Author |
Message |
Jphish
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 09:24 am: |
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Anyone who's had the ECM reflash performed with comfort kit install notice any difference in fuel mileage ? performance ? Better - worse - same ? Sometimes these things are a trade off, just curious as to what I'd be trading off, if anything. Also, some got the reflash for free - others paid $150 - (not sure if that also included the kit install) is there any consensus on whether a reflash is / should be a free service, or a legitimate charge ? $150 seems a bit excessive for only a reflash, given whats involved. Do appreciate BMC finally providing a solution to the 'BBQ effect' on the right leg. Thanks elves. |
Mideon
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 09:51 am: |
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Mine was $129 for the kit install and reflash. The bike seems to be running more smoothly. Still on the first tank of gas though |
Jphish
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 10:03 am: |
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Thanks Mideon - $129 seems pretty reasonable for both. Always have to ask myself: with limited time, do I want to 'wrench or ride'? |
Electraglider_1997
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 10:24 am: |
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Depends who you trust wrenching on your ride. The more things you do for yourself the more comfortable you feel taking your bike on long trips. Something as simple as removing a wheel in the middle of nowhere is less daunting when you've done it yourself at home before. I personally just hate letting someone else mess with any of my bikes. Too many bad experiences. Stuff as simple as not replacing the plastic washers that Buell uses on the fairing cover. That just pissed me off to no end. I guess it was too much to ask to put them back as was intended. Lord only knows what short cuts would be taken installing the comfort kit. Riders like to write back and say they don't have the time to do these tasks themselves but fail to mention how much time it takes to run their bike to the dealer, go home and then have to return to get their bike when the service is done. Not to mention how long they have to work at their own job to cover the cost of the dealer service. If the dealer is installing a comfort kit for just a few bucks then you can reason he has found one hell of a shortcut. Probably just like Ratbuell did on his own bike. Nothing wrong with that as I plan on doing it the same way. Appreciate the help there Ratbuell. |
Mideon
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 11:04 am: |
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Jphish - In this case I chose to ride. When my bike is in service I get to take any used Buell they have while my bike is in as a loaner. So for me that is no riding down time and less stress seeing some of the tough spots the comfort kit has putting it on Electraglider - I know what you are saying! I trust my guys though I know they treat my bike very well and I don't have to worry. I have no trouble paying for quality of service and in turn they look out for me (like giving me a free upgrade to synth oil my last oil change) So it's a trade off yes..I love doing things on my bike but some things while I love doing, the hot days we are getting now I don't want to be sweating my ass off trying to get to that ecm bolt! |
Jphish
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 11:09 am: |
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Electra - good points all. I know I maybe slower than a 'real' mechanic, but generally trust my own work. The only question for me is I would have to take it in for the reflash on my '08 anyway - so tempting to just have it all done there. I don't distrust my dealer - so far they have made durable repairs under warranty. But recognize that no one cares more about the reliability of my Uly than me...for obvious reasons. What was Rat's shortcut ? j |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 11:33 am: |
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I think Rat just removed the front ECM bolt and then pried and levered the duct into position. I did most of the duct install last night following the directions. Nothing difficult, just fairly time-consuming. |
Motorfish
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 12:02 pm: |
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After a few nightmares, with the dealer I bought the bike from, I found out about Liberty HD/Buell, via Badweb. I do a lot of my own work myself, and agree with Electra on getting to know your bike and building confidence for long trips. The first dealer I used was so bad, I knew I could do better myself.If I am paying dealer rates, it had better be quality wrenching or goodbye. I have used Liberty for service, and warranty stuff or when time/money permitted. They were great. I feel that the more you work on your bike the more you learn, and get to the point to do almost everything yourself. Dealers need our support also to keep the brand, and themselves, alive. I try to keep a balance according to time, money, and convenience. |
Motorfish
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 12:07 pm: |
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Oh yeah, comfort kit. On an '06, the ECM can not be reflashed, but a new, better map can be downloaded? Is this correct? This must be done at the dealer, I assume? |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 12:08 pm: |
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No, Maximum was talking about tweaking your own ECM map with ECMspy. |
Motorfish
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 12:12 pm: |
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Ok, Thanks. Pardon my lack of knowledge, but what is an ECMspy? |
Hughlysses
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 12:32 pm: |
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ECMspy is a freeware program that lets you do TPS resets and change the programming of your ECM. All you have to buy or make is a cable to go from your laptop to the ECM plug on the bike (cable is ~$50 from a couple of vendors). The only problem is the original developer of the software took down his website and no longer supports the program, but I'd imagine you can find a copy on the 'net someplace without much trouble. Google "ECMspy" and you'll find all kinds of info. |
Court
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 03:16 pm: |
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>>>>The more things you do for yourself the more comfortable you feel taking your bike on long trips. Bad habit from years of test riding . . . I had all the work done to do the 2010 upgrades over the past couple days. The guys did a fine job. But . . . call me anal . . . I got home and got out a couple torque wrenches and checked EVERY fastener. I have a real problem (no idea if it's justified) jumping on a bike without checking the pinch bolts after it's had wheels off. HOPE is for politics. . . KNOWING is comforting when you are riding all night. |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 09:07 pm: |
