| Author | Message | ||
     Motornoggin |
Thanks Court! | ||
| Sweatmark |
For the factory. First - good stuff "thanks": Best single make/model factory shop manual ever! That AGM battery is great. Love the XB unitized system design. Thankful you've stuck with the XB platform, allowing us to modify with off-the-shelf parts as they've appeared. Second - questions (restated from other XBoard thread): 1. What about those two missing LEDs?! (... including how we might use them for something practical like shift light) 2. Why the push-pull throttle cables?! Plenty of bikes make due with just a single (pull) throttle cable and stiffer throttle body return spring. 3. Why so many different fasteners?! The XB's elegantly simple mechanical design contrasts with the pain-in-the-butt World Record number of different SAE, Metric, and Torx tools required for bike service. 4. Why use garden hose for the transmission vent?! OK, it's not garden hose, but darn close! Why use 3/8" ID 100+ psi reinforced rubber hose for a vent? 5. Why not publish the spring rates for the Showa suspension components, both stock and Pro kit? I called both Buell Customer Service and Showa USA, asking for the Pro kit fork spring rates, without success (all were polite, though). The XBs are equipped with good suspension hardware and fine-tuning information... better than most bikes! So why not share the info? 6. Why do the XB rear pulleys use that "snowflake" design?! Wish they had a simple 6-spoke layout that matched the XB wheels... all the better to make the belt driveline less threshing-machine-ish. 7. What's the deal with finger-tight fasteners all over the place?! Each time I've dug into the bike for maintenance and upgrades, yet another finger-tight (= finger-LOOSE!) fastener is discovered. Each fastener gets a liberal dose of Lock-tite when going back in, along with careful torque. 8. Any other hand controls/switchgear options? Would love to see controls with more substantial "feel" and look. 9. ... And you already know the dealer problems! Turns out that my dealer sold us our bike as "new", when in fact it had been demo'd and crashed (physical evidence has been photographed). YMMV - My bike's a 2003 (very low miles, "spare" bike), so problems might be early production related. Finally, Part 3 - PLEASE make the new HP motor/tranny package "retrofittable" to older bike's like my 2003! Mark Oregon (Message edited by sweatmark on May 21, 2007) | ||
| Jackfis |
Just bought a new 07 Ulysses, bike runs great, very happy of my purchase, many people are all asking what kind of bike I am riding as there are few out there...a couple of design change suggestions for future models : - re-route that front brake cable running across the digital odometer screen...I used a zip-tie to lower it so I could see the display. - current LED taillight design is not visible at night from the sides. The LED are so sunk-in in the housing that the red glow is only visible from the rear only (diddo when brakes are applied), car taillights have all side lights visible in the tail... - be aware that lots of rider now have GPS, mine in attached to the cross bar and is obstructing the warning light panel...those lights could be situated at the top of the speed /RPM display so they are all visible even with accessories attached to the cross handle bar. - digital gear indicator would be nice in the front panel. - must improve engine heat management for the right side...she is one hot gal on the road ! thx !  } | ||
| Snub13 |
Author Message Snub13 Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) Posted on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 11:47 am: -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Last year at the Liberty H-D Open House I had a rear wheel bearing meltdown. Rented a U-haul, the dealer replaced the entire rear end. The dealer was very nice and understanding. Court gave great advice and assistance (Thank you , again)     As per many sage Badwebbers, there is a VERY specific rear wheel torquing procedure and if it's not done by the book, you have problems. I had just had the dealer put on Scorpion Syncs. Fast forward to June 2007. Mrs. Snub and I rent a Uly from Alaska Rider Tours (who just put on new rubber) and seven days (and 2,270 miles) into the trip and....  Not wanting a complete melt down many miles from any cellular coverage, we called AK Tours. The folks at AK Tours were great, but they only had a 650 Vstrom to swap with us!  I love the Uly! It is a fantastic all around motorcycle. But, WTF is up with these wheel bearings? I understand the whole torque thing, but it seems clear (to me at least) that at least two "Harley Certified Mechanics" don't have ANY idea about the sequence! Am I the only one having this problem?...Is anything being done to fix this?...Can anything be done to fix this?.....Can Erik "dumb down" the sequence so Mongo the "Certified H-D Mech." can understand it????????????? I'm not a "Certified H-D Mech." and I can understand it?<>?"?:<?l:"><?>:" Now, naturally after the same problem with two different bikes, I am ultra paranoid! The only reason I noticed the rentals' bearing was because I was already paranoid from when it happened with my bike. How do you feel any confidence on an "adventure sportbike" (adventure being the operative word) when this is going on? I'm all about roadside repair but it might be a little tough to take the needed tools on a trip. Stop...deep breath....hold it....let it out...OK, sorry! Tim PS: to top it all off, When we got home my wifes SUV was still being worked on, she took my truck to work, I pulled out of the driveway on the Uly and......my F!@%ing belt broke! At least I wasn't on the highway....Of course my dealer dosen't have one in stock and with the holiday I have to wait until next Saturday! I sure hope Mongo remembers the torque sequence when he puts the wheel back on! (Message edited by snub13 on June 30, 2007) | ||
