| Author | Message | ||
     Iplayforme |
I'm thinking about a Ulysses and would like some info on keeping them going. I went to see one today and the muffler was shot. So I started looking for replacement parts and it seems they're kinda scarce. I realize they're out of business, but have a good following. As with all things I know it takes a while to get up to speed and find the go to people and places. But answer me this please. If I buy one of these do any of you foresee it sitting because I can't find a part. I really like the bike. Has tons of character and I don't mind working on things myself, but I just don't want to sign up for too big of a headache when I need a part. Can these bikes still be considered a practical choice for someone whose primary art purpose is to ride, or is it more an enthusiasts bike like a classic. | ||
| Griffmeister |
Since you mention the Uly specifically, are you inquiring about crash repair parts or mostly maintenance/wear items? Most if not all parts are still available through the dealer network although it seems that some parts have gone out of stock causing a delay in delivery. Maybe this is what concerns you and you have to decide if this will be a minor annoyance or a major turn off. Other than that, most major parts are the same for all XB's of a particular year. The model differences will be seen in some of the suspension components and bolt-on parts to the mainframe. Of course you mentioned one of the unique parts of the Uly, the muffler. The outlet pipe is in a different position than other XB's because of interference with the kick stand. This could be a test of what you're willing to contend with. You say you researched parts, did you go to a Buell dealer and ask about availability? If not, I would suggest trying that to see what answer they give you. They should be able to do a dealer search as well as check the warehouse. If both sources come up as backorder or NLA then, I hate to say it, but you may have to think about going in another direction. | ||
| Falloutnl |
Another good source for parts is Twin Motorcycles in The Netherlands. They have a lot of stuff. And many different parts are still actually in stock with Harley, I think? As for the Uly, awesome bike. Fk'ing love mine. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Welcome to Badweb. Note that there is a Uly-specific subforum, Big, Bad, and Dirty. Are you sure the muffler was shot, or just rusty? Rusty mufflers on XB's are common. They're made from fairly heavy gauge steel and can be repainted or coated for a more permanent solution. I don't foresee parts availability being an issue anytime soon. One recent good example is the front engine mount/isolator. Theses were on back order for a long time, but they are available from dealers again, which indicates they're still being manufactured. In the meantime Twin Motorcycles developed a rebuildable aftermarket mount, so now there are two sources for replacements. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'm biased, but I don't think it will be a show stopper for a long time (if ever). It will just get progressively more annoying. The exhaust is actually a good example of kind of a wort case. Crazy expensive part from the factory when they were selling them, and expensive to ship. I've been watching for one for the last couple years just to have a spare. I've passed up about 3 of them, because somebody else wanted them, or because the price was a bit high for "just throw it on the shelf". And even if they were gone gone, I think Kevin Drum is still making some really nice ones, and there are aftermarkey ones kicking around, and in a pinch I could probably get a magnaflow or cherry bomb or a dozen other car pipes working down there. So will it take a bit more work than going to the Honda shop? Yes. But to tell the truth, a lot of us gave up on just going to the Honda shop a long time ago... spotty service, crazy high prices, very long lead times, etc. We were scoring these things on ebay and cobbling together fixes for 10 years before the first Buell shutdown. We can be as bad as KLR owners.  | ||
| Teeps |
Iplayforme Saturday, February 25, 2017 If I buy one of these do any of you foresee it sitting because I can't find a part Yes, but the when is unpredictable. Current example: front engine mount (isolator) has been on back order since Aug 2016. Without a functional mount, the bike is a door stop. | ||
| Court |
And HD announced a new vendor which should suggest plentiful supply of quality parts. | ||
| Teeps |
I hope you are right, about the "quality" of parts. As a vendor, is only as good as the product they produce. I know enough about manufacturing to know, there are many ways for things to go wrong. | ||
