| Author |
Message |
    
Chainsaw
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 07:51 pm: | 
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Sicemm:
Sorry to hear about the bike! How many miles on it?
My bearing situation update: I called customer service last week. CS called me and said they would speak to the dealer on my behalf. The Buell tech at the dealer called me, said he'd keep me updated. No word in 7 days, I'm at 7400 miles, and come hell or high water, the wheels bearings are gonna be replaced. I'll take the wheels off myself and drag them to a local wheel & tire shop. I'd rather be out my own time and my own money then be spit to the asphalt at little or no warning. |
Sicemm
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 08:36 pm: |
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Chainsaw:
I have about 6500 miles on my bike. The bad thing about it was that it gave me no indication that there was a problem. I stopped at the Florida welcome center to take my helmet off and I just happened to look down and see a bunch of grease on the rear wheel. That is when I noticed the bearings were missing. Good thing I don't like to wear my helmet, that could have killed me!
I talked to the dealer today and they gave me no idea of how long it would be in the shop because just about everything on the back end would have to be replaced (Rim, axle, wheel spacer, bearings, etc.). So it looks like I might not be on the road for a while. |
Chainsaw
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 09:47 pm: |
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6500 miles!
Eeeeek!
Hope you get your wheels back soon. |
Xb9
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 20, 2003 - 10:38 pm: |
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Man, that's a bummer.
Hope the swingarm isn't chewed up.
Make sure they replace the belt. |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 02:27 am: |
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Sicem,
Your description of "everything on the back end" sounds like nothing more than a new wheel assembly and axle. Should take three business days or less to have the parts delivered to your dealer, any longer and your dealer has dropped the ball. |
Blake
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:18 am: |
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Something doesn't smell right...
"As I was riding I heard a noise from the back and realized the back tire felt loose or something. Pulled over and saw the rear tire missing all the bearings, grease and metal shavings all over the the place."
then...
"The bad thing about it was that it gave me no indication that there was a problem. I stopped at the Florida welcome center to take my helmet off and I just happened to look down and see a bunch of grease on the rear wheel. That is when I noticed the bearings were missing."
So which is it? First post you say the failed bearings caused the wheel to become loose and make a noise causing you to stop and investigate, but then in your next post you say that it gave no indication of a problem.
Methinks something stinks... new poster, newly registered, I shall confirm this story. No offense intended to Sicem, just that it seems awfully strange and his simple story is not even straight. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:45 am: |
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>>>Should take three business days or less to have the parts delivered to your dealer, any longer and your dealer has dropped the ball.
Accurate statement. |
Sicemm
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 08:26 am: |
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}Blake:
Methinks something stinks... new poster, newly registered, I shall confirm this story. No offense intended to Sicem, just that it seems awfully strange and his simple story is not even straight. It deserves to be confirmed.
My wife was the one who wrote the original post about hearing something because she registered my name while she was at work. She was trying to do me (and all other XB owners) a favor and let people know about the bearing failure. The true story is what I wrote in the second posting about stopping at the rest stop and noticing the grease. So, confirm what you want, just because I am a new poster, newly registered, it does not mean that you cannot believe what I say. The only reason she was anxious to register before talking to me was to get the word out so everybody could be on the lookout and ride safe. |
Sicemm
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 10:12 am: |
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Blake,
I am Ray's Wife and the second story is true. He replied to you to let you know what happened. I respect your site and was not trying start something bad. I agree that even a simple story told twice, and both are different should be checked out. We are not Buell bashers and only was concerned about safety of other riders. The noise and wobbly tire was after we stopped. We went to push the bike by hand to move it aside and then even saw more damage and heard a noise and noticed the tire was wobbly too. My main point was this whole think could of resulted in a serious accident and I consider us lucky. The letter we received from Buell states word for word "Our records indicate you are the owner of a 2003 Buell Firebolt or Lightning model motorcycle, which requires a non-safety-related repair. and goes on to explain its only an upgrade. We are not stupid and realize the bearing on a bike could be serious but not to that degree especially with low mileage. The letter gave no indication the bearing could possible fail and did not mention not to ride your bike until the upgrade was performed. I just did not want some else to read their letter and put this off thinking it was only a upgrade and not a possible safety issue. I have contacted Buell and they are going to investigate along with the Dealer to see if it is a safety concern and its related. I was only giving them feed back so they could research it. Feedback is important to companies so they can work all the bugs out. I felt I was doing them a favor by reporting the incident thinking maybe they do not realize that the bearing can fail and it should be investigated. I thought is was interesting that a letter was sent about the bearing and they so happen to fail. Also I am not say to everyone that I know its a safety issue I just wanted people to be aware and do not take the risk we did. Not to mention the damage is much more $$$ than the upgrade which means this might happen to more customers who do attend to the upgrade sooner. So hopefully I have cleared up any smell you have. I ride a 2002 V-rod (sweet ride) with 1200 miles on it and it even broke on the same trip as well. (bad luck I guess) The speed sensor had to be replaced while we were in Myrtle Beach. Its a new bike and things are going to happen until its been around long enough for all the bugs to be worked out. No big deal just a pain in the @$$ because we were out of town at a bike week. |
Hootowl
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:02 pm: |
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The HD speedo sensor demon strikes again! |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 12:14 pm: |
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(never mind, I get it now).
