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Kenm123t
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 08:51 pm: | 
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Rocket and Df Butler Please ship the S1 and the S3 to me They will find a good home with our Buells. We have a Xb and 3 Tubers all are reliable.
From the posts I have followed over the years sounds more like a owner problem than a motorcycle problem. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 09:25 pm: |
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how about a weekend test ride on a new XB ?
Sorry 12 but they just don't do it for me.
Buell didn't sell the bike that way, you just unfortunately have had shoddy workmanship by others.
Well Aldaytona, I'm the only one working on her these days, so thanks for the compliment! I'll take this opportunity to state I never blamed Buell for my troubles either, though I'd offer plenty of criticism. I'd agree with one thing. The disc brake rotor allen screws coming loose is shoddy workmanship, and more. As for the 'cool' comment, I'd have to disagree. The vast majority of modifications on my Buell are 100% reliable.
Do I read this correctly, you went a year without checking or re torquing those bolts in the brake disc?
Pwnzor, no you don't. I checked and torqued everything, including that rotor, during rebuild last year. There should be no reason to have to check the torque value more than I have already. That is the purpose of using the correct thread lock. So no, not since last year have I had a torque wrench on those allen heads. They should not be considered constant maintenance no matter how much this Buell shakes. If that were the case the risk of failure would render such an application as nothing short of dangerous.
Dude - you're a freakin' mechanic. Stop taking your bike to that ape cage of a shop and do it yourself!
Accept that NOBODY will ever do your bike justice but you. At the end of the day, it's your bad call for not doing it yourself. No threadlocker on the rotor carrier bolts? Hmmm.........
Saro, maybe I didn't pen my rant that clearly. No one but me has worked on my Buell in four years. The rotor issue was a done deal BEFORE the motor blew up four years ago. I didn't put it on, and certainly wouldn't with copper ease and NOT thread lock.
Having said that, you are not dumping the S1!
Yours is one of a small few that all other Hooligan S1's are measured against.
Brad, you're really not helping me have a temper tantrum, lol. I don't know what you're reading or looking at either but if you view the above pic you can see those allen screws needed no persuading to come out. They invited themselves!
Oh yeah. You'll get your bloody pictures, once I've fixed the sodding Buell (again) 
Only a short time ago I would have swapped your cool bike with my stock M2 + a nice bundle o`dough.
Hans, why would I want an M2? They're supposed to be a very reliable Buell. That just wouldn't do. I wouldn't know what to do with myself (and the Buell) when the sun comes out to play. Thanks for your kind thoughts all the same. How are you anyway? Think large meat balls and all will remain well. Trust me.
Oh yeah. Nearly forgot. It might please you to know I bought a new windy drill from Snap-on today. Got some new drill bits too, and a 3/16th easy out. Wish me luck. That sucker's in tight
I'm glad it didn't come apart under you at a hundred mph!
rt, that thought crossed my mind once or twice. That could have been a distinct possibility. That could have been scary if having to rely on the rear brake without expecting to do so.
If you need a set of carrier hardware, drop me a note and I'll dispatch a set tomorrow.
Court, your generosity I still owe you for from a long time ago. I've still not forgot. Your offer is wonderful. I was just going to replace the two bent allen screws with the correct factory ones, rather than keep the two temp's I've put in there at the moment.
PS. I've given up on Saabs in the same manner you are almost given up on Buells. My wife tells me that if I ever drive another SAAB home it will be driven up my A..
Gimme a Saab any day Newf. At least I can make a shekel outta them. The Buell just takes them off me.
it looks like the repairs have left the clamp face rough and uneven
that could (in my simple mind) cause a problem.
Old, that same thing crossed my mind too. There just has to be a way to cure this from happening. Yeah, sell it to someone else, lol.
That's why you stick with the old Saabs, when they were still Saabs. I have a '91 9000CD and a '91 Aero Convertable.
Both lovely cars Vik. I've been running an early 9000 Carlsson 2ltr Turbo with some Abbot Racing tuning and handling stuff fitted, for the past year. She's a bit worse for wear but it suits my everyday use so well. I don't need to care if I knock her about a bit. I can throw an oily gearbox in the back without worrying about making too much of a mess. Better still, it's got those deep bucket leather electric seats fitted and nothing, not even my bed is as comfortable to sleep on!
