| Author | Message | ||
     Snackbar64 |
Question guys, I have an 03 Firebolt and it has been sitting for over two years. The bike has always ran, but had a few problems prior to me no longer riding it. There was a rear cylinder leak and the steering head bearings were bad. There was also a problem with the main fuse blowing. I got fed up with the main fuse blowing and stopped riding the bike for fear it would shut down on me on an interstate. Anyway, my bike has now been sitting at a dealership in East Texas for about a month. All I asked them to do was a 10,000 mile service brakes and assess the rear cylinder leak. Each time I call they tell me something different about the progress of my bike. I finally went by the shop on Valentine's day to find my bike in pieces. At least they started, I guess. They then told me that they used infra red technology to try and locate my oil leak, but could not find the leak. Strange to me as the bike was leaking oil that I've never cleaned off for two years when I brought it in. They said nothing about fixing the main fuse problem and with 20,000 miles on the bike on the original belt,I had to suggest that they change it. To make matters worse, I broke the peg to the bike when it tipped over loading it on the trailer. Now how could they properly diagnose my bike, or look for an oil leak without riding the bike? How can they fix the main fuse issue without riding the bike? I am no mechanic, which is why I've come here for help. Am I wrong to feel that these guys are giving me the shaft? Why wouldn't they have at least ordered a foot peg so that they could test ride the bike? | ||
| Nillaice |
maybe they are really busy, or maybe you are indeed getting the shaft. either way, you'll make more headway being nice to them. (personal experience) even though spring is approaching, they won't be as motivated to get you back on your bike as you will be. my 0.02: get the service manual, and take matters into your own hands. oh, and i dunno about using infa red technology to find an oil leak. a finger and rag is all i have ever used. but am no HD certified mechanic, nor a 'chrome specialist' -that title always makes me smirk | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
you'll make more headway being nice to them. good advice, also make sure that the dealers do things on your command, so you wont be surprized with extra fee's....  an example: I crashed my bike and hit my head: the doctor says for me to have an xray & MRI.. But I know I dont need this to be done | ||
| Iamarchangel |
I'd be getting nervous. You asked for an assessment, they've started a tear-down. Infrared requires additives and a running engine, it's considered a successful method but they failed to find the leak. Nillaice is right, there's only a few places oil could leak out on a twin. I'd be looking for a copy of the work order to see what I signed for. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Well, I am certainly NO mechanic and struggle through my own service but I will TRY to help. I would think blowing the main fuse is due to a short somewhere. From what I have read chaffing and cutting of wires do to them not being properly protected or improperly placed when putting things back together will be a likely culprit. You would need a service manual, (if it includes the electrical schematics) and simple multimeter to look for shorts. However, I would first do a thorough visual inspection of every wire you can see by eye to save a lot of time. Does the fuse blow when you first start up or turn key? Or is it blown when you get back from a ride and notice it the next time you go to start the bike? This might help narrow it down a bit for the electrical problem. You may just have an issue in the starter circuit and once the bike is running all is ok. Have you changed or checked the battery and/or cables? Loose connections is another possibility. They arc intermittently and can easily cause a surge to blow a fuse. Of course there may be a faulty component somewhere but one step at a time. Troubleshooting on your time will save a lot of money in labor. I am sure of all the people here we could troubleshoot and solve that problem. The leak is beyond my capabilities but sounds like a gasket or a crack in the aluminum. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Well, the main fuse blows when I am shifting gears at a moderate speed and applying some throttle. I have always been accelerating when this happens. The dealer said it has to blow for them to be able to find it. That didn't make any sense to me. Also, The leak requires a top end repair kit. I already knew this, but never got it fixed. A previous dealer in another state diagnosed the problem. The bike is leaking oil and I know it for sure. Why these guys can't figure it out is beyond me. I am very nice with them, but believe that this is a part of my problem with them. I need a little more sternness in my voice. I also took it in to have the head lights repaired under the recall. They have never mentioned them again to me and they said my bike would be ready in a week. They have yet to order the lights. I seriously doubt they did all that was required of them on the 10,000 mile service. I am going to require they assemble my bike and discontinue their work and I'll take it somewhere else. I own a service manual, but am not mechanically inclined. An oil change is about all I'm good for. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
First guess: look under the fairing, left side, under the relay box. You're looking for a red wire. Make sure it isn't worn. Check the wires next to it. If in doubt, wrap a layer of electrical tape on it. Follow the wire as far as you can, looking for anything worn. Tighten up the relay box so it doesn't move backwards (to you, if it happened on braking, you'd make sure it didn't go forward). Second guess: check your battery to make sure it isn't moving. There's a strap and four spacers holding it in place. | ||
