| Author | Message | ||
     Sonny4472 |
Hey. I think I'm the 4th owner of a 14.7k mile '09 1125R. I've been given almost no history on the bike, the last owner (I got it in a trade deal) only put 3k miles on it and only replaced the tires and belt. I had the clutch weep and fixed it but I'm wondering if I'm on borrowed time. I did see the HD harness "fix" was installed. Is there any kind of pre warning? I know charging voltage is all over the place and mine seems normal by what I've read on here. | ||
| Brokengq |
Its fairly easy to test the stator. I had to do it two weeks ago. Just learned how myself from a couple of other guys here. Pop the seat and look for a square 4 pin connector that only has 3 yellow wires. (The 4th spot is empty). Using a multimeter test the resistance between pins 1-2, 1-3, and 2-3. Should be close to 0, but not exactly 0 (very very small resistance, easy to miss if you have a cheap multimeter). Next test voltage with the bike running at 3000 rpms between the same pins. Make sure when you test this that the voltmeter is set to AC voltage NOT DC. I believe you should have roundabouts 39 VAC between each pin at 3k rpms. (Message edited by brokenGQ on April 28, 2014) | ||
| Sonny4472 |
I'll take a look, Thanks much! | ||
| Sonny4472 |
I checked the front plug, assuming it was the one directly to the stator. (There are 4 plugs with 3 yellow wires.) I got exactly .7 ohms across all 3 pins but the voltage was way off at approximately 19vac at 3k rpm. Checked charging with the multimeter and the bike was charging between 13.8 and 14.1. What do you think? BTW, bike runs excellent with no warning lights, stalling or dead batteries in the 6 months I've had it. EDIT Damn me, I measured between the pins and ground for volts ac. I got: 43vac 44vac 45vac between the pins. (Message edited by sonny4472 on April 28, 2014) | ||
| Brokengq |
Resistance sounds right for an 09, voltage is good. From what I've heard and experienced, DC charging on the battery isn't a very accurate method for testing the stator. Most guys on here will tell you, just go ahead and do it. EBR oiling rotor and upgraded high temp stator. Not terrible work to do yourself. People here will even rent the required tools for the job. Edit: we posted at the same time. I also forgot to mention that you should test resistance from each pin to ground. Should be zero. From your measurements, you're either good, or someone already did the upgrade. Latter most likely. (Message edited by brokenGQ on April 28, 2014) | ||
| Sonny4472 |
I'm just not too sure about the investment $$. I got the bike in a trade. Being a disabled Vet living on a pension I have to live on a pretty tight budget. (I also have another bike to ride.) I may consider selling it. EDIT Same time again. I didn't get any resistance readings between the pins and ground. (Message edited by sonny4472 on April 28, 2014) | ||
| Oldog |
Voltage pin to pin is good Sonny the stator should read open any pin to ground consider the EBR oiling mod to your rotor and perhaps a high temp rated stator. | ||
| Sonny4472 |
Thanks for the help fellas, I really do like this bike, I'm just not sure if I want a second job just to keep it running. | ||
| Oldog |
Sonny, the stator and the clutch weep are the most common and likely issues you may have. the rotor mod works much better than the fix harness with the relay.. you are not likely to have the clutch issue as you have an '09 Up keep is on par with most other sport bikes less than some valve adjustments are not to bad, If you are handy. BTW keep an eye on the fix relay on the alternator harness, they need replacing time to time... | ||
| Sonny4472 |
Thanks Oldog, I read about the relay issue also. I miss the days when I would just ride a bike til it broke. | ||
| Redbat |
Sonny4472, "II miss the days when I would just ride a bike till it broke" ?? Don't be afraid of it, that's what you can do here. Ride it till it breaks! It may not. | ||
| Froggy |
Exactly. Hell I don't miss the "ride it till it breaks" days, these days it is "ride it till the tires are showing cords" or "ride it till the oil is black". I've put more tires and filters on my Buells than replacing broken parts. Your stator sounds fine, for now. Unfortunately there is no way of knowing if it has the EBR rotor on it, and if it doesn't I really recommend getting it done as preventative maintenance next time you have the bike serviced. Unfortunately there is no way to know without taking the ignition cover off. | ||
| Sonny4472 |
I really appreciate all the responses. I'm going to guess it doesn't have any EBR parts. When I got it I had to re mount the oil cooler and battery properly and remove all the little LED lights mounted all over the engine. Tells me that at least one prior owner didn't give a crap about it. I also found a picture of it at the drag strip. (I'm 100% sure it's the same bike.) | ||
| Bubba_ |
i believe i'd have a look - - at the stator - at the rotor you'll never know til you do may be an upgraded rotor? if so, and stator looks good, might be good for another 30,000 miles  with that many owners... just sayin' | ||
| Sonny4472 |
I'm going to order a new gasket and dig around in there. Maybe next week or so. | ||
| Brokengq |
Just be really careful with the gasket you have. Most people I know reused theirs. | ||
| Sonny4472 |
Good idea. I'm no stranger to gaskets..  | ||
| Sonny4472 |
Hey guys, I pulled the cover and took some pics. Doesn't look all that encouraging to me. Looks like a factory, unmodified rotor and I found some small cracks in the epoxy on the stator. I'm not sure how to post pics on here, so I'll link to photobucket. http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/sonnydeal/I MG_0018_zpsa717c60c.jpg http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/sonnydeal/I MG_0021_zps876e8e35.jpg http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h137/sonnydeal/I MG_0023_zps6f425bf7.jpg | ||
