| Author | Message | ||
     Unix |
Hi, i recently bought a Buell M2 Cyclone, 2000 model year. My previous bike was a soft-chopper, Yamaha Virago 535cc air-cooled V-twin, good bike it was i must admit. Just after 1,5 months of owning the Buell, i noticed it has a lot of glitches and stuff that the factory should have provided, just to name a few: * very poor rear suspension, on rough roads the belt drive keeps rubbing on the rear arm eventhough i hardened the shock and rebound to the max. * gearbox... very hardcore (ok on a chopper but not a naked!) * shifter... the freeplay is just awesome, and the bike has only 17 K miles on it! * engine overheats and i get detonation, i need an oil cooler (this should be factory supplied!) * front brake feel is not good enough, no adjustment on the brake lever to compensate the wearing of brake pads, * clutch lever rock hard, i had to buy a muller power clutch * speedo refused working * gearbox oil leak Ok.. that's just a few problems i found with the bike after just 1,5 months of owning it. I am also looking for a fairing for the M2, that will make it more user-friendly on highway runs. I can't seem to find anything on ebay or any other aftermarket online stores. Does anyone know where i can get one?? Oh, the fairing must be compatible with the stock M2 handlebars. Thanks for any info regards Unix, from Poland (Europe) here are a few pics of my bike from this weekend in the mountains, i made a short trip to the Slovakian Republic.   at the Polish/Slovakian border.. no border control, since EU countries are in the Schengen Zone (no border control)  | ||
| Rotzaruck |
Mark First of all welcome to the BadWeB!!! That's a fine looking M2 and some pretty country. I can tell that Cyclone is chomping at the bits to get up in those mountains. But first it sounds like it desperately needs some maintenance! The factory hasn't failed you, maybe the previous owner did, but now it's in your hands man. The warranty was used up long ago. In the Knowledge Vault here are solutions for all those mechanical problems.Various windscreen fitments can be found too. If you don't find them, just ask, someone will help walk you through. Some of the intelligent types here can probably give you a run down on where to start(I don't fall into that category), but meanwhile, find a manual, start digging here, and get started on that thing. I think you will be thrilled with the results. Rotzaruck!! | ||
| M2statz |
I have an S3 fairing on my M2. Works great and I love it. Ditto on what Ed said. I am by NO means a mechanic but with frugal use of KV and a service manual I was able to change the Rocker Box gaskets which suprized even me. Very self rewarding to have a couple of skinned nuckles and grease under the finger nails. Happy Buelling M2Statz | ||
| Werewulf |
kind of looks like florida to me! | ||
| Djkaplan |
* very poor rear suspension, on rough roads the belt drive keeps rubbing on the rear arm eventhough i hardened the shock and rebound to the max. When properly adjusted, the belt should rub on the top of the swingarm regardless of how the shock is working. * gearbox... very hardcore (ok on a chopper but not a naked!) The transmission is durable despite the noises and is very easy to work on yourself. No splitting cases to get to it. Anything can be access in it within an hour. * shifter... the freeplay is just awesome, and the bike has only 17 K miles on it! Replace the nylon bushing with brass (a consumable maintenance item) and the play isn't so bad. * engine overheats and i get detonation, i need an oil cooler (this should be factory supplied!) A carb calibration took care of all that for me without an oil-cooler. I ride in 100+ degree temps in the summer. * front brake feel is not good enough, no adjustment on the brake lever to compensate the wearing of brake pads. Sounds like you need to replace the fluid and bleed it real good. * clutch lever rock hard, i had to buy a muller power clutch That's an odd one, but it could just be the tolerances in the species, both bike and rider. I've had heavier clutches, that's for sure. * speedo refused working That's a very common problem for a 2000 models I've never had for some reason. An updated sensor is supposed to solve it. * gearbox oil leak Shouldn't be hard to fix at all. Just a gasket replacement. It'll be a good opportunity to make sure you have the most updated tensioner shoe, too. | ||
| Unix |
