| Author | Message | ||
     Peter |
Buell Recalls. PPiA | ||
| Ara |
Concerning the classic bubbling fuel tank paint, I was just now informed by H-D CS that they'd authorize a replacement of my fuel tank and will charge me a $100.00 "Admin Fee." The fee is a new one on me. Has anybody else gotten zinged for a C-note for a free replacement???   Russ | ||
| Dave |
I called Buell Customer Care (new name ... same game?) for bubbling factory paint on an S2...they told me the same thing. On one hand...why should they do anything for a 4-7 year old bike? On the other hand...it's a common problem with S1s. I wonder how many Chevy, Chrysler, or Ford products with bad paint (coming off in strips or sheets) has ever been replaced by the automobile company after so many years out of warranty? DAve | ||
| Andrew |
it's funny, I bought a '97 S3 not too long ago. When I looked her over, there was zero (nada, zip, zilch) paint bubble-ing at all. After a few trips and setting outside at work. The Buell letters bubbled up on the clutch side of the tank. I Figure it's an excuse to paint the bike a Saphire Blue this winter. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, I guess.  | ||
| Ara |
You make a sound point, Dave. Andrew, mine bubbled on the right side of the tank long before it showed even the slightest sign of bubbling on the left side. I figured that the right side was exposed to fuel fumes more continuously than the other because it's the "high" side when the bike is on the sidestand. You blew my theory!  Is there a special paint that you plan to use to avoid bubbling? Russ | ||
| Andrew |
It's not the paint that's bubbled. Only the "BUELL" white lettering on the low side of the tank (when parked). I am rather suprised, seeing as the letters were perfect when I bought it a few months ago.(bike's 5yrs old) There are a couple of good M/C paint guys around here. So I will go into research mode, and pick their brains some, before commiting to a repaint. That Blue is pretty though Or drop a c-note and take a Buell warrantee replacement. (seems reasonable enough) | ||
| Ara |
Andrew, yes that's the classic problem. Evidently the tank material and the paint "breathes" but the stickers don't. The fuel fumes with their high vapor pressure have no place to go under the letters and eventually disolve the glue used to affix the letters to the tank. I recall that replacement lettering is available to stick to surface of the tank after (not during) painting, but the source escapes me. Russ | ||
| Andrew |
Thanks Ara, Sounds like I could buff thru the clear coat, remove the decals. Then just have it re-cleared. Though it'll probably leave some negative lettering in its place. That would leave just the "American Motorcycle" on the tank. That'll confuse folk! I guess I'll play with it a bit, before commiting to any one coure of action. Anyone succeed in popping the blisters and settling the letters down with pressure? | ||
| Aaron |
New vinyl tank decals are still available from Buell, I bought some recently. | ||
| Pangalactic |
I have a 98 S3, and after about 2 months mine started to do the same, I justr took a safety pin as soon as I saw a small bubble, about the size of a BB gun pellet, and poked it to releive any air. Hasn't bubbled up any more. Had to do it in two other places, but none of them have spread. Now I got three pin-holes, that look like a speck of dust to the untrained eye, and that's only if yer sitting on the dern thing. From more than three feet, nuthun'. Pang | ||
| Ara |
Pangalactic, Thanks! I should have tried that myself a long time ago, but now my tank is too far gone for that. (Say hello to Zaphod and Ford!) Russ | ||
| Hootowl |
Does anyone know anything about recall 0809? It's for the swingarm clevis on all 99 models. What was replaced? The swingarm? | ||
| Blake |
Where did you find that number (0809)? I'm used to seeing the service bulletin numbers. | ||
| Hootowl |
It's at... http://www.sporttwin.com/recall.html | ||
| Aaron |
If I recall (ha!) correctly, there was a VERY small number of early 99's that had a swingarm problem (it was an all-new swingarm that year). It was under 100 units and I believe all got fixed before they were ever delivered to customers. | ||
| Court |
