| Author | Message | ||
     Pariah |
Say, I don't think I've posted here since... maybe 2011? Still have my 2008 Buell 1125R (purchased new in Houston, TX). But now I live in Canada. For various reasons, I've had to keep it stored for a couple of years while I sorted stuff in my life out (and the current Ice Age passes). But I'm getting it prepped for riding this spring (assuming it ever shows up here in good ol' Toronto). How are Neil (CCryder), Zack (Zac4Mac), Bryan (Spectrum), Blake? What gives? What have I missed?! | ||
| Pariah |
You know, I'm just waking up and smelling the coffee now. It smells bad. I feel like I'm in the very late Cretaceous. Ever get that feeling? A couple of days ago, I contacted the service manager of a reputable local (Canadian) Harley-Davidson dealer. I was asking about the likelihood of getting any kind of service or parts for my 1125 these days. This was the reply: "Thank you for contacting us. Sadly Buell is becoming a distant thing of the past. There was a time when we had Buell by the horns and we were known to bring them in from far and wide. Those times have changed unfortunately. Since production stopped in 2010 we tried to hang on to servicing for as long as we could. Now, 5 years later, my Buell technicians no longer work here, leaving me highly skilled in Harley-Davidson but unequipped for handling Buell. As all training for Buell has ceased we are left with scarce resource to continue assisting customers with them. I had a Buell 1125R in here recently which needed brake pads and wheel bearings (simple maintenance items) and we discovered there were no parts available in the Canadian distribution network of Harley-Davidson/Buell. As we dug deeper we discovered they stopped making parts some time ago and "special order" as needed. I just ran the part number for your valve cover gaskets (would need to replace if we checked/adjusted valves) and there are none in Canada at all. (part number R1001.1AM). I wish I could give you more positive Buell support as they are a cool bike, but sadly we have made the decision to stop working on them due to all of the above listed restrictions (technician knowledge, and parts availability). My apologies Takis, I sincerely hope you can track down a place to service your Buell effectively." Woah, it may be time to move on. Convince me not to, somebody! I live next to a BMW Motorrad, and the new R1200R is awesome, as is the S1000R.  (Message edited by pariah on February 19, 2015) | ||
| Mhpalin |
Thats B S I live in Canada Edmonton Alberta and just ordered Head gaskets valve seals and various other parts.The Canadian dist. does not stock parts and orders them from H.D.(spit)so they take a while try another dealer or order from Al at American Sport Bike you won't like the shipping cost.Also you don't need to replace that gasket it is rubber and can be reused (Message edited by mhpalin on February 19, 2015) | ||
| Pariah |
Hey Thanks, Man. Yeah, I looked in the service manual and didn't see the need for a new valve cover gasket, just new exhaust gaskets (which I have re-used anyway). I've ordered from Al before, but for more common stuff. Good to know that he can also get any part or even tools (I would guess). | ||
| Mhpalin |
Any 1125 tools like crank locking tool or camshaft locking tool you can get from a EBR dealer.  | ||
| Pariah |
Good that you mentioned that. Since there are no EBR dealers in Canada I figured they wouldn't be an option. Do you have experience with any of them? Thanks again. | ||
| Mhpalin |
Yes I order the camshaft locking tool from Bellevue motor sports they are in WA so you should check out the dealer list on the EBR web site for a dealer closer to you,the shipping would be less.It takes a while as they have to order from EBR and they ship to the dealer then they ship to you.With the Canadian loney being what it is it ain't cheap.To bad you are not in northern Alberta I have all the tools and have been working on 3 1125s for 4 years. | ||
| Pariah |
Indeed, you're making me wish I was in anywhere in Alberta. These days I don't have a lot of time to spare and so I was hoping not to have to do the engine rotation myself. The bike has been stored for about two years and has around 8000 miles on it, so maybe I can eke out one more season without the need for checking the valve lash. It's waaay colder here in Toronto than it is in Edmonton, which has me a little stumped. We're at -20 C, you're at +2 C! Hell, you could go riding right now. I have banks of snow outside! | ||
| Mhpalin |
