| Author | Message | ||
     Nocompromise |
So, I am thrilled that I fixed my leaking S1! It was somewhat difficult to diagnose (as Jim can attest), but the athlete's foot spray technique did the trick. Thanks to whoever pioneered the athlete's foot spray idea - it worked like a charm! The leak was coming from the front pushrod base. My rear pushrod base was leaking a while back, but changing from NRHS seals to stock seals fixed it (I have NRHS bases). It would appear that NRHS bases combined with stock (black) seals is the ticket. Hot tip from the archives - use superglue to mate the bases to the seals, then use a light cooking oil on the tubes before you slip them through the seals (already installed in the base). I went on a short test ride through some nice twisties, which gave me a chance to run the engine in a variety of operating conditions. I got off the bike at my turn around point, intending to check the oil when I saw my first Ducati 1098. We exchanged waves as he rode back towards my intended destination. After a minute I decided to blow off the oil check and head for home. I didn't think I would catch him since I was at least a couple minutes behind him, but I caught up with him relatively quickly. I had hoped to follow for a bit, but he waved me by almost immediately. Of course, I had to ride in a somewhat 'spirited' fashion once I was in front.  It didn't take too many turns before he was gone from my rearview mirrors. On one hand it seems kind of a waste of $15,000 if you're going to ride a 1098 like a sport tourer. But, on the other hand, I'm a huge proponent of going for whatever floats your boat. That 1098 is bee-yoooo-tiful! One quick, dumb question that I couldn't find by searching: How do you replace the dashboard bulbs (Neutral, High Beam, etc..)? I can get the bank of lights out of the dashboard, but I can't pull the bulbs out the front or the rubber bases out the rear...  | ||
| Oldog |
Try a piece of plastic hose, slip it over the lamp and pull it out, unless the indicator light cluster is different from the X1 they should be wedge base bulbs. and pull straight out. BTW a rubber hose may work if it will fit. | ||
| Nocompromise |
Thanks for the tip! I'll have to find the right diameter hose. I have some plastic tubing for bleeding my brakes, so I'll give that a shot. I was thinking that even if I slip some tweezers or a grabber down there it will probably break the bulb when I try to pull it out. The hose idea sounds great! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I just got frustrated by my lights and found that the whole assembly with all the bulbs already in it was something like $60. I'm thinking eventually I will put LEDs in the old housing. I think I will try the rubber hose trick on my old housing. sounds wikked smaht! | ||
| Nocompromise |
The rubber hose worked like a charm. I can check the plastic tubing diameter - it was one size smaller than required for brake bleeding. I couldn't find replacement bulbs at the auto parts store, so I'm going to call the Buell dealer and see if they have any in stock. Thanks for the tip Jim! | ||
| Xldevil |
Maybe the Duc´s rider was still breaking in the engine. Ralph | ||
| Oldog |
Hey Nate IF you have the time and inclination LED indicator check with your local Allen Bradley electrical supplier for some of the LED's that fit the 800A devices they may work and the newer ones that I last saw were painfully bright and great color too, NOT Cheap.. see if 12vdc are available the device will have an internal regulator and operate at the rated voltage If I had the time and money I would try them.. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Either the Duc rider was breaking in his motor or he was not interested in riding any faster. On the race track, the rider who can go faster will be in front. On the street, the rider who is willing to go faster will be in front. Only really stupid people ride 10/10ths on the street. If two such people were on the same road, one on a Buell and one on a Ducati 1098,the Ducati would be in front. Glad your S1 is running strong. Ride safely and live long. Dave | ||
| Nocompromise |
