| Author | Message | ||
     Father_of_an_era |
I am near 15000 now and have not had the valve check yet. I live in Moreno Valley Ca. and with my tax returns, I'm looking to have this service done. I was looking for the service manual but I know this job is beyond me and my limited mechanical experience. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Paul | ||
| Duphuckincati |
I'm going to give you a semi-ignorant response, and that is if I lived in the LA area I'd go to the shop (Bartels?) that has a mechanic/builder with a Japanese name that builds the 1125 race bike. I called him some time ago about a question and he was most generous with his time and knowledge. I got a very strong sense of his caring about these semi-orphaned machines. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Semi-ignorant but all honest. lol Thanks Duphuckincati, I'll keep them in mind. Though, I was hoping for a shop closer to home. I will do an online check for Bartels and see what I can come up with. Thanks again, Paul. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
I have been to a lot of the dealers in SO CAL, the best one I have been to is skipfordyce in Riverside, CA. IDK how much they charge for their 12k service. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Yeah, that is where I bought my R from in 08. They do have great customer service but they quoted me $750 for the valve check and if the shims needed to be replaced, it would be an additional $250. They are just too pricey for my blood especially given limited funds at the moment. Hence, the reason I am waiting for my tax returns. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I'll add my semi-ignorant opinion, having NOT done my own valve inspection on the 1125R, but reading the service manual on how to do it. The most difficult part is rotating the engine, mainly because of the additional steps and parts removal. However, since the valve actuation is via finger followers, the camshafts do NOT have to be removed before you can replace any shims. That, in my opinion is the most time consuming part of the major maintenance part, which on the 1125R is not necessary. If you can change the oil (theoretically), you can check the valves on your 1125R. I may have to buy some tools if you don't already have them. But that sure as hell costs way less than $1000! | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
I pulled the frame with a $150 dollar costco tool kit and a $40 torque wrench. It takes time, but it is not hard. If you pull the frame, it is very easy to get to the valves. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
You make is sound so easy Dktech. Wile I can and do change the oil, I really doubt myself when considering a job like the valve check. I have some tools but probably not the correct ones and I only have the rear stand at the moment. Though, I do need to purchase a torque wrench and this may be the excuse I need to acquire the necessary tools to do a job like this. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
I pulled the frame out of necessity, not choice. My bro wrecked my bike and I had to swap the frame. Looking back it was great, I got to know the bike so well, and I now realize how well this bike was designed. This was my home made stand:    | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
And as you can see from the pics, the valve covers are very easy to get to with the frame off. | ||
| Nuts4mc |
dad-lost-in-time...you may want to "troll" the race board and see if there are any "tuners" in your area that race up a Willow Springs - racers can always use the money and if they race your brand - they usually have the knowledge, tools and parts...if you gotta have a dealer do it - I would suggest the dealer in LA (Glendale) one of the first to race the brand... | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Ya know I think it was Glendale HD that I spoke to the Japanese gentleman. I'd go there. | ||
| Tbowdre |
It is not terribly difficult if you have a garage and patience. take your time, buy the tools as you go, check in to badweb often and you will easily save a bunch of money. Once finished you will know your bike so much better, the job will have been done thoroughly and with care.... there are no more 1125s, if you plan to keep this machine you should know everything you can about it sac up man, my 0.02 todd | ||
| Duphuckincati |
My pop told me it's never a waste of money to buy tools. | ||
| Timebandit |
It is not terribly difficult if you have a garage and patience. you don't even have to have a garage. pull of the mirrors and you can drive the bike through a 32" door. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
So is it easier to lift the frame off the bike or rotate the engine? | ||
| Sparky |
