How would I check plumb , laying a 4 foot level across the handlebars shows a different levelness than say, laying level across the driving lights, or across the mud guard on the kit. When I go down the road, I feel like I am leaning to the right, but it doesn't look that way when I am stopped. Cornering is really weird, and stopping without putting a foot down is just un-natural! I think it will all get better once I have all the bugs worked out, but would appreciate someones help who has installed one of these before. Nearest dealer to me is about 500 miles away, that's why I installed the kit.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Bike: 2009 Kawasaki Voyager 1700 ABS, approx. 1000 miles on the clock<br /><br />
Kit: Voyager Custom, fiberglass fenders, 15" Kool Chrome wheels<br /><br />
<br /><br />
1. Bike tire pressure is per Kawasaki<br /><br />
2. Voyager 15" tires are at 20 PSI<br /><br />
3.<br />
<br />
Pre-load is 1/2" set with the wood slab provided by MTC<br /><br />
4.

Wheels and suspension torqued as per MTC instructions<br /><br />
5. Voyager shocks set at 35 pounds, rebound set at llll on the shocks.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
BTW, there does not seem to be any torque specs other than the wheels and the rear suspension. Belly bracket u-bolts and Nylox nuts have no torque specs? what is "tight"<br /><br />
hank</div><br />
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</div><br />
</div><br />
</div>Hank,<br /><br />
First make sure you are driving the trike down the center of the lane (on the oil patch line) otherwise it will seem to be leaning. Also, it's fairly uncommon, but occasionally some bikes have a slight lean one way or the other when the Voyager Kit is installed until set up properly. This is not a Voyager defect, just the nature of the some bike's frame alignment relative to ground. The kit should have come with four large flat washers about 1 - 1/14" in diameter. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
You will need to loosen the left side belly plate bolts just slightly and the right side belly plate about 1/4 inch. These are the bolts that secure the belly plate to the mc frame.<br />
<br />
While someone leans the bike to the left, slide one washer under the rearward part of where the belly plate contacts the frame (immediately beside the bolts) and another washer towards the front end of the belly plate between the frame and the belly plate, on the right side. This will act as a shim and level out the bike.

Usually just one washer per end is all that is needed but you may add two per end if needed. Re-tighten the belly plate bolts on both sides and take a test ride.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
I have also found as have other Voyager owners here on the forum, that 1/2" pre-load is not always the optimum setup for this kit. It is commonly agreed that 3/4 to 1 " pre-load makes for better handling. You may want to give this a try after doing the leveling. Also, tire pressure is critical so always make sure both front and rear mc tires are set at max recommended pressure and the Voyager tires are set at 20 lbs. I wouldn't worry so much about the torques specs not provided just make sure every thing is good and tight and use nylock nuts and/or blue Locktite on everything and recheck them after the initial 50 miles then every 1000 miles.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
As you get these adjustments made and get used to the handling of your trike, I think you'll enjoy it. If you need any more tips feel free to call me anytime at 334-648-0157. I've been a Voyager Dealer for years and have done plenty of installs.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Zook

hank43 · Jul 24, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

Zook;<br />
Thanx for responding. I discovered I had a inclimometer (Shows angles in degrees, has magnetic base) and when I attach it to the brake disk on the front wheel, it shows exactly 90 degrees with the handlebars pointed straight ahead. If I turn the front wheel, then, of course, the angle changes, so I must be plumb and straight. Still, it seems like I am leaning slightly to the right. I will look again and be sure I am in the center (on the crown) of the road as you suggest. MTC included a single "shim" of about 1/8 inch steel about am inch wide, and about 4 inches long. Should I just go ahead and use that?<br />
<br />
Handling: Seems like I am fighting the bike as it goes down the road, is this normal? Turns are a whole new experience, kinda like driving an old truck with no power steering.<br />
<br />
I only ran over my foot once, I learn quick! <img src="images/smilies/trike 1 smilie.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Trike1" class="inlineimg" /><br />
<br />
Hank

