1700 Maintenance

**trip** · 05-14-2012, 07:40 AM

We all know what the service manual says about maintenancing the 1700's. I'd like to start a thread listing all of the maintenance items we've found to be important for the 1700's that's not in the book.

Feel free to list anything you guys have found concerning regular or one-time maintenance on the 1700's. Please include item and interval information.

Trip

Big Reyn · 05-14-2012, 07:59 AM

I found that initially (before the first 300 miles) you need to check your brake calibers. On my 2010 Voyager they were so loose I could shake it with my hand.

**bearbait** · 05-14-2012, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Reyn

I found that initially (before the first 300 miles) you need to check your brake calibers. On my 2010 Voyager they were so loose I could shake it with my hand.

Boy is THAT ever true! One of the front calipers on my Vaquero darn near fell off. One bolt rattled out completely and the other was hanging on by just a couple of threads. Not a drop of threadlock on them.

DarkStar · 05-14-2012, 09:56 AM

I realize it's a hot button topic, but as delivered the belt is really TIGHT. One of the first things I did was to change the deflection from the factory 3mm to 3/8", 9.5mm. I checked deflection last week and it's still at 3/8" 3k miles later, no noises or wear evident...

redjay · 05-14-2012, 05:23 PM

So what did setting the belt slacker do for you ?

smokey · 05-14-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearbait

Boy is THAT ever true! One of the front calipers on my Vaquero darn near fell off. One bolt rattled out completely and the other was hanging on by just a couple of threads. Not a drop of threadlock on them.

Did you report that to Kawasaki? sounds like a definite safety bulletin issue to me.

**bearbait** · 05-14-2012, 08:22 PM

I did not report. Apparently - see Big Reyn above - it wasn't just me. How does one make such a report? (I did tell my dealer, of course, with suitable emphasis. Maybe he passed it up the line.)

smokey · 05-14-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearbait

I did not report. Apparently - see Big Reyn above - it wasn't just me. How does one make such a report? (I did tell my dealer, of course, with suitable emphasis. Maybe he passed it up the line.)

Probably contact the head office of Kawasaki USA and file a report or complaint. That is what I would do if it was me.

ramdam1 · 05-14-2012, 09:10 PM

I tried to call Kawasaki once to complain about the local dealer. What a waste of time. They could care less. Hope you have better luck.

fntmwlf · 05-16-2012, 04:29 PM

I downloaded the manual, but when I tried to open it I got password protected. What is the password. Does anyone know? Or did I overlook it in a thread?

gv550 · 05-16-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearbait

Boy is THAT ever true! One of the front calipers on my Vaquero darn near fell off. One bolt rattled out completely and the other was hanging on by just a couple of threads. Not a drop of threadlock on them.

The front wheel and calipers are dealer installed.

**bearbait** · 05-17-2012, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gv550

The front wheel and calipers are dealer installed.

My dealer said that they come pre-assembled from the factory these days - "to avoid assembly problems." I have known the dealership for years and I believe what they say.

gv550 · 05-26-2012, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearbait

My dealer said that they come pre-assembled from the factory these days - "to avoid assembly problems." I have known the dealership for years and I believe what they say.

Not to start an arguement, but the front calipers are dealer installed on all 1700's. (I've worked p/t at a Kaw dealer, uncrating and assembling bikes)
The rear caliper is factory installed but it is still 100% the dealers responsibility to ensure all fasteners are tight during the PDI.
The caliper bolts do not require loctite.

If your calipers were loose, blame the dealer, not Kawasaki.

gv550 · 05-26-2012, 10:21 PM

Getting back to the original post by Trip, here is one maintenance item that I recommend.
Every 40,000 miles remove and replace the tab washer under the nut that holds the front belt pulley onto the transmission shaft, and retorque the nut to spec. Use moly/disulfide grease on the threads and the seating surface of the nut.
Mine failed at 50,000 miles, the washer split causing the nut to come loose, ruined the pulley and shaft, $4,000 to repair.
Do not ever re-use that tab washer, and don't loctite the nut.

**bearbait** · 05-27-2012, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gv550

Not to start an arguement, but the front calipers are dealer installed on all 1700's. (I've worked p/t at a Kaw dealer, uncrating and assembling bikes)
The rear caliper is factory installed but it is still 100% the dealers responsibility to ensure all fasteners are tight during the PDI.
The caliper bolts do not require loctite.

If your calipers were loose, blame the dealer, not Kawasaki.

Thanks for the info. This sheds a new light on my dealership, to be sure!

05-14-2012, 07:40 AM	#1
trip VBA Founder Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Lindale, Texas Posts: 6,846	1700 Maintenance We all know what the service manual says about maintenancing the 1700's. I'd like to start a thread listing all of the maintenance items we've found to be important for the 1700's that's not in the book. Feel free to list anything you guys have found concerning regular or one-time maintenance on the 1700's. Please include item and interval information. Trip __________________ Robert "Trip" Hilliard VBA/KawaNOW - Founder/Past President VBA # 00001 Trip's Website Custer 09, 18 / Maggie Valley 11 / Eureka Springs 09, 17 / Antlers 09, 10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 Texas Hill Country / Deals Gap / Colorado / Wyoming / Montana / Utah / More trips for Trip Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by trip; 05-14-2012 at 07:49 AM.
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05-14-2012, 05:23 PM	#5
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,930	So what did setting the belt slacker do for you ? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-16-2012, 04:29 PM	#10
fntmwlf Jr. Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Paramount, CA Posts: 21	1700 Vaquero maintenance manual I downloaded the manual, but when I tried to open it I got password protected. What is the password. Does anyone know? Or did I overlook it in a thread? __________________ 2011 Vaquero Black VBA # 2061 American Legion Riders Chapter 716
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05-26-2012, 10:21 PM	#14
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	Getting back to the original post by Trip, here is one maintenance item that I recommend. Every 40,000 miles remove and replace the tab washer under the nut that holds the front belt pulley onto the transmission shaft, and retorque the nut to spec. Use moly/disulfide grease on the threads and the seating surface of the nut. Mine failed at 50,000 miles, the washer split causing the nut to come loose, ruined the pulley and shaft, $4,000 to repair. Do not ever re-use that tab washer, and don't loctite the nut. __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details.
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05-14-2012, 07:59 AM	#2
Big Reyn Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Warsaw, Va. Posts: 69	I found that initially (before the first 300 miles) you need to check your brake calibers. On my 2010 Voyager they were so loose I could shake it with my hand.
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05-14-2012, 09:56 AM	#4
DarkStar Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Central Michigan Posts: 108	I realize it's a hot button topic, but as delivered the belt is really TIGHT. One of the first things I did was to change the deflection from the factory 3mm to 3/8", 9.5mm. I checked deflection last week and it's still at 3/8" 3k miles later, no noises or wear evident...
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05-14-2012, 08:22 PM	#7
bearbait Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Greene County, NY Posts: 143	I did not report. Apparently - see Big Reyn above - it wasn't just me. How does one make such a report? (I did tell my dealer, of course, with suitable emphasis. Maybe he passed it up the line.)
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05-14-2012, 09:10 PM	#9
ramdam1 Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Long Island New York Posts: 101	I tried to call Kawasaki once to complain about the local dealer. What a waste of time. They could care less. Hope you have better luck.
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