| Bubba_ |
is it possible to confirm it's the stock rotor, w/o removing it? | ||
| Sonny4472 |
It looks to be the original stator. I can't confirm the rotor, but I'm assuming it's original also. The only way I know to really check it is to remove it, and I'll be damned if I'm going to go through that mess just to take a peek. | ||
| Oldog |
look for a small hole near the hub, 1313 has done the mod and had a pic IIRC it lines up with the alignment "notch" on the crank... BTW this mod ( the hole ) is not DIY | ||
| Bubba_ |
so Oldog you can see the hole w/o full removal? if you look closely in the right spot? | ||
| Baf |
You can definitely see it. I don't have a good picture handy, but I can try and dig one up later... I bet you don't have an EBR rotor on there, just judging by the state of the epoxy on the rotor. I may be wrong though. If it were me, I'd probably put the EBR rotor on and see if the stator lasts. If you want utmost peace of mind, swap that out as well, but you might be able to get by with just the rotor. | ||
| Sonny4472 |
I couldn't in good conscience pay $175 for a Buell tech to drill a hole that they should've recalled. Not to mention the issue of getting the crank locking tool and a 300 ftlb torque wrench. I've listed the bike on Craigslist for sale or trade. | ||
| Froggy |
The EDM hole is a service provided by a 3rd party company that was nice enough to engineer a proper fix for our discontinued bikes, something that Harley refused to do. Good luck with whatever you get in the future, let me know what perfect bike that doesn't have any minor and easily correctable issues you find, I'd love to add one to the stable. | ||
| Sonny4472 |
Thanks. I have other bikes. I just don't feel comfy on the road always worrying if my bike is gonna let me down. It's a great bike, but like you said, it's discontinued. I tried a Buell and I'm glad I did. | ||
| Shawns |
Better than a Yugo. | ||
| Sonny4472 |
"Good luck with whatever you get in the future, let me know what perfect bike that doesn't have any minor and easily correctable issues you find, I'd love to add one to the stable." My problem isn't with "minor correctable issues", it's with a poor design. This is the only bike with issues that didn't develop from normal wear or a mistake on my part. C'mon, replace a relay with every oil change? Of course if the bike doesn't sell (I have it listed LOW) then perhaps I will make it a project. My budget isn't all that great, I'm on a military retired pension so cash is a little tight. Anywho's, this forum has some awesome people with great knowledge, I just feel really let down by Erik B. | ||
| Bubba_ |
no biggie i don't think a buell is for everybody. JMHO tho i lurked and lurked here and other places for the longest before i bought mine. now ... i'm tickled pink. but what is this "replace a relay with every oil change" you speak of? | ||
| Noobuel |
You mean ONLY your own bikes right? Otherwise I'd point you to the Aprilia and BMW forums where guys are having pretty much the exact same problem with rotors that don't cool stators well enough. | ||
| Sinnister |
The thing is once you get the oiling rotor and a good stator you no longer will be dealing with the relay and should never have any issues until you break something. It's really not that big of a deal. I waited until mine broke and replaced both for a little above 400 bucks. That's nothing for peace of mind now. Hell other than that and the clutch weep which I fixed myself I've done nothing to my 1125 but oil and tires. The thing is a beast and I would never sell mine no matter what went wrong with it. Put 10k on it in a year and it's only my fun bike. I have an XB I commute on and gets most of my miles. | ||
| Crowley |
Sonny, I understand what you're saying, but I feel that you're being a little harsh on Erik. I've only met him once and was deeply impressed with his enthusiasm, passion and most of all, honesty. If things were different and his trust hadn't been betrayed by the MoFuCo, then I'm certain that he could have helped owner with this problem. Many years ago, I had a XB9 and the front rod let go destroying the motor. He personally contacted me and built me a new motor (with the same numbers on it) the same day and airmailed it to the UK the next day. If I contacted Ducati about the failure, caused by poor design, of the radiator on my brand new 1198, I'm sure the Italian boss would be laughing all the way to Milan  Not just that, I had to completely replace the rubbish suspension on the 1198 at a cost to myself of £3k (approx $5k) to make it handle like it should. That said, I also have a '08 1125 that has been the most reliable bike I've ever owned, as have my Tubers - and they've been spanked silly over the years. My mate had a BMW IL4, that threw a rod (a known problem on early ones) and a BMW Dealer told me that he had a workshop full of these bikes for a 'secret' recall to have the cranks relaced. Erik has always been completely open and pro active when it came recalls on Buells. If it had been on his watch, then I'm sure he would have sorted the stator issue. The most perfect bike I've ever ridden is a 2013 Fireblade. I will never own one - it left me cold. | ||
| Sonny4472 |
I still have the bike, it simply won't sell in the Midwest, most people (and dealers) won't touch it and I'm asking a more than fair price or trade. The IRS owes me a fair amount of money, I may look into getting the whole issue sorted with the stator and see how I feel. |
