| Author | Message | ||
     Kaese |
I have had the same experience with the parts counter there also. Sounds as if I need to get parts in Vallejo, and get service done at Smudley‘s. Sure would be much more convenient getting service done while I was pretending to be slaving away at work. I have vowed to save my vacation, so it will probably be on the weekends or holidays. Give me a call anytime at work (I’m usually bored anyway) 415-503-4879 and we can set up some definite plans. | ||
| Stot |
On the flip side of this, I have a GPS set on the bolt that hooks in to my PPC phone, I thought it would be cool to hook up the phone to the 4 pin port and have my phone display my RPMS Temp ect and tell me where to go.  Cya Stot1 | ||
| Steveshakeshaft |
I've always found it a bit of a surprise that nobody has made third party hardware to talk to the Buell EFI system. There's freeware designs on the web to build your own EFI box, companies like S&S sell replacement EFI boxes. So the knowledge is out there, it just seems like nobody has had a serious attempt at doing it? You can buy third party hardware to communicate with auto EFI systems, why should a motorcycle one be so different? Perhaps there's something I don't know about that makes it so difficult? Regards Steve www.ukbeg.com steve_s@ukbeg.com | ||
| Mikej |
And right now 47 attorneys are running in circles banging their heads on walls while pointing at their monitors and spilling their coffee on their croissants trying to find a way to stop this. heh heh heh ...  | ||
| Hootowl |
Isn't HD REQUIRED by LAW to make all the tools specified in the service manual available to the public? | ||
| Glitch |
That's a thought... Creating a monopoly...kinda... | ||
| Mikej |
No, the service manual lists the tools required, it also states for some things to use test equipment that is too expensive and restricted for the home mechanic to use. Some dealerships will special order the tools for you, some will not. Not all tools are available to the general public. Chase down a Snap-On truck sometime and try to order some tools as an independant non-company-site-based potential customer, some Snap-On franchise operators will not do business with individuals, some will. My question is in wondering if there is a different service manual that the certified techs in the authorized shops use vs the one sold to us end users over the counter for home reference? | ||
| Keveldae |
I think that the communication in the xb pcm might be a pretty standard bus . Most of the electronic parts and connectors look like standard ford hardware . It might be possible to communicate with the pcm with a obd II scanner . Harley had a deal with Ford , Ford got to use the name , in return Harley got access to Ford racing R&D . Remember the VR (with the ford logo on the side). Now I don't know if this is true but it makes sense to me . Standard obd II communication is , Bat + , Bat -, Bus +, and Bus- . Four wires the same as on the XB data connector . | ||
| Steveshakeshaft |
I tried to buy a Scanalyser from the European agents of the manufacturer. They told me that they couldn't supply me with one because Harley Davidson UK told them I wasn't a franchised dealer so they shouldn't sell me one. Regards Steve www.ukbeg.com steve_s@ukbeg.com | ||
| Oconnor |
Hootowl- You are correct. It was a lawsuit against BMW in the 90's that made it illegal for a manufacturer not to sell all specialty tools and manuals to the public. I went throught htis battle while trying to turn my subaru into a timetrials winner (sortof). Anyways, they have to sell it to you legally. Now whether the dealers will or not. who knows. | ||
| Glitch |
Yeah, but who wants (has the funds) to go to court to buy a tool? Sucks though. | ||
| Mikej |
If you win the looser usually/sometimes has to pay your court costs and legal fees. If they price it out of reach then that's one thing, but to say we can't have one regardless of the cost is a different matter entirely. I wonder if any franchised shop has considered opening up a do-it-yourself bay. $20/hour and the only things you get in the way of tools is an air hose, a solvent tub, and a scanalizer, and maybe a tire remover and balancer setup. | ||
| M1combat |
Hmmm, That's not too bad of an Idea... maybe even a rentable trailer. Just plug it into a 220V on your house and your set. | ||
| Stot |
As far as I have read the Scanalyser is a standard Automotive ECM programmer but with the Buell Cartridge and cable. I assume these are removeable so you dont need a scanner per vehicle model. Cya Stot | ||
| Fullpower |
snapon stops here on tuesdays. i will see if his scantool is suitable. | ||
| Kaese |
Oconner: I called Dudley Perkins and they said they could reset my TPS on Tuesday. Monday is the Buell Tech's day off. Thanks for the suggestion!!! Should have the Drummer on tonight. Hopefully it runs well enough to ride this weekend. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
keith cool sounds like dudley is gonna help ya out. let us know when your bike no longer is a virgin!! | ||
| Kaese |
Midnight your time, at the latest. | ||
| Mikep |
Referencing the earlier thread discussion about being able to reset our own TPS with an inexpensive tool (the discussion centered around hacking the Buell VDO ecm): Has anyone done a Google search on hacking automotive ecm's? mikeyp | ||