| Court |
This is not Harley-Davidson's first rodeo. | ||
| Teeps |
Did Hutchinson Aerospace & Industry pick up the work? Do you know who the new supplier is? | ||
| Court |
I do not know. But . . it will be a "Harley part" and I'm much more confident in a part sold by a company that has a LOT to loose in the event of a failure. If you have an isolator fail, due to poor design, lack of fitness for purpose or for improper manufacturing . . . . who do you want to sue . . Harley-Davidson or a couple kids in a garage in an undisclosed location in Europe? I've got plenty of isolators sitting about . . I saw this one coming . . basically the only part that can make a Ulysses a door stop . . . I picked up almost $7,000 in parts, pieces, spares and whatever in the waning hours . . . simply cause I never want to buy another motorcycle. My 2008 was a birthday gift from a couple friends in Wisconsin and it means a lot to me. | ||
| Teeps |
Agree, H-D has more to lose should there be a failure of a critical part. I have my name on the "wants one" list at Lance's dealer. And, will probably buy one from him after the guys that have a bike down get their's. 11 years and counting on the original mount on my bike. I don't have a sentimental attachment with my Ulysses. But, it's just a hard bike to better without breaking the bank or the weight scale. However, the new 750 Triumph, except for more maintenance items & cost, looks good on paper so far. Still the Buell is paid for; it still works as well as the day I got it; is still cheap to operate ('cept for tires); and it does have all that character that other bikes do not have... | ||
| Court |
BINGO ! My Ulysses . . WORKS. I have satellite radio, GPS intercom, phone, enough luggage to do whatever I want . . it handles and . . the biggie . . it's just fun to ride. I have plenty of things that I have to do the "cost vs. fun" equation on . . . the Ulysses frees me from that. | ||
| Teeps |
Time to return the thread to the OP... | ||
| Froggy |
My thoughts for the OP:
Like mentioned before, pretty much every Buell muffler is made of a metal that surface rusts in about 5 minutes. Same happens on my 2014 EBR. Yea cosmetically it is ugly, and after about 50k miles on my Ulysses it still is fine. Coatings will slow the clock but not stop rusting, so the only permanent solution is an aftermarket muffler should it bother you.
Honestly I haven't found it to be an issue, I got my first Buell just over a 10 years ago, and sourcing a part then was almost the same, but yea there were a few more vendors back then. Given the low production you are probably not going to be able to wander into a random powersports shop and get what you want, so your primary source of parts will be a handful of Buell dealers. Lance at St Paul Harley has you covered for OEM parts, and Twin Motorcycles NL has a good selection of aftermarket bits.
To be technical, the bikes are just not being made anymore, the company still exists. The difference is you can still buy brand new parts, many of which have been recently made, you aren't high and dry like if the company went bankrupt and was abandoned. Harley is still around, and most parts are readily available and they can get them to you faster than your average powersports place with a common part on your run of the mill Honda. It pretty much is the same as getting parts for any old out of production Harley, most of it will be simple to obtain, some obscure parts are backorder or will need to be sourced elsewhere. At this time I say go for it, the bike is overall easy to maintain, and parts are easy to get once you figured out where to look. Sure, this could all change in a year's time, but I'm confident it won't. | ||
| Wec032 |
Does anyone know what year they switched to the shorter model? It seems older ones had a seat height around 35" whereas newer ones were something like 33". I'm 6'5" and looking for newest "tall" model I can find. Thanks. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
The 2006 had the tall seat. 2006 had an optional shorter seat so not all 2006 seats were the tall version. | ||
| Froggy |
Wec032 - They never changed the height of the Ulysses, all X models are one height, and all XT models are lower but years are the same of their own heights. 2006 bikes came stock with a taller seat, then all 2007 and newer came stock with a lower seat. The seat is easy to swap on any year should you want more/less height. That is why if you look at spec sheets, the 06 is listed as having a higher seat height, which is technically true at the factory. Get the newest X you can find, then swap to the taller seat if needed. |
