| Author | Message | ||
     Naustin |
You may remember 2 weeks ago my thread about having disoverd my front iso was bad right before I was about to leave. 4 days into the trip, in northren N.H. I discovered it had failed AGAIN. Went to local buell dealer in Conway, N.H. "Merideth HD/Buell" and they were very unfriendly and basically told me "tough shit". Did not even offer to order the part in from elsewhere - told me just to ride it that way. I can not say enough about how poor they are at "merideth HD" in Conway, New Hampshire. So, I called another dealership and got them to find the closest dealer with the part. Danbury, CT... ~300 miles South East when I needed to go North West. Oh well. I drove though some serious storms. People died in MA that day from lightning strikes and a freak New England tornado while my wife and I were bombing down I-91 doing 80mph in a fricken monsoon. Got to Danbury at 5:30pm an they were great. A "REAL" buell dealer! THey went out of their way to help me out and took extra time and attention to look over the bike. Could find no reason for the multiple failures. THey looked closely at the rear-isolators and said they looked fine. So, the next day at noon, we're back on the road. 3 days later, in BFE Ontario (Parry Sound) on the north coast of Lake Huron, the front isolator is toast for the 3rd time in 2 weeks. With so hope of a dealership with the part, we resolved to just burn for home. The next day we did 610 miles. Pretty good for an S3T 2-up. The next day was yesterday and we did another 360 to make it home. The extra vibes were noticible and my throttle hand is both numb and a little bruised. I don't know why it keeps blowing front Isolators. Either the rear ones are bad despite looking fine, or I keep getting defective parts... I don't know which. So, who wants to buy and S3T? 20K miles, warped front rotor, trashed front isolator. Really nice sticker on the back from Mt. Washington, N.H....  | ||
| Jramsey |
Price? | ||
| Naustin |
book is $4400, make an offer... | ||
| Jramsey |
I don't price other peoples stuff. Thanks anyway. | ||
| Naustin |
I know what this bike is worth, and I know that book value is high. I will not turn down a fair offer. PS- I'm working on a nice ride report/Video of the trip, but it's going to be awhile before I post it. Here's a preview....  (Message edited by naustin on July 30, 2008) (Message edited by naustin on July 30, 2008) | ||
| Puddlepirate |
Naustin, I've also had poor dealings with the guys at Meredith HD/Buell in Conway. I'll never stop in there again. One parts guy was ok, but everyone else in the place was an @$$hole, especially the service guy. | ||
| Kilroy |
Have you thought that maybe there is some other underlying cause of the multiple isolator failures? There may be a common root cause (beyond my knowledge). Maybe something with your other engine tie rods or something like that? Just mentioning this because you would regret getting rid of your Buell if there was some fix to this problem, no? | ||
| Psycrow |
Here's another vote for the Crappy service at Conway, N.H. ,Merideth HD/Buell. I stooped there on my way to the Dragon, NC from Canada with a leaky primary inspection cover last June. They told me tough shit and suggested I buy a quart of Primary fluid. I stopped at a dealer in Winchester Virgina and they were right out straight but they squeezed me in and got me fixed up and back on the road in about 2 hrs. Bought a tire from then a couple days later on my way home, nice guys. Oh and btw I'll trade ya for an 02 M2 with 25k KMs  I want the faring and the hard bags!! (Message edited by Psycrow on July 30, 2008) | ||
| Buellfighter |
Sorry to hear about the ill feelings with your ride but am looking forward to hear of your adventure! | ||
| Hughlysses |
Naustin- There were indications we had a bad bunch of front isolators ~2 years ago. I ordered a new one from Dave, installed it and in only a couple of thousand miles it completely failed. I took photos and sent them to Dave; IIRC he contacted the factory but they said they had not seen any pattern of failed isolators. Several others posted to Badweb with similar short-mileage failures but nothing ever came of it. Here's a link to a post of mine that references two other threads with photos: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/215444.html?1153705701 I'd certainly check with Buell Customer Service and/or see if Court can get you any help. Is there any warranty on parts? Surely they must cover them for ~30 days or so. (Message edited by Hughlysses on July 30, 2008) | ||
