| Author | Message | ||
     Odinbueller |
Hey everyone, this just out from Buell; "Buell Distribution Company, LLC has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists on certain 2008 Buell 1125R model motorcycles built June 19, 2007 through May 30, 2008. These model motorcycles built between the dates above can experience 5th gear galling on the clutch shaft due to lack of lubrication. This condition can allow the gear to seize to the shaft, resulting in rear wheel lock-up. This could result in an accident, which could cause injury or death to the rider. We have voluntarily declared this a defect related to motor vehicle safety (Campaign 0834) to allow us to formally recall all affected motorcycles. The remedy of this issue is to add an oil jet to the clutch shaft to increase the lubrication to the 5th gear journal... ...In accordance with Federal regulations administrated by NHTSA, Buell Distribution Company, LLC will provide notice to all owners of record of affected products with direction to bring the vehicle in for the recall service." I had received a call from the motor company a short while back regarding this, and it was conveyed that this happens "under extreme racing conditions only", however, Buell has decided to step up and correct the issue. Please, everyone be careful if you are using your 1125R for racing or a track day until this update is done! I was assured that after thousands of hours of street testing, this issue never surfaced under normal riding conditions. All affected owners should be getting a letter in the mail shortly to have the oil jet installed. Chris | ||
| Mustangturbo |
I better be more careful... Fifth gear has seen redline a few times already! | ||
| Krassh |
Dealer just called me today. Actually asked me not to ride the bike until they get the fix in. Asked them if it was a hard lockup or a momentary as I went down going around a corner but the bike ran fine after. Person I spoke with at the dealership confirmed it sounded like a hard lockup so looks like the bike going down was just my own ineptitude. | ||
| Bobup |
I wonder how much "tear down" will be needed to install this "oil jet"? | ||
| Krassh |
Not only that are they going to inspect the clutch shaft? | ||
| Odinbueller |
From what I hear, it should be an easy fix, just going in through the clutch chest. Inspection of the shaft would require disassembly of the cases. From what I understand, this isn't a progressive rate failure issue. It just flat out fails and it's done, so this fix should be sufficient according to Buell & Rotax. | ||
| Hootowl |
At least they're stepping up, even if the problem only manifests itself on the track. I think most manufacturers would say, you race it, all bets are off. (Message edited by hootowl on June 18, 2008) | ||
| Mainstreamer |
"At least they're stepping up, even if the problem only manifests itself on the track." If it can happen on the track..... it can also happen on the street. I'm not aware of any mechanism in these machines that is able to differentiate track pavement from street pavement. ; } In my view, the 1125r is simply not yet ready for prime time. YMMV | ||
| Jdugger |
I just got the call from my dealer as well. This is all very disappointing to me. My 1125r has spent all but one weekend over the last two months in the shop. It's as if it got to 12k miles and just started falling apart. I've had the clutch go out because of the fluid leak, fuel system problems (the smell and error codes), the display on the dash get moisture in it and the backlighting start to fizzle out, the front brake line issue, and a very worrying "klunk" develop when one uses the front brake and the weight transfers, and a handful of other minor nits all start to become ridability issues. And, now this -- and who knows how long it will take to get the parts in... The 1125r is the perfect bike to me if it would just stay out of the shop. I'd probably have another 3-4k miles on it if it were not for the issues.  I've even gone and bought a rice rocket to passify the urge to ride the 1125r has been unavailable so much lately. I'm mostly just whining now, but it sure would be nice to get to ride. | ||
| Pariah |
Well, that's great... I have a trackday this Saturday. I guess I'll just have to stay below 5th gear... crying shame with the long straight at TWS. Thanks for the post, Chris. | ||
| Hootowl |
"If it can happen on the track..... it can also happen on the street. I'm not aware of any mechanism in these machines that is able to differentiate track pavement from street pavement. ; } " Not saying it can't happen. Just saying that it has never happened except on the track. It follows that the galling only occurs due to a lack of lubrication at sustained racetrack speeds, and that I doubt Honda or any other brand would do a recall of this nature unless they were forced to. Since there have been no accidents investigated by NHTSA that resulted in a finding that a lack of lubrication caused an accident, this is a VOLUNTARY recall, and I applaud Buell for shelling out the cash to fix a problem that has only been seen on motorcycles used for racing. Typically, problems encountered in off road use are not the concern of the manufacturer. | ||
| Xnoahx |
Just stay out of 5th. 4th to 6th, problem solved! | ||
| Xb9 |
