| Author | Message | ||
     Saintly |
So to you motorcycle headlight reflectors that degrade over time are akin to being analy raped? Oh the drama. If you'd read my post, I gave you a positive suggestion for helping to actually resolve the issue, write a pertinent and professionally worded letter to the folks at Buell about. Mere "bitching" about any problem whether here or anywhere is unlikely to garner desirable results. Sent that letter yet? You know, I own two buells. I got F***ed by buell, when 3 belts failed on my 03' I also got F***ed by buell when my front "black" wheel bearing dropped it's balls mid turn and caused the front wheel to shift & lock up the front brake. I also got F***ed when my headlamp caught fire. But despite these and other problems, I stick with the brand and even bought my 2nd buell after the above mentioned issues. After my "fire" I filed with NHTSA. When I discovered that my lamp housings were bad on my 07" after 1100 miles, I again filed with NHTSA. When I was unable to get the 07" housings warranteed, I called Buell cust service. I also wrote a letter in June after finally getting the housings replaced. So, climb on down from the pulpit father blake. If you call this drama, then you can go screw yourself! I take this very seriously, I'd love to know how you would feel if it was your bike that let out a mushroom cloud of smoke and began burning while you were riding it! Funny stuff huh? Put the shoe on the other foot before you judge. I can recall when you said: "Buell has a serious problem with the Firebolt headlights." What has changed Blake? And by the way, in addition to filing with NHTSA, calling BCS, AND writing a letter, I also PM'ed YOU with some suggestions & questions. I guess you were to busy to respond to such DRAMA. | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I know this has become the heated topic around here, but has anyone experimented with any low cost fixes? I was thinking about this problem earlier, and I had an idea. I have not seen the xbr reflectors in person (I have an S w/HID), but is it just plastic with a chrome finish? If so why not repair the finish? You could layer a thin piece of aluminum foil as a barrier for heat, then spray a thin coat of Chrome paint. Everything I have read about the newest chrome paint looks very interesting. Krylon has some spray cans that are supposed to look just like real dipped chrome. I looked on Amazon, and a small can was less than $4. I figure this would take a 1/2 hour of work if someone wanted to try it. You never know it might be a cheap temporary fix for those with REALLY bad lights. | ||
| Ducxl |
I'll not violate that confidence in order to impress you, certainly not after you've basically called me a liar. Awww,Blake,i was REALLY trying to make nice and you spat it back in my face. You mistook my intent.Look at the Saint's post above.Is that BMC's legendary "light-years ahead of the rest" customer service? The question we all have is "why does BMC ignore such a rabid group of enthusiasts"? I've also gone back to BMC,i've got TWO Buells.How many times have you gone to BMC to purchase their machinery? Once? Just once? And I've seen FireboltEric's Hella setup above in person.Great lights,i applaud his solution.But it involves too much "JB Weld" on that plastic bracket.I want a machined bracket for mine,or an injection molded plastic part.But NO JB Weld (Message edited by ducxl on October 29, 2007) | ||
| Bads1 |
I've bought 4 and all new. Thats got nothing to do with it. If you only knew how many desk top's in the engineer department are set right here on the Badweb....I know. I kinda think that anyone that own's forum of this nature does alot for the motorcycle company. | ||
| Ccryder |
Steve: That's one heck of a bracket compared to what you and I have done. What do you think about the "E" shaped bracket mounted to the OEM plastic bracket (~$40 MSRP). It would seem to be easier and cheaper that direction. As far as I can remember, the 2 pivot studs need to be removed/ cut off and one clearance hole for a 10-32 screw be drilled. Then the shortened Hella adjusting screws installed. One ear on each lamp removed. Now open up the fairing and attach 4 wires. Ok I'm over-simplifying but it is the basics. My best bet is a $100-$120 mounting kit ("E" bracket and OEM light mount), where the rider supplies the 90mm lights ($62 each, and opens the holes in the fairing. So the complete hardware outlay (lights included)would be around $230. Neil S. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
The problem with the way I did it, is it really doesn't leave a lot of room to adjust the lights. and you have to pretty much remove the fairing to adjust them. Which is why I think making a whole new bracket would be the cleanest, and easiest to install. | ||
| Damnut |
Ever get a flat tire? Ever have a headlight burn out? The over-dramatization about faulty headlights is unhelpful. Buell is diligently working the issue as best they can. Well let's see here.... Earlier this year I contacted Buell about my headlights and sent them an email. Buell contacted me and I sent them my headlights. They replaced mine with some new ones. I was really happy with the response that I got from Buell. I was hoping for a resolution from them or at least SOMETHING in a few months. So far I have heard nothing. So several months ago I sent in a complaint to the DOT. Then I get contacted by Bob Young of the DOT. Bob even comes to my house from Washington, DC and I show him 2 pair of crappy headlights. Bob is impressed with what I showed him. He tells me that this is a MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE and is surprised that it has taken Buell so long to rectify it. By the way...... Bob took a pair of MELTED headlights from me and took them back to DC with him. Said that he had to show others the headlights. Yes the headlights that I gave Bob were MELTED, the reflective coating was gone and the plastic was melted. I ride my bike all year around, even in the cold New England weather and unfortunately I have to ride at night. I LOVE my Buell but this headlight thing really sucks ass. I am ready to go to my THIRD set of headlights cause the darkness is coming earlier and I HAVE to be able to see at night. So Blake... Yes I have contacted Buell, I contacted the DOT and I believe that I have done my part to try and get this resolved from a customer standpoint. Wait what's that I hear............. yea more crickets. So Blake you tell me...... What am I to do now??? I love the Buell brand and I'm a fan of Erik and his designs. I have heard that "They are working on it" from plenty of people EXCEPT FOR BUELL THEMSELVES!!!!! At this point I am totally disappointed in the lack of response from the DOT and Buell. So along with the tires that I replace once a year should I include headlights with that too??????? | ||