| Naustin |
Yeah I don't know... THe guys at Danbury checked all the tie-bars and visually inspected the rear isolators. They said they got out the manual and checked everything closely and everything was in the right place. The 3rd failure was 3 days after Danbury, and I was still 950 miles from home. I made it, but this morning, I noticed one of the head bolts sheered off...It must have happened within the last few miles to home, because the bolt was still there, but hanging out of the bracket about 1/2 an inch. I guess I should be happy I made it home without getting killed. I will probably never ride this bike again. Somebody who can extract the bolt from the head, or replace the head themselves needs to buy this bike. The cost of the labor at the shop would just be too much, and I don't have the space or equipment to do this job myself. PS- I finished the video, and will upload it to YouTube and post a link in a little while. } | ||
| Buellistic |
If "i" had that kind of front isolator problem, the replacement isolator would be 16207-79D ... The next step would be to install Drag Specialties reinforcer kit PN DS243535 ... | ||
| Naustin |
I'm not into "product improvement" like you. But you're more than welcome to buy the bike and fix it. Stay Tuned, video's are coming... | ||
| Buellistic |
Should have asked if the rear isolators are: RIGHT PN L0505.9R LEFT PN L0504.9L | ||
| Sloppy |
Perhaps that's the reason your front isolators were failing so frequently -- a broken mounting bolt? With the rate of failure frequency you are having compared to the rest of us indicates that there is likely a different root cause of failure. Heck, with all the other dealer and parts issues you are having it is just an odd situation - I can't commiserate because I've never had those problems (at least not with my Buell). I'm not surprised that you aren't happy with the experience... hope things work better for you. It doesn't matter what you ride, just as long as you ride! | ||
| Naustin |
No, the bolt was not bad before. I specifically checked it before the trip, every day during the trip along with inspecting the mount, and I had Danbury look at it when they replaced the 2nd mount and discussed the liklihood that the failed mounts would cause a head bolt to sheer. The failed front mount (and riding on it for 900+ miles) is what caused the headbolt to fail. The bike is a 2001 and as far as I know, still has the original rear isolators. The folks at Danbury said they looked fine, and they look Fine to me too. But, I know they can be bad and still "LOOK" ok. If the front isolator bracket bolt had not sheered off, I would have replaced the rear isolators along with another new front one. But, at this point, the needed repairs are more hassel than the bike is worth - Someone else will get a good deal on this bike and can sort it out. I'm cutting my losses. My Blast has eaten 2 front isolators in 9,000 miles too, interstingly enough... The last one in the Blast only lasted 1,000 miles. I don't know what the deal is with front isolators, but I've had my belly full. The first part of my 4 part video has been uploaded, but is still processing and isn't available yet. I"ll post a link in this thread when it is done. | ||
| Naustin |
Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJ0XEiqpe0w | ||
| Buellistic |
Naustin: If you are blowing out the Front Isolator on you BLAST that quick you are a hard rider ... The BLAST Front Isolator is the "BUELLschitte" Part umber L0501.T which is the same as the "BASIC" HARLEY-DAVIDSON Part Number 17207-79B("B" up-date was used on 1997 Model year BUELLS) ... It was up-dated to 16207-79C and used on the BLAST Model and the up-dated part sold to replace the 16207-79B on the TUBE FRAMES ... The Part Number 16207-79B's last up-date was to 16207-79D ... The 16207-79D has a smaller center isolator bolt hole that can be drilled out to fit your TUBE FRAME or BLAST ... These BASIC Front Isolators are used on the BIG TWINS ... The reason H-D up-dated to the -79D is because the BIG'er CUBIC INCH engines ripped them apart just as your packing douuble/hard riding is doing ... This 16207-79D would cure your BLAST and TUBE FRAME !!! If not add Drag Specialties Limiter Part Number DS243535 because you are hard on ISOLATORS !!! | ||
| Naustin |
