Author |
Message |
Cowboytutt
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 08:58 pm: |
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Well, I guess it was my turn. After having the harness upgrade done at about 1K miles, my stator on my 09 CR gave out at about 5300 miles and left me stranded in Fort Bragg, a good ways from my home in Ukiah. My dealer was nice enough to send an employee with the company truck to come pick me up. I paid the young lad for his time and for the gas (only $20!) so it saved me from a $400 towing bill. Next time I'm going to be sure to have AAA. Anyhow, I've been following the stator threads and it looked like "going retro" to an 08 stator or "going custom" seemed the two best options. I spoke to Michael R. at Erik Buell Racing and they just got a batch of new 08 stators in but I would also have to replace the rotor assembly with the magnets as well. Since my original rotor was fine, this would not be covered under warrenty (this part lists for $825 with Harley and there are currently only two left in the US with no more plans for Harley to make more. It is part #Y0533.1AM). However, Michael seemed to think they could beat that price if I wished to purchase an 08 unit from Erik Buell Racing. I followed up on the second option and called Gary at Custom Rewind in Bermingham, Alabama. We had a good discussion about what they do. They use a very heavy expoxy to coat the stator, wind it, then coat it again. He said its not very attractive and they jokingly refer to it as "military spec" but he has done 7-8 Buell stators in two years and none have been returned. They have fixed similar problems with Triumph, Honda and Excelsior Henderson rotors. My dealer called the tech dept at Harley to see if they would allow me to keep my stator and have it rewound instead of submitting it as proof of the problem/repair for dealer reimbursement. I offered to pay for the rewind if they would pay for the labor. HD has had problems with custom stuff burning out voltage regulators so they will not warrenty anything but a factory OEM part. But the possibly good news is that the tech adamantly assured my dealer that Harley has upgraded the stator now. As the 09 units were on back-order and are just now being re-released, its possible that this is the truth and they have finally corrected the problem with a design change. Since it is the most cost effective route for me right now, and because I have a few financial "irons in the fire" right at the moment, I'm going to take what HD is saying at face value and give it a try. I have a case number that I will use later if need be. If Harley does not ask for my stator back within 60 days for proof of warrenty repair, my dealer will allow me to keep it for next time where I will go the custom route. I just thought I should pass on the information to the group. I have a GREAT HD and Buell dealership here in Ukiah. Wish me luck! -Tutt |
Ratsmc
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 09:18 pm: |
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I'm never quite sure that H-D service departments are getting the most accurate information. I'm not alleging that your dealing is wrong, just that all previous sources have said that H-D considers this a closed issue and there have been countless cases of an H-D tech stating something that was completely wrong. Maybe enough warranty repairs convinced them to develop another spec. Hopefully anyway. As to the decision you've made: I agree completely. If my stator goes again before the warranty is up (pretty soon actually), I'll take it back in for replacement. If it goes after the warranty is up, I'll get it rewound. |
Ultimo_justin
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 09:20 pm: |
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thats some good info if of course what HD is saying is true...which it better be. I was one of the guys who had his stator rewound with custom rewind and with the Mosfet VR the volts couldnt be better. price wise of course this is probably the cheapest route but never the less if HD really did upgrade the 09/10 stators I am very curious to see what they look like |
Dannybuell
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 09:57 pm: |
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Ultimo_justin how is your stator? How many miles now? |
Cowboytutt
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 10:08 pm: |
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I share your reluctance with HD guys. Hoping they are sincere and it is accurate information. -Tutt |
Ultimo_justin
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 10:09 pm: |
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due to the fact I live in a crappy state I havent had much time (no thanks to the weather) to get miles on my bike since I got my stator rewound...only about 500 miles, I looked at the stator after about 250 miles of use and all it had was some oil discoloration, The stator itself is solid, and dependable. 14+ volts when above 2K RPMs. ONLY when at idle WITH ALL lights on (hi and lo's included) will it drop below 13...mine are HIDs |
Trider
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 10:13 pm: |
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Ultimo_justin- ditto... how many miles now? I'm looking to pull my still-good-one before spring and send it to Custom Rewind to be preemptively fixed (before I get stuck somewhere in the Rockies...). Seems like a little time well spent for piece of mind anyway... |
Trider
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 10:14 pm: |
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Thanks! |
Rkc00
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 10:15 pm: |
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Ultimo Are you running it with or without the harness? |
Cowboytutt
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 10:21 pm: |
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I'm going to talk to my dealer again tomorrow about his phone call to the tech dept. and see if he will let me call them with him present and ask them more questions. I'll report back after I do. -Tutt |
Ultimo_justin
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 10:25 pm: |
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Forgive me but I must vent...alot of you are lucky to have awesome dealers to work with and the few of you that dont I feel your pain, but I lost all faith in my dealer when I was having stator issues for the 1st time, took it to them, they said they compared it to 3 other buells and declared it "normal" and when I got the bike home the volts were no more that what was I said F*CK it, warranty or not, im fixing this bike on my own and have been since. but, another thing I have to vent about HD is the fact I still have to go through them to get parts...grrrr. Get this, I ordered a new rotor/stator nut so i can retorgue my rotor to 300 ft/lbs to get rid of a lil knocking noise (diagnosed by Michael R from you all know where ) anyways I ordered it from chicago HD on 11/14/2010, next day is was on special parts ordered. I HAVE YET TO GET THAT NUT. 4 months and going. this is stupid, and before that was a gasket for the ignition cover which took 4 months as well. If there was any reason, any reason at all for me to sell my 1125R is because of this. it just...just blows. put yourselfs in my shoes. only one buell dealer in the entire state, 100 miles drive away, is not reliable, parts take 4 months to get, wtf do you do? only thing Im doing now is try to order parts I need 4 months in advance. but of course how am i supposed to know im gonna need a new radiator or starter or hose 4 months down the road. I sad now if there is anyone else who is going through what I am, please let me know so im not the only one in the world who feels screwed by HD |
