Tranny rebuild... and more

[rozie]

cleaned the battery posts and cables with emmery cloth at the start of every riding season. the battery sits in the house all winter on a maintainer. I replaced the battery with the same type of AGM that came with the bike since new. this one has 270 CCA and the old one was 220 CCA. you can hear how much faster this one spins the motor when starting. so before doing all that I did check for voltage drop with the old battery and it started out at 12.9 volts, but when I hit the start button it drops down to 10.5. I dont know how the motor even started at that voltage but it did. I also use a 16in. long phillips screw driver when cranking down on the terminal screws using german torque specs. goodintite.

[smokier]

Ride safe,
Smokier

[mbarr10]

[mbarr10]

Called the Stealer today they said they found the cam shaft ( device that pushes the valve to the lifters was not filling the Lifters) ??? Isn't that a push rod???

Anyway they said the valve was not opening to push the oil to fill the lifters.

WTF, is this all about?? DragonLady58 Any insight here?? I am totally at a loss. But Happy I am not a mechanic, since every time I pick up a wrench I bleed. Seriously!! I have Band-Aids in my tool box. But I do change my own oil. And check bolts, that is about it.

[mbarr10]

Compression Valve stuck, It is under the derby cover on the kickstand side. They said they soaked it in oil for 2 days and reassembled. Never heard of such a thing but it worked.

Well it worked and I finally have the little beasty back home. Only 3.5 months later.

[RACNRAY]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

Compression Valve stuck, It is under the derby cover on the kickstand side. They said they soaked it in oil for 2 days and reassembled. Never heard of such a thing but it worked.

Well it worked and I finally have the little beasty back home. Only 3.5 months later.

I call BS. There is NOTHING under the left side engine cover. Hey...as long as it's runnin...

[vindicator6]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

I must concur, Why don't they do this ??

Believe it or not, Yamaha has back cutting on their bikes, mainly second gear only.

[smokier]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

[snip]...
Well it worked and I finally have the little beasty back home. Only 3.5 months later.

Excellent news! How does she ride? How does she shift? How does she FEEL? Happy?
Alrighty then! Time for make-up miles!



Ride safe and Congratulations!


Smokier

[mbarr10]

It is back in the house and it feels good. Like brand new with the forks done. There is an part of # 16130 listed as a "valve-assembly-relief". on the left side. Not sure really what that means. But it seems that was what the dealer was refering to. They most likely dumbed it down for me?

But after it is all done and said the bike runs like it was off the showroom floor, except the motor is almost broke in. DL58 says around 15,000 or so , If I remember correctly. I have 11,500 miles so far.

One happy camper here, glad to have it parked back home. tomorrow I can sit on it and go Vroom Vroom since it is 100% chance of rain. But it is back.

Rides well still a bit of a learning curve with the Metzler Cruz tec rear tire, feels good so far. One more heat cycle on the tire and I think it will be ready for a true test.

[vindicator6]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

With the inverted? shocks, I never noticed any leakage at all. I like to think it would have shown some on the matte finish. But it is what it is, it is out of my hands. It is 50 miles away at a shop I have never used.
Not sure if both seals are bad they just told me the seals needed to be replaced. I was so shocked, I just said, OK how long for the parts. And with all the labor involved- I am only paying for the replacement of the seals since Kawasaki is paying for the removal and reassembly of the forks in the Steering bearing replacement. So my seal replacement is parts and install of the seals in my labor charge.

I do plan on keeping this bike, so any work done now should reduce any long term costs later,..... So I hope.

I do keep in mind City miles take more of a toll on equipment than Freeway miles. Most of my miles are Stop and Go so the wear is more relevant to the use. Keeping in mind the 2nd gear issue was after 8,000 miles and taken in with 11,000 on the clock. ( And they let me send out the gears for undercutting)
Could be I am just a little hard on the bike. I do like to ride to the limits. DAMN FUN THOUGH.

I have never hear of Steering head bearings being bad at 11,000 miles either. (Yet they let me sub All Balls for the cost of parts) No Labor costs. Since they were doing a warrantee replacement of the bearings anyway.

I got a Lemon or I use the bike like it is not the machine I thought it was and or think it is. ????? I really do like how it rides and corners So DAMN FUN TO RIDE. My 1500 Classic had a 30 degree rake, this has a 28 degree and the cornering difference is AWESOME= Compared

No comments on the Ivan Flash either. And no mention of the Grade 8 bolts holding the mufflers on. ( UMMM, I took off the trailer hitch before I dropped it off) But here is the thing. I had the slippage in the tranny before I even had the trailer.

I believe you and I are in the same boat. This is my second time on transmission rebuild. Ray has caught several other items that my local shop neglected during last rebuild, like shifting arm worn out, Head bearing and forks, proper brake fluid flushing, etc. Lesson Learned....should have taken it to Ray to begin with. We don't have traditional shops up here. Most are dealers and in and out repair shops. I know where to go in the future if I have any major issues. I believe the 1700 had the most issues in the Vulcan line.

