| Author | Message | ||
     Xb9ser |
I was the last poster on sky guys thread about 03 belts. talked about how I just changed my orginal bet for a up graded 03 belt when I replaced my rear tire. Guess what orginal belt had about 10000 miles on it. New belt broke this morning in parking lot at work!It was on 2weeks 4 days!about 1000 miles. I am on fith rear tire And allways take my wheele off to take to dealer.So I know how to treat the belt no issuses till now!!If somene gets up a class action law suit to get this staigtened out count me in!! Any lawyers on this board? This is the first time it has left me stranded.Two days after I put on new belt went riding wit C3 and TWIG told me he had just gotten 600 miles out his new upgraded belt before it broke. There is a real problem here great bike belts s@#k.Maybe it is a problem in QC? My broken belt looked just like TWIGS. I'll post a picture tomorrow.Thanks for letting me rave a little! | ||
| Skyguy |
what happened to the thread i started about the belt? it is gone. Did I miss something? | ||
| Glitch |
Sky, it just got archived automatically. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/200515.html?1148692750 Class action? Really? Sheesh. Just go to chain drive, and save yourself some time, energy and $.  | ||
| Skyguy |
Glitch, Class action? No not realy. I do think BMC should fess up and do the right thing by us 03 guys. Right now I am averaging $450.00 a year on belts and recovery of my bike. Not to mention I had freaking riding plans this weekend that were scrapped becasue I can not get the damm parts to fix it. Al at American Sport Bike is having supplier issues with the people he gets the rear sproket from. I tried Buell customer service and it left me so upset that I will be selling my bike and never buying or recommending Buell to anyone else again. In fact when somone asks me about the weird bike I am promptly going to be talking about the belt issues and associated expenses. They have converted me away from the brand. In fact they have left me wishing I had never bought the damm thing. Back to rice for me. 500,000+ miles on various Japaneese sport bikes with not so much as one stranding or breakdown. Sorry but BMC has pissed me off and I will do what I can to cost them sales at this point. BTW my buddy was going to buy a Uly and has reconsidered due to my problems. American built is awesome but I was not after a "boutique" bike. I wanted a daily rider. One sale lost and counting. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Just to make sure I understand.....is this the upgraded '03 belt or the new '06 belt we are talking about? How many people are actually having this problem? What pieces did you replace when you replaced the belt? Skyguy, with all due respect, if you used that same tone with Buell Customer Service that you used here, I'm not surprised you aren't satisfied. You wouldn't get very far with me either. | ||
| Bads1 |
Why are you spending that much for a 03 upgrade??? Man I just did my wifes nine with new pulleys front and rear,tensioner,guards, and 06 belt for around 500.00. You've been spending alot....wow!!! The labor time was maybe a 1 1/2 hours doing it yourself. | ||
| Xb9ser |
Indy_bueller mine was newest o3 belt G0500 02A8R bought new in late Dec or early Jan.Iput it on 2 weeks ago when installing a new tire.Twig from C3 bought one in Jan from same dealer and his lasted 600 miles!mt orignal belt had about 10000 miles on it on issues.  | ||
| Diablobrian |
chain chain chain.... BDWD......... Biker Dads With Daughters est.2006 defending our sweet little girls from those bad bad boys. You're not one of THEM are you? | ||
| Metalstorm |
I'd go with the conversion & '06 belt first. I'd save the chain for the last hope scenario. But that's just me. I hated lubing the chains on my previous bikes. And then there was the cleaning of all that sticky lube off of the rear wheel. Yuck. Diablobrian, that is a great sig! This is the earliest I've ever been late! | ||
| Bake |
My 03's got a stone hole in the stock belt and this is really concerning me. We have a tour planned for this summer and I don't need no stinking broken belt, stock or upgraded! Anyone broken an 06 converted belt .....yet? | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
 Here is the new model belt. I think the part number is #520. This belt might help solve your problem. You will need some new sprockets, 23 in front, 55 or so in back and you should be good to go. Couple other parts too. Al or Daves should know what you need And one other thing, you will NOT get hair growing on your palms just because you run chain.  (Message edited by gentleman_jon on May 29, 2006) | ||
| Diablobrian |
