| Author | Message | ||
     Jim_Sb |
FMJ, nice to hear from you again! The dent is easily seen; looks like someone took a crowbar to the rim of the wheel and tried to bend it.  Perhaps a 3" long section is deformed? Still rides fine and holds pressure. I've talked to a guy recommended by Buchanan's. He said it just depends on whether or not there are any cracks in the aluminum. Can't tell until I get the tire off. He also said he'd muck up the paint in doing this work. So I'd be back to square 1 on that. Of course there's the issue of how it will look when completed. My plan is to get the new Castalloy mounted up and see how the Marchesini looks inside. If there are no cracks I may have a go at having it fixed and keep it as a spare rear wheel. I was unsure how long the sleeve job on the hub would last, although I suppose if done well it could last indefinitely. Best bet on paint would probably to just have the darn things powder coated sky white to match the frame but I'd have to pull the bearings out and that won't be easy. I think the machinist put them in with some type of bearing cement. They may be staying there awhile.  | ||
| Court |
Jim: If you need a "loaner wheel" let me know and I can have you one there quickly. Court | ||
| Slaughter |
Ferris, either way is good for meeting Sunday - just let me know, you are the one with the long, cold ride. Jim - OW! Hope you can get your wheel disaster sorted out - not because of this weekend but just to get out from under such a pain in the butt! | ||
| Jim_Sb |
Court, thanks. I can get by. If I get desperate I'll just mount the new tire on the dented rim for awhile. I'm hoping Buell comes through with a functional rear wheel soon. It would be cheaper than shipping your wheel back and forth.. Slaughter, yeah, I've had bad luck with the rear wheel lately. But look at the bright side. I had spun bearings yet it didn't cause any real damage to me or the bike. The pothole I hit would've definitely put some folks on the ground. I got slowed just enough to ride through it okay with no other damage to me or the bike. All in all, it came out as well as it could have. No worries. | ||
| Court |
Whatever.....I checked and, making some bold assumptions with regard to the laws of physcis, it appears that if I rolled the wheel, briskly, in your direction at the right time of the day during high tide and a waning moon that gravity would do the trick. Problem is, from CA to NY, you can't roll it back...you'd have to leave the tire mounted for bouyancy and float it. Well...if you need it, let me know. | ||
| Jim_Sb |
The saga continues....... Just spoke with Matty, new wheel #3 arrived. It has a ding in the rim and the bearings are frozen. Matty says if he puts in an axle and spacers and tightens up the nut the wheel rolls fine. Still seems odd. No matter, why would I buy a new wheel which has a ding in the rim front the factory? First wheel had big ding in rim (about the size of a pencil eraser) and bearings wouldn't budge. Second wheel had a minor scratch on the rim and bearings wouldn't budge. 3rd wheel bearings move (only when loaded - we didn't try loading them on the first 2) but it too has a ding in the rim. I very much appreciate Matty's (and Glendale's) patience (they have been great to deal with). But I told him "send it back". I just can't imagine why I'd pay for a brand new Castalloy wheel and accept a product that is "blemished" at best or defective at worst (due to the bearing issue). Am I missing something? Besides seeing all you guys on Sunday? | ||
| Timbo |
Hey Jim, If I can yank a honkin nail out and punch in a plug at 7:55 am...be on the 405 by 8:15 am...going 90+ mph for over an hour to hook up with everyone in Ventura by 9:30 am...then you oughta damn well be able to come up with something mister! Just teasing ya Jim. Bummer about the wheel(s), sheesh. I do believe it would probably be cheaper/easier to mount the new tire on the fixed but dented, still works Marchesini (than it would be to have Court roll ya one). Then later remount the new tire to the new wheel when it arrives. Obviously the most efficient, cost effective way would be to mount the new tire to the new rim, but it doesn't look like that option will be available anytime soon. You know what's best for you though, I'm just trying to give you some encouragement to not give up, like you gave me last month. I've got my own bummer to deal with this coming weekend. Beginning Friday, I've been asked to run the night shift for ten days. That means 5 pm to 5 am. And that means this weekend I will get very little sleep. Oh well, I'll catch up during the middle of the week when things are less hectic. Timbo | ||
| Jim_Sb |
Okay Timbo. I'll see what I can arrange on Saturday re the tire. Murphy's law seems to apply here. Meaning I won't receive an acceptable new wheel from Buell *until* I first mount the new tire on the dented wheel. Therefore I should just get on with it. | ||
| Sparky |
Hey Jim_SB, I put a slight dent in my S1's front PM about 50,000 miles ago and I just ignore it. The Wheel Works guys looked at it and said that it's not serious enough to worry about. It doesn't leak nor affect balance any. Besides, when I park the bike just right, the dent disappears. Sparky | ||
| Ferris |