I'm smoking a really nice black Jag XJS at the mo. It's fully loaded with all the toys but it's a granddads car in comparison to the Carlsson.
You ever need anything Vik, gimme a call. I've lots of that era stuff.
What you have done with that bike is art plain and simple. Don't give up on the S1. It is your S1.
Shit Jon, you're just as bad as Brad. I won't give up on the Buell. Whatever I do it will be sorted and finished, and I'll probably end up keeping it as furniture, lol.
I would certainly put the blame on the tech, who probably wasn't following procedure, for problems you have had. I wouldn't blame the bike.
Nah I'm not Bc. I came here to vent. Well I did slate the tech even if it was his handy work from several years ago. Anyway, he doesn't work for HD \ Buell any longer. End of the day, it's my responsibility, fault and problem.
Damn, never even got a chance to see it unveiled and already talking of selling it!
You think I'm that cruel Buellfighter? You'll get your chance. Believe me. Just don't hold your breath. I need a new camera.
Here's trick you might be able to use to "cook off" the LocTite on that broken bolt if you have an arc welder around.
Jack, that's an excellent idea. I'd give it a try if I knew where to get an arc welder. They went out with the er Ark, didn't they? Actually my neighbour has one. I'll give it a try if I can get around to it.
Rocket, That right there is the payback you British bastards get for making cars like my TR-7!
Well Kdan, I don't know what a TR7 is. They never sold them in the UK. They were exclusively sent to the US only as payback for not helping us Brit's out sooner during WWII.
Actually, I'm a TVR owner, and that plastic body requires a lot of earths I can tell you, but the Prince of Darkness isn't a problem, except every wire is black.
TR7 indeed. What were you thinking man?
You might want to stop by and get his attention with a large mallet.
That would have been nice maybe once upon a time Budo, lol.
Well you certainley have a large investment in your bike, monetary and emotional. I had problems with my S1W and finally had to let it go to someone else. I just could not stand it anymore, not knowing if it would start and get me home or not. Good luck Rocket, the Brutale would suit ya.
That Budo is where my head's at right now. Between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Thank you everyone. For your comments, pearls of wisdom, offers of help. It is not a problem. It will be fixed soon enough and normal riding will resume. It wouldn't be so bad if I had the 916 up and running legally, but I haven't. To be truthful, the past 18 months the thyroid thing I've beat had me put about 50lbs on, so the 916 is not that comfortable to ride. Especially so seeing as it's set up with Harris pro race rear sets too. Talk about a builders arse!
Gentlemen, you've been amazing. It's been memorable.
One last thing. Take a tip from an Englishman. Don't buy a TR7!
And finally. I could have repaired that broken head mount bolt, the time it took to compose this post!
Rocket |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 09:33 pm: |
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hey Rocket,
How Much $?
Bid me Tim. seanpepper@gmail.com
From the posts I have followed over the years sounds more like a owner problem than a motorcycle problem.
Most definitely Ken. That's the reason it's one of the best S1W's you'll ever see anywhere in the world. The problem owner's to blame.
Rocket |
Spiderman
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 09:35 pm: |
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You better not get rid of that S1,
I need to keep up and/or surpass you every once in a while
When you come across the pond the first few pints are on me... |
Jimidan
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 09:50 pm: |
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Well, I have racked my brain and I still can't figure out how you check the torque on thread-locked bolts. The only way I can see you doing it is to break the lock and clean the bolts and threads really well with solvents, reapply the thread-locking compound (I like the blue for the rotor bolts) and tighten with a torque wrench to spec.
I have often said that the worst problem with a Buell was letting a HD technician work on it. That may be a bit of an exaggeration, since I know there are some good techs out there...and even some really good mechanics. But there are many more who don't know how to, or too lazy to or do not own a torque wrench. Maybe they are in just too big a hurry...that is why I work on my own bikes. I don't feel like dying for somebody eles' mistakes.
Every fastener has a torque value and it is especially important on a paint-shaker Buell, S1 or XB12...they both shake the same. If it is too loose, it will fall off, if it is too tight, it will break off.