| Ccryder |
Steve: I can understand those issues. It would be nice to be able to adjust with the fairing on but, I just don't think my hands are that small ;+}. We could use some flex shafts attached to the back side of the screws oops, more custom parts. Hmm, if you want some input drop me a line and we can talk. It is another case of 10# shi# in a 5# bag! Where is that 3D model when you need it????? I can just hear "Pro-E" calling.... Neil S. | ||
| Damnut |
Oh and if anyone wants Bob Young's info so that they can contact him about the Buell headlights or ask questions, send me a PM and I'll give you his email address. | ||
| Damnut |
So here's an update........ I decided to call Mr. Young from the DOT to see if I could get an update about the headlight issue. Here's what he told me........ He met with Harley on this issue, NOT BUELL. He also told me that the pair of headlights that he took from me were given to Harley. So that is 2 sets of headlights that the company has of mine. He tells me that Harley started looking into this issue a FEW WEEKS BEFORE HE MET WITH THEM!!!!! so that means that Harley just recently started looking into this. I asked him if there would be any resolution to this issue and if there would be a fix. His answer was "It's 50/50 on whether or not anything will be done about this" Well now it looks like I'm going with the Hella 90mm kit and NOT the original lights............... | ||
| Glitch |
I think that the lack of law suits, and the amazing patients being shown toward BMC, shows a lot with regards to these guys integrity and support for the Buell brand. So bitch, belly ache, complain, and just plain rant here all y'all want. I know I'd be more than a little pissed off, if a bike I bought failed in any kind of way because of cheap parts. While I own an XB9S and haven't the problems talked about, I sure know enough XBR owners, and have seen the problem myself, first hand. There is a problem. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Ccyryder, PM sent. | ||
| Damnut |
If you guys come up with a bracket let me know..... I'll take one. I'm done waiting for a fix. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I'd be interested Steve, but you knew that. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
What if the reflectors were only $5 each? | ||
| Cereal |
Count me in for a bracket | ||
| Steve_mackay |
What if the reflectors were only $5 each? I'd still spend the $ to do the Hella swap. Diablobrian can attest to the amount of light JUST the low beam puts out. It's far greater than brand new firebolt lights. | ||
| Ducxl |
Steve,please add my name to your list.I'm very glad someone with the resources is stepping up and offering a potential solution.My hat's off to you Steve. Thank-You | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Don't thank me yet... I haven't done ANYTHING yet  It's all in the theoretical stage at this point. I'm not even 100% positive this will work. If it does, it will make the swap fairly easy and pain free. The current solution, of adding a plate, while it DOES work, is a cluster-f** IMHO. | ||
| Newbolt |
I am in on a mounting kit. | ||
| Ducxl |
Steve,thank-you for the consideration.I read the "theoretical" in your earlier post. | ||
| Ridrx |
I spent the last half hour typing/ranting on about this, but have decided you guy's all know where I stand, so...I'll leave you to your discussion. ;)} | ||
| Ducxl |
Ridrx,don't you want to convey to Steve you'd like a custom machined bracket to mount a set of Hella's?? | ||
| Hogs |
So... These Hella`s have H-9 bulbs ??? Are they more powerful than the stock R bulbs??? What do these Hella`s have metal or a coating on the inside?? I`ll take one of these brackets when they get ironed out.... I`m sure if someone started a Group buy on these Hella`s we could get them alot cheaper... Blake wonder if you could start a Group buy section in the topics Alot of the car forums have them and people take advantage all the time on Group Buys???? Is this something that this forum could support???? | ||
| Ridrx |
Duc, While I can appreciate all the time/work/effort that Steve has invested in his project that SO needs to be done, I very much prefer to use the smaller 50mm lamps to retain the aesthetics. Albeit at a higher cost. It's not that the 90mm look bad, but they have a much flatter lens profile which really looks out of place to me on that tiny, pointy fairing while the 50mm uses a true projector style "bubbled" lens like the stocker. IMHO the bike looks mo' betta wit da pointy lights I can only guess(haven't seen either light in person) the 50's would require a different set-up(smaller dia. but deeper I think) at an added cost for both Steve and myself. I'm not trying to give the guy a headache while he's doing such a huge good deed for us. Maybe I'll get lucky and be able to use one of his mounts...we'll see. Considering a CF mount to help keep weight down if Steve's doesn't work for me. I know a guy at a small race shop in Atl. that does CF work and can do me some small favors...hopefully, haven't spoken to him in a few weeks. This is all still pretty far in the future for me(6mos-1yr minimum) as I'm a bit strapped for cash and the 50mm are way pricey. Great suggestion Hogs (Message edited by RidrX on October 29, 2007) | ||
| Glitch |
Panoz at Road Atlanta? | ||
| 1324 |
Guys, in regards to this said bracketry you are trying to create....if you need any help with developing good 3D solid models, let me know. I have access to Pro/E and have spent more time than I care to admit in the driver's seat. I don't have an R, so I don't have access to any parts for reference/measurement. Still, if I can be of any assistance in the design, please let me know. Nick | ||
| Austinuu |
I would be interested in said theoretical bracket, but it would be 6-12 months out before I had cash on hand for the entire swap. I've had one set replaced under warranty already and they are about ready to be replaced again. Would you be able to use 2 low beams instead of a low/high setup? I'm currently running high and low with the metal bit out and just like the balanced nature of 2 lights. Thanks, Austin | ||
| Cereal |
I'm currently running high and low with the metal bit out That means you are running with 2 high beams. |
