The Voyager has landed!

[gtem]

Congrats!!! I was wondering if your were going to get the Voyager. Glad you did! Nothing like riding around on a vintage touring bike. Be wary of mice trying to move in, I trapped a few trying to move into my Goldwing already this fall. Best!

Thanks! Actually the Voyager you're thinking of was down in Durham NC (a final year '03 with 14k miles as I recall), and I had passed the deal along to a friend who was much more local to the area. But the seed had been planted apparently. This one was "only" a three hour drive NW to a small town called Coal City IL, Chicago-ish vicinity. This one wasn't free, but for $1000 I think I got a great bike.

[salty_monk]

Nice project. Looks like something my wife would want to go on the back of!

Changing subjects completely here... where does your forum username come from? I keep wondering if it's a play on a French phrase.... "Je t'aime" in which case I guess you're talking about your bikes

[gtem]

user name is actually quite straightforward and boring: first letter of my first name, then the first three letters of my last name. I'm not quite that romantic I guess tho I did learn a bit of French in school haha

[salty_monk]

man now you've ruined my vision... I shouldn't have asked!

[gtem]

Well it took a bit longer than I care to admit, what with the distraction of *another* cheap winter project I picked up ('96 Virago 1100), but I've got the Voyager running and riding good after a few go-arounds with the carbs. Boy they are a pain to take off and on that bike! I've got tires sitting waiting to go on, then some fluid replacements and it should be ready to roll for next riding season.

Initial impressions: surprisingly easy to maneuver at even a walking pace. The COG is nice and low, as is the overall seat height, and you've got this massive wide handlebar that gives you incredible leverage. haven't gotten it any farther than around the neighborhood so far but the carburation feels really good, the bike pulls smooth and hard right from idle, but no excessive gassy smell either (idle mixture screws set 1/4 turn richer than factory spec). Once I get the new tires on (will try to ply bwringer with some six packs of diet pepsi for him to mount them up at his place) I'm looking forward to trying the bike out on the open road