I also have installed a Balance Masters flywheel dynamic balancing system in one of my 88"s, and it is smoother than my Honda Super Hawk was (90 degree V-twin).
Jimidan |
Kowpow225
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 09:54 pm: |
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I feel your pain. I'm in the same boat now with my XB...but in reality the bike is holding up ok for me but the dealership is bassackwards with their 'servicing'. Needless to say they like to shoot in the dark alot. I've often wondered "Would I be happier with something else right now?" I would be.....with a different dealership. |
Paint_shaker
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 09:55 pm: |
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Rocketman,
I have a 98 S1W with a little over 30,000 miles on it. The problems I have experienced are minor and I believe it to be a magnificent machine. I truly hope you get yours up and running good again!!!
(Message edited by Paint shaker on July 26, 2006) |
Jon
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 11:47 pm: |
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Now this is what I call community...or therapy. |
Sandblast
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 12:41 am: |
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Keep on keeping on Rocket, and hurry with the damn pictures! |
1313
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 01:30 am: |
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Gee, I've NEVER seen a report of an S2 front isolator MOUNT breaking. I'd suggest replacing the front isolator mount with an S2 part (or maybe even an aftermarket part form one of the sponsors) and riding the shit out of the ••••••• beast.
After 107,500 miles on my S2 I can say the following:
Yes, some work will be required on a tuber, but the reward is worth well more than the effort!
1313 |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 06:18 am: |
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I love the positivity expressed in this thread.
Those that say they sometimes think of change, I sympathise. No one knows how tough a choice it is to make unless they're where we are.
I've made it a several year mission to establish my Buell as a kind of ultimate (or close to) that would stand up for all the modifications I've done, and be regarded as a tasteful and well executed effort of what one could achieve given enough time and money. I think I'm close to where I would draw the line as 'Buell finished', but you know, it's a hard line to cross. It's even harder to cross it then scream 'she's for sale'.
These are unique beasts and without doubt worthy of keeping forever. Maybe if I rode the Big Hairy Buell a little less hard, I'd appreciate her more sometimes than I do already. I'm sure most of my Buell problems stem from expecting a little too much. I should go easy on her. Really I should.
Thank you again gentlemen. You make it hard to choose in either direction.
Rocket |
Newfie_buell
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 07:52 am: |
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ahhh
Ship it over this way,
I'll trade ya for a couple SAABS, early 90s.
There are a couple for sale for the past year or so, people this way just don't like them.
Keep the faith Rocket.
I figure that Spidey and Rocket meet in the middle, HERE. What a time that could be???? Drag that displaced Scotsman now in France and its all good. |
Bomber
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 09:08 am: |
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I, too, have owned cars and bikes that helped turn my hair gray earlier than the design spec called for -- starting with the Bug-Eyed Sprite -- unlike certain un-named Texans, however, I persevered and learned how to work on it myself (no brain, no pain, eh?)
actually, there was nothing wrong with either the design or execution thereof concerning the lil dear -- if you maintained it by the book (de-coking . . . . oooooooooo!), it just ran and ran and ran -- bringing it back from the state the previous owner had left it was, ehem, challenging, though -- guy didn't know what a zerk fitting was for, that you could actually change oil (rather than just adding a quart from time to time), and that the "dipsticks in the carbs" really did warrant attention from time to time
the happy news from that particualr story is that anything any vehical does cannot begin to compare to the heartache that car caused me (we feel things big in our teens, yes?) -- good thing Gore hadn't invented the internet at that point, or I woulda been sending threats to Conventry regularly
Rock -- keep it, sell it, rant, rave whimper -- machs nichs to anyone by yourownbadself -- it's clear ya got buds willing to listen, and offer advice (and raspberries regarding some long buried issues wrt things Great Britainesque, it would seem -- get some help, doode), so, regardless of the state of your motor pool, you are a rich man
but you already knew that |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 09:39 am: |
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Oh, Bomber, I persevered, all right--out of necessity! I may still be the only graduate of Hammond High School that's ever actually put a reground crank and new bearing insets in a '59 MGA!
rt |
Road_thing
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 09:42 am: |
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I love the positivity expressed in this thread.
Ain't that the truth? Can you imagine how this thread would have gone had it been posted on that "other" board?