Ultimo_justin
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 10:27 pm: |
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the bike has...ehh just a lil over 5000 miles I think. here is my set up. Custom Rewind Stator, Mosfet VR, no harness. |
Cowboytutt
| Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 - 10:38 pm: |
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Interesting, thank you Justin. -Tutt |
Bueller4ever
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 09:27 am: |
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Hey Justin, did you just cut the connectors off your old VR and solder them to the new one or what? |
Marcodesade
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 09:32 am: |
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Can some of you who have chosen the rewind describe in detail the process please? What exactly did you ask for and how did you describe the problem? Did the rewind increase the robustness of the charging system or simply fix the burned-out stator? |
Dannybuell
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 10:28 am: |
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Ultimo_justin documented his oem VR to a yamaha type MOSFET VR conversion. UJ also did a custom stator rewind, excellent instructions, and pictures. Look in the 'New 1125R/CR Owner Information' folder at the bottom of the page. If it isn't there it should be. Search the google at the top of page; mosfet, stator, Ultimo_justin... |
Ultimo_justin
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 12:40 pm: |
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Yes, its titled "Step by Step guide removal of Ignition Cover" I did cut off the connectors to the old VR, and as far as getting a stator rewound, remove it, call custom rewind to let him know you have stator you want rewound, he will give you a price, send the stator along with the specs of it and a check to his address, he will ship back when work is completed. took about...2 weeks total. His work is superb! |
Jeepinbueller
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 02:12 pm: |
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Great info, guys. This thread will be useful, along with UJ's, whenever I have to get another stator ... it's just inevitable I suppose lol. Only question is, what are the specs that you're getting your rewound stators wrapped to? I'm guessing as close to the stock 08's stator as possible, but what would that be? How did you order yours built, UJ? |
Cowboytutt
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 08:22 pm: |
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Hey guys, I spoke to my dealer again today. He spoke to a tech named John in Buell Dealer Tech Services. My dealer asked John who he could talk to above him and he said "I'm it". And he is the one who assured my dealer that the stator has in fact been upgraded. My dealer later said there might be higher ranking tech people in the field, but John was the highest ranking one a dealer (only) could talk to. I sure hope they are right and this solves the problem. I should have a part number for you all tomorrow. -Tutt |
Rkc00
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 11:09 pm: |
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Can we get rid of the harness with this upgraded part? My dealer got the stator today for mine. It was ordered on friday. |
Cowboytutt
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 11:25 pm: |
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There is nothing wrong with the harness upgrade at all. This sort of repair that de-activates a third of the stator has been done by many motorcycle manufacturers over the years. The fact that Erik Buell Racing has their new "high performance" ECM's calibrated to work WITH the harness upgrade should tell you something. Its not a handicap unless your constantly lugging the engine in which case your probably not on the right type of bike in the first place. -Tutt |
Ultimo_justin
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 11:36 pm: |
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I had custom rewind do my stator with the same specs as the 09. though Im sure he wouldnt have a problem toning down the watts to a 08 |
Cowboytutt
| Posted on Thursday, February 24, 2011 - 11:47 pm: |
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Justin, thanks for posting that info. The difference between your stock 09 stator and Custom's would be in the quality and amount of insulation. I'm sure your right in that Gary at Custom Rewind would create one to 08 specs if necessary. I came away very impressed with the man's character even if his heavy Southern accent was hard for this CA boy to understand! He seems like a good man. -Tutt |
Ultimo_justin
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2011 - 02:06 am: |
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tutt you are absolutly right about gary, very confident in his work and accent lol. for anyone who is curious, here is a pic of what mine looked like after he got done
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Tom_b
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2011 - 07:33 am: |
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Since i have an 08 should i be concerned about the stator issues ??? |
Jules
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2011 - 07:34 am: |
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^^ No.. |
1_mike
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2011 - 10:40 am: |
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Justin, et. al. - That's exactly what my stator looks like, also rewound by "Custom Rewind". Currently have about 1500 miles on a second stator from Buell....so far without trouble.. Actually...mine looks a little cleaner around the center...! And yes, talking to Gary, I got the impression that not only does he have experience with problematic stators, he's learned a few things to do to help combat the problem. He was up front and told me exactly what he was going to do. Nice guy. Mike (Message edited by 1_mike on February 25, 2011) |
Reducati
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2011 - 11:04 am: |
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is removing and reinstalling the stator, difficult for a non mechanic? 6.5 k on my original 09cr stator, no issues yet! |
Ratsmc
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2011 - 11:07 am: |
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If you've got a service manual and basic tools, there isn't anything really complicated about it. |
Bueller4ever
| Posted on Friday, February 25, 2011 - 11:12 am: |
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I think the hardest part is pulling the cover off. There is a strong magnetic pull. |
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