Hi, thx a lot for the info  i visited the knowledge section, and found this to be quite interesting http://www.laminarlip.com/cyclone.php actually i think it should work just fine... but i am also thinking about the S3 fairing (actually i regret i bought a M2 instead of the S3 ... however the HP rating on the M2 is much better) , but i have to find 1 on ebay or something. In the meanwhile i'll look into the speedo problem and change the gearbox gasket. U guys have it much easier, i have to import all my parts and pay additional duty charges ... annoying hehe , but i'm used to it , i own a 1987 Chevy Camaro w/ V8 and manual box nice ride, but also needs lots of work... lol, what did i get myself into again hehe i must be crazy, i could'a bought a Yamaha or something hehe , jokin'  But damn, this 1200 V-twin is like a torque monster, but it should be able to rev a little more and have more peak power... guess u can't have everything | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Unix, you have the best of both worlds w/ that M2. You can install an S2/S3 fairing (Many including me have done it)and you don't have too deal with that fuel injection  If you need some more Zip to your ride, cams and single firer ignition I think is the way to go. Just remember, your buell is like an old chevy TORQUE MONSTER and it responds to mods just like an old chevy. ALSO can blow up like an old chevy If you go to far!!! | ||
| Old_mil |
...I'd try that laminar lip. Every motorcycle I've installed one on has benefited. | ||
| Unix |
hey, i had my bike serviced today. i installed the power clutch, and a new braided clutch cable. The effort required to release clutch is minimal very nice . I also got the new gasket for gearbox, and changed all the fluids (synthetic for better heat management) including the front brake fluid, and i must admit the feel is way better. i think i'll go with the laminarlip, easier to buy and to ship to poland, but if i were in the US of A i'd go with the S3 fairing no doubt. Why are you so against the fuel injection?? i with i had F.I., hate the way you have to use choke on the carb models... very irritating when u park the bike on a windy day after riding, and 30 minutes later when u want to start the engine it coughs and farts in the carb and u have to put the choke on. i still need to get the speedo fixed , meaning buying a new sensor. Regarding engine mods, i want to keep it stock, i hope it makes another 20 thousand miles without any problems, fingers crossed | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
20k on a stock motor NO PROBLEM  The FI is OK I guess for a stock bike but it always seems to be the cause of some one have a bad running bike! Check the Badweb, temp, crank, TPS, ect... sensors going bad. Also a simple exhaust change you have to remap-F-that!!! I have FI on my 03 Roadking and it cost $250+  to have it tuned properly every time I do something on the engine! | ||
| Dreadnaught1 |
I bought a Givi A770. It looked great when I fitted it. The whole bike is getting paint now. When I remount I will send pictures. Fits Stock everything, 7" Headlight, turn signals. NO MODS.  | ||
| Nevrenuf |
welcome to the club unix. it's one of the best. the m2 is the best buell ever built. as far as the choke goes, it is a pain once in a while but just don't leave the choke out no longer(a few seconds)than it is needed until you can throttle it. you'll carbon up the pistons pretty bad. i know cause i was shown what i did after taking it in for the rocker box cover leaking. not a pretty site after a short period of time. enjoy your ride over there. | ||
| Werewulf |
how do motorcyle enthusiest view buells in your country? just curious.... | ||
| Unix |
Dreadnaught, thanks for the info, the givi looks very good, and i already found them to be available in polish online stores for a good price, so i'll probably go with it. Werewulf, Buells are pretty rare here in Poland, and basically in the whole of Europe. When people ask me what it is i say its a sports harley. Buells aren't very popular because there are so many kinds of naked bikes available on the market in europe, many more than in the USA. Buells don't have a good opinion regarding quality, which goes for all Harleys anyway, however Harleys are popular as choppers (but less than Yamaha, Kawasaki etc. which copy the HD design). Also very few people have heard about the Buell in Poland, marketing is basically non existent, and new buells sold yearly can probably be counted on one hand. The price isn't very encouraging as well, for the same money u can buy better japannese bikes. Buells aren't very practical either, accesories are few and far between, and the air-cooled engines don't help in city traffic. The suspension isn't exactly perfect as well, especially on rough roads (in Poland roads are in poor condition), the short wheel base makes the bike very twitchy/nervous when u hit a pot-hole in the middle of a turn, very scary i must admit. Buells are basically designed for looong stretched out turns for high speeds, which aren't very common in Europe (i'm talking about country roads, not highways). The reason i bought the Buell is because it's uncommon over here, one of a kind, and i always liked the HD engine design (my brother has a HD sportster). A few months back before i bought the M2 i took a Yamaha MT-01 (not available for the USA market) for a test drive and i loved it, but didn't have the money for a new one (over 54,000zl = 24,700 USD), the M2 concept is almost identical to that of the MT-01, but 5 times cheaper (for a used bike anyway). The M2 is much more hardcore, the vibes are worse (too much for my liking), gearbox sux (identical to that of the sportster, not good enough for a naked bike), and the controls aren't very user friendly, suspension also poor on the M2. Anyway, i really like my M2, it's a nice ride offering good quality for the money, i didn't expect more and will probably keep it for a year or two. have a look at this http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/mt-world/ http://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/ya m_mt01_test.htm | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