Hang in there, Sean. No need to choose, just ride it 'till it breaks, then fix it. Repeat as necessary!
rt |
Bomber
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 09:42 am: |
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LOL!
I'm certain you're the onliest guy in three counties to do so
loved the old BMS iron -- the manual had warnings, like all mechanical manuals, cept the brits were very up front bout the entire thing
"Failure to follow the procedures excatly will lead to injury or death."
gotta love that kinda writing! |
Jackbequick
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 01:05 pm: |
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Jimidan,
"..I still can't figure out how you check the torque on thread-locked bolts..."
You probably just pointed out the major leading cause of failed thread locking compounds. As far as I know, there is only one way, the hard way as you described. Do the work again right and from scratch.
Jack |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 05:27 pm: |
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Repeat as necessary!
I've worn my tools out fixing the Buell, lol.
Rocket |
Dfbutler
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 07:33 pm: |
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Kenm123t, thanks for your insight, you must work at a harley dealership. |
Kenm123t
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 10:21 pm: |
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Rocket I have 1 S1W just trying to score another one?
Df Butler No I dont work at a Harley dealer. I don t let chrome hangers touch my bikes.
Looks like all the problems with these two Bikes are solved. Which is why i wanted you to ship them to me |
Captpete
| | Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 12:14 am: |
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Damn, Sean…
I just got back in from a fishing trip – first one in the black (made $94 in return for three 20-hour days) – read your PM, and now this. Real sorry you missed your fishing trip. It sounded like just what you needed and I was looking forward to hearing about it.
More later, but for right now, here’s a little addition to that arc welder tip, an old oil-field trick. Any decent welder can do it with the right combo of heat (amps) and rod size: actually strike an arc on that broken-off stud and lay about a half-second bead on it. Let it cool a bit, and do it again, building up a nub like that until it’s big enough to grab with some Visegrips. Should come right out. At least it does when screwed into iron. I’ve never tried it with aluminum. But I’d like to know how that would work out, so let me know if you give it a try.  |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Saturday, July 29, 2006 - 07:32 am: |
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Well Pete, all is not lost. Rob, he's my close friend who owns the boat, will be doing plenty of fishing out of Whitby before the rough weather sets in later in the year.
As Rob took the boat up to Scotland last year, and again this year, there's no plans for him to do likewise for sometime. He's talking next year of heading south. Perhaps taking in Jersey and Guernsey and maybe some of those Cornish Isles too.
The Scottish Islands would be the place I'd most love to visit, over and above anything heading south. By boat would be a real bonus too. You can only drive \ ferry so far without investing serious time, and money, come to it. There are some very nice remote Cornish Islands too though, and not to be frowned upon. There is a saving grace though where Scotland is concerned.
The archipelago of St Kilda, the remotest part of the British Isles, lies 41 miles (66 kilometres) west of Benbecula in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. Rob couldn't accommodate that journey in this years Scottish trips. He's keen to go there, and so am I. Maybe next year he'll change his mind. Especially seeing as the Scottish Islands have made a huge lasting impression on him this and last year. Check out the St Kilda link and read about its occupation up until the 1930's. It's a story of many twists and turns dating back perhaps as far as 5000 years. There is a lot to do and see. Perhaps one of the most spectacular sights might be the highest sea cliffs of the British Isles, which are found there too, reaching out 1400 feet from the sea. Fingers firmly crossed for next year!
So how am I getting on with the Buell repair you may ask. Well I'm not. I'm still hard at it finishing off the 900 Convertible restoration. I didn't make the target finish of yesterday, but next Wednesday is a definite for finish and delivery. Then I can find time to crack on with the Buell, unless I squeeze it in tomorrow. That said, I'm sick of been at the workshop this week. I might as well have took my bloody bed there. That and I'm heading to Leeds tomoz to look at a Minnie Winnie I'm wanting to hire and possibly buy. My big sis lives near Leeds so it'll be an opportunity to pop in, so the day will be a full one. Especially if the sisters other half lends me the keys to his Aston Martin Vantage for an hour or so.
I'll keep you all posted on the Buell progress. Don't worry. It will be sorted soon, lol.
Rocket |
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