I'm not interested in being the fastest rider on either the street or the track. I have no illusions about being Stoner, Rossi, or Dunlop. I am interested in having fun and returning home to my family in one piece after every ride. I disagree slightly with a couple of your statements Dave: "On the street, the rider who is willing to go faster will be in front." I'm sure you know that skill plays a huge factor on both the street and the track. Your statement implies that it's simply a matter of who is willing to risk the most on the street. A less skilled rider will go much slower AND take bigger risks compared to a better rider who can ride both faster AND safer. "If two such people were on the same road, one on a Buell and one on a Ducati 1098,the Ducati would be in front." I completely disagree with this, and not because I'm a Buell fanboy. I think the skill of the rider has a much bigger influence on speed than the bike. Riders on BMWs, Buells, VFRs, etc.. pass sportbikes all the time. If you mean equally skilled riders when you say "two such people", I still disagree. One of the reasons I sold my GSX-R750 and bought a Buell was that the Buell exceeded my needs for the street. Even if I were riding a 1098, I would not be riding any faster on a given road than I do on my S1. I do not pin the throttle on the straights and I would not ride the corners any faster. The only time your statement would hold true is if these two hypothetical riders were willing to push faster than the limits of the Buell on the street. The 1098 obviously has higher limits in both straight line speed and cornering clearance (at least more than my S1 - you can reference the Performance Bike and Bike magazine cornering articles that conclude the XB-R series are the best cornering bikes period), but I would argue that these capabilities are not really accessible on the street. I am already riding 80+ on the straights and my Buell will easily go faster. I have no desire to get a 100+ speeding ticket. To keep my desired amount of reserve cornering clearance, I am not willing to ride any faster than I already am. I believe that the vast majority of street riders would not go any faster on a GSX-R1000 than they would on a GSX-R600. Magazine tests and rider testimonies confirm that even on a track it takes a rider close to the pro level to exploit the difference between 110 and 160 horsepower. I agree that the 1098 owner was probably breaking in the engine or taking it easy, but the twisties that we were riding didn't have much to do with horsepower. I'm sure that a rider could go just as fast with a SV650 as a GSX-R1000 or 1098. I guarantee I never got above 5000 rpms, and I was usually right around 3000 since it's almost continuous corners. I would have been riding the same speed even if I was breaking in a brand new bike. As a minor point his attire (leather jacket + jeans) suggested that he would not be wise to ride at a 'spirited' pace even if he was so inclined. I would not be comfortable riding my normal pace in jeans, and most faster riders that I have encountered wear full protective gear. Anyway, no malice is intended with my post - I just thought I would respond with my opinion.  I know that I don't need to convince anyone on here that Buells can hold their own on the street. I would make the same argument about BMW GS's, VFR's, 600 supersports, etc... I think once you get over 100 hp with good ground clearance and suspension the software becomes the bottleneck, not the hardware.  Anyway, I am thrilled to bits that my S1 is gradually getting sorted! I rejetted the Mikuni and the pinging has gone away. I hopefully fixed my rough idle today when I found that the pilot air screw was adjusted too far in. I'm getting close to 'finishing' my bike (assuming nothing else breaks  )! (Message edited by nocompromise on October 30, 2007) | ||
| Sanchez |
> Either the Duc rider was breaking in his motor or he was not interested in riding any faster. Or he was an inexperienced rider who lacked the confidence to ride any faster. Just buying a Ducati doesn't make you fast. | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Nocompromise and Sanchez, Good and valid points. My post was based on my experience on the race track and on the street ie mostly on Angeles Crest Highway and Ortega Highway, etc. where I saw squids on fast bikes pass experienced riders only to crash a short distance up the road. That is to say that, while experienced and skilled riders have higher limits, they usually ride well within them on the street. A less skilled rider who is exceeding his limits may sometimes pass a skilled rider who is riding within his limits. Also, I agree that the torque of our Buells is vary accessible at lower RPM and that can be more useful that high RPM horsepower, especially on tighter, more tactical roads where drive out of corners is key. That said, on most roads, with riders of comparable skill, a Ducati 1098 will probably outrun most others. None of this takes anything away from our Buells with their great handling and available torque that make them the excellent backroad weapons they are. I think we ride our Buells for the same reason: They are fun to ride! Glad your S1 is working well. Regards, Dave |