geez, Jim, what a frikkin' fiasco. is anyone back at Buell (Motor Co. and/or Distribution) reading this? is this any way to run a business? sorry for sounding a little sarcastic, but this kind of nonsense was s'posed to have been exorcised from the Buell system a long, long time ago  on the other hand, it's pretty remarkable when a guy offers to pull a rabbit out of his hat and ship a wheel from coast to coast to help a Bueller he's never even met get back on the road. thanks Court Steve, looks like i'm back to the original plan for Sunday, i.e. meeting you in Tehachapi FB | ||
| Jim_Sb |
Hi Sparky, yeah, the wheel seems to work fine but it looks terrible with the dent. I like my S2 so much I've got a bit of pride in how it looks. Can't be ridin' around forever with a dented wheel now can I? No guarantee it will go through a tire swap without woes but I'm gonna try on Saturday to meet up with "The Boys" on Sunday at Harley's Rock Inn. Then off to Willow Springs for the show. Ferris, I'm gonna call Court for a favor on a different issue. Don't wanna waste one of those lightly. Kinda like a Get Out of Jail Free card. I've really had no complaints whatsoever with Buell or my bike so as long as we get this sorted out I'll be happy. It's a shame it's taken so long but I'm hopeful we'll get it sorted out soon. Stay tuned. | ||
| Jim_Sb |
Okay, try this link to Harley's Rock Inn. | ||
| Slaughter |
Ferris, If we are set for 9:30 at Harley's we could meet at the Chevron in Tehachapi say 8:00 and roll out by 8:30 for Harley's. Tim and Candice were suggesting Harley's at 9:30 just so those folks with a long ride in the AM won't have to get up stinking early. We can see what the mood is when everybody gets to Harley's and maybe plan a short local loop after breakfast and then run up to Willow. Hopefully this forecast doesn't come true and rain on us... | ||
| Timbo |
Weather forcasts, This mornings paper had, "light rain Sat", "rain Sun", "light rain Mon". Online forcast as of 1:17pm today had, "rain Sat early", "mostly cloudy Sun". Looks to be shaping up in our favor. Timbo | ||
| Slaughter |
We're keeping our fingers crossed. We are still on for breakfast at Harley's Rock Inn at 9:30 but if the weather is looking totally bad, we may be forced to drive the 4-wheeled things. It's easier living in the neighborhood of Harley's and Willow. Next run will have to be set up to be more convenient to you all. I still plan to meet Ferris in Tehachapi until/unless I hear otherwise. I'll be at the Chevron at 8, and will hit the road at 8:30 back down to Harley's. By the way, the best way to get in touch with me 24/7 is pager (besides, it's toll-free) - 877-744-0695 Hope the weather tends to clear by Sunday. I am re-rubbering the Great Pumpkin tomorrow (first time on D208ZR...) so I'm optimistic | ||
| Ferris |
Jim, i'm a big Buell fan, and i want he/them to continue to show the world he/they belong up on the porch with the big dogs. i would expect (correctly, i assume) to order a wheel assembly for my VFR from Fred Cummings, Inc. in Bakersfield and have it come in RIGHT the first time. we should not, at THIS stage of the festivities (20 years and counting), expect anything less from Buell. good luck, i've got my (gloved) fingers crossed Steve, unless it's dumping the wet stuff Sunday morning (i HATE rain!), i'll be at the Chevron in Teh. by 0800. my cell # is 760/379-7883. ride to lean, FB | ||
| Slaughter |
Ferris, Looks like it is a happenin' thing then. I'll plan on seeing you there at the Tehachapi Chevron at 8. Talked to Matty (I needed some parts) - he isn't too sure he'll be racing but looks like he'll at least see us trackside if not at breakfast, too. | ||
| Ferris |
it'll be intersting to hear what tales Matty has to tell regarding my White Lightning, as i believe he's laid hands on it before... FB | ||
| Jim_Sb |
Howdy SoCalites, Just checked The Weather Channel and they say rain Saturday, cloudy and c-o-l-d Sunday. High of 56 deg. F. for Santa Barbara on Sunday! Holy smokes! I leave CA for a week and look what you guys did to the weather! I' going to take a lower, more temperate route to Harley's. Timbo, look for me on Lake Hughes Road (wave when you go by). So I'm still in. Just gotta get a new skin on Ol' Denty tomorrow. Plug in your heated jammys, Ferris. Boy I wish I had an electric vest. When's Christmas??? | ||
| Slaughter |
Ferris (and Jim, Matty and anybody else) So far it looks like rain tonight and partly cloudy tomorrow. I just took my wheels off and at 0900 head to Nationwide to get my new D208ZR rubber installed... be nice to be on the pegs and be able to grab a little throttle without breaking loose (like the 205's would) I am still on for 0800 in Tehachapi Chevron at the end of 58. We can run down 90th (Teh./Willow Springs) then hit Ave D (138) over to 110th down the rest of the way to Johnson (the end of 110th) and then to Lake Elizabeth Rd out to Harley's. That way we at least get to play on the sweepers through the windmills (if the roads are dry) and if it isn't too windy (yeah... right) blast on out over the flatlands. Could be a fun run if it's dry. See you tomorrow. My home phone is 661-722-2416 Gotta get a cellphone but page me anytime - I can usually call back within a couple minutes. |