That sure is a Euro fairing.  We don't see that style too often, except on a BMW. You need the newer 2002 shifter linkage to clean up your shifts (not much $$) A simple oil cooler helps with heat and you can soften up you spring and dampening to help with "The Polish Highway" From what I understand the Buell Uly. is very popular in Europe. There has too be a dealer somewhere? Your english is perfect! Where are you from? Poland/US? My grandparents are from Poland but never taught me the language | ||
| Unix |
yes,,, "Polish Highways" are very specific.., but it's getting better slowly but surely. I can't really soften my suspension because then the drive belt will constantly rub on the rear swingarm (on the top), i don't think it's supposed to do that. I hardened it to the max, rebound and shock, and it's still rubs but not as often. Yes, the ULLY is the most popular Buell model in Europe, but it's still behind other tourers. I recently heard of a guy that bought a ULY (after owning a BMW tourer) and after doing some 20K , the drive belt snapped while he was driving on a german highway on the fast lane (yes, very high speed) and he almost crashed the thing. Obviously he got a new belt on the guarantee but still sold the bike and bought a BMW once again. I suppose the belt must have been damaged before in some way. Hugie, yes I'm Polish, but i have previously lived in the UK for sometime. Actually i bought my bike in England and rode it all the way accross Europe to Poland, aproximately 1100miles, it took me 19 hours (2 days riding). The weather was crap half the way, with France, Belgium and Holland treating me to a constant shower. In Germany it was better, and i didn't have to watch any speed limits (because mostly there are none), on a 3 lane higway the middle lane goes around 160km/h (100miles), the left/fast lane people go 200km/h +. I didn't go that fast because it's impossible without a fairing, after 5 minutes u feel like you've been riding all day, your neck hurts. I still have to register the bike in Poland, the yellow plates are English. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"I can't really soften my suspension because then the drive belt will constantly rub on the rear swingarm (on the top), i don't think it's supposed to do that. I hardened it to the max, rebound and shock, and it's still rubs but not as often." More spring preload in the rear suspension will make it easier for the belt to rub on top of the swingarm. You might have too much preload if it rubs all the time. Just set the rear preload (sag) to your weight and make sure the belt isn't too tight. The belt should still rub on top of the swingarm occasionally when properly adjusted. You need to make absolutely sure the belt is not too tight. Too loose is much better than too tight. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Unix, can you give us a pic of where the belt is hitting. I have not seen or heard my belt hit on my M2. Also I read that Euro Buells have different pulleys, geared for top end speed. Maybe we have to send you USA pulleys | ||
| Nevrenuf |
unix, i think someone told you wrong that the m2 is made for sweeping corners at high speeds. it's actually the complete oposite. check the profile pic and ask dj how well the m2's handle in tighter corners. these bikes are made for the corners. putting on an oil cooler will help with the heat. had one put on mine recently. and i was under the impression that europe had some pretty cool after market stuff for the buells. especially in germany. i could be wrong though. don't get to discouraged about the bike, you got a keeper and there's a lot of people on here that would agree. | ||
| Oldog |
Unix Check out the storm fronts section of the board, Germany is a hot bed of Tube frame Buell activity, it may take a while to locate stuff, contact us here in the US if you need to try and find some thing. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Your tough clutch lever sounds very familiar to me, as I also considered a Muller power clutch. However, after a simple clutch adjustment I was able to keep that $160.00 in my pocket. Beautiful bike, and that looks NOTHING like Florida, werewulf. I know that there have to be some nasty curves hiding just after those straights! Also, doesnt Airtech make a front fairing for the M2? Its got a funky double stacked headlight and shorty windscreen. Not my style, but to each his own. | ||
