| Author | Message | ||
     David Hare |
I'm pissed, I'm sad, I'm glad I'm not hurt, I wish it hadn't happened, this sucks...this sucks...this sucks... I think I killed a dog today. I really feel bad...but after I was getting off the pavement and getting the bike back on the stand he got up and ran away. What happened was...I was taking the XB to the shop to have the 1000mile service done (not even out of the neiborhood) a dog ran in front of me. Before I could get on the brake good I hit him and went down. I wasn't going fast at all but the dog took a pretty good hit. I hope he's ok, I just know he's somebody's best friend. No damage to me except a skint knee and my left glove is bleeding (had the jell filled palms). The bike has some...the left bar end is scuffed the breather scoop and the oil cooler scoop are scuffed and the shifter is broken ... now here's the biggie ... where the tank/frame is the widest, it's scuffed pretty deep. I can take care of it all except the tank/frame, does anybody know about how much this is going to cost? Yes, it's fully insured, I just was wondering if anybody has had to have this replaced or know of some one who has. I'm going out to look for the dog, I'll keep ya'll up to date... I'll post a pic of the frame in a little while... | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
Drain the tank, flush the tank with water, charge the tank with nitrogen, heliarc in new aluminum. Recoat frame or polish it out once the filler welds are sanded down. Frame dented as well? Except for the welding which would not add up to too much, elbow grease is free. This is coming from an aircraft mechanic, because it is a load bearing member, Zyglo or other penatrant type (non destructive test) would be highly advisable. As hidden stress cracks (especially in the frame corners and orginal welds) are potentially dangerous. Fix it right the first time and you won't be haunted by reapearing cracks a few thousand miles down the road. The local airport should be able to point you to somebody capable. | ||
| Glitch  |
I have a really bad (old) camera but you get the idea... It makes me sick... Still no sign of the dog...  | ||
| Glitch |
Grim, wouldn't that void the warranty? | ||
| Jim_witt |
David, To bad about the dog ... anyway, that's WHY you have insurance dude. Don't worry about it and simply get the damn thing fixed. -JW:>) | ||
| Bigsherm9r |
Um, HELLOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! The fame IS the tank, sillies! David, I just went through what you're going to go through. Let your insurance fix it. A new frame is $1300, but let your insurance do what you've paid it to, don't worry. If for some reason you want to repair the frame, I did it to mine, with nearly identical damge, and can advise. Just let me know. I did it in a (long) day in my driveway and it was perfect. Sherm | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
Glitch, I'm new to the Buell scene, I was assuming that the warranty was already "voided" by the damage, and that it was surface damage only. Now that there is a picture to go by, I'd have to agree with everybody else on this one- replace the frame with insurance. Keep the old frame, (a good body man can bring out the dents), once the dents are removed and the gouged surface repaired (as previously mentioned), normalize the aluminum to relieve internal stresses and you have a perfect frame for polishing and building into a "show" bike. Or not. Either way, the frame can be saved if you want to keep it or sell it. | ||
| Blake |
Appears to be a superficial dent. If it were me... Accept insurance payment, repair with bondo, purchase/mount CF frame covers. | ||
| Dynarider |
But if it has actual road rash gouges in it, that could weaken the tank in that area. Remember the metal is only 4mm thick..thats not a whole hell of a lot of thickness. Dents are one thing..no biggie..but gashes & gouges are more bothersome. | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
If you do decide to weld, DO NOT forget to flush the tank and fill it with either nitrogen, argon, or even helium (GAS) at a pressure greater than atmospheric. Without an inert gas at a pressure greater than atmospheric, you run the risk of residual fuel vapor mixing with the "air" in the tank and ruining the welders whole day, and your frame. | ||
| Glitch |
I was just curious as to how much it was going to cost the insurance co. It's gouged pretty deep, straight through the coating and into the aluminium. The pic doesn't show it very well but it's dented in as well. Thanks guys. You have answered all my questions. As far as the new frame goes I think I may glue some knee pucks to it...can't afford the CF sliders right now... | ||
| Dynarider |
I have seen a couple pics with pucks attached in that area & it actually looks pretty cool. Glue on the velcro & then you could swap em out for different color combos  | ||
| Bigsherm9r |