| Doof |
Any OTC Monitor scantool will work with the Buell Software cartridge and special cable. Recently, I acquired an OTC Monitor Elite off of ebay, as well as the OFFICIAL Buell cartridge and cable from a confidential source for about $500. It works perfectly; functionally identical to the Scanalyzer. As far as HD's tool restriction policy, I tend to think it's part of their overall business plan: To get Buell owners into the stealerships for service, hoping they just might trade up to (actually down to) a Hardley-Ableson Poser Glide. From the research I've done on this subject so far, HD corporate's tool restriction policy is not legally enforceable upon its independently owned and operated stealerships. It's nothing more than an "advisory", or "recommendation". Like mentioned previously, it is the decision of each independent stealer as to whether they sell the special tools to the public, or not. Take Ducati for example. They use a scantool similar to the Scanalyzer called the Mathesis Tester. It comes in a kit w/ special cables and various memory cards; it retails for approx. $2500. I've contacted about a dozen Ducati dealerships thusfar and every single one of them can, and is more than willing, to sell me a Mathesis, as well as any other OEM Ducati specialty tools. There are no restrictions on their tools whatsoever. On the legalities of reverse-engineering, I've spoken to a local business law attorney, as well as the State Attorney General, and it boils down to this: Reverse-engineering is not TECHNICALLY illegal, as long as the final product produced is "different enough" from the original OEM product to not instigate a patent-infringement lawsuit by the OEM manufacturer. I'm sure many here are aware of the Winbloze and PDA diagnostic software by TechnoResearch that is available for Weber/Marelli-based EFI bikes, such as Ducatis. I have the PDA version for my 998, and it rocks. It does the same things as the Mathesis does, but in a much different way. The last time I spoke to them, they were'nt interested in creating any software for DDFI Buells because there was no "perceivable market interest". You guys should call/email them and inform them there is a market for end-user Buell diagnostic software. | ||
| Bud |
I don’t know what the legal restrictions are in the US, I think that with the new “ monty law “ over here ( yurop ) Every non-dealer reseller must have the possibility to buy special tools, They same that every non-dealer can buy and resell a car or motorcycle from the manufacture. So most tools are made so Friking expansive ( as I see the bill for most off theme in the company I work for ) That it is not very likely that the odd customer will ever buy theme ! Just 2 cents Gr,m | ||
| Hoser |
Doof is right , the OTC enhanced 4000 monitor tool kit I bought from my Mac dealer for $ 500.00 functions exactly the same as the Kent Moore Scanalyzer when the correct cable and cartridge is used with it , it is the same tool. The kit I bought came with several automotive cartridges and cables to diagnose automobiles and trucks up to 2000 . Many automotive service shops are trading up old diagnostic equipment to update their capabilities , after all the "Scanalyzer" is old technology and is slow . The cable and cartridge are very expensive here !!! , about twice what I paid for the OTC monitor kit , I bet I got several hundred dollars worth of manuals with the OTC set though and it does comunicate with domestic automobiles . Question ............................... Is it possible to "burn" a cartridge , why would I want to do such a thing ?? , I support a private road race effort , we would be racing a fuell injected Buell if we had our own diagnostic equipment. | ||
| Oconnor |
Kaese, call me sunday at 415-505-7483, I would dig coming out to see the drummer. I am currently saving my pennies for one. I will be in Alameda untill around noon. The above number is my cell. By the way my name is Charles (wow that sounded formal, Charlie or chuck works just as well.) | ||
| Evaddave |
M1Combat, A while ago (busy thread) you wanted to know the ECM voltage. What's the output of the voltage regulator? That should give you a good clue. I'd measure it myself, but I have a Blast, at least until my coupon from Buell arrives.... | ||
| Kaese |
Oconner: Here is my cell 510-381-3902. I’ll be riding somewhere on Saturday, maybe to Vallejo to see if I can drop in and get a TPS reset. Maybe Modesto, I’m sure they can fit me in. I try you tomorrow morning. But Sunday is a maybe for me. | ||
| Buckinfubba |