[DragonLady58]

Originally Posted by mbarr10

Called the Stealer today they said they found the cam shaft ( device that pushes the valve to the lifters was not filling the Lifters) ??? Isn't that a push rod???

Anyway they said the valve was not opening to push the oil to fill the lifters.

WTF, is this all about?? DragonLady58 Any insight here?? I am totally at a loss. But Happy I am not a mechanic, since every time I pick up a wrench I bleed. Seriously!! I have Band-Aids in my tool box. But I do change my own oil. And check bolts, that is about it.

Well, the Vaquero doesn't have the VVT controlled by oil at the cam to vary cam timing....VVT, which is Variable Valve Timing, is on larger engines, varies the # of cylinders running....which is a car thing....
The lifters are filled by oil fed from the oil pump, theres a feed hole in the lifter with a spring and plunger....only valve is in the lifter (one way check valve), once the lifter pumps up, that opens your intake and exhaust valves....no pushrods involved. The oil that feeds the cam journals, rockers also feeds the lifters....
When the lifter is collasped, or not pumped up, the valve still opens, just not as far as it should....after the engine runs some, it finally gets fresh, warm oil flow to the lifters, and then they start to pump up....
A slightly thicker oil would help this or some Lucas heavy duty engine oil stabalizer....as this is a thicker additive that keeps from having dry starts with engines that sit some. Has alot of film strength to it.
Anyway, the bike mechanic occupations are rather lacking, mostly new young people getting into the field just don't have the experience to call this one correctly evidently. Its a oil feed problem on the newer bikes. If you ride every day or every other day, your ok.....
If your bike sits for a week or so, the spring pressure pushing on the lifter or valve lash adjuster leaks it down....without lifter movement and oil pressure.
Older bikes and cars didn't have this problem unless they sat months at a time, because of heavier dino oils and heavier internal springs and seals....

[mbarr10]

Well, the Vaquero doesn't have the VVT controlled by oil at the cam to vary cam timing....VVT, which is Variable Valve Timing, is on larger engines, varies the # of cylinders running....which is a car thing....
The lifters are filled by oil fed from the oil pump, theres a feed hole in the lifter with a spring and plunger....only valve is in the lifter (one way check valve), once the lifter pumps up, that opens your intake and exhaust valves....no pushrods involved. The oil that feeds the cam journals, rockers also feeds the lifters....
When the lifter is collasped, or not pumped up, the valve still opens, just not as far as it should....after the engine runs some, it finally gets fresh, warm oil flow to the lifters, and then they start to pump up....
A slightly thicker oil would help this or some Lucas heavy duty engine oil stabalizer....as this is a thicker additive that keeps from having dry starts with engines that sit some. Has alot of film strength to it.
Anyway, the bike mechanic occupations are rather lacking, mostly new young people getting into the field just don't have the experience to call this one correctly evidently. Its a oil feed problem on the newer bikes. If you ride every day or every other day, your ok.....
If your bike sits for a week or so, the spring pressure pushing on the lifter or valve lash adjuster leaks it down....without lifter movement and oil pressure.
Older bikes and cars didn't have this problem unless they sat months at a time, because of heavier dino oils and heavier internal springs and seals....

Thank you for the response. Your comments are held in High Esteem to me. All is good for now. I ride, I am careful of getting on it hard in acceleration, sucks some but I really love the bike and very happy with the performance after the Ivan flash. Otherwise I would not even be here any more. I still have Racyn Rays throttle mod on and with the performance response, I am a happy guy. Always was, Just got a bit cocky on the not so bullet proof transmission. yet a great motor.

Coming from a 1500 Kawasaki classic the 2 degrees of rake difference on the Vaquero, I love the corners so much better. I can have so much more fun.

[vindicator6]

Glad to hear your ride is roadworthy again!

Enjoy the ride and ride safe!

[andyvh1959]

Hmm,.disturbing that Kawasaki has potential 2nd gear issues on the VN1700, like it did on the VN1600. Even my 1978 Suzuki GS1000 was known to suffer 2nd gear issues. !978 and now 2020 and 2nd gear issues persist. You'd think by now the manufacturers would have it figured out. I'll be pulling the engine out of my 1600 and tearing it down to repair a 2nd gear issues.

[mbarr10]

Originally Posted by andyvh1959

Hmm,.disturbing that Kawasaki has potential 2nd gear issues on the VN1700, like it did on the VN1600. Even my 1978 Suzuki GS1000 was known to suffer 2nd gear issues. !978 and now 2020 and 2nd gear issues persist. You'd think by now the manufacturers would have it figured out. I'll be pulling the engine out of my 1600 and tearing it down to repair a 2nd gear issues.

This issue was mostly my fault, So I think. I am/was kinda rough on it at times. Just handles so much better than my 1500 did. Makes me want to go faster.

I will tell you what though, I think it feels stronger for engagement in second now. Most likely just a feeling but I swear it feels different, since I had 2nd gear undercut by Racin Ray. I have so far backed off on the bike somewhat just thinking about what could happen again.
In talking with Ray, he told me the gears are beefier than the 2008-2012 model years. so they had made some changes over the years.