| Author | Message | ||
     Treysmagna |
I bought my new 07 in November and have about 6500 miles on it. I noticed about a week ago that it stated making a little noise and felt a little rough when I put it in gear. Last Tuesday I changed the oil and the tranny oil came out milky! So, not I am thinking a bearing is going out and I need to get it to the dealer. They picked it up Thursday and now I am waiting to hear from them. I sure hope it is covered under warranty and I am really curious as to how the water got in there in the first place. | ||
| Dldeano |
I have read of this before...and am awaiting delivery of my Uly. An answer to this would be very good to hear  | ||
| Treysmagna |
I will post what ever I find out as soon as I can. | ||
| Dldeano |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/327270.html?1199305094 Searched the archives a bit and found this. I do not understand all of the bits and pieces yet and proposed fixes as I do not have the Uly yet, but it seems worth digging around BEFORE I get stuck in the wet. | ||
| Treysmagna |
Thanks for posting the link. That is a definite possibility. I have had to ride mine in the rain a lot lately since it is my daily transportation. I have had a Sportster for several years and put 50000 miles on it and never had any kind of problem like this. That is the primary reason I decided on the Buell. | ||
| Swampy |
Where is your transmission vent tube opening located? Is it possible that with the correct spray of water directed to that area of the bike be allowing water to enter through the vent tube? | ||
| Michael1 |
I just changed my primary fluid today. Not much water, but there was evidence that some was present. I have 10k+ miles on it and the last time I changed it was at the 1000 mile mark. I've ridden in a lot of rain last year and it could have been from that. As we all know, I never wash my bike. The vent tube is free and clear and out of the way. So it just must be condensation, as I ride rain, shine or snow. I was suprised at how good of a condition it was really in though. I've been really happy with the Formula + fluid. | ||
| Treysmagna |
I have no idea where the vent line it located or routed to. I have never really tried to get into any of it because I live by "if it aint boke dont fix it". Now I am hoping the dealer will fix it and give me an explanation how the water got in there. If they cant then I have something to start looking into. I think the Sportster vent is "S" shaped so water wont be forced into it. I have NEVER had this problem with a Sportster and I have put a lot of miles on mine. | ||
| Dldeano |
In the link I posted there is a pic of where the vent is...I believe it goes up under the seat and let out by the shock; I believe it turns down, but may be worth checking to make sure it stayed that way. My dad has never had this issue on his XL's either, in fact no issues at all (save for a weepy gasket on delivery). Like you, the Sportster's rep is one of the reasons I threw my greenbacks @ the Buell. Clutch cable seems suspect, though...but how does it get in there?? | ||
| Dldeano |
Any news to report | ||
| Dougm |
Hope you don't mind if I answer... I just picked up my Uly from the dealer after they had it for two weeks. They found the clutch hub needle bearing had failed. They did a warranty replacement of the bearing and clutch plates. (Buell Customer Service rocks  ) I honestly believe the failure was due to water. I found water in the primary when I changed the fluids. I found water in the clutch adjuster boot when I adjusted it to try and relieve the noise and roughness. The clutch adjuster hardware had signs of corrosion. It really looks like water was entering the primary through the clutch cable adjuster (I ride in the rain quite often). I have now taken a few precautions; I put nylon zip ties on both ends of the boot and filled the boot with some chain wax to try to prevent water from getting in there. I have thought about trying Strada's fender extension too (but with the weak US dollar, it will just have to wait a while). Hope that helps, -- DougM 2006 Buell XB12X 1979 Honda XL500S 1971 HD XLH1000 | ||
| Dldeano |
Thanks...I'll look at getting the boot water tolerant, maybe a coat of water proof grease there w/ some tape or zip ties above it. Frequent checks and an eye on the fluid. 'ppreciate it. | ||
| Jlnance |
It really looks like water was entering the primary through the clutch cable adjuster I'd buy that. It's really the only conceivable way I can think of for water to enter the primary. A couple of thoughts ... I think there is a seal at the base of the clutch cable to keep oil in and water out. I base this on a friend telling me it was important to screw a new clutch cable in by turning the cable and not just the fitting on the bottom so the seal wouldn't break. Perhaps you need to replace your clutch cable? The top of the cable is open, where it fits into the handguard. Water will enter there if you ride in the rain, and it's going to end up in the adjuster boot. Sealing the boot isn't going to keep it from entering this way, but it will keep it locked in there.  I don't know what to do about that. Perhaps use a grease gun to fill the cable below the adjuster with grease? Perhaps filling the cable up near the lever with grease would keep water out of there as well. Here is a thought for all you aftermarket people. Water in the primary seems to be a fairly common complaint. Assuming it's coming in though the clutch cable, it should be possible to make a little trap that would catch it. Water is heavier than oil, so something that sat between the cable and the primary, and had a little drain/catch can on the bottom should be able to divert the water. | ||
| Treysmagna |
I said that I would let you all know what came of my problem and I have hesitated because it hasnt been solved. The dealer adjusted my primary chain and flushed and changed the primary oil. The bike is running as good as ever, but they failed to address how the water got there to start with. I was told to keep and eye on it and if it happens again to bring it back and they will call harley and see if this is a known problem. I am not very satisfied with the outcome because I am sure that with the next hard rain it will happen again. I know it will happen again so I guess I will start looking into some of the suggestion presented here and try and resolve the issue on my own. Thanks for all the input and sorry for the delay in communicating back. |
