| Author | Message | ||
     Charley |
I just came of the phone with a guy from a Buell dealership wich has 3 Firebolts with broken valve guides! They all get a new engine so that's o.k. , but what the hell is that ? `This is in The Netherlands . Anyone heard something simelar around the globe ? | ||
| Mikej |
I know of one demo-Blast that had a broken valve guide a year or so ago. Fortunately it didn't suck the valve as well, just lost compression, spit some guide chunks into the airbox, and stopped running. I figured it was just an anomoly and forgot about it until now. But if there is a problem then it's a Harley issue and not a Buell issue, especially with new engines. Verify the story, verify the rumors, verify the details, then post a followup if you learn more. Thanks. | ||
| Charley |
Mikej , i just called befriended shop owner who could confirm the story. 1 Demo bike 300 Km 2 customers bikes big rattle , guide destroyed piston | ||
| Blake |
All at one dealership? Kinda makes you say "hmmmmm." | ||
| Blake |
Here's and interesting and troubling thought... How tough would it be for a competitor to sabotage the Buell production line? | ||
| Blake |
Here's another one... How much would it cost to break-in each Buell prior to shipping it. Put them on an automated eddy current dyno setup with an appropriate operational spectrum get them broken in, then proof tested, verify power output, change the lubricants, then and only then, ship. I'd pay an extra $200 for a new Buell that is already broken-in. This would eliminate the customer break-in requirement and would also provide a final quality verification. Kinda crazy I know, and probably not possible for every bike, but at least in a batch sample mode such testing might catch defective components or faulty assembly. | ||
| Anonymous |
Why only a competitor? | ||
| Sarodude |
Blake- I read someplace that Rousch (Roush? SP?) racing has such a large dyno facility that they SELL ELECTRICAL POWER to the local utility. Might be a way to recoup some costs... Also, I'd wonder about the VINs on those bikes. Are they consecutive or close? -Saro | ||
| Darthane |
Roush...I'm at Roush Building 21 working on the 2005 Mustang everyday. Sweet company. Got their fingers in just about everything automotive related. Bryan | ||
| Bomber |
Blake From what I've seen at the Buell plant, it would be too awfully hard for someone (competitor, angry owner, union rep) to go in and do a little damage . . . . the HD engine plants, however, are a bit more secure . . . .certainly do-able, but tougher in-house break-in is a wonderful idea . . . here's another . . . .when I picked up my 99 mustang, I asked about break-in procedures . . . the 20 year old wrench I was talking to gave me that alert airedale look (head cocked 20 degrees to starboard, brows furrowed) and said, "huh?" one of the ehem, more experienced techs said, "never mind the break in . . . .it's ready to romp." I know, air vs wtercooled, and all that, but still . . .. . one wonders . . .at least this one does | ||
| Blake |
Bomber, I was thinking more that the competition could have a mole inside the facility or inside one of their supplier's facilities. Anony, Not sure I follow your question. Who else would have motivation to... ahhhh, I think I see your point. I hope you are wrong with the gist of that idea. | ||
| Dynarider |
It wasnt me, honest!!! The question was brought up before about Harley Union shops vs Buell non-union shop. Is there any hostility between the 2 groups? I know I worked for a company building electrical switchboards years ago & we were non-union. When we had to deliver a big unti to some of the job sites wow did we ever get treated like shit because they were union. We would get called scabs, product would get destroyed & we would have to rebuild it, etc. 1 day we received a large shipment back, 1 of the switcboards, & these things are 7' tall 4'wide & 2' deep, was completely destroyed. They told us "it tipped over". It looked like someone had hooked it to a tow truck & drug it a mile or 2 down a road. All the switches were ground off, it was totally wrecked. Damn unions, they have their place but its no reason to act like that. | ||
| Davegess |
i havn't worked there in while but when I did and from what i hear now no such crap goes on at Buell HD, They have a very good relationship with the union at HD, The union gave up a lot to help th ecompany survie and managment has given it back now that times are good. The Buell guys have gomne through at least 1 and perhaps 2 union organizing drives that HD's union was involved in. The one I was there for was a very civil affair with only a very few people having passionate feelings about. The union got creamed. 10 to 1. Dave | ||
| Charley |
O.K. very intresting bable about illegal activities and unions but that's not the topic. It's about broken valveguides in XB9r MODELS | ||
| Mikej |