Well that's all fine and dandy. But, I want buell to sell me the damn -79D and a new bolt kit - I'm not going to drill out the -79D. I'm hard on isolators? That's crap. What the bike is so damn fragile that if you actually put a passanger on the PASSANGER seat, it breaks? That's unacceptable. Besides, now that the head bracket bolt has sheered off, the isolator is the least of my problems. I'm selling this bike CHEAP. Somebody come and get it before I part the damn thing out on eBay. PM me... Here's the rest of my trip videos: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=naustin 09&p=r OR, you can read the full ride report here: http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,28923.msg659037.html#msg659037 (Message edited by naustin on August 01, 2008) (Message edited by naustin on August 01, 2008) | ||
| Oldog |
I wish I had the money to buy it I am so sorry to hear this.. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Naustin- I totally understand your frustration with the bike, but I'd definitely give Buell Customer Service before I gave up on it. Maybe you can at least get reimbursed for your 3 failed isolators. That's ridiculous. I do think that's one major advantage the XB's have over the tubers. On the tubers, the load of the rear wheel is transferred to the shock which is connected to the engine, and the front of the engine is supported by the front isolator. Therefore a significant portion of the bike weight is borne by that front isolator. I know on my S3, when I ride through a dip in the road I can feel a significant increase in vibrations as the isolator compresses under the increased suspension load. On the XB's, the conventional push-type shock is connected from the swingarm to the frame, so that most of the rear suspension load is transferred directly to the frame, and not through the front isolator. That said- I think the front isolator on my Uly is going- I have to take it to the dealer tomorrow. (Message edited by Hughlysses on August 01, 2008) | ||
| Jandymordan |
I am really disappointed to hear that many of you have had poor experiences at our dealership. As the on site manager of the Meredith H-D Shop of Conway, I am also concerned to hear about these experiences here, instead of personally from the customers. I surely understand the importance good customer service and positive word of mouth. It is unfortunate that the entire dealership is being labeled for the lack of respect from one employee. I can assure you that your concerns have been noted, and if anyone is interested in telling me more of their story, you are welome to contact me at my dealership email address mandy@meredith-hd.com. As a side note, I would like to share with you that our dealership is very proud to carry the Buell brand. Our location is very small, and we have limited Buell customer traffic. We are hoping to increase the stock of Buell products and services in the coming months and years. A second chance would certainly be appreciated. | ||
| Buellfighter |
Man I can't imagine the day I've had enough of enjoying my BMF and decide it's time to move on. I don't doubt that one day it will happen. When it does, I'll know. It's time for Naustin. Keep us posted on your replacement. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Nick, Bring it on up, I'll get you fixed up. You get to relax and I get to spin some wrenches. I've got a trailer if you need it. We'll order up the parts, have a few beers, shoot the breeze and get things right again. I'm serious... Brad | ||
| Naustin |
Hey Brad, I've been thinking about giving you a call - that would be great. I'll give you a call sometime tomorrow. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Get me before 10:00, I've got a wedding until around 4:00 or so. Brad | ||
| Jramsey |
Naustin Are you going to sell it or keep it, make up your mind,one minute you hate it and say make offer but yet give book value, then decide with the help of a buddy your going to try and fix it again. Now you know why I didn't make an offer earlier. If it is such a pain in the butt price it accordingly and git rid of it. (Message edited by J.ramsey on August 02, 2008) | ||
| Naustin |
99% of people are not going to want to buy a crippled bike. Fixing it will make it more saleable (and worth more). If you'd make the right offer, then maybe I won't bother fixing it. I don't know you from Adam, and if you won't even make an offer, I have to assume you aren't serious about it. (Message edited by naustin on August 02, 2008) | ||
| Jramsey |
"right offer" As i said in my second post I don't like to price other peoples stuff or make offers. 99% of buyers will buy a bike that has problems such as yours if the faults are known up front and it is priced right. | ||
| Naustin |
EDIT (Message edited by naustin on August 02, 2008) |
