| Author | Message | ||
     Zac4mac |
Started this monster service by pulling some stuff last night. Dinked around with it a good part of today, ready to pull the front valve cover and check valve clearance. Rotating the engine is no small task. I have a small bowl full of T-30 buttonheads and one T-27. Loretta is down for a couple of days till I can finish. Got a call from Rocketray, he started the same mess today also and had questions... amazing timing Ray. Here's a few pix of Loretta's entrails...  Right side ready to pull valve cover  Left side - pull the puck off, remove the C-clip and rock the plug out with 2 flat-blade screwdrivers to access the cranknut to turn the motor and check valves.  Stuff that came off...   Z | ||
| D_buckle |
you need a hoist! take lots of pics ill be doing mine this winter! | ||
| Usmoto |
Got a question for Zac or whoever might know. Does doing the services yourself void the warranty? I'm coming up to my first service and would rather do it myself and save the money. Thanks in advance for any info. | ||
| Zac4mac |
better not be a problem. I am told everything's cool. Do everything you're supposed to and keep good records. The first 2 were easy, this one's not for the average garage/backyard mechanic or the weak of heart. I made the decision early on to be the "Prime tech" on Loretta. Whatever you decide, get the service manual. The more I learn about this machine, the more I'm impressed. D_buckle - what I really need is an anchored wheel chock. Z | ||
| Ccryder |
Did you run into anything unexpected? Did your valves need adjusting? I have heard that getting the holes/ threads for the engine bolts to line back up can be a bit "troublesome". My service is due next week. I'm not quite as brave as you. I'm having the dealer do it the first time. Give us some more commentary of the process of rotating the engine. Good luck and thanks! Neil S. p.s. that "Buell Only Parking" sign sure would look nice as a back drop ;+} | ||
| Usmoto |
Anyone know how much the first service is? You've got much bigger balls than me Zac. Even though I just finished building a honda chopper from the ground up, I don't think I'll be tearing into my 11 as deep as you. I give you much props. Looks to be very complicated. Hang in there Loretta, you'll be done soon. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
The real question is whether you trust yourself, more than your Buell "tech." My Buell tech lost big time points during the 5 gear recall, when he filled up the oil per the ORIGINAL procedure...according to the service manager the tech was reminded about the new oil checking procedure after I called to bitch about the overage in the crankcase. tough call... at least I know I will take whatever time is necessary, will cut no corners & be up to date on any new procedural things from being on this forum....I can't say that at all about the Buell tech here. Zac, get some good documentation. You are one of the first to try this endeavour yourself and certainly the first with the capability/desire to document it for your fellow Badwebbers. You rock! BTW, what's all the white residue all over your bike? | ||
| Usmoto |
Fresnobuell, Do you know if there is any problems relating to the warranty if you do the services yourself? I, like you, would much rather do the maintenance myself but I just don't want them to give me grief with the whole warranty thing. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
USmoto--I believe it is illegal for a manufacturer to require services to be done at the dealership. Again, I do not know this for fact. The services must be done, but I don't believe the dealer can force you to get them done there. SOmeone can chime in here and confirm? I had an incident last year on my XB where the dealership was trying to give me static about a cracked airbox cover (which was broken when I purchased the bike mind you.) They were saying that since I only got my first service at the dealership, "Buell" was waivering on the warranty claim. Beside the fact that the airbox cover has nothing to do with any possible service procedure AND the damn thing was cracking when I took delivery of he bike, it makes PERFECT sense. Well, the point of the story is that I did some homework by reading the actual warranty verbiage and nowhere did it specify that the work had to be done by BMC. Interestingly enough I couldn't find the warranty terms for the 1125r,so I haven't read specifically for this bike. | ||
| Bpt |
The factory cannot make you do your maintenance at the dealer. But any failures due to lack of maintenance or broken by someone performing it incorrectly is not covered under warranty. Magnus/Moss act protects consumers and the dealers. | ||
| Zac4mac |
The only time they can require a factory tech is for recall stuff. That's at the Federal level. Be careful, take your time and keep good records. The dealer wrenches really hate cleaning up and fixing after a bad home-garage session. Thanks for the props - Harlan, the white residue is bugs in the radiator and dirt and stuff on parts that have not been seen since last November. A lot of stuff is in a new position now, the flash on my E-10 accentuates dirt too. I'm sure I would balk at this service if I hadn't gotten and shared so much time and info with all of you here. All BMC factory/dealer mechanics should HAVE to be members here. Z | ||