Not need a skidoo to get out of my alley what's your mileage every one I did first check on where tight 12000 kms.I don't rotate the motor any more it's way easier to get at the valves if you pull the frame off.I am replacing the valve guide seals on my 09 CR don't ride it enough.  | ||
| Pariah |
Ha, I guess we're all buried up here. It's enough to make one take up ice riding. Maybe worth looking into, and it could be the answer for your CR  The odometer on my '08 1125R is around 7500miles or about 12000km. According to Table 1-1 in the service manual, I guess I'm not quite there (inspection needed at 20000km). Yes, I will put it off as long as I can! Interesting about the rotation versus frame pulling. I'll take your word for it, although pulling the frame off seems like a good deal more work. Wow. | ||
| Mhpalin |
Not really if you have a helper you can pull it leaving the front end on it's only about a hr and half more time if you have done it before takes longer the first time.Takes me about 2hrs to do the rotation 3.5 to pull the frame with the front end off.hers where I am at right now waiting for head gaskets  | ||
| Pariah |
Nice, you have quite the workshop in there! Out of curiosity, how did you know the valve guide seals needed replacing? Did you inspect them and notice they were worn? | ||
| 2010_1125 |
Twinmotorcycles.nl has the crank and cam lock tools for sale. Ebr will have gaskets and such as they use essentially the same motor. | ||
| Dennis_c |
Pull the frame I have done it both ways much easer to work on motor also use plenty of rags you don't want to loose a shim down inside the motor. | ||
| Pariah |
Hey Guys, thanks. When you say "pull the frame," do you mean removing the frame, front suspension and rear subframe as one unit off of the engine and swing arm (the other unit)? There's a nice picture of this in the 2008 service manual, page 3-26, Figure 3-45, with the bike split into two halves (upper and lower). Also, do I need the crank or cam locking tools to either pull the frame or to make a valve lash adjustment? Don't see the tools needed for the actual valve lash adjustment, according to the service manual. But you guys would know... Thanks again! | ||
| Mhpalin |
2010 1125 as of dec 14 Dris did not carry the camshaft locking tool he was thinking about having them made but said there was not a high demand for them. Pariah the bike would smoke on start up when not used for a while but after it was warmed up would not smoke on start up and did not use any oil while riding it.There fore I ordered the valve guide seals took the front head of and it was pretty plain that the front cyl intake seals were passing oil  sorry I did not take any pics of the valves | ||
| Mhpalin |
Yes that is what I meant when I said pull the frame.No you do not need the crankshaft or cam shaft locking tools to adj the valves | ||
| Pariah |
Wow, that's a lot of crud on those valves! You know, your bikes are getting some serious TLC. I'm sure some people would have overlooked the smoke issue, and most servicing dealerships would have been of no help. Awesome. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Wonder how those highly trained Hardley mechanics are going to handle that new electric bike?...lol. | ||
| Captjoe |
Pariah, try Barrie HD. It's a bit of a ride from Toronto, but they always go the extra mile and really love Buells. (Message edited by captjoe on February 22, 2015) | ||
| Pariah |
Actually, that email I got was from Barrie HD, believe it or not! I heard good things about them, too, which is why I contacted them. They no longer have Buell techs there, and, as you can tell from the message, are no longer supporting Buell. | ||
| Captjoe |
Really? Wow, that doesn't sound like them at all. Mine is up there right now and they just did some winter maintenance stuff...the usual, brake pads, rear wheel bearings, oil change etc. I was up there yesterday paying and shooting the breeze about the bike. I'm not sure who you spoke with but I think they still have at least one Buell tech and quite a few Buells are still serviced and stored there during the winter. Parts take a little longer to get but so far, knock on wood, every part that needed replacing has been replaced. (Message edited by captjoe on February 22, 2015) | ||
| Rogue_biker |
There's no need to pull the frame off the engine during engine rotation. However, removing the front wheel makes it so much easier to work on the front cylinder when it is rotated. Especially when it comes time to removing/installing the valve cover. I've rotated mine twice now and it's much easier the second time. Finally, at 8k miles, there is no need to inspect the valves right now. I think making sure your fuel system and lubrication, as well as your electrical connections are in good working is a much better idea. Replace all your fluids (including coolant). Clean the bike. I don't think it needs anything else at this point. | ||