I like the adjusters on your swingarm Jon. Very nice. Who did that? Mine is one of the very early Hal's conversions. I added the "speed holes" To match the heel guards myself.  BDWD......... Biker Dads With Daughters est.2006 defending our sweet little girls from those bad bad boys. You're not one of THEM are you? | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Brian, Good idea on the " Speed Holes" . I bet that gets the competition worried:-) I bought the bike with the swing arm on it. I assumed it was one of Hal's: it sure looks like it. I really like the longer wheelbase. I am running about 55 1/2". Where did you get that very nice front sprocket cover? I was wondering what front sprocket you use, and where you got it. I currently have a twenty on it, I think it might be too small. (Message edited by gentleman_jon on May 29, 2006) | ||
| Skyguy |
Indy, I was so freaking nice with customer service it was crazy. It did not change the outcome one bit. Sad, becasue I usually can sweet talk my way into getting what I need with the C.S. folks most places. To me it was more than apparent that they have recieved many calls about this issue and their mind is made up regarding the outcome. All I got was alibis. Why so much money the last 1.3 years? This is the third belt............. Add in the cost of a flatbed tow truck once and getting myself back from the beach (almost 90 miles one way) and back to the beach with my truck to retrieve it. Toss in the stealership knowing nothing about the 04/06 upgrade and selling me the same cheesy 03 belt twice now. Toss in the upgrade kit and woila! lots of money. Did the math the other day and my bike has 20,000 miles on it. Yamaha buys back bikes that come up short of advertised redliine and are still way fast. Buell won't give up a dollar to take care of a known engineering snafu. Give me a reason to support Buell anymore............................  | ||
| Skyguy |
Sorry bad spelling but the damm stress from this deal is costing me lots of sleep. That being said any SoCal folks got a really cheap trailer for sale? Need a 5x8 with 15 inch wheels. I had one lined up but the money I have worked so hard to save in order to move is getting spent on the 06 upgrade kit.......... | ||
| Metalstorm |
I can only think of one reason. They do offer an upgrade kit. No it isn't free but how much $$ would you have saved if you opted for it rather then continue with the older pulleys & belt. Is it a great reason? Hell no. Is it even a remotely good reason? Probably not. What can you expect? The 03' was the first year. There have been numerous improvements on the later models but you didn't buy a later model. You bought an 03'. The solution is out there. 04' pulley & tensioner conversion & 06' belt. Or convert to chain. I always tell folks who are thinking about getting an 03 that the belt conversion is the first thing they should do after checking to see if the bike has the right wheel bearings & kick stand. I am so sorry you've had this trouble. I wouldn't wish it on any one. I know only too well what it's like to be strapped for cash. I'm lucky if I can spend $600 a year on toys. If I had to do a belt conversion, that would put everything else on hold until the next year. But on the bright side, once done, you shouldn't be snapping any more belts. The 06' belt is one tough somanabitch. This is the earliest I've ever been late! | ||
| Metalstorm |
Once this problem is resolved, I'll leave it to you to find reasons to support Buell anymore. I think once your bike is working the way it should and proves itself reliable (as in no snappy belty) you'll find plenty.  This is the earliest I've ever been late! | ||
| Saintly |
What can you expect? The 03' was the first year. There have been numerous improvements on the later models but you didn't buy a later model. You bought an 03'. The point is NOT "you bought an 03' " the point IS you bought a BUELL!! Why should 03 owners be penalized for buying the bike with the FLAW!!! I bought an 03 and when I paid for it, I paid with money that was just as green as the money paid by 04 & up owners. I thing it's screwed up how BMC just sticks it to the folks who bought these bikes! If there ever is a class action lawsuit I'll jump right the hell on that bandwagon! I think BUell should do the right thing and recall these 03 belts. At the very least they should offer all the parts necesary to do the 04 & up upgrade to 03 owners at a significantly reduced price( perhaps the cost of one 03 belt) Whats it going to take for them to step up to the plate? Perhaps one day a 03 buell owner will have his belt fail while in the fast lane of an expressway. With no way to move the bike, the owner may get struck and killed. OH then maybe someone will consider this to be a safety issue! I went thru exactly what the guys above are going thru. I was given the single digit salute by buell too! I converted to chain in order to be able to ride my ONE YEAR OLDbike! Getting stranded is no freakin fun, especially THREE damn times! Furthermore I find it very insulting and frustrating when people post here and say things like "what do you expect? you bought an 03" I'll tell you what, let me take you 600 miles from your home and stick you out on the side of some road in a town that you're not familiar with and you can call me for help. When you call, I'll tell you that I'm sorry sir, but there's nothing that I can do for you. Let's see how you like it! Let's see how damned loyal you are to ME after I bend you over! I'll NEVER buy a Buell again after the experience I had, and rest assured that I tell EVERY-FREAKIN-BODY about my experience with BMC. How many people have I tuned away from Buell? I'm not sure, but even if it is ONE then I've accomplished something! Skyguy & Xb9ser , you have my sympathy (Message edited by saintly on May 29, 2006) | ||