| Doerman |
Zac Can you give us an idea of parts list needed to start (maybe even including parts numbers)? The obvious consumables are: - oil - oil filter - air filter - spark plugs But it seems like there always a number of gaskets, bolts, hose clamps, shim set (if required) and such that is not so obvious. Thanks Asbjorn | ||
| Zac4mac |
I'll get a list together today and post it this evening. Won't know valve clearance till tomorrow. Valve shims are same as V-Rod. Z | ||
| Bueller_bjorn |
Wow your a brave man, i plan on doing all my basic services like the first service i did which is a joke, its an oil change and checking basic stuff but i not touching any of the valve train service, looks like a nightmare. looking forward to more pics of the service tho maybe i can get the courage to try it. | ||
| Ccryder |
Hey Z: Butt bliss is intact. Rick found my seat and it will be updated and shipped out by mid next week. Thanks for the offer. Time4Lunch Neil S. | ||
| Xnoahx |
Just another confirmation on self servicing and warranty. You will not invalidate your warranty by doing your services yourself or by an independent repair shop. As long as the services were performed correctly to the factory spec you will be fine, just keep good records and receipts for any materials you buy. | ||
| Zac4mac |
OK, hit the first snag. Front exhaust cam is bad. Severe galling/pitting on the left lobe. Talked to one of the Service Writers at the shop and got a bit of stiff-arm. Called BMC C/S, waiting on a callback. Described the problem to the H-D operator and got a case #. Z | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Front exhaust cam is bad Would something like this be caught by a Buell tech and more importantly would they replace the bad cam. Owner will never know if the tech turns a blind eye, right? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Pics, Zac, pics! I think we are all interested in seeing what you are discovering. | ||
| Husky |
Take a picture of it. I did of an exhaust cam lobe on my Magna. Helped a lot in settling refund on a used bike. Husky  | ||
| Zac4mac |
OK, it'll help pass the time while I wait for the phone to ring. BTW, back cyl cams are fine as is the front intake. Clearance tight but in spec. Z | ||
| Zac4mac |
Here it is...  Dammit..... | ||
| Smoke |
definitely needs replaced Zack. let us know what happens next in the warranty situation. i think that you will have to let them replace it or buy it yourself. good luck. tim | ||
| Zac4mac |
Hope not, the cam's 234 bucks MSRP. Z | ||
| Mikellyjo |
Ouch, after all that tear down thats the last thing you want to see. Then again at least you caught it before it turned into a hand grenade at speed. Keep us informed on your journey through warranty work. | ||
| Ccryder |
It's that H-D oil ;+}. Alright just trying to put a little better spin on it. This is one of the reasons they call out for this service is to get a good look at the surfaces that are in contact with other surfaces. BTW: Z sure is a nice pict of an ugly cam. Take note of the difference in color of the 2 cams. Both s/b the shiny silver color. What does the rubbing surface of the finger follower look like? It may have suffered some damage. Hard to tell which may have been the chicken or the egg. Time2Work. Neil S. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Haven't been able to find an angle to see the follower. May need to remove the front wheel to see it. I will replace the cam and follower, still in the air is who foots the bill. The bad lobe is actually the same color, my lighting to best show off the damage. Z | ||
| Bueller_bjorn |
wow that doesn't look good, hope this is an isolated incident since i don't think too many 1125's have hit this service yet. good luck and hope they still cover it under warranty | ||
| Ccryder |
Z: No question about it, Buell foots the bill, parts and labor. For warranty they will require "their" Technicians to do the work. My SM already has a copy of your pict so the Techs can know what could be there and what to look for during my service next week. Something like this is why I'm paying the $'s to have the Dealer do it. All my oil and filters have been bought through the dealer so records are a non-issue. My oil has been changed five times already. The last 2 had SYN 3. Keep the info coming. Thx Neil S. | ||
| Zac4mac |
They MUST be busy, just got off the phone with C/S. They said some pitting is OK, I saw no metal in the oil I drained and black dust on the drain plug, like at break-in. I think this is way beyond acceptable, but will go with their call. They sent me an e-mail and I replied with a larger version of the pic I posted here. One way or the other, Loretta will be on the road by next weekend or so. I'm glad this is Buell and not ANY other company. Z |