| Pariah |
Hey Capt, your bike could be the one mentioned in their email (see my second post on this thread). They said they could do basic maintenance but not work that might require "special order" parts, whatever that means exactly I do not know. I corresponded with Miles... (Message edited by pariah on February 22, 2015) | ||
| Captjoe |
Well they did my valve check, rotor swap and new stator last winter. I remember seeing it in pieces and questioning if they could actually get it all back together. Luckily they did  Other than that, I've only needed basic maintenance. I ride it more as a sport/tourer so it's not like I'm blowing gaskets and pistons every month. If you want I can call him up and ask what's going on. It might be they don't want to take on new customers, but even then, I think if they still have the Buell sign on the front lawn, then they can't turn Buells away until the 7 years are over. | ||
| Pariah |
Rogue: thanks for the confirmation, I think I'm in the clear for another season. Capt: Yes, since you have the inside track at Barrie HD, it might be nice to pick their brains a bit. I'd certainly be curious what they tell you. I think you're right that they don't want new customers since your experience is quite different (regarding the valve lash adjustment, they essentially told me "no"). Did you buy your bike from them? | ||
| Captjoe |
No, mine was bought at Toronto HD but they've since closed down. I went up there for one of the demo days and got to talking to them about my recent experiences with HD dealers around Toronto and they were great about me taking the Buell there. I've been going there ever since. I'll give them a call and let you know what they say. I'm kind of concerned now too! The other dealership that seems really nice and welcoming to my Buell is Clare's just off the QEW before Niagara Falls. Been there a couple of times because of "emergencies" and have never had a problem. If you want to get parts, there's always American HD in North Tonawanda NY. It's a border crossing so can be a bit of a pain but when it takes double the time to get the parts to Canada, it's another option for the time being. If you schedule in a nice ride across the border, you can probably get it serviced there also during the ride. That said, I've never serviced mine there so I don't know how knowledgeable the are these days about Buells. | ||
| Captjoe |
Called them up and yes, they want to distance themselves from Buells. It was news to me but I'll also probably need to find another dealership to get it serviced. I also called Clare's and they seem happy to continue working on them. The distance to either dealership for me is about the same 60 miles so you may want to try and give Clare's a call and see what they can do for you. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Pariah, Takis good to hear from you. Further north than me now. I just ordered a 2012 1190RS And yesterday I got an 1190 kit for Loretta. (Sorta hit the lotto ) I'll have to read the thread now and see how you're doing up in the Great White North. Z | ||
| Rick_fears |
Zac, Pics or it didn't happen eh? Of the bikes of course! We don't care about the money  | ||
| Pariah |
Great to hear from you, Zack! I was hoping you'd chime in. Also, very glad to hear about your recent windfall! Couldn't happen to a more deserving Bueller. I'm thinking about the 1190 kit... someday, perhaps, if I happen to find the spare dough and my family can't think of better ways to spend it. If an EBR dealer pops up in Canada I will feel a bit more confident about messing with the bike myself. Seems you've left the dealership yourself, what are you up to these days? | ||
| Zac4mac |
I left High Country in 2011 for a mechanic position that didn't pan out. On my way home from getting canned in Feb of 2012, I stopped in to visit Dan and Cil at NRHS. The next day Dan called and asked if I needed work... been there ever since. I started honing cylinders but quickly moved to porting/polishing H-D and Buell heads. OK, just crunched some pix. The 1190 kit -  Loretta and Dan's RS(mine will be identical when it arrives)  My bench  Ports, in and out   | ||
| Pariah |
Loretta is looking well, Zack. I'm sure you'll have a great time on your RS (whatever you name it). Congrats on the new job, too... it seems fairly awesome! |