| Percyco |
Was'nt the 2002 R model basically the same bike as all the 03 models. So really the 03's are the 2nd year of the "fuel framers". Poor belts into the 2nd year of production ??? Right ? I wonder what is so difficult about just making a good belt that will run on the stock 03 pulleys? Why should anyone have to cough up $400-$500 dollars to fix a factory defect on a $8000. bike? Harleys have been using drive belts for years now with no issues, Erik....make a decent belt for the 03 models already. What the heck is it going to take. I have a 03 with no belt issues as of yet BUT I can sure as hell see why these folks that are can be so pissssssed off. hey.... Buell Motor Co., produce a good belt for the 2003's....how hard is it ? | ||
| Sokota |
upgrade conversion kits should be offered at production costs to original 03 owners..... | ||
| Xb9ser |
Percyco I bought mine in aug 03 and never had a issue with belt till I put on new belt 2 weeks ago.i dont ride that hard but when putting on new tire I figured with 10000 miles on orignal belt I would replace it with new belt.What a joke.I wonder how many of these new and improved belts have lasted shorter time than the old weaker belts?! | ||
| Skyguy |
BMC is not only showing a total lack of customer service/care but they are putting riders in harms way. I can just see needing a bunch of throttle to avoid getting hit when the belt snaps. If it were to happen to me I would own a significant chunk of BMC. The premature failures are well documnted and not issuing a TSB borders IMHO on criminal negligence. They know of the problem and do NOTHING!!! I also blame BMC for not issuing (at the very least) a TSB on the 03 belt to all servicing dealerships. So that poor bastards like myself dont get stuck buying the damm 03 belt twice (or more). Were it not for Badweb I still would know nothing about the upgrade kit. Had I know I would have been upset as hell but I would have upgraded two belts ago. They did the same crap to me with the speedo sensors. I bought two of the non-upgraded ones......... Badweb again saves the day as it was here that Daves gave me the part number for the updated one. The stupid freaking local dealer did not even know there was a different part number or an update. Customer service with BMC is dismal at best. IMHO they are fools to alienate what should have been life long customers. All I can say at this point is screw me once shame on you. Screw me twice shame on me. I will not be screwed by BMC ever again. The spot this has put me in is unforgivable. I am very angry. BMC has made an enemy with a big mouth, good computer skills and enough spare time to make a significant dent in sales. Accidents and breakdowns can happen and are part of the nature of riding. Breakdowns caused by poor engineering should be handled by the factory. If Yamaha can buy back bikes why can't a giant like BMC/HD take care of a simple problem? Would everyone that had a premature failure of an 03 belt pm me please? I intend to do something about this lack of customer care. In fact one might even say I WILL do something about it. I will be asking for names and email addys on every motorcycle forum I can find. Enough people get together about this and maybe BMC will start to feel the pain and do something about their attitude. The letter writing starts tomorrow. Every goverment agency I can find remotely related to motorcycles and highway safety is going to hear from me. Time to make a difference and kick BMC in the proverbial nads. Sad, very sad. | ||
| Bads1 |
Good luck to ya!!! | ||
| Skyguy |
Whats messed up is that the love affair has ended badly. I really loved my bike and the Buell "mystique". Now I look at it and get angry. Whats worse is that for a couple of hundred bucks off the cost of upgrades and some customer service I would have been loyal to the end. Now I just want it to end. | ||
| T9r |
Skyguy... interesting outlook on the situation. I guess I've felt so good about my Buell motorcycles because I bought them used, not paying full price and do my own maintenance so I don't deal with the BMC unless it is for a recall. You have a certain picture/idea in your expectations and BMC has let you down. I for one have always relied on this webpage. Badweb has been my Customer Service and Technical Support. Mechanic has been myself. The whole belt issue is one of interest to me since they went from one setup on sprockets and belt in 2002 tube frame bikes to a new pitch on teeth on the 2003 XB series... then they went BACK to the 2002 pitch on the teeth and upgraded belt. Every vehicle produced has a black year here or there, 2003 happened to be just that year and the down fall was with testing and quality of the new belt system. Since they went back to the proven system they