| Werewulf |
i knew it wasnt florida, the numbers on the tag are bigger.. | ||
| Werewulf |
thats interesting about the harley popularity in europe.. i was in russia about 15 years ago and was supprised to see a harley rally advertized in gorky park.. only a "mad man" would ride a motorcycle in moscow.. most god awful traffic i have ever seen and i was living in miami at the time.. i think most people start on jap bikes and end up on a harley... i went the other direction... i have owned about 10 harleys and 5 buells, 3 beemers and one hayabusa.. i have never seen a jap bike other than a goldwing with high mileage on them... i dont know if they dont hold up or no one rides then very long... my next bike will be a beemer or a jap bike... so, what is the most sought after bike in your area, the yamaha? | ||
| Unix |
torquemaster, with the muller clutch it's a big difference... i recommend u one. one trojan-horse u can buy a cheaper copy of the muller power clutch, costs something around 20 pounds? have a look here , http://www.trojan-horse.co.uk werewulf, here in europe its the other way round, jap bikes have very high mileage on them whilst harleys have very low mileage. the most popular bikes in poland are sport-tourers and naked bikes, mostly yamahas, suzuki, kawasaki and honda. here is a pic of where the belt rubs ont he top of the swingarm... it does this on rare occasions, once in a while if you ride into a pothole or a large bump on the road. it's not bad, but still i'm thinking of upgrading the rear suspension with aftermarket, and getting inverted forks for the front from an X1 or something http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5386/iphone001v b6.jpg i'm also thinking about adding another disc brake on the front, since the mounts are already in place. But i dont know about the caliper, since a stock one wont fit on the left side ? today i was riding on a local twisty road with perfect tarmac, and on 1 turn i went so low, something started scraping on the asfalt. Well, i thought it would be the peg... but i was wrong, it was the shifter knob! the tarmac took a little material off, but i'm still pissed ! how the hell is that possible, the pegs should take the damage, but they're untouched. first 1 for me on the bike, to scrape the shifter peg, actually i'm lucky it didn't break or shift gear! no comment hehe, hardcore. oh , i have to add, since i poured full synthetic oil the engine runs much more smoothly than on mineral, the temperature is also much lower, and i don't get detonation. i recommend this strongly. here are the buells for sale in poland currently, on the largest advertisement site (like ebay in USA). 1 US dollar = 2,2 zl http://moto.allegro.pl/search.php?string=Buell&cat egory=5557&country=1 this is a cool bike i'd like to buy in the future, yamaha XJR 1300 http://www.otomoto.pl/index.php?sect=show&id=M8098 06 | ||
| Djkaplan |
Rear suspension compression makes the belt get further away frome the top of the swingarm at that point. Take a minute and look at how the parts are relating to each other during suspension movement. The belt is probably rubbing mostly during decceleration, when the top of the belt has slack from compression braking and the rear suspension is 'topped' out. Too much rear preload and not enough sag exacerbates the rubbing (makes it worse). | ||
| Unix |
yes exactly, the belt rubs mostly during decceleration and braking (i try to compensate this keeping the revs high) and i'll try to lessen the rebound. I'll experiment with this a little, maybe it'll get better, but i have read in many places that the stock rear suspension is poor (especially on the models before 2001). thanks for the advice | ||
| Djkaplan |
Set the rebound damping on the shock to keep the bike from wallowing in the corners. Don't worry about the belt rubbing on top of the swingarm. It will occasionally do that when the belt is adjusted properly. The belt has been rubbing the top the swingarm on my M2 for 8 years. It is a non-issue. | ||
| Unix |
hi, i recently made a short movie of me taking on some corners on a local road. speed was probably around 40-85mph (my speedo doesn't work ). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE_6oWwotCs | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Nice film Unix. Love the european back roads but what is that zig-zag white lines in the road for??? Also I'm going to try and post some pics(just learned how to post pics) of my M-2 so you can see the S-1 fairing. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
My 2002 M2 w/ a S1 fairing mounted on a http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk314/hugie82/B uell2002m2Nov3007004.jpg" http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk314/hugie82/B uell2002m2Nov3007003.jpg |