just a heads up. if you have a 12 with the stock pipe on. The scanilzer is not sensitive enuff to do the tps reset. It has to be done with the digital tech. I know this because I am a sceptic and don't believe til I try. Well I tried and the scanalizer won't do it right. Now a word from our sponsors. Not all dealerships are stealerships. And what happens here alot is that we here stories of warranty issues that aren't handled to your satisfaction. Well if a bike comes in and and it hasn't been serviced buy a dealer sometimes that is where the problem comes in. Now I am not saying that some of you are not very capeable of working on your bike. It is not rocket science. But some here are not capeable and sometimes they get lead down a path that seems easy and safe. The path to hell is paved with shade tree mechanics. I will say this there are a few key tricks to resetting the TPS correctly that has more to do with technique than just reading a screen. I know some will think I am full of caca and lieing. well as most of you know I don't lie. I personally have had to reset tps's that our techs didn't know the tricks. Once showed the trick they have got it right. Maybe its just the delicate hands of an ol hairdresser. I will give you a hint ...if you are ham fisted your TPS will never be set right. I am not trying to be an ass here and I know some of you don't have any good or any dealership support. So I understand your needs and wants. But if you owned a business and the only time you saw certain customers was when they were having major issues and bitchin about them. What would be your preception of that customer base. And no I am not saying that some of your bitches have no merit because some do. but look at the reliabilty of the xb's compared to the ol tubers. Maybe just maybe and this is only my therory I may be completely off base. But ...here goes...the xb engine and inner working are a lot harder to get at than the ol exposed engine of the tubers. Therefore most are riding their bikes and not tinkering as much because it involves mush more work just to get at it. I hope none of you take this the wrong way. I am not saying I am above anybody here in skills or anything. I am just pointing out some facts and some observations. I will say this, if you have a good dealership in your area please support it and they will support you. If you don't have one in your area. Don't support it because they don't deserve your business. Brian Tilley hd/buell buckinfubba@hotmail.com | ||
| Reepicheep |
Brian.. I agree. I rebuilt my tranny... and all in all it came out pretty well. But there was no shortage of "stupid stuff"... I was really careful, yet I had to pull the primary cover twice more after the job was done (crank nut somehow backed off, fixed that, then the four bolts that hold on the rotor somehow loosened up). Other times, I have had that primary gasket let go after a service. Everything is torqued perfectly after the job, but after a few heat cycles things somehow loosen up (and I was using cheap (couth*harley*cough) gaskets. Now I know to slap a torque wrench back on the primary cover bolts after a couple rides... but a dealer can't do that... Had I been a "dealer"? people would have been ranting here... had to take it back twice before they got it right... simple primary cover gasket and they can't get it right... yadda yadda. I'll be the first to say that my two Cincinnati dealers range are at best apathetic. But I will also be the first to say F&S Buell in Dayton has been top notch. They have made some honest mistakes, but not many, and they make them right when they do. They know what they are doing, and they do a good job. I feel bad for guys like you and Hoser... Lots of dealers suck, lots of dealers don't. It's gotta be hard to sit around and hear people making blanket statements about you all day... And I bet you guys can tell stories! Customer bikes coming in with siezed engines and no oil, no service performed in the last three years, and they are trying to say it's your guys fault the engine blew because you had the bike in to replace a mirror 6 months ago  | ||
| Daves |
Back in the day, a friend and I, because we had the job of keeping everyone's Panheads , Shovelheads and Iron head Sportsters running, used to threaten certain "ham fisted" riders that we were going to come to their house and take their tools away from them! We got real tired of fixing their attempts at repairing their bikes. I have seen lots of bikes that were totally F---ed up because the owner thought that since he had the registration to a motorcycle in his wallet that he must be a mechanic. Some things never change. I don't do much wrenching these days. I ride newer bikes that just don't need it as often. I can't ride bikes into my house anymore, house isn't set up for it and I think my wife would throw my stuff to the curb if I did. My garage is too full to really have any multi day-week-month long project torn apart. The older I get the more I understand that I should let everyone do what "they" do. I sell bikes, others are techs. I sell the bikes, I pay the techs to work on them! Ride to the edge! Dave Iowa HD/Buell (Buell Cycle Center) | ||
| Dcmortalcoil |
Brian, Dave, The reason why I tinker with as much as I can handle has much to do with convenience and time saving. The nearest dealer is not convenient for me because of the location. If the dealers make it easier for us to bring the bike to them for servicing, I believe more people will be less likely to tinker themselves. | ||
| Spiderman |
I'm with Bubba an Dave on this. The first time I re-set a TPS it didn't come out right. It took a few try's on the same bike to get it down pat. Now that I do, It is a 2 min Job (with the Bike warmed up) and with the correct tool. Now with a homemade tool it will take quite a bit more trial an error. I don't recomend it Unless you have someone there that has re-set a TPS and/or knows all the correct procedures for it. It is, like Bubba said, a little more complex than looking at a screen. |
