| Author | Message | ||
     Eric_cartman |
I noticed a header bolt was broken on the way to work this summer. I took it into the dealer(Legend Harley in Silverdale Washington) after failing to fix it myself. Bike was under warranty but buell would not cover cost, possibly because I tried to paint header and it looked like crap. So they thought I took it off the bike(which I didnt). So I bought a new head and a new ceramic coated header for the shop to install. A month later and $800.00 poorer I got my bike back. During that time at the shop, two managers and one technician were fired. Not once did they contact me, I always had to call them. How it took them over a month to do a 7hr. job is beyond me. Now less than 1,000 miles later I notice that once again a header stud is broken and that the front muffler attachment bolt is missing and the muffler is hanging down and inch. I called the dealer and he said that the muffler was a preexisting condition and that the studs only break when ridden offroad. And that the missing muffler bolt is not the cause. Why they didnt replace the bolt to begin with I have no idea. They had to remove the muffler to do the service to begin with. Seems like their covering their buts for poor installation to me. I just hope I don't have to pay another $800.00. I was thinking of calling buell myself to complain about the crappy service at legend harley in Silverdale Washington, and to ask them why they use such wimpy header stud bolts. I hope this one is covered under warranty. Sorry for the long post I just needed to vent. eric cartman( respect my authoritiiiie) | ||
| Paul56 |
You should definitely call Buell Customer Service. Sounds like the dealer isn't interested in doing warranty work. | ||
| Treadmarks |
ARB makes a set of four chrome moly studs with course threads on the hot side and fine threads on the other. They can be had from summit racing and are available is several lengths. Look for intake manifold carb to flange studs. Next time I drop the engine, I will be installing a set. | ||
| Bertotti |
Treadmarks what is the advantage of the studs? stronger? Why course on one side and fine on the other? Eric I would of raised holy hell the first time this time I'd be ballistic. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Broken studs can be a royal PITA, but should not be a need for a new head unless somebody does something risky or stupid (for the record, I put my self in that category, I did it, but was lucky). The Jims broken stud removal tool is a $75 solution to the problem (though there will still be plenty of hard work involved). If the rest of the system is not fully and properly attached, the header studs are doomed to die sooner or later. | ||
| Treadmarks |
Treadmarks what is the advantage of the studs? stronger? Why course on one side and fine on the other? Buell uses 5/16" NC (Coarse) threads in the heads and 5/16" NF (Fine)for the attaching nuts. The coarse threads have more surface area and are less likely to strip the threads out of the aluminum head. ARP makes some seriously strong bolts, I have used them for years for connecting rods, mains, and headers. Probably an over kill on the Buell, but next time I am in there I will be changing them. http://www.arp-bolts.com/ Carburetor Studs, Chromemoly, Black Oxide  Also available in stainless andrated at 170,000 psi. I don't think these will be breaking to easily. If someone can give us the exact length of the stud, I will provide a part number and vendor. (Message edited by treadmarks on October 19, 2007) (Message edited by treadmarks on October 19, 2007) | ||
| Bertotti |
Wow I can be bone headed sometimes. I see them and understand. My imagination got away with me this morning. Thanks | ||
| Guybones |
One of my front header bolts broke, and the nut of the other vibrated off, on the way back home from the 10,000mi service. The dealer (Ukiah HD-Buell) repaired it right away under warranty, no question. You do get to hear the muffler valve open and close quite clearly while it's loose though, kind of neat (silver lining, sort of) It's all good now.  | ||
| Cityxslicker |
 Communication is a two way street. I try very hard to make sure that the Buellers through my shop are treated the way I expect to be treated when they work on MY bike. I have worked the service writer job and understand that parts are not there just sitting there at the beck and call for every job that you can fathom (it would be a very crowded store room and the cost of housing those parts would be prohibitive) Add to it that this was a Warranty claim issue. All warranty claims are authorized or denied by corporate tech call center; they are the ones that make that decision and it is not an immediate one either. Consider it just like an insurance claim, there is another layer of people and techs that get involved when a warranty claim is filed. No work is performed between. Bike brought in/ repair order opened 6/6 Tech services returned called 6/8 Emails and photos to tech service 6/12 Tech services follow up 6/15 & 6/21 Claim pending Tech services 6/25 Tech services denies warranty claim 7/9 Customer ok'd work at own cost 7/11 Outstanding parts ordered 7/12 Parts received for repairs 7/29 & 8/13 Bike worked on 8/16-8/17 Customer paid 8/18 Internet post basting shop 10/18 (two months after event) ... priceless. And to top it off, you had your incident during the time when every chrome polishing poser that has let preventative maintenance slide all year want their bike ready for STURGIS. July is a hectic month to get service in this industry no matter what dealer you are at, its BUZY, so yeah its a 7 hr job, that is right behind all the other 1,2,3,4 hr jobs that were booked and scheduled before yours. PS Next time you have an issue with the Buell and are at the shop, ask to speak to the guy that rides them. I am here all the damn time, I can check and push your bike way more than you can and trust me I am a pain in the ass when stuff doesnt get done right, on time, and on budget. You want me in your corner. The service counter is not the last stop to get things taken care of, there is always someone above that. Sorry for the long post, but I work very hard not to end up with 20 hate mails in my in bin about what the H3ll happened with bike X. | ||
| Eric_cartman |
The dealer reported that the front muffler support bolt was installed to spec. When I called about the problem I was lead to believe the bolt had not been installed, so I am sorry for that accusation. |