Papa Zook · Jul 24, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>hank43</strong><br />
<a href="showthread.php?p=74330#post74330" rel="nofollow"><img class="inlineimg" src="images/buttons/viewpost-right.png" alt="View Post" /></a><br />
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<div class="message">Zook;<br /><br />
Thanx for responding. I discovered I had a inclimometer (Shows angles in degrees, has magnetic base) and when I attach it to the brake disk on the front wheel, it shows exactly 90 degrees with the handlebars pointed straight ahead. If I turn the front wheel, then, of course, the angle changes, so I must be plumb and straight. Still, it seems like I am leaning slightly to the right. I will look again and be sure I am in the center (on the crown) of the road as you suggest. MTC included a single "shim" of about 1/8 inch steel about am inch wide, and about 4 inches long. Should I just go ahead and use that?<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Handling: Seems like I am fighting the bike as it goes down the road, is this normal? Turns are a whole new experience, kinda like driving an old truck with no power steering.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
I only ran over my foot once, I learn quick! <img src="images/smilies/trike 1 smilie.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Trike1" class="inlineimg" /><br /><br />
<br /><br />
Hank</div><br />
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</div>Hank, <br /><br />
I haven't done a Voyager in a while now so they've apparently switched from the washers to the flat metal shim, which seems like a better solution anyway, but yes thats what it's provided for. If the bike is indeed sitting level, then it sounds like you need more pre-load. Try increasing your pre-load to 3/4 or 1" and I think you'll see a noticeable difference.<br />
<br />
In fact, I'm pretty amazed that they would even recommend a 1/2 inch pre-load for a bike the size and weight of your Voyager 1700.

I would definitely increase the pre-load and if it were me I'd go to 1".<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Zook

John Luciano · Jul 25, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

When I had my Voyager ( I installed it myself) I always felt like it leaned one way or the other. Pre load is important as is the rear tire pressure . They have come along way since my install in 1998 . That plowing in turns (especially taking off from a traffic light and turning left or right) is a slight struggle . Don't forget PUSH and PULL and lean & accelerate. The bike will lean opposite of the normal 2 wheeler .There is a longer learning curve than the full trike maybe 500 to 700 miles .Much heavier steering than a trike also ENJOY

stacebg · Jul 25, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

get away from the front end for checking level.....<br />
level on the rear disk or even a framing square against the back tire is mor accurite<br />
<br />
stace<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanx for responding. I discovered I had a inclimometer (Shows angles in degrees, has magnetic base) and when I attach it to the brake disk on the front wheel, it shows exactly 90 degrees with the handlebars pointed straight ahead. If I turn the front wheel, then, of course, the angle changes, so I must be plumb and straight. Still, it seems like I am leaning slightly to the right. I will look again and be sure I am in the center (on the crown) of the road as you suggest. MTC included a single "shim" of about 1/8 inch steel about am inch wide, and about 4 inches long. Should I just go ahead and use that?<br />
<br />
Handling: Seems like I am fighting the bike as it goes down the road, is this normal? Turns are a whole new experience, kinda like driving an old truck with no power steering.<br />
<br />
I only ran over my foot once, I learn quick! <img src="images/smilies/trike 1 smilie.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Trike1" class="inlineimg" /><br />
<br />
Hank[/QUOTE]

hank43 · Jul 30, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

Kit Installed. Now working on "Tune up" suggestions Pre-load, etc. At this point in time, bike handles like log truck with two flat tires. Will keep you all informed.....<br />
Hank

steamer · Jul 30, 2011

Re: Has anyone actually installed an MTC Voyager kit on their bike?

when you set your pre-load make sure there is no air in the rear shocks. Set the pre load at 3/4" then pump up the shocks. I found on my royal star venture,the more pre load the better the steering. I got mine to where thier was no head shake and steering was much easier. It seems the big bikes need more pre load. good luck.