| Author | Message | ||
     Macbuell |
I posted a week ago about a noise heard shifting from first to second. Turns out my Belt Tensioner Broke. Specifically, one of the nuts holding the Tensioner in place snapped in two. The result was loss of tension on the belt, with the belt rubbing against the belt guard. As a result, the Tensoiner, Belt and Belt Guard need to be replaced. The bike is on the shop now and they are calling Buell about warranty coverage. How they handle this will go a long way in telling me if I want to own a Buell now or ever again. Has anyone ever heard of this happening before? How in the world does a bolt just snap like that? Especially when the bike only has a little over 3,400 miles on it. I am assuming that Buell will take care of this, I hope I'm right. | ||
| Darthane |
How in the world does a bolt just snap like that?<~~Macbuell Easy, bad bolt. --Perhaps someone can add a little to this, but I notice several people have complained about the idler pulley ass'y being extremely tight getting it on and off. I discovered that this is because (on mine anyway) one of the two holes was one SAE drill bit size smaller than the other, even though the studs are the same size. I had a guy at the place I was working drill it out, now it slides on and off easy. Perhaps this stresses the stud too much and caused it to fail? Was there a reason for this in the first place? In any event, provided you haven't drastically altered your bike or are over your standard year warranty, I can't imagine that not being covered. | ||
| Macbuell |
The bike is only a little over five months old and is completely stock with the exception of a Corbin seat and a carbon fiber rear huger. I think they will cover it as well, but until I here that for certain, I'm a little nervous. Probably unnecessarily so. Thanks for the info. | ||
| Dynarider |
OH OH, you changed the seat? And with a non Buell approved seat? You gonna have troubles with the belt tensioner warranty. You might have installed the seat wrong & caused the bolt to weaken. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Just kidding. You should...thats SHOULD be ok. | ||
| Mikej |
3,400 miles, about the time some XB owners are replacing their rear tire. Rear tire replacement requires removal of the drive belt tensioner. Mac, Do you know if the rear wheel was removed recently? And if so do you know by whom? Occasionally people (owners and shop employees both) screw up something, the bolt could have been overtorqued or not properly torqued when reinstalled. Just a thought. | ||
| Macbuell |
They are replacing my rear tire right now while they are fixing the belt tensioner problem. Unless they removed the tire for some reason at the 2,500 mile service, I don't think it has been removed. Could a problem with the 2,500 mile service have caused the bolt failure? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Buell handles it like they should because I love the bike and it will be a shame for my opinions of Buell and the motorcycle to sour over this. It's already very disappointing and aggravating. | ||
| Gearloose |
Ahhhhhhh only Dyna!!!!!!! Gearloose | ||
| Spike |
The rear wheel would have been removed to perform the wheel bearing upgrade, assuming the bike wasn't delivered from the factory with the new bearings. It is possible some damage was done at that time. In any case, it should be covered under warranty. If your dealer won't cover it, take it to another one. While your having everything replaced you might want to consider upgrading to the '04 belt. It has a 25k mile service interval (vs. 15k miles for the '03) and it's supposed to be much more tolerant to twisting/flexing during removal. They say it can even withstand puncture from a rock similar to a Harley belt. I haven't priced the swap but at minimum you'd need the pulleys, the belt, and the belt guards. Since warranty will cover the cost of the '03 belt and belt guard you should only have to pay the difference in cost of the '04 parts and labor to install the pulleys and etc. Mike L. Ray Price HD/Buell Parts/Warranty guy '99 M2 Cyclone (sold) '04 XB12R Firebolt (coming soon) '04 XB12S Lightning (temporary demo) '94 FMII Turbo Miata (daily/track toy) | ||
| Dynarider |
In any case, it should be covered under warranty. If your dealer won't cover it, take it to another one. Easier said then done. In certain instances a different dealer does not want any problems that were started by or caused by another dealer. they end up hopefully fixing the problem & then they become the source of liability for any further issues. They shy away from such stuff. | ||
| Darthane |
