Gauging interest in big bore 1700 pistons. - Page 2

rozie · 03-12-2020, 01:47 PM

Is there any thing that us 1700 riders can or should be doing to lessen the chances of this trans problem from happening for us? or is this some type of design flaw with the way the gears move in the trans. Im sorry if Ive hijacked this thread.

mbarr10 · 03-12-2020, 08:14 PM

I moved the tread to TRANNY REBUILD...... AND MORE. Anyway I just got off the phone with Ray and the place where the dogs slide into the gear does not allow the gear to fully engage with the dogs. He cuts away material on the gear to allow a better deeper engagement of the dogs into the gear. As I understand it.
PM him and he can really explain it. I am not a mechanic.

RACNRAY · 04-27-2020, 11:37 AM

I just got the UPS delivery notice...I should have the pistons Thursday...I will post some pics asap as I am in the monumental moving of my shop to it's new location.

RACNRAY

RACNRAY · 04-30-2020, 10:21 PM

PISTONS CAME IN TODAY...took a quick look, pics asap.

mbarr10 · 04-30-2020, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rozie

Is there any thing that us 1700 riders can or should be doing to lessen the chances of this trans problem from happening for us? or is this some type of design flaw with the way the gears move in the trans. Im sorry if Ive hijacked this thread.

Best advice I have is do not ride it like a racing machine. I was hard on the bike, Yet that is how I got my smiles. Going from a 30 degree rake to a 28 degree rake on the 1700 made me think I had a crotch rocket. And I drove it that way. ( Never liked the riding position of a crotch rocket)

I feel all of this was my mistake, over use of the fantastically improved aspects of handling from my last bike ( 1500 Vulcan classic). But keep in mind this is not just a 1700 issue. Most all bikes have this Hard usage flaw. SO I AM TOLD. I am not a mechanic and do not pretend to be one.

If you want more power then see Rays new pistons. This I feel will be the last and greatest new power step in a 12 year run of these 1700 motors.

mbarr10 · 04-30-2020, 11:12 PM

Waiting for the future Pics on the new pistons Ray. Thanks for the innovations and extensive research.

RACNRAY · 05-01-2020, 07:22 PM

Only concern I have is the omission of the reliefs on either side of the skirt at the bottom as sometimes they are for clearance to the crank.Will check that out tomorrow.

Kopperhed · 05-03-2020, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

Only concern I have is the omission of the reliefs on either side of the skirt at the bottom as sometimes they are for clearance to the crank.Will check that out tomorrow.

Seems odd, do they know something you don't??

vindicator6 · 05-15-2020, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

Only concern I have is the omission of the reliefs on either side of the skirt at the bottom as sometimes they are for clearance to the crank.Will check that out tomorrow.

AWESOME! Thanks for the update and the call today. The roads are perfect these days with less cages on the road :)

Kopperhed · 11-08-2020, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RACNRAY

Only concern I have is the omission of the reliefs on either side of the skirt at the bottom as sometimes they are for clearance to the crank.Will check that out tomorrow.

any updates??

andyvh1959 · 11-15-2020, 10:51 AM

2nd gear issues have been the bane of many metric bike transmissions, even back to my 78 Suzuki GS1000. You'd think by now, decades later, that the Japanese manufacturers (especially Kawasaki & Suzuki) would have caught on an really beefed up the 2nd gear shift forks and dogs. Think about it though, 1st gear gets the bike launched, usually with a good bit of clutch action. But 2nd gear is what really gets the bike going and accelerating hard. Many times the rider hammers 2nd gear in and bangs out the clutch. So little wonder many high torque heavy bike riders bugger 2nd gear.

My VN1600 that I bought used for $1200 is super clean, was well maintained, had all the performance goodies. And I bet the PO liked to hammer it in 2nd gear to show off the Harleys (my 1600 originated in South Dakota). Especially with all the power updates and the heel/toe shifter its too easy to hammer 2nd gear. I don't use the heel shifter other than to find neutral at a stop. I prefer the toe shifter, and will likely remove the heel shifter after I tear the bike down to repair the 2nd gear issue.

RACNRAY · 03-04-2021, 06:22 PM

Finally after some electrical issues I got this bad boy runnin today and it sound bad azz. Gonna start the final re-assembly tomorrow and hope to put some miles on it next week.

Engine starts up just like a stocker and it has a very beefy exhaust tone, has lotsa pressure coming out the exhaust.

I am looking forward to ridin it.