I don't know if I would assume it happens in a specific gear if it happens. The result is galling on the shaft where fifth gear is. Don't read into it - it could also be caused by sustained high RPM operation in any gear. | ||
| Odinbueller |
This is an issue that, to my knowledge, has only happened once, and it happened on the front straight at Summit Point. The way the 1125R oiling system works is the front cylinder is gravity scavenged, and the rear cylinder, transmission & clutch chests are all pump scavenged. Under normal riding, the scavenge pump provides adequate lubrication to these components. At WOT all the time, however, Buell has found that 5th may not get proper lubrication, hence the addition of the oil jet to compensate. Keep in mind this bike was tested at Barber with such riders as Jeremy McWilliams, Niall Mackenzie, Dan Bilansky, Dave Estok, and Daren James. These guys aren't known for being conservative on the throttle, and it didn't happen to them on the track. Buell is just doing the right thing, as they do not want to see any rider get hurt on their product. | ||
| Xb9 |
I heard there were 'a couple' of instances - I think the other was Rossmeyer's Moto-ST bike at either Daytona or VIR. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I applaud Buell for stepping up. My concern now turns to the dealer. Is this fix within the scope of your average Buell dealer? | ||
| Hwyranger |
From what I've heard, the lock up occurred at 150 mph...dont think that is anything other than a track type of issue. My dealership called me up to tell me about this recall. I haven't had any problems with my 1125. I am also VERY fortunate to have a great dealership and service department to turn to. | ||
| Hwyranger |
It is supposed to be an easy fix although time consuming- approximately 21/2 to 3 hours just because of the break down involved. All the Buell techs should be able to handle it. | ||
| Brad1445 |
Hwyranger Posted on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 05:55 pm: From what I've heard, the lock up occurred at 150 mph...dont think that is anything other than a track type of issue. In Colorado a weekend ride would be incomplete with out some high speed burst of 150+mph on the bikes that do it. | ||
| Baggermike |
Well I am glad I waited to have the re flash done, I had a feeling something else might show up now that it is hot out so I was taking my time to bring it to the dealership for the re flash, now to find a dealership that I can trust to do this, anyone know of a good service center in or around Massachusetts. Mike | ||
| Fresnobuell |
In Colorado a weekend ride would be incomplete with out some high speed burst of 150+mph on the bikes that do it. sustained high speeds appear to be the cause. It doesn't seem like a major issue..look at the fair amount of (successful) racing on the 1125r and a couple of instances doesn't constitiute panic time....unless you are on the bike those couple times (Message edited by fresnobuell on June 18, 2008) | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Chris, I was planning to see you early this Saturday morning for the first service. Should I wait until you are prepared to make this upgrade at the same time? Steve | ||
| Odinbueller |
Hey Steve! Unless your planning on doing a seriously aggressive track day in the near future, I would continue with normal services until the recall kits begin to trickle in. Feel free to stop in Saturday and get your service done, and I'll go over a few things with ya  Chris | ||
| Cutty72 |
I did a track day monday. Mile long front straight, just kept it in 5th pinned at redline. 155 mph. Still works. | ||
| Xb9 |
fifth or sixth? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
sixth would be faster. | ||
| Josh_ |
because it's one more ... | ||
| Nxtr |
"All the Buell techs should be able to handle it." So what is one supposed to do when there is not a tech within a hundred miles that can do it??? I will have to go further. has anyone dealt with Hammond Buell, do they have a 1125R tech??? It is outstanding that Buell is stepping up to the plate on this. It is in part ironic though that I bought a 2000 Buell X1 for fathers day and a week or so later it was the infamous shock recall. Fast forward 8 years, fathers day, a brand new 1125R and... Back to the subject, are there any good 1125R specific Buell techs near the lower Mississippi region??? I still say the 1125R ROCKS!!! V/R, Nick (Message edited by nxtr on June 18, 2008) | ||
| Zac4mac |
Redline in 5th was 155 on my first dyno run. I have only taken Loretta up to 138, once. I really have no desire to go faster on this bike than I did in my Split-Window many years ago. Leaving for Homecoming in 12 or 13 days. Have to get the fix when I get back. Chris - big thanks for ALL the info. One of the sales guys gave me a copy this morning, said it wasn't "released" yet so I wasn't going to say anything till it was. Very cool of BMC. Jdugger - I will join the 10k club next week, probably hit 12 by the end of July. I'll have to see how Loretta holds up. So far, so good, got the HIDs installed yesterday, wow... Z | ||
| Xring60 |
Dealer says no service manual until July 1st! I'm not so sure I'm comfortable with the local guys tearing into an engine that they have no idea what torque specs to go with let alone the sequence of reassembly.... |