>>>>>>It was under 100 units Well under 100, like 47. I stayed late one night, contacted every dealer and ALL swingarms effected by the hole being misdrilled were fixed before any customer ever saw them. There may have been a recall (ala Canadian Flashers)issued in arrears to cover rears. IF.....and please check with your BUELL DEALER....I am right there are no bikes with this recall open. If you have your VIN you can send it to me. I have the VIN's of the affected bikes somewhere. THIS IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CHECKING WITH YOUR AUTHORIZED BUELL DEALER. By the way....you can also check yourself. Look at the hole where the shock is pinned to the swingarm. If the hole has like about 1/16" of an inch of cover, DO NOT RIDE THE BIKE, CALL A DEALER. Court | ||
| Hootowl |
Thanks guys. I've had my VIN run a few times by a couple of dealers for one reason or another, and they all say I'm good. I didn't ever remember having the swingarm looked at though, so I wondered. Also, none of the dealers I have been to could tell me anything about it. Probably because of the low number of units effected and that no one was actually sold a defective swingarm. It's good to know that I don't need to worry about it. Thanks again. | ||
| Awgrimm |
Hello all- I just bought a 98 S3. The previous owner claims to have had all the recalls taken care of by his dealer, but I was wondering if there is anything specific I should look for to make sure? Thanks for the help- | ||
| S1w98buell |
Is there a page that covers all the recalls in their entirety? | ||
| Doncasto |
Recall Page at Sporttwin | ||
| S1w98buell |
Like the text and related info on each recall? | ||
| Blake |
See link at top of this page. Some of the recall and upgrade related Buell Service Bulletins are available there. | ||
| Hogluvr |
Well, it's a new month, so time for my Stoopid-Question-Of-The-Month: My tank decals started bubbling recently on my '98 S1, so I took my ailing sweetheart down to the Harley dealer I do business with. They ran the VIN numbers on HD-Net, and informed me that two of the recalls weren't done, the swingarm and the shock eye. I could swear the dealer I bought the bike from in Boston last year told me all the recalls were up-to-date. My question: How can one tell if these two recalls were done? Mike | ||
| Court |
>>>How can one tell if these two recalls were done? The dealer enters the VIN on their hdnet (or similar) system or calls SPOC. In your case, it sounds like that may not have worked. Check your bike with the list above. Share your concern with your dealer and ask him to go through the list, item by item, with you. That fails you can call Buell Customer Service, but I'd go the dealer route. Court | ||
| Loki |
Blake, The top of this page is now perfect..... | ||
| Hogluvr |
Thanks Court, according to hdnet these recalls WERE NOT done. Is there any way to PHYSICALLY distinguish between the recalled swingarm and the replacement? (Ditto for the shock eye) I know the original shock on the bike was an "open coil" type, but other than that... Mike (still feeling uneducated after 1 1/2 years of Buelldom) | ||
| Hootowl |
The rear shock on my 99X1 has either blown all its valves/orifices or all the fluid has leaked out. I've got no shock, just bounce. The 99 shock was not recalled. Does anyone know if I can buy the good will upgrade shock for $100, or am I screwed? Or, does anyone have any suggestions on how I might repair my existing shock? | ||
| Hootowl |
I found this on eBay. Anybody know if it's a recalled shock? The guy selling it has no idea what year it came off of. It looks just like mine.  | ||
| Buelliedan |
Hoot, You would be better off buying the other one he is selling. The exposed spring WP(They look so much better!!). I am almost sure that thats a recalled shock due to the fact that it also has the mount with it. This tells me they took it off when they put the new shorter shock and new mount on. | ||
| Doncasto |
Hootowl: The shock shown in your photo is a 1999-2000 Showa. Its delineating visual characteristic is its rear assembly as in this drawing of a 1999 S3 version.  The K1400 (2001) shock has a different rear assembly:  The K1400 series Showa is a major improvement over the earlier versions and is worth the $100 Goodwill copay, IMHO. Depending on how your dealer rates on the slippery scale of "Buellness," you may or may not need to contact Buell Customer Service (414-343-8400) and have them run interference for you. Hope this helps, Don |