| Skinstains |
First off let me correct Mr. Nillaice. It is a 'Chrome Consultant' not a Chrome Specialist. Think how pissed-off you would be if someone called you a lowly specialist while you were indeed a consultant ! I am a bit anti-dealer (I do my own work) so this may come across a bit slanted. You need to call that dealer immediatly and see what all this ghost hunting is costing you. If you need to put luminol in the oil to find a leak, there is no leak. Blowing 30 AMP fuses is either a direct short or a massive current overflow through it. These bikes are real easy to work on wich is helpfull. It doesn't seem that you are in a big rush as the bike has sat for two years right ? I would try to locate a (local) fellow Badwebber and lure him to your house with pizza and beer and make a party of it. Steering head bearings is easy too. (Message edited by skinstains on February 18, 2009) | ||
| Corporatemonkey |
I'd be looking for a copy of the work order to see what I signed for. +1 Did you put a limit on your work order? If not you need to address this asap, otherwise you might be on the hook for days worth of labor. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Motorcycle dealers are far worse than car dealers in making repairs/adding on parts and labor without the owners consent. Every work/repair order should have a dollar amount written before an owner signs it. In Florida it can only be exceeded by 10%, without customer approval. I've seen hundreds exceeded without the owners knowledge until they are at the cashier. Don't let the "tech" decide you need front and rear brake pads and a fluid flush while you have it in for an oil change. Without your approval, it's not legal. Ask to speak with the dealerships General Manager, not the "tap dancing" Service Manager. You'll be amazed at how much more considerate and understanding the Service Manager is towards your situation, and the law, when his boss is present. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Unbelievable. If the fuse blew all the dealer is going to see is exactly what you brought him already, with a blown fuse. Maybe someone here knows if the '03 is also a fly by wire system? I don't know if all XB's are. So, as you apply the throttle the fuse blows you may have a bad TPS (throttle position sensor) or wire connecting to it. It could also be under the grip as you twist it, where the problem is. Follow the wires Iamarchangel mentioned and look for a cut in the wire insulation or a loose connection which will definitely cause a surge as it sparks to make contact. (Message edited by arctic_firebolt on February 19, 2009) (Message edited by arctic_firebolt on February 19, 2009) | ||
| Snackbar64 |
I have a 03 manual, but no real knowledge of electrical work. The bike went in for a 10k service initially. The bike was running when I took it in the battery was just dead. All they did was replace the battery, tires, brakes and steering head bearing. Being that the bike is 80 miles away in Tyler Texas, I have no idea what theses guys are really doing. They say they are only waiting on the belt to arrive. They have yet to address any major issue i took it in for. which was the fuse blowing and oil leak. all these things require the bike to be moving to assess and the bike is still sitting there minus a foot peg. The headlights are to be replaced under the new buell fix/recall, but they haven't even ordered them according to the parts guys. I hate taking my bike somewhere and seem to know more about it then the mechanic. Now they have had my bike for more than a month, but there must be a sensible way for them billing me for time actually spent on my bike. Brakes and tires go under the same labor, as you can't fix one without removing the other. The rear tire is still missing because the belt has not been installed. | ||
| Nmbueller |
How close are you to San Antonio? My best friend works as a wrench at Caliente HD. He is a very knowledgeable mechanic, having grown up rebuilding BSAs, Nortons, etc. He has set up and worked on my multiple track bikes as well as my XB12Ss. He is the only person other than myself that I would trust with my bikes. If this is an option for you, call Caliente HD and ask for Norm... He'll hook you up!! | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Ok I just might do that. I'm in Dallas, but don't mind the drive for quality work and someone who knows the brand. | ||
| P_squared |
Brandon, if you need/want some 'local' help paid for w/ beer & pizza, post up on the TNT board http://www.BadWeatherBikers.com/TNT You do know there are shops closer to Mesquite than Tyler, right? | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Yeah, but my bike was being stored in East, Tx so Lonestar was the closest from there. I have no experience with the Buell dealerships here other than they are more Buell friendly than in Tyler. | ||
| Iamarchangel |
Brakes and tires go under the same labor, as you can't fix one without removing the other. The rear tire is still missing because the belt has not been installed. Actually, yes, if they charge book rate it can be two separate billable events.} | ||
| Skully |
Brandon, I'm in Kilgore, about 20 minutes east of Tyler. I occasionally buy parts at the Tyler Buell/H-D shop but that's about it. I recommend getting your bike back and hooking up with P_squared's bunch. Keith | ||
| Skinstains |
You seam like a nice guy, I hope they don't try to hose you. If I were you i would seriously pursue the beer and pizza angle. Half the wierdo's on this board think it's fun to fix bikes. |