Actually it's about specifically three bikes through one dealership in one specific region. It could be a batch issue, but unless we know the VIN's of the broken bikes there is no way to know if the engines were in the same batch or not. Hopefully someone at that dealership overseas has contacted Buell directly to inquire about the problem. Hopefully someone internal at both Buell and at the MotorPlant are looking into it to see if it's an anomoly or if it's something else. Hopefully someone has documented the history of the three bikes in question to see if there is any comparable issue there. Lots of questions, no answers yet. I'm just watching. But I'm certain that someone somewhere is all over this situation to find out if it's an isolated identifiable problem or if it's more extensive. And if it works anything like places I've worked, there are perhaps hourly reports being passed up the chain, or at least as each new data point comes in. I would not be surprised to hear if someone wasn't already on a plane headed overseas at this very moment. It's easier to put out a campfire than a forestfire. In the mean time I'm just watching. | ||
| Anonymous |
Fellas: The first "Bolt" to arrive on our doorstep was a hurtin unit !! , to be more specific..... it was a demo and had not been treated kindly I'm geussing. At that time ( April of this year ) no "Bolts" had been shipped to us yet , the Canadian demo truck had just arrived with three "Bolts" on board as well as a variety of tube frame units , two of the XB's ran , one didn't. My first encounter with an XB was to change the engine. I was told to not disassemble anything and to crate and ship the damaged engine ( for an autopsy at the factory ). My observation revealed a holed rear piston showing signs of heat related damage to both pistons , spackled with melted aluminum the front piston would have failed very soon too had the engine not come to a clanking halt , I could not get a full revolution of the engine when trying to turn it over manually. I saw no evidence of valve guide damage but this was an engine failure so I felt it to be relevent information to this discussion. Had I been told the cause of the failure , like I was promised I probably would have stayed quiet , however no reply means I spill my guts. I don't appreciate being blown off. | ||
| Court |
>>>>>it was a demo and had not been treated kindly I'm geussing. Let me take the guess work (and any unfounded assumption that this malady may be present in production bikes) from your life. As one who has been paid by the mile to do things to demo and pre-production bikes, I assure you that these bikes go through things you will never be able to replicate on the street. The last engine I consumed, that was subsequently autopsied, was on Highway 4 near Herrington, KS. Trust me, what I did to that bike, that cold wintery Kansas day, you will NEVER do to a motorcycle. Buell does a fabulous job of putting bikes in the hands of capable (well, formerly capable) riders in an effort to foresee any real world problem that may arise. May your guess rest in piece....... Court | ||
| X1glider |
How do I get a job as a test rider then?  | ||
| Court |
Honda was running classifed ads in the LA paper recently.......if you are serious, let me know. Trust me, it may not be quite what you think  | ||
| X1glider |
Regardless of how much I'm burnt out in engineering and the fact that riding bikes for a living sounds like fun, no I'm not serious. I can't imagine what else is involved in the job, other than riding. Being stranded in Baja sitting on my helmet comes to mind, but I'm speaking of the writing, data gathering and analysis or whatever, I have no idea. Can't imagine the pay scale either. And I'm sure you don't stay in posh B&Bs or health spas after riding all day either. But it would be much fun flogging a proto bike to it's death. That said I am CURIOUS as to what is involved in such a job. Please tell. Oh and a story or 2 would be nice. Please...pretty please... | ||
| Spike |
Court, I'd like the details of what's involved in that job. I gather it includes a few get-offs, anything life threatening? Mike L. '99 Cyclone | ||
| Anonymous |
Wasn't there a HD test rider that died in an accident on a V-Rod not too long ago? I don't recall the entire story. Feel free to confirm or deny. | ||
| Court |
True. I lost two dear friends at Willow Springs. | ||
| José_Quiñones |
yes, but people die testing things all the time. I hate to put it this way, but it's their job, if it saves a life out on the road, it's worth it. | ||
| Court |
True | ||
| Blake |
JQ, replace "a life" with "lives" and I would agree. | ||
| Anonymous |
Court; Concerning Your "reply" of October 3-rd 12:27 pm; how's about the matter of the oil pinion gear, then? Are all of us tube chassis'ed-Buell riders waiting for a recall on the splintering gear, or will we have to wait until the engine seizes!? -while costing our hard-earned wages- | ||
| Court |
>>>how's about the matter of the oil pinion gear, then? Explain. I'm listening. Court | ||
| Anonymous |
Pinion gear vs. oil pump topic, Court... |
