| Author | Message | ||
     Buellinator |
My RS1200 is at the dealer with a series of problems. Some minor, some not so minor. Last fall I started having a cut out problem. After riding about 25 km's the bike seemed to choke out and die. After waiting about 1/2 hour it would start up again. Not a vapour lock issue as the bike wouldn't start when I opened the gas cap. Plugs are nice and dry and tan in colour. Dealer thinks it may be an ignition module. Problem #2. The bike has been sitting in a heated garage all winter. When I moved it the other day, there were 2 puddles of fork oil on the floor. Not coming out of the drain screws. Most likely the screws holding the cartridges in. Previous owner changed the fork seals before I bought it. Problem #3. Speedo reads fast. Way fast. At an indicated 90MPH I'm getting passed by old people in econoboxes. Stock front tire should be a 110. The tire that's on it is a 120 but I find it hard to believe that it would be that far out just from that. I'm wondering if the speedo drive is wrong. Does anyone have a part number for it or know what the ratio on it is? I love the bike and enjoy riding it so any help or suggestions would be appreciated. | ||
| Kilroy |
Who the hell looks at the speedometer anyway? | ||
| Buellinator |
Me. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Does the RS have the fuel solenoids or a regular fuel tap? Does it seem like a fuel issue or are you cutting out electrically--I used to lose one cylinder on the S-2 when the main circuit breaker was becoming toast.Sounds like someone changed either the drive or the speedo to one with a different drive ratio. | ||
| Buellinator |
RS has the solenoids. My first thought was that it was electrical in nature. It seems like when it gets to a certain temp it cuts out. That's what my dealer thinks too. I have total faith in the dealer. Been dealing with them for 15 years and have known the owner since I was a kid. Coincidentally, the reserve switch doesn't work either. I will try to find out more. | ||
| Davegess |
I am thinking the fuel solenoids are bad. I think Tom at Buell can get them. Teh speedo is driven off the front axle and those old Sportster units are optimistic when new, changing the tire diameter will make it read off also. | ||
| Buellinator |
Would that Tom Anglim? Dave do you have a phone number for him? Previous owner told me managed to buy some parts from EFB designs. BTW your book is what motivated to buy the bike!  | ||
| Onahog |
Hi.... I think the problem is with the ignition switch Bud...I found that it was cutting out on me as well on position # 1 ON... I ended up soldering the wires toghter so the lights are always on...It didnt cutout any more on me....I had put that switch in as a used unit, as i wanted to have an OEM HD switch in it for originality... It had some aftermarket switch when I got it... The Module is a brand NEW Screamin eagle unit...The sensor plate is a New HD unit.... Start with a new ignitoin switch, or join all wires 2gether with No switch and see if it cuts out.... The resrve solenoid worked fine, and I believe thats not the problem.... As far as the forks go, I think that is coming from the top caps....They are aluminum, and the bolt threads for the air hose was slighty loose....I gave you a pair of new caps with the bike...Seals are NEW.. It almost seemed to me the fork legs were somewhat porus in material as well??? I spared no expense on the rebuild, and I think you will find the problems are minimal and these are all that may show up.... I dont have any other parts left, and If you look at the paper work I supplied, you should find contact for Tom Anglim at EFB,,,He is a super dooper dude.... I still have my S2T, and may still consider selling it...It is as clean , if not cleaner than the RS, as It was repainted etc .... Feel free to ask me here or at my home email and questions or problems you may have Bro....I sold the bike only cause I had too, not because I wanted too.... No one nows that bike better than Me, except for maybe EB and maybe Court....LOl... TTYS and please keep me posted.....Hankb..... | ||
| Onahog |
Oh...also.... I do beleive the speedo drive EB used was a stock sporty one for a 19" wheel... I dont think accuracy was an issue, Kinda like the reset knob thing...I added a cable to that to remidy, and Court used his sweeties tiny hands...LOl... Im sure EFB can tell you which speedo drive was used, or check the parts book i gave you...I bet the part # is for a 19" wheeled Sportster....Hb | ||
| Onahog |
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| Buellinator |
Thanks Hank. I'm sure I'll get it all figured out. It's a really neat bike and fun to ride. I just want to make sure I can depend on it when I ride it. P.S. You need a haircut.  | ||
| Onahog |
No Problem Orest.... Oh, My hair is short in photo compared to now...Lol....The ol"hippe sh*t in me...Hb | ||
| Court |
