| Author | Message | ||
     Jraice |
Well it sounded like one... I was riding along and noticed shortly into my ride that in the 3-4K RPM range, and usually when off throttle (maybe just because I cant hear a lot when on the throttle but it seemed to be tied to deacceleration), the bike would make a ticking sound a lot like a ducati's dry clutch. I was not super alarmed and kept riding (knowing I'd post up here to see what you guys thought). A bit later I was coming into a corner off the gas in 2nd gear low in the rev's and the sound was much more clearly metal scraping and then I started getting really worried. Gas station was just 20 minutes away and I was with 2 other riders so we continued and I stopped to put it in neutral and see if I could tell what was going on. Didnt even start it before I noticed something funny on the header, it was the exhaust clamp that mounts the front header to the engine head! Both bolts somehow came loose and the clamp slid down the header to the first bend and was just rattling (and scraping my exhausts finish). Road to the dealer (a couple more hours, I was in the boonies) and they put some new bolts on and set me up an appointment for next Saturday to have the header replaced etc... I also mentioned that the bike still burns a lot of oil and they said they will also perform a leak down and compression test while they are at it. Thats pretty nice! Also going to see if I can convince them to do a quick check for the head resistance. Should take only 5 minutes and I dont have the stand etc... at the moment to do it (would conclude my 5000 mile service I did myself). I also talked to their detailer about my wheels (lots of brake dust) and he tried a few things. Who knows, maybe they will detail them while its there. All in all I am okay with losing a day of riding (next week, had a great ride today)... as I am getting the oil consumption looked into and might get some other stuff thrown in as well. Just thought I'd share an interesting story about my "harley" shaking parts loose, and the dealers excellent service. | ||
| Bishopjb1124 |
Wesleys bleach white will clean up your wheels real nice. You can buy it at any auto parts store in the cleaning section. Jimmy | ||
| Jraice |
Thanks Jimmy Ill look into that. The guy today was doing it with mothers mag/aluminum polish which was working but taking a WHILE. They also had (but didnt try) a degreaser they said you could get from Walmart in a big bottle that was a bit stronger then simple green. | ||
| Dennista15 |
No doubt the wheels are tough to clean, also the most gratifying when clean. Waxing them after you clean them will make them easier to clean next time. I don't think that I would use Wesleys bleach white on the wheels. It's good stuff don't get me wrong, but it's very harsh. I've had that stuff take the gloss off of a ceramic tile, don't ask, oops. LOL. If you do use Wesleys, use it with a lot of water. I prefer to use car wash solution with a wash mitt and spray 50/50, water/simple green. I also usually take the wheels off the bike to clean them real good at least twice a summer. But I'm a little anal like that LOL. It also gives me a chance to touch up my yellow letters on my tires. Thanx for posting up a good dealer experience. That gives me some hope. | ||
| Ducbsa |
quick check for the head resistance. Is there another term for this? | ||
| Jraice |
Ducbsa, I am to lazy to take out the manual to see what Buell calls it but the service calls for having the steering head's resistance checked by jacking the front tire off the ground and pulling on it with a spring scale. I dont have a jack or a spring scale and it seems like its a quick thing for them to do so I thought I'd ask, since my bike is having to be in for a full day due to the part coming loose. This would really be a happy ending if the leakdown/compression test showed something wasnt right as I really hate how much oil it burns. | ||
| Sloppy |
Head resistance - it's the steering bearing preload check. I think that's only necessary after the bearings are re-packed. By the way - although you may only take "5 minutes" of their time, you are using the tools, equipment, facility and insurance that they've invested a lot of money in. It's only fair to pay for the service that people don't invest in the tools, place, knowledge and time in themselves. Let capitalism work...  Oil consumption is very dependent upon oil viscosity and ambient temperature. And air cooled engines by design do burn oil as their clearances are larger than on water cooled. How much oil do you go through? Mine goes through at least a quart every 3000 miles. If I ride harder it consumes more. Be careful about the header nuts working loose - that's an indication that the header isn't being held in place properly. The next symptom could be broken head bolts. Have there been any mods to the exhaust / muffler? | ||
| Ducbsa |
Thanks, I was focused on the exhaust and cylinder heads. | ||
| Lime416 |
I like to use S100 on my wheels, engine, frame etc. As far as I know most dealers carry it, as well as Dennis Kirk and JP Cycles. I'm sure other places as well, but these are just quick examples. It's more expensive than Simple Green or Jungle Jake, but I think it works much better. Not sure if it's just me, but it seems that when I use S100 on dry wheel, then rinse as indicated, then follow up with my normal soap wash, things seem to shine more then with other products I've used. I've also been told I'm too picky about how clean my bike is, so maybe not everyone here will find the value is S100 that I do. Just my 2 cents, take it or leave it. The 5 liter refill jug I most recently purchased was about $49.00 from one of my local dealers. | ||
| Jraice |
Sloppy... its in the 5000 mile service... And I did install a drummer at around 750 miles (6000 miles ago). Im sure it will be installed correctly if it wasnt now, as they are installing a new header and everything. | ||
| Nuerburgringer |
"I like to use S100 on my wheels, engine, frame etc." This is the way to go for unfinished aluminum alloy. Don't mess with any corrosive degreasers or bleaches; that stuff can permanently stain. Gentler is better. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't Wesley's Bleach White designed for cleaning whitewall tires? That kind of product can etch unfinished alloy pretty seriously. | ||
| Gunut75 |
+1 on the S100!!! | ||
| Borrowedbike |
Check your front isolator as well. Exhaust studs are how I noticed when mine failed... That and vibration... |