RACNRAY

redjay · 03-04-2021, 06:56 PM

Enjoy the beefed up Vaquero.

mbarr10 · 03-06-2021, 03:18 PM

Keep us informed Ray. Thanks for the update.

vindicator6 · 03-06-2021, 04:59 PM

Ray called me up to listen to the bike run. He killed some gremlins besides the rebuild. I had to get a new radiator as mine was shot, and he worked on better coolant flow.
Other goodies as well...we went with an Ivan flash and a CDI pack. I already had a Power Commander . After break in, going to have it Dyno tuned. I truly want to thank Ray for his perseverance and skills for getting my ride back in shape! Look forward to riding her again!! (This Covid Crap didn't help much either!!)

03-12-2020, 01:47 PM	#16
rozie Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ontario canada Posts: 94	question for racnray Is there any thing that us 1700 riders can or should be doing to lessen the chances of this trans problem from happening for us? or is this some type of design flaw with the way the gears move in the trans. Im sorry if Ive hijacked this thread. __________________ 2015 vulcan vaquero ABS SE mettalic carbon grey 12in. windshield grasshopper driver backrest oem aux lights ram mount for gps freedom performance true duals tank bra saddle bag chaps kuryakin longhorn cruise pedals black isso grips chucksters risers k&n air filter ivanized VBA#03256 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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03-12-2020, 08:14 PM	#17
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	I moved the tread to TRANNY REBUILD...... AND MORE. Anyway I just got off the phone with Ray and the place where the dogs slide into the gear does not allow the gear to fully engage with the dogs. He cuts away material on the gear to allow a better deeper engagement of the dogs into the gear. As I understand it. PM him and he can really explain it. I am not a mechanic. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
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04-27-2020, 11:37 AM	#18
RACNRAY Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SOUTH FLORIDA Posts: 1,210	I just got the UPS delivery notice...I should have the pistons Thursday...I will post some pics asap as I am in the monumental moving of my shop to it's new location. RACNRAY __________________ "TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY"
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04-30-2020, 10:21 PM	#19
RACNRAY Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SOUTH FLORIDA Posts: 1,210	PISTONS CAME IN TODAY...took a quick look, pics asap. __________________ "TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY"
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04-30-2020, 11:12 PM	#21
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	Waiting for the future Pics on the new pistons Ray. Thanks for the innovations and extensive research. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
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11-15-2020, 10:51 AM	#26
andyvh1959 Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Green Bay WI Posts: 755	2nd gear issues have been the bane of many metric bike transmissions, even back to my 78 Suzuki GS1000. You'd think by now, decades later, that the Japanese manufacturers (especially Kawasaki & Suzuki) would have caught on an really beefed up the 2nd gear shift forks and dogs. Think about it though, 1st gear gets the bike launched, usually with a good bit of clutch action. But 2nd gear is what really gets the bike going and accelerating hard. Many times the rider hammers 2nd gear in and bangs out the clutch. So little wonder many high torque heavy bike riders bugger 2nd gear. My VN1600 that I bought used for $1200 is super clean, was well maintained, had all the performance goodies. And I bet the PO liked to hammer it in 2nd gear to show off the Harleys (my 1600 originated in South Dakota). Especially with all the power updates and the heel/toe shifter its too easy to hammer 2nd gear. I don't use the heel shifter other than to find neutral at a stop. I prefer the toe shifter, and will likely remove the heel shifter after I tear the bike down to repair the 2nd gear issue. __________________ My $1200 Vulcan, to start from.
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03-04-2021, 06:22 PM	#27
RACNRAY Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: SOUTH FLORIDA Posts: 1,210	First start-up Finally after some electrical issues I got this bad boy runnin today and it sound bad azz. Gonna start the final re-assembly tomorrow and hope to put some miles on it next week. Engine starts up just like a stocker and it has a very beefy exhaust tone, has lotsa pressure coming out the exhaust. I am looking forward to ridin it. RACNRAY __________________ "TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE HEART, NOT IN THE OUTSIDE FIXES" WITH OVER 46 YEARS AS A MOTORCYCLE TECHNICIAN/HI-PO SHOP OWNER I AM A PURVEYOR OF FACT NOT FICTION! "WE LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHAINS NEVER KNOWING WE HAD THE KEY"
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03-04-2021, 06:56 PM	#28
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,927	Enjoy the beefed up Vaquero.
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03-06-2021, 03:18 PM	#29
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	Keep us informed Ray. Thanks for the update. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
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03-06-2021, 04:59 PM	#30
vindicator6 Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 10	Oh, Yeah!! Ray called me up to listen to the bike run. He killed some gremlins besides the rebuild. I had to get a new radiator as mine was shot, and he worked on better coolant flow. Other goodies as well...we went with an Ivan flash and a CDI pack. I already had a Power Commander . After break in, going to have it Dyno tuned. I truly want to thank Ray for his perseverance and skills for getting my ride back in shape! Look forward to riding her again!! (This Covid Crap didn't help much either!!)
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