The fuel solenoids are available. EFB may have some, if not the manufacturer is still making them. We bought some for Bonneville. The speedo should read 4%-7% fast, no more. If it's more, order the stock sporty drive and then it will properly read 4%-7% fast. Make sure the solenoids are properly plumbed. . . if you need it, I have photos and diagrams. There is a lot of support available. Call Tom Anglim (tell him Semper Fi for me and thank him for his service to our country) at 262-642-2020 and he'll get you fixed up. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Tom had the solenoids about 4 years ago when I did Bonneville. But in reality they are the same as the fuel solenoids from the nitrous systems I used. | ||
| Rich |
Check the liner in your tank, mine developed a air bubble, making the capacity smaller. I relined it with KBS. Those speedo drives don't fit the PM wheels very well. I eventually brazed a piece of welding rod onto the tab so it would hold up. They get expensive after a couple accidental wheelies break them. (Message edited by Rich on March 13, 2009) (Message edited by Rich on March 13, 2009) | ||
| Court |
>>>But in reality they are the same as the fuel solenoids from the nitrous systems I used. Jimmy . . you have those numbers and the contact at the manufacturer? I've got them somewhere if we need them. Didn't you go with a larger orafice? For some reason, I think I have a .pdf of the catalog page if I could find it. There is LOTS of support for the Buell RS-1200. Court | ||
| Buellinator |
Thanks to all for their help and advice. I knew if I posted my problems I'd get some answers. I'll investigate the ignition switch as per Hank's recommendations and will be contacting Tom Anglim re the solenoids. If available, I'll probably buy them for posterity. Man, this is a great place! | ||
| Davegess |
"BTW your book is what motivated to buy the bike!" Cool. Very nice bikes, fast and very stable at speed. I hit a ground hog once at a pretty good clip and the bike didn't even wiggle. | ||
| Buellinator |
"Cool. Very nice bikes, fast and very stable at speed. I hit a ground hog once at a pretty good clip and the bike didn't even wiggle." That's a very handy thing to know.  BTW since you are THE MAN, do you have any idea how many of these actually made it to Canada? | ||
| Loki |
Court is absolutely correct about the amount of support out there. I just love those days the RS hits the road. Almost forgot, IT is my daily commuter ride. as a side note..... Hmmmmm what can come of; Joplin, Erik and a particular 92 RS | ||
| Court |
 You won't be the first to haunt the roads of Joplin, like Range Line, on an RS. I used to ride mine once a week, about 20 years ago, to visit job sites and deliver paychecks. | ||
| Davegess |
"actually made it to Canada" Probaly more than were actaully shipped ther eby the factory. I will have to look it up I THINK I have those numbers. It has to have been a couple of dozen. | ||
| Court |
>>>I will have to look it up I THINK I have those numbers. If you end up in jail for export violations and I have to entertain your daughter and wife in NYC . . .you're getting the bill! Careful what you say . . . statute of limitations might not have run and I sense, by your tone, an element of complicity! You also removed all the keys from the CA bikes to make sure they were "kits" also, right? | ||
| Buellinator |
I spoke to Kim at Buell and she located the solenoid fuel assemblies for my RS and is sending them to my sister in law in Florida. What a nice lady! Helpful, pleasant and always called me back when she said she would. She's part of the Buell legend. I'm feeling a little more confident now. | ||
| Court |
Ohhhhhh . you can't imagine what an understatement that is. She made things run in 1986 and she makes'em run today. Absolutely amazing person! Not an altogether bad idea to loose parts from time to time just to call her. . . shhhhhhhh.  Funny thing is . . . I can look at that picture and name 6 folks who have help chart the course of Buell . . . that's part of what is so cool about it. | ||
| Josh_ |
Guess I'm late to the conversation. Could be the 'noids, could be the tank liner flaking off and clogging the main noid. Don't know if this was explicitly mentioned but the main noid is always on when the ignition is on, the switch activates the reserve noid which has a lower intake. I doubt the switch is an HD part, looks just like the ones you buy at AutoZone. One wire is hot, one runs to the noid, the third wire is the ground for the light in the switch. I forget which is which but I might have it here somewhere. They (EFB) might have rebuild parts but they don't have RS forks any more. S2 forks bolt right up, as do S2 shocks. Hey FiremanJim, I'm trying to remember to pull my carb off. Everything else on the bike is ready to ride once I get that fixed! Josh 91 RS1200 ours 08 XB12Scg hers 08 1125R his | ||
| Buellinator |
Thanks Josh. Solenoids are coming. We'll see if that's the problem. I'll be visiting the dealer today for an update. |