| Crusty |
I HOPE YOU FOLKS AT THE FACTORY GIVE US PLENTY OF NOTICE ABOUT WHEN HOMECOMING IS GOING TO BE NEXT YEAR!!! | ||
| Diablobrian |
I'd like to second Crusty's suggestion.  | ||
| Court |
I expect notice this week. There was a meeting last week. The date has been set for 7 weeks and the last constraint was communicating it to dealers last Sunday. The event will be a good one to attend. | ||
| Crusty |
The event will be a good one to attend. THAT is an accurate understatement! | ||
| Midnightrider |
How about a factory right side scoop for the Ulysses? I've heard the OEM replacement cost for the left side scoop is about $25. The most common aftermarket right side scoop, however, is well over $200. I'm sure you'd sell a lot of them.... On a recent ride after my fan died and before the replacement came in I took a short ride on a hot day. Ran into an unexpected traffic jam on the DC beltway. It was one of the few times I rode without my leather overpants (it was over 95 degrees). I would up with a 1st and 2nd degree burn on the inside of my right thigh (big red area with 2 blisters). I paid for and replaced the fan myself because the dealer ddn't stock them and wouldn't even order one until THEY diagnosed it needed replacement. This is even though I told him the trouble code I was reading (36) and the fact that the fan stopped operating entirely. Even though it took nearly a week for the fan to come in, I still got it installed before the next available service date at the dealer. I will order the heat deflectors tomorrow Thanks | ||
| Sarodude |
I needed a Throttle Close / Idle cable for my 96 Ca S2. Very long story short, the part numbers for the Open and Close cables are reversed! I ordered a close and got an open. Then I ordered an open and got a close. If you need info, you can contact me. -Saro | ||
| Court |
Saro: I have a spare but am not sure which one it is. Send me your address and you can sort it out.  Court | ||
| Court |
Where are the numbers reversed? Need to address that. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I think that reflective Buell patches would be a great item to have in the catalog. The black and orange vanson patches that were labeled as being reflective were/are not reflective at all. I have both styles of those on my jacket. I have 3 riding Jackets and I would put at least one reflective patch on each one to increase night time visibility. | ||
| Sarodude |
Court- Already got me the cable - but thanks! I'm not sure where the part #s are reversed. My parts book and the dealer's parts book both had the same old numbers. The old numbers were superceded by newer ones - and I'm not sure if it's the old ones that were off and that carried to the new ones or if it's just the new ones. Just to clarify - this is for the California cables. Most Ca S2's have probably long since ditched the QwikSilver carbs I'm guessing. I, for some reason, have not. -Saro | ||
| Gotj |
Just an interesting experience on my recent trip in a cage. I was running ahead of schedule and saw a billboard for Appalachian H-D and decided to visit. There was no Buell sign so when I met the "greeter" lady, I asked if they carried Buell. She said, "No, there aren't too many of them ANY MORE." (Emphasis added, "them" being Buell dealers, I gathered.) | ||
| Thespive |
Dear Buell Factory, I love my bike. It is a 2006 CityX in the awesome Hero Blue color, which I has been rock solid in terms of reliability and even better in the fun to own category. My bike is nearly flawless, but if there was one thing I could ask you to consider changing, it would be the translucent plastics. I'd like for you to either change the translucent body panels to a different plastic compound, or clear coat the current translucent body work, as it scratches far too easily. My bike is a little over a year old and I use the Novus product line religiously, probably once a month and the fine scratches and swirls are nearly impossible to get out, and polishing around the letter and "X" is incredibly time consuming, time I could otherwise be riding. The scratching on my bike is obvious and bothers me enough that I am considering the purchase of a solid colored airbox (black), just so the bike looks nice again and has a finish that is easier to maintain. I would never complain or bug you guys if I didn't think it warranted attention, but as I said, I feel that a harder plastic or clear coating the current plastics would solve this problem and keep us translucent folks with nicer looking bikes longer. I hope that someone reads this and considers my plea. Thank you, Otherwise ETREMELY satisfied customer and Buell-Aid swilling Buelligan, --Sean Holman | ||