Regarding SoCal dealers, I bought my bike from Fordyce with their Priority One Maintenance plan and 5 yr Extended warranty. Although they have been wonderful at performing the scheduled services and fixing all the charging system problems (2 stators and VRs) as covered items, at the last stator repair at approx 14.3k miles, they talked me into also doing the next service which I thought was at 18.6k. When I asked if that would include valve checks/adjustments, the gal said the valves are not adjustable. What? I had to remind her that they are indeed adjustable and can use V-Rod shims if needed. I was beginning to think that maybe she does not know what kind of engine is in an 1125 Buell. When I picked up the bike I saw that she had written up the service job for a H-D BIG TWIN not a Buell 1125R. That would explain it. The BIG TWIN service interval is 15k miles not 18.6k for the water cooled Buell. So, while this little incident kinda soured my confidence in Fordyce for service jobs, I'd like to give them the benefit of doubt and think that the service writer gal was maybe new at this job or just not that familiar with the differences between H-Ds and Buells. No harm, no foul. If you do decide on Fordyce for valve work, just ask lots of questions and maybe find out who the most knowledgeable and Buell qualified techs are there and ask for them if possible. Personally, I know Mitsu at Bartels is likely one of the most qualified and knowledgeable on 1125s in SoCal as he supports the race shop and is in high demand. I know he would never mistake my engine for a BIG TWIN.  | ||
| Timebandit |
I had the same thing happen at my local HD dealer. I asked them what they would charge for the 600 mile service. As you know, that's nothing more than an oil change and a brief survey of the bike. First they told me there was no 600 mile service, that the interval was 1000 miles. Then they told me that it was going to cost $300 because they had to change the primary chain lube and the transmission fluid in addition to doing the oil change and the general once-over of the bike. And this was from the manager of a Buell-certified H-D dealership. I wasn't able to successfully convince him that the 1125 was different. So I ended up doing my own service. Later I found out that the actual techs really do know better, but my 1125 is still the only one they've had in the shop. It's not easy to find a good shop that has experience with this bike, so you really do need to learn to DIY. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Well, thanks everyone. I have some pondering to do here. I don't know if I am going to "sack up" and do the work my self or what. But, I am going to contact a few places and get a quote on the valve check. While I have no issue changing things like the oil, water coolant, or brake pads and fluids, I just don't know if I want to tackle the valve job solo. I guess that is where the "sack up" comes in. lol | ||
| Duphuckincati |
OK, it is Bartels, Mitsu is the guy. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Excellent! Thank you Duphuckincati. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
I just sent an email to both Bartels and Glendale Harley. I will see what they say when they email or call me. Thanks again, Paul | ||
| Slaughter |
Absolutely - Mitsu at Bartels. He KNOWS these machines inside and out. He was Higbee's mechanic when Shawn started the 1125R at Willow Springs and at Daytona. Well worth the trip. | ||
| Thunderbike |
ditto on what Slaughter said.Mitsu's the man. | ||
| Datsaxman |
Father If you decide to tackle it, I could help. Former 1125 owner, former shop mechanic, tools, etc. Just to give you some options. I am in the mountains above San Berdoo. saxman | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I would take Datsaxman on his offer if I were you FOE. That's quite a lot of $$ saved. That's equivalent to: 3 sets of tires A new Showa Race Shock EBR ECM and then some Drummer Exhaust Nice CF bits for the bike New riding outfit Pay down revolving debt I can go on and on! (Message edited by rogue_biker on January 25, 2012) | ||
| Datsaxman |
Jordan, your list needs... Beers for after the job is done Gas for nice long road test saxman | ||
| Slaughter |
Paul - you got a PM from me. Mitsu just texted me. He's open next Wed. Call Bartels, ask for Daniel (service writer) to make an appointment with Mitsu. I don't have your email here at work so I also PM'd you. | ||
| Marcodesade |
datasaxman, I'm almost a year away from my first DIY valve job, but I'd like to call dibs on you help now. I'll also start paying gas as soon as it's warm enough to tear up Hwy 18 (sorry, I'm busy this weekend). | ||
| Datsaxman |
Mark, We can do that. Yep, I am 15 miles past the last traffic light going up 18 from San Berdoo. The first little patch of civilization... Like most MC repair and maintenance jobs, the unfamiliarity is more of a barrier than the actual difficulty. saxman | ||
| Marcodesade |
So like Arrowhead-ish? I'm in Corona, and nearly wept because I was too busy to ride this morning. I'm thinking Friday if the weather's nice. Can you be free? If not, I'd settle for Saturday or Sunday . . . My favorite part of the ride is between Running Springs and the Lake. I could spend all day running back and forth there . . . | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Hey Datsaxman, is the offer still valid? If so, I wouldn't mind learning a thing or two about my R if you are still willing. Thanks, Paul. |
