Author |
Message |
Alans
| Posted on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 09:39 pm: |
|
Can anyone recommend a Buell service organization in Southern California? I own an 1125R, and am interested in a dealer who provides first-class Buell maintenance services. I am located near Lancaster. Thanks for any/all recommendations. - Alan |
Doerman
| Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 12:47 am: |
|
You don't like Lancaster HD & B? Glendale has done good by me. Two of their techs are factory 1125R trained and the dealership is very Buell oriented. That is a far drive for you though. If you come to Willow for the races on May 18th you get to meet a bunch of the dealer personnel and see some cool Buell racing. |
Alans
| Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 08:38 pm: |
|
Lancaster HD/B do not yet have an 1125R trained tech. Not one. I'll drop by WSIR on the 18th and talk to the Glendale guys. Glendale's a ways to go, but it sounds like they've taken the initiative to qualify themselves to maintain the 1125R. Tx, Doerman. |
Slaughter
| Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 11:35 pm: |
|
I live here in Lancaster and until they get an 1125 trained mechanic, I'd strongly recommend Glendale. Why don't you call Lancaster, ask for Scott Kellerman (GM) - ask him if they don't yet have a Buell-trained 1125R guy, WHY NOT?. I believe that Scott just picked up his own 1125R. Logan out in the Lancaster shop is one of the best mechanics in SoCa and we have used him for both Bartels and Glendale XBRR tuning up at this elevation... if HE gets the training, it's gonna be awesome. Bottom line, IF Lancaster has a no-kidding TRAINED 1125R mechanic, I wouldn't think twice - but Glendale will have had more experience (and they're prepping their 1125R racer too) Bartels Racing really only works on their racebikes and I'm not sure if Mitsu or Memphis in their main shop have got to Buell School yet. IF you can make it up to Willow Springs next weekend, you'll have a chance to meet the Glendale and Bartels folks as well as seeing how Shawn Higbee/Bartel's 1125R racer is evolving. Lancaster is not yet fielding a racing team. Sometime in 2009 it is very likely to happen. That's all I know about that. Talking to the folks who would be working with or handling your bike will do wonders for your confidence... besides Sunday racing is so dang much fun. PM me if you want more info but call Scott at Lancaster to ask him. Another thing, the train stops a block from Glendale. Makes the return trip pretty nice, I can always drop you or pick you up at the Lancaster station. (Message edited by slaughter on May 08, 2008) |
Interex2050
| Posted on Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:12 am: |
|
Another vote for Glendale Try to get Andrew to be your service writer... |
Two_buells
| Posted on Friday, May 09, 2008 - 11:59 am: |
|
I bought my bike from Lancaster H-D/B in Pennsylvania |
Unibear12r
| Posted on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 10:52 pm: |
|
Steve the bad news is that every time that AVHD has touched my bike I've had to redo what they have done. Things like not remounting things and letting them swing in the breeze kind of things. Service to my 1125 has been very different compared to my XBs. Lucky so far that the 100 mile trip home from the dealer hasn't damaged anything beyond what I can repair myself. And I have had to fix damage to my bike from their work. Their techs haven't even told each other about the proper oil check. Two trips back they had the proper amount of oil in it and had just gotten B070. This last trip I had to drain a quart. They appear to be unable to keep a Service Manager. They claim they cannot get anyone trained because the classes are full. My bike still has issues and needs to go back but I would rather not let them to touch it until they have someone trained at this point. They have screwed it up three times now. My problem is that the next Buell dealer worth taking it to is 200 miles away. To drop my 1125 off at AVHD to be worked on is never a one day job and costs me 600 miles of gas when you count the chase car to get me up and back without the bike. That's a bit much in itself let alone doubling it to get to Glendale or Fresno. |
Unibear12r
| Posted on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 11:20 pm: |
|
Btw I have talked a fair amount to both the one full time and one part time Buell tech at AVHD. Also each of the Service Managers as they appear. The talks and attitudes always look and sound good but the condition of my 1125 when I get it back has not been (so far). I've talked to Alan and we plan to go together and chat with Scott and who ever the current S.M. will be at the time. It's a matter of me getting up there to do it. And for me to get into a better mood. To be honest Scott's far too nice a guy for me to talk to with the mood I'm in right now. |
Slaughter
| Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 10:18 am: |
|
I'd be PISSED off too. You can have the "nicest" guys running the show but if the hands doing the work either are ignorant or just don't give a $h*t, that adds up to badness all around. We'll be there Thursday PM at 4 to work on Glendale's XBRR on the dyno. I might talk to Logan - see if I can get a feel for the temperature of the water there. Won't mention any of this stuff - just ask some questions. |
Unibear12r
| Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 05:09 pm: |
|
Thanks Steve. They've been good people in the past, either the service department is having some big problems or maybe it's just the 1125 and/or the lack of info. It's sad when a very non mechanical guy like me can find the problems and put things back together better than they can. I'd just like to see a bit more motivation on their part. Of course I have to keep the perspective that the 1125 is about one percent of their business. (Message edited by unibear12r on May 11, 2008) |
|