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For the record..yes, I shortcutted the duct install by pushing, prying, shoving, and cursing. I got lucky and didn't break anything. At first. Tonight, wedging a wrench in the gap to reinstall a bolt/nut on the ECM, I cracked the new duct. For now...4" gaffers' tape should work just fine. Once that bugs me too much...I'll get a new duct. And put it in the right way. |
Crusty
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 09:53 pm: |
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My general rule of thumb for doing any job the first time is to follow the directions. After I've completed the job, I'll figure out which shortcuts to try. I also allow myself four times as much time as it should take. When I follow this procedure, things go well enough. When I try to cut corners on the first try, it invariably comes back to bite me on the ass. |
Motorfish
| Posted on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 10:15 pm: |
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Thanks Hugh. I have the Techno Research software and cable. I have to really get to know it and use it. I don`t think it can change the ECM program.I will check out ECMspyware. Like most of us, I need more time. +1 Court on KNOWING over HOPING! |
Conchop
| Posted on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 11:54 am: |
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I had my download yesterday. Little smoother, much cooler, and a much happier bike. I installed the kit and the dealer did the download - I assumed the download came with the kit - as it should be. I used duct tape to really get a good seal and to secure the front ECM bolt. If you want a front ECM nut, you absolutely need to glue or tape it into place before you re-assemble the unit. This is the best modification I've made so far. I strongly recommend the C-kit. Now if I can just completely get rid of this troublesome vibe! |
Choyashi
| Posted on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 03:21 pm: |
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Mechanics are a bunch of dumbasses just like you are, but they have all the right tools! And, Doctors are just Nerds with rich parents! (Message edited by choyashi on August 14, 2009) |
Alchemy
| Posted on Friday, August 14, 2009 - 04:37 pm: |
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RB, following up on your comments about the crack. I installed the duct and the pan almost completely and then noticed the nut problem. My fault 100%. I removed the reservoir and the fuse block and enough stuff to get the front 4 bolts out of the pan and then I could pry open the duct and pan enough to get the nut in place with a finger while a helper started the bolt down from the ECM. The was easier than removing the entire pan but did bend the duct enough that I was hoping not to crack it. I guess I was lucky. |
Biffdotorg
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 03:56 pm: |
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http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=1549672#POST1549672 Mideon, Are you saying that you purchased the kit for $129 and you installed it? While they did the ECM update for free? Or are you saying they sold you the kit, did the install and the ECM update for $129? The kit alone costs that much! Who was your dealer if that is the case. my dealer has great Buell guys, but they are thinking a couple hours labor to do the install, which sounded fair. Unless Buell is taking the hit to get these comfort kits out there? Thanks in advance for the response! |
Court
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 04:19 pm: |
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2.1 hours |
Mideon
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 04:51 pm: |
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They sold me the kit regular price. I paid $120 for the labor to install the kit. They always have done my reflashes for free. It was 1.5 hours labor for the kit is what I was charged for. It's Gateway Harley Buell in Saint Louis. The ECM flash before this one I just pulled into the receiving bay and they brought the computer up and flashed it right there, right then. |
Biffdotorg
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 05:25 pm: |
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That's what I was hoping to hear. I didn't think anyone was giving deals on labor. My dealer has the kits at their sister store. I am going to reserve one and make the appointment to get it installed. Maybe I can get on a CR while waiting! I have not heard of anyone having any positive change in mileage as of yet. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself with that one. |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 05:46 pm: |
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My mileage ('06 UlyX) actually went down a bit (mid-40s to 41 last tank)...but I think that's a combination of 98 degree weather, more dirt/trail work, and my railing on the bike harder when on-road. Been a rough couple of weeks...gotta take it out on something, and the wife fights back harder than the bike LOL. |
Mideon
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 05:52 pm: |
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I haven't been doing much freeway mostly city...I think mine went up 3mpg on the first take. I always run premium and some sta-bil about every month and a 1/2 |
Court
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 06:34 pm: |
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I have not heard of anyone having any positive change in mileage as of yet. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? I kept detailed records on my last two trips but have never done the calcs . . . I may need to plug it all in and check . . . I was getting 150 miles a tank so I just wasn't very concerned beyond that. |
Alchemy
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 08:06 pm: |
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It seems to me if the fuel is a little cooler then the charge will be a little more dense and there may be more power vs at a higher temp. Lots of variables but it would makes sense that possibly mileage or HP would be slightly favorable with a more cooled engine. Now without the kit the fan might come on and that might keep things cooler than the kit with no fan. Love to see some before and after with the kit and then the re-flash. The re-flash seems to keep the fan in play and it would seem to be the most likely to see a temperature benefit in performance. |
Nvr2old
| Posted on Tuesday, August 18, 2009 - 08:39 pm: |
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My dealer charged $41 labor for the reflash, 10% discount on the kit. Mileage on '08 with original ECM calibration went from 39 before to 46 after the reflash. Fuel light came on at 156 miles after reflash. |