| Thespive |
Is there a Buell engineer or anony who reads this that might be able to help me out or point me in the right direction? I am currently putting the plans together for grafting the Long swingarm on to my CityX. I would like to run TT suspension, but because of the difference in shock mounting between the short and long frame, and the different shock angle between the Long and Short setup, the TT shock is obviously not a direct fit and I need some direction as to what the proper length might be to get the TT ride height and travel. Or maybe even someone that understands Buells that who could build me a custom shock or even an OEM contact I could bounce questions off of or lend me some guidance. Thanks if anyone reads this, my e-mail can be had through my profile or PM (or even from Court). --Sean | ||
| Loucksgl |
Concerning engine oil change. On page 82 paragraph 7 of the 08 Buell riders manual for XB12X Ulysses. "Tighten plug to 26 -29 ft-lbs (35 - 39 Nm). My advise is don't do it! I did............. | ||
| Court |
Could you explain . . . | ||
| Gotj |
He started with this thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?3842/305911 | ||
| Court |
I suspect he'll be just fine. | ||
| Backroadsbiker |
Just bought my first Buell. A 07 Ulysses. I love the bike. I hate that it's sold in HD shops. I have four within an hour and a half of my home. I felt like I was imposing on their time trying to get them to sell me a Ulysses. I'm not a kid, I'm in my fifties and I've been riding motorcycles since the late sixties. The buying experience was atrocious. Plus, after finally buying the bike, they give me a Harley t-shirt. Come on guys, wake up! | ||
| Backroadsbiker |
Just bought my first Buell. A 07 Ulysses. I love the bike. I hate that it's sold in HD shops. I have four within an hour and a half of my home. I felt like I was imposing on their time trying to get them to sell me a Ulysses. I'm not a kid, I'm in my fifties and I've been riding motorcycles since the late sixties. The buying experience was atrocious. Plus, after finally buying the bike, they give me a Harley t-shirt. Come on guys, wake up! | ||
| Rainman |
Hey, I got a Harley T-shirt AND a free membership to HOG courtesy of the dealer! | ||
| Backroadsbiker |
Oops, I just received my free membership to HOG in the mail. Guess I was complaining too soon. Damn! | ||
| Monkey |
 Eric and Company-just wanted to drop you a note to tell you how much I have enjoyed the XB12Ss I purchased last fall. I found myself riding way too late (again) last night on a school night! What a GREAT bike!! - a bike that is easy to get into a "Zen-like zone" and get your groove-on!! -Love the Bike! | ||
| Tripp |
hi, i am replacing the drive belt on my tuber and happened to notice that if you do a locater/availability search on h-dnet.com it does'nt give you the *superseded part# for the 40022-91 (*G0500.8) maybe someone here is in a position to fix that and do a service for all of us old school buellers (Message edited by tripp on October 10, 2007) | ||
| Court |
Totally fixalicious . . . . info is off to Tech Pubs for eval//tion Mucho thanksalotta | ||
| Toona |
Anyone else get an email with a link to a survey from Buell? Is it just me, but when they asked for what model of Buell you owned, they didn't have the XB12S listed. They did have the STT, Ss and Scg, but no regular "S". arrgh. So I check marked "other" and listed my XB12S. (sarcasm on) It's nice to know I'm an "other" already with an '04. (sarcasm off) | ||
| Court |
This was posted:
I spent several days researching this and have to share the results and one observation. First: There is NO ERROR in the system and there is NO superseded number} The numbers are good and, as I'm sure you found when you checked, there are plenty in stock for immediate shipment to any Buell owner. THE OBSERVATION and this is strictly personal opinion . . . is that we need to be damned careful using language like maybe someone here is in a position to fix that and do a service for all of us old school buellers. Some of the folks who maintain the stock of over 5,000 OEM Buell parts ready for immediate shipment, and are unable to defend themselves on the internet, take grave offense that they are somehow "not supporting tube frame Buell old-timers" (my quotes). Here is part of a conversation with names removed . . .
My reason for sharing is that there are a very dedicated group of folks who'w entire world is providing the best service they can to Buell owners. These include the folks who, today, are making S-2 bodywork and all those things the internet would incorrectly lead you to believe are "obsolete". I'd suggest when folks have a question that they ask the question . . . . ergo "is part number xxxxx a good part number?" and dispense with the "someone needs to fix this". I'm not sure I've worded that quite delicately enough. . . it's not intended to be a slap to Tripper or anybody . . . it's just that the folks at Buell are doing some amazing things to provide an unprecedented level of service and I'm in a position (want to or not) where I try to balance keeping owners happy and Elves happy. Thanks for understanding and by the way .. . if you need that belt. .. it's no problem. We can make this work . . .  |