I believe the swap was over $600 when we bounced that idea around before. If the dealer says they won't fix it under warranty call up Buell Customer Service. A stock bike, 5 months old with only 3400 miles, there is no reason for them to refuse the warranty claim. | ||
| Dynarider |
A stock bike, 5 months old with only 3400 miles, there is no reason for them to refuse the warranty claim. Hows about a stock X1 with 4700 miles & 5 months old?????? | ||
| Darthane |
LOL...sorry I opened that can of worms, Dyna. | ||
| Dynarider |
Nothing to be sorry for, thats just the way it is. And its not just Buell that does it either, I have heard of both Honda & Suzuki pulling the same crap. The weird part is 2 people will have the exact same problem, 1 person will have the problem either fixed right away for free or if its terminal they get a new bike with no questions asked. The other person gets raked over the coals. No rhyme or reason to it. | ||
| Mikej |
Disparity of equity is cause for legal action. But back on track, MacBuell, Wait to see what they say before over-reacting. They did the last service, they probably had to remove the tensioner, they might be the "accidental" cause or causal factor in the failure of the bolt, wait to see what their response is. | ||
| Macbuell |
Thanks for all the responses guys. I'll let you know what I here from them. What truly sucks is that the weather here in Georgia is perfect for riding right now and I've got no bike. | ||
| Darthane |
Simple solution - buy another one so you have two! | ||
| Mikej |
There are a few (very few) dealerships who will give you a loaner bike while your bike is in for warranty service. Might just be a favored customer thing, but might be something to ask about. Just a thought. | ||
| Tinytim |
MacBuell - do you like the Corbin seat? I'm considering getting one. Can you carry a passenger on it? | ||
| Macbuell |
Cr@p, Shiit, Fvck!! It's going to be weeks before my bike is fixed. The bolt snapped right where it enters the case and the are going to have to take all that apart. They had to email picks to Buell for them to look at before they would agree to the warranty. Buell / HD has not replied as of yet but everyone at the dealership is confident that they will take care of it. They just want to make sure my bike was not modified in any way to affect the belt tensioner, which it wasn't. They do not loan any bikes. This sucks, I am truly pissed now. The weathers great and I just have to sit on my fvckin' hands.  Regarding the seat. I love it. It fits like a glove unlike the stock seat or the gunfighter seat which I also own (which would shift a half inch while riding). It looks awesome too. I have not tried to carry a passenger on the seat yet but it does not look to be a very large area. Whoever it is better have a small behind. | ||
| Blake |
Are you saying that a failed idler pulley bolt damaged the case? And that your dealer wants to replace the entire case or remove it to perform repair? If so, run, don't walk away from that dealer. Sounds to me like they may have buggered your bike and are trying to cover it up. Please post specific information. It's tough to help when we don't know the details. First you said it was a broken "nut." Then you said the bolt was broken. Why would they need to take anything apart to remove a broken bolt? Drill it, tap it, Eazy-Out it, whatever, but it shouldn't be any kind of big deal. Of course I don't have a manual in front of me either. I could be missing something. | ||
| Bud |
it and a bolt it's a stud  | ||
| Macbuell |
My bad, I don't know why I said it was a nut that broke but it was the bolt. And it snapped right where it threaded into the engine case. I am not very familiar with engines and I think it clearly shows. If they (the dealer) didn't properly tighten the nuts securing the belt tensioner, could that have caused the bolt to snap? I honestly, right now, do not know what to believe and who to trust, especially considering that I am operating from a position of weakness because of my lack of practical knowledge regarding these issues. | ||
| Blake |
Ask them what is so challenging about removing a broken stud from the case. Ask them how they plan to extricate the broken stud from the case. Then let us know.  | ||
| Macbuell |
Well, I got my bike back Saturday and everything looks as good as new. They were able to drill out the bolt as discussed above and install the new parts. In all, it took two weeks and did not cost me a penny. I put 400 miles on the bike over the weekend and everything ran great. I had them remove the snorkel and install a Buell Race air filter when they worked on the bike. It sounded better and felt stronger. Thanks for all the help. |