have had far less problems. If you feel your only choice is to give up, then do so, but you'll be missing out on more than your ever giving up. I didn't want to have to fork out $500 for an upgraded belt system but I did it and am glad that I did. I now have a confidence in the bike that I didn't before, even though I kept a close eye on the 2003 belt. You just need to log more miles on the bike so you can get more out of the bike than the problems that you'd experienced. What is the saying, it takes 5 good things said to compensate for 1 negative thing said. So you need to have 5 good experiences to begin to compensate for the 1 negative.... are you catching my drift? Get out there and ride, pass the posers on the Jap bikes and enjoy your unwavering loyalty. What good is loyalty if it can be given up? | ||
| Skyguy |
T9R, I have tried. I dealt with the first two belts and stayed loyal (albeit a bit upset). I stayed loyal through the speedo sensors, the wheel and steering bearings, The flasher relay, the battery wire that got rubbed through and the output shaft seal. I never called BMC customer service for any of that. When I did call customer service about the latest belt issue (and the issue of dealerships not know to sell me upgraded equipment) I got blown off. Not even humored a bit, just blown off. Badweb has ben awesome and without it I am sure the bike would have gone though a showroom window somewhere by now. After all, shouldn't the dealers KNOW about the speedo, steering bearing and belt upgrades? Why does Buell/HD care so little? I do all of my own maintenance as I can not afford (or am not stupid enough) to take my bike in for the HD $100.00 tire change. I do not think it is worn or nfair of me to EXPECT BMC to take up some slack on their obviously flawed 03 belt design. Hell I would have been happy if the upgrade had been common dealer knowlege. I would have done it hundreds of dollars ago. I love the fact that I am reguarly passing most of the Jap bikes in the canyons (easily). I love the fact that the bike is appreciated by most of the HD crowd. I love the looks and lack of expensive tune-ups. I use my bike as primary transportation and getting stranded twice so far has sucked. I will likely get stranded a third time because I have to ride 150 miles round trip to pick up the new belt and pulleys. This assumes of course that the parts are in as Al is having pulley supplier issues. I have no choice but to ride the bike daily in the meantime and I am just waiting to get stranded again. Loyalty is earned, not just given. If a company can not be loyal to it's customers, how can their customers be loyal to the company? I am losing the faith and I really feel that it is through no fault of my own................ Times are so tight for me it is stupid. I had planned to be moving up North to open my balloon company by June 15th. I have a nice house up there all ready to go. I needed that $500.00 to buy a balloon trailer as my Pinzgauer has no room in the back for the balloon. If I do not find a near free trailer or rob a bank I will be living in my truck as my current house has to be vacant by the 15th. It has cost me every single dollar I have had to get commercial rated, buy a balloon, and setup the move. I have a job driving limos in Sacramento nights waiting for me and will have to commute 100 miles a day until the new business gets some steam up. I can not do that in my Pinzgauer. As it stands I may have to drive up North leaving the balloon here until I make some money. then driving back down to pick it up. That should cost me another $400.00 or so. Bring my BMC induced belt costs to a grand total of $1,300+. This assumes that I do not get stranded again before that. Sorry to run on and on ranting my ass off. This timing on this damm belt is horrible at best and I spend nearly every waking moment freaking out. | ||
| Rubberdown |
Sky, your loyalty to Buell is unimportant. Do what you need to do to get your business going and your living situation stable. IT will work out. Good luck with the venture. | ||
| Skyguy |
Rubberdown,, thanks | ||
| Exupmonkey |
Skyguy...PM'd ya. | ||
| Rd3501 |
Ok Skyguy.. I am with you. I have 2003 model and if they changed the design the second year into production than I would say that it is a problem. What happened????? OH I know it didn't work. ANd Buell say it right away. And if they kept making the belt design for 2004 they would have so many problems it would have given Buell another bad mark. But Buell goes the smart way and brushes it under the table like it never made them. And to top it off they dropped the damn price $1000.00 the next year for the bike. Now that really pissed me off. Most everyone says oh well on here. But they don't get it. ANd have never broken down 600 miles away from home. Well lets see how they talk when it happens to them. I do think that Buell should have a notice sent out and have anyone that has a 2003 get an updated pulley system for cost. I am not asking for free, but cost is good enough for me. SO BUELL GET OFF YOUR ASSES AND GIVE US THE UPGRADED PARTS FOR COST!!! |
