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Old 02-12-2018, 09:59 PM   #1
Abby   Abby is offline
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Need some input please on the Nomad 1700 ABS model

Thanks in advance members! Got my eyes a on new leftover 2014 Nomad 1700 at an Indy dealer. After reading several pages here, it seems that pre '15 1700's have a problem with malfunctioning HLA's, run hot and a few other issues. I've read about Ivan's ECU tune. Seems that many new bikes benefit from similar ECU adjustments. EPA has demanded emission controls that severely hamper new bikes' performance. Ok gotcha. The valve adjuster issue has really got me bugged. How prevalent is this problem?



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Old 02-13-2018, 09:02 PM   #2
BudMan   BudMan is offline
 
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I have not had a 1700 for more than a few months so I haven't
read much regarding them either on this forum or elsewhere.
But this is the first I've heard of an issue with the HLA's.

I also haven't noticed the 1700 being any hotter than my 1600.
But I confess I haven't had it out on a hot day.

Perhaps someone with more knowledge will chime in soon.
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Old 02-13-2018, 10:03 PM   #3
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I could be wrong but I don't think the HLA issue is confined to bikes pre 2015.
How prevalent is the issue, not sure but it has been mentioned on here numerous times.
 
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Old 02-13-2018, 11:30 PM   #4
mbarr10   mbarr10 is offline
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Crap.... I feel pretty dumb but, What is an HLA?? If I am afraid to ask, I will not learn.
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Old 02-14-2018, 02:54 AM   #5
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Hydraulic Lash Adjusters? It's whatever is in the 1700's to keep the timing chain from slapping around. Sort of like the cam chain tensioners in the 1500 / 1600's, but hydraulically loaded instead of spring.

That's my understanding anyway, without looking into it all in any depth, and in layman's language.

But I could also be wrong... That's happened before. I've never had any trouble with mine in my '10. If I had, I'd know a lot more about them.
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Old 02-14-2018, 07:47 AM   #6
gv550   gv550 is offline
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The 1700 does have hydraulic cam chain tensioners as Peg says, but that's not what the HLA is. There are 8 HLAs, one on top of each valve and fitted into the rocker arms. They are miniature hydraulic cylinders that are oil pressure fed to keep the valve clearances to the minimum. Engines without HLAs need screw type adjusters or replaceable shims to manage the clearance.
An exception is Harley's new Milwaukee 8, the worlds only engine with no valve clearance adjustment, when the valve wears you have to replace the valve and maybe the head too.
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Old 02-15-2018, 12:12 AM   #7
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What I've read here says that Kaw modified the design of the HLA's for the 2015 models. Other posts have mentioned dealer techs enlarging the oil hole in the units to allow quicker pump up. On the heat issue some have said the Ivan's procedure helps. I'd love to have cruise control and to a lesser extent ABS but not sure I could live with a rattling engine. Was just trying to get an idea of how many, percentage wise, of the 1700's have excessive valve train noise. Your input is much appreciated! I'm going to another dealer tomorrow to look at a new Suzuki C90t.
 
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Old 02-15-2018, 10:43 AM   #8
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The HLA design was changed around 2001, the current design 12025-1053 has been used in Vulcan 1500, 1600, 2000 and all 1700 models ever since. They are very reliable but do require the proper viscosity oil, 10w40. Many owners feel the need for 15w or even 20w and doing so does extend the 'pump up' time and results in valve clatter at cold startup.
That 1700 Nomad will run trouble free for a quarter million miles.... I've done it!
And the ABS system is much more than just anti-lock brakes, it links the front and rear brakes above 10 mph, and includes power boost.
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Old 02-15-2018, 12:13 PM   #9
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Don't you think the 1700's have had more of an issue with sticking HLA's than the 1500 and 1600's even though the part numbers are the same ?

Coincidentally I never had an issue with them on my 1600 Nomad or my 2010 Voyager and the bikes sat for 6 months every winter and were not started.
 
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Old 02-15-2018, 07:55 PM   #10
gv550   gv550 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redjay View Post
Don't you think the 1700's have had more of an issue with sticking HLA's than the 1500 and 1600's even though the part numbers are the same ?
Without Kawasaki warranty data it would be hard to say.
The 1500/1600 series had several issues, slipping clutch, cam chain wear, bevel bearing failure, u-joint bearing failure, wire harness rub-thru, pinging, plastic oil pump gear, rattling counterbalancer gear, etc and these things filled the forums with complaints and fixes.
The 1700 eliminated all those issues and has been pretty much problem free for 9 years so maybe ticking valves have moved up the list because there is nothing else to complain about.
Ride more, worry less! is my motto.
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Old 02-15-2018, 10:47 PM   #11
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Sounds like the problem is more or less isolated and perhaps not a deal breaker. Your PM helped set my mind at ease Redjay. Thanks!
 
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Old 02-16-2018, 12:22 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gv550 View Post
Without Kawasaki warranty data it would be hard to say.
The 1500/1600 series had several issues, slipping clutch, cam chain wear, bevel bearing failure, u-joint bearing failure, wire harness rub-thru, pinging, plastic oil pump gear, rattling counterbalancer gear, etc and these things filled the forums with complaints and fixes.
The 1700 eliminated all those issues and has been pretty much problem free for 9 years so maybe ticking valves have moved up the list because there is nothing else to complain about.
Ride more, worry less! is my motto.
It just seems to me that the HLA issue is being discussed more on the 1700 motor than I remember it being discussed on the 1500/1600's over the 10 years I have been on the forum. Maybe I am wrong.

There is no doubt a lot of the issues of the 1500/1600's were cured on the 1700. If they had only fitted the bags from the 1500/1600's on the Voyager. They got it right on the Vaquero
 
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Old 02-16-2018, 12:34 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redjay View Post
It just seems to me that the HLA issue is being discussed more on the 1700 motor than I remember it being discussed on the 1500/1600's over the 10 years I have been on the forum. Maybe I am wrong.

There is no doubt a lot of the issues of the 1500/1600's were cured on the 1700. If they had only fitted the bags from the 1500/1600's on the Voyager. They got it right on the Vaquero
I thought that too when I had my '05 Nomad and looking to buy the Voyager. After I did I'm happy with the Voyager bags and glad they put them on the Voyager.
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Old 02-16-2018, 03:02 PM   #14
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I did not mind the Voyager bags either once I got used to them. They upset a lot of people though when the Voyager first came out.
 
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Old 02-16-2018, 03:20 PM   #15
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I've certainly never heard any "bag came open & spread my stuff down the highway" stories with the Voyager... And I've found the lid's quite useful to push things up inside that you need to be able to reach easily - I've even put one of those little stretchy cargo nets up inside each of mine.
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