Dave, if you get the frame replaced you have to send in the old one (there can't be two frames in the world with the same serial number) after waiting for the new one to be made. $1300 for the frame kit, plus a whole lot of labor, thats about $1500 or more just for that. If the insurance check is made out to you you can decide how it's spent (or not spent) but if the bike isn't paid off it'll likely be made out to you and the dealer dealer fixing it. Once again, I fixed mine with identical damage for next to nothing because I wanted to keep riding while waiting the weeks for the frame and other parts. I can let you know how if you like. Also, if you get the frame replaced, sweet talk you dealer into letting you have the new one for a week or so and get it polished while it's off the bike (the perfect opportunity!). This is exactly how I did mine. Sherm  | ||
| Bigsherm9r |
Also, depending on your location, I could even help you with the polishing/repair of the frame. Sherm | ||
| Buellblastrider |
can someone give me a link for the "CF frame sliders" | ||
| Glitch |
I think someone here has a partnership with trojanhorse they're pricey, but I'm gonna get some as soon as I can... | ||
| Daves |
I can get you the Trojan Horse stuff, the frame protectors run 323.10 I have some that should be in this week. More on the way! Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Iowa dave@iowaharley.com 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 | ||
| Glitch |
Thanks Dave. Not sure when I'll be ordering though. | ||
| Daves |
No problem Glitch, I have them in stock most of the time! Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Coppertop |
Just for info on the CF protectors...they did their job for me when I got too aggresive at Dave's battletrax. Saved the frame from any damage. did scrape the backend of the swingarm slightly and bent the front brake lever though. no biggie just took a black magic marker to the CF to make the scrapes less noticeable. good to go  good investment IMO. | ||
| Daves |
Coppertop, Your brake lever will be on it's way tomorrow, the rest of the stuff will be coming soon. Thanks for the testimonial! Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Darthane |
Got nailed by a dog myself last night. I think it was a doberman, had that kind of build, but it was too dark to be sure. I had just completed a u-turn to go back down a local favorite street trying out the new D208ZRs on my 'bolt and WHAM! The dumbass ran right into my swingarm. I saw him at the last second and gunned it to get away, but wasn't quick enough. Didn't hit me hard enough to knock me over, and he got right back up, but sure as hell scared the piss out of me. Bryan | ||
| Chainsaw |
I drive past a no-leash dog park on my way to work every day. I have yet to have a dog chase me along the fence on either my Firebolt (stock exhaust) or my Sportster (aftermarket pipes). I'm either just lucky or my exhaust doesn't hit a note that attracts canines. | ||
| Glitch |
Must be something going around... I found the owners of the dog, by the way. They said they have been having trouble keepin' him in his pen...they said they haven't seen him since that night... BTW...Darthane, nice pic of you and your girlfriend in the Fuell mag...she's a cutie  | ||
| Darthane |
Yep...and she's all mine.  That's the first time I've ever had a dog come after me...ridden past plenty not on a leash out in the front yard or just wandering the neighborhood. Not sure if it's because it was dark or this one just had it in for me. Ah, well...no harm done. Bryan | ||
| Cyclone1 |
>>Also, if you get the frame replaced, sweet talk you dealer into letting you have the new one for a week or so and get it polished while it's off the bike (the perfect opportunity!). << Thought I'd throw this out there...last time I went to Buell training, they advised against polishing the frame, because of the special coating they have on the inside. Apparently, the heat from the polishing process could make the coating "peel" off. Might create some fueling problems I expect. I wouldn't see why one couldn't hand polish it and be just fine...dunno if anyone really gives a shit, but that's the "official" word on that, to the best of my knowledge.... Frank | ||
| Sarodude |
WRT to Cyclone1's comments on the coating peeling off the inside of the tank... I'd heard of a big dealer who backed a racing XB or two that something as simple as welding on frame slider mounts was causing such issues. Something about fuel pumps dying? Can't remember exactly when & where I heard this. I don't know if polishing can produce enough heat to do that - but I sure could see a weld doing it. Take this with a grain or two of salt unless someone can validate it some more... -Saro | ||
| Ebear |
DO NOT weld on that frame!!!That coating WILL bubble off and not only foul your fuel pump but will allow fuel to contact aluminum inside and create other problems.Go with the replacement frame! | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
Ok, just for conversation sake, if for whatever reason the coating does begin to peel off, #1-what is the best way to stop it, and #2- what is the best method of resealing it, and #3- what is the best sealant to use when you do reseal it? | ||
| Grim_euphoria |
There are products available through Wicks, Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, etc. that are used in sealing the fuel tanks in the wings of aircraft that any home mechanic can use. I was just wondering what is favored by Buellers. pain in the butt or not its gotta beat having to replace an otherwise perfectly good frame. |
