| Author | Message | ||
     Bueller_bueller |
Everyone: As a relative Buell noob, (trying not to count my brief S3T ownership), I have to thank you all for your posts and wisdom. I've lurked here since the beginning of summer, when I purchased my '08 Uly. When speaking to the PO, he stated that all the mods he did were based on recommendations from this site. Because of that, I've got a solid Uly, that's a pleasure to ride. Based on another thread recommendation, I had Jim at JT&S install the up-rated starter from Rare Electrical. http://www.rareelectrical.com/p-9604-new-starter-m otor-buell-xb9r-firebolt-xb9s-lightning-xb12r-xb12 s-xb12xt-ulysses.aspx It's made an amazing improvement in starting. I just needed a sprag, but with the modest price of the 1.4kw unit, the extra ~$20 was well-worth the investment. No more double-press of the starter button to get past the compression... Again, my thanks to you all. This is an amazing resource, and it makes owning a Buell a pleasure. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
The only time I've ever had to double or triple press the starter button was because of the starter button and not the starter. Took apart the starter button and cleaned it up and no more button problems. But thanks for the link that I bookmarked in case the starter ever does go south. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on October 28, 2014) | ||
| Bueller_bueller |
You raise an excellent point. To try and keep my first post brief, I failed to mention that I'd taken the switch apart and cleaned it. Thanks. M | ||
| Arry |
Good to hear this mod is working well for you. I don't think I've heard anyone else's experience with that starter. I'll probably put up with the marginal starter for now, as it hasn't really been a problem. Still, good to know of this option. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I find myself wondering if the hesitation when starting is actually caused by sumping. It only does it if the bike has been sitting a while... | ||
| Biffdotorg |
I swear I am going to record the horrible sound my starter makes every once in a while. For some odd coincidence it almost always happens after fill up. (which should have nothing to do with it) I hit the starter and it makes one horrific clank sound like the starter didn't engage properly. This isn't a total hijack, as the hesitation always makes me wonder when it will just click like a dead battery. But with a fairly new battery not getting rid of the hesitation, I have just learned to live with it. | ||
| Motorbike |
Biffdotorg, my 08 XT does that exact same thing, every once in a while. It usually does it when someone is watching but when I try to make it re-create at home, it always works perfectly. Not sure how I will ever fix that. Also, once in a while it does absolutely nothing when I push the button and I am slowly trying to debug that issue. So far, I have installed a little red light down by the starter to see if juice is actually getting to the starter when I push the button. I watch the red light every time I push the start button. I have actually had a few times where the starter does nothing and the red light does not light up when I push the button. This indicates an open in the circuit somewhere between my start button and the wire at the solenoid. Now all I have to do is figure out where the circuit is sometimes broken. I will be storing the bike shortly for winter and may try to figure this problem out before next riding season. Thanks. | ||
| Dtaylor |
Motorbike wrote: "Biffdotorg, my 08 XT does that exact same thing, every once in a while. It usually does it when someone is watching but when I try to make it re-create at home, it always works perfectly."<snip> +1. I think the observer is essential - probably has something to do with quantum mechanics. <snip>I have actually had a few times where the starter does nothing and the red light does not light up when I push the button. This indicates an open in the circuit somewhere between my start button and the wire at the solenoid. Now all I have to do is figure out where the circuit is sometimes broken. I will be storing the bike shortly for winter and may try to figure this problem out before next riding season. Thanks." I had the same problem, and it turned out to be a flakey relay that sometimes worked and sometimes didn't. It is hot under that seat, and I think that shortens their life. Interestingly enough, those relays are 1/3 the price at Harley Davidson than they are at my local auto parts places. | ||
| Bluex |
When my starter clutch went out I replaced it with the same model. It worked fine for a few months. Then the light fuse started to blow. Turned out the oil leaked in all over the starter. I believed DesertBird had similar problem. (BTW, I fixed my old starter, replacing the clutch with a used one from ebay) Hopefully, it's been improved. (Message edited by bluex on October 29, 2014) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Motorbike, Take apart the starter button and check it's contact points. Could be as simple as that. Was for my son's 07' ULY. His would do nothing when the button was pushed, sometimes it would after holding the button for a few seconds. Took it apart and wiped off all the contacts and put it back together. Hasn't been a problem since and that was months ago. And the beauty of it all is that it didn't cost a thing but a few minutes of time. If you try this, be sure to do it carefully because the parts are small and could fly if not careful. Be sure to pay attention to how the cables flow into the assembly so you get it back together correctly. Not difficult but you need to pay attention. | ||
| Motorbike |
Dtaylor, I appreciate your input but I did already try a new relay a while back (from H-D) and that did not help. I also swapped relays around in the box too. Oh well, I now have a spare relay.... Electraglider_1997, I think I will try your fix. I did have the switch apart a while back but the problem at that time was a bad connection where the wire connects to the start switch in the RH controls. At the time, the switch contact looked fine but I do wash my bike a lot and it is possible that the switch contacts could be corroded just a bit. Also, occasionally, my horn does not work unless I hold the button down for a while or press it a few times with a little extra force. I'm suspecting the same type of issue on that switch as well, unless the horn and starter circuit have something in common. Hmmmm, maybe I should take a look at that in my wiring diagram.... Please don't suggest that I stop cleaning my bike, it won't happen.  | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
My bike is pretty dirty all the time. Not built up crud like its been through a stock yard, just dirty looking. That being said, my bike always runs good but I really need to clean the darned thing. |