Does the VRod use the same part? Hard to imagine it would, but then again why not?
(Message edited by reepicheep on May 21, 2003, %time) |
Sicemm
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 02:13 pm: |
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Reepicheep,
Not sure, The bike (V-Rod) keep cutting off ever time I let off on the throttle. The dealer in Myrtle Beach said the computer told them the speed sensor was bad and they replaced it. Nothing too much in the maintenance manual about it but just how to replace it. Just pointing out the whole weekend was bad luck. We both have two of the newest HD bike and they both broke. Just one of those weekends better off staying home. The weather was mostly wet too. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 03:15 pm: |
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Did you get the old part? Got a part number on any records?
It will give me an excuse to cruise by the local HD dealer and take a peek at a Vrod there. Wonder if you can even see the sensor with all that plumbing packed in there.
Thats a shame that both bikes had problems, even more of a shame the XB was stranded. Who needs that. At least the updated part with a fix was out before you even had the problem... too bad it was not in your bike yet 
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Sicemm
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 04:39 pm: |
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Reepicheep,
Which bike they both had upgrades on both of those parts. I can get the number out to the maintenance manuals. Yea I felt the shame with the v-rod. It has a real flashy custom Harley paint job on it. (Blue Flames 160 of 200) It draws alot attention. Not to mention I am a chic and alot of chics were giving me the thumbs up. They were asking how did I like that bike. I was say to my self all the way to the dealer not right now since I had to hold the bread and turn the throttle at the same time just to keep the bike running. I just toughed it out and smiled and told them great. Which is true I love that bike and enjoy riding it. I started on a sportster 1200 then went to a big dog vintage sport. I would say the v-rod is the ticket its a great bike. It rides smooth as the Buell. Its pretty fast too. We rode 360 miles and I loved it. I have to post a pic. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2003 - 05:51 pm: |
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If you have either the new or the old part number for the speedo sensor, we can see if it is the same as the Buell / Sportster part. No big deal, don't go to any grea trouble, I am just a little curious.
(though I would feel a little better knowing all of Harleydom is suffering along with us Buells)... |
Sicemm
| | Posted on Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 02:49 pm: |
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Reepicheep,
Sorry dont have the number. Looked in the book last night and they dont have it in there.
Mrs. Sicemm |
Chainsaw
| | Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 02:02 pm: |
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Solution?:
I was calling around yesterday trying to buy the replacement XB Bearings and Rocky Mtn. Harley said just bring the bike in next Friday. The have the bearing kits in stock, have already performed the replacement on my buddy's Firebolt (that means they have the proper tools), and they can have the bike back to me the next day.
Sun HD, the dealer I bought my bike from, called today. They said they'd like to get the bike back in the shop and get me taken care of, because Harley Corporate (Buell Customer Service?) keeps calling them asking WTF is going on. They still do not have the tools, but their tech "thinks" he can replace them. They have me penciled in for next Thursday. Sun has already had my bike captive for 6 days this month. The tech at Sun couldn't replace them 2 weeks ago without the tool. What's changed?
Anyone think I should give the selling dealer another chance?
ChainSaw |
Sicemm
| | Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 02:41 pm: |
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Chainsaw,
We went through the same thing with our dealer. He kept telling me they don't have the tool to take the bearings off. He also said that HD said they are on back order until June 20th. Our dealer borrowed one from another dealer. Our bike was dropped off Monday May 19th. It will end up being there until May the 28th. Ours is a little different because of the incident that happened on the way home. Our wheel is going to come in already assembled since it has to be replaced. Maybe you can suggest to your dealer to do what ours did and borrow a tool from another dealer. I don't know about the tech "think he can." If the tool is needed to do the job properly then I would'nt have it done unless they have the tool. What does Buell say? Have you called them? Have you read some of the postings on the "for the factory". Their is discussion about that on their.
Mrs. Sicemm |
Darthane
| | Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 04:21 pm: |
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Chainsaw,
Absolutely not. If they do not have the right tool, forget it, they'll just end up screwing something up, and it might not be apparent until you're doing 90 down the interstate 2000 miles later. Not a good time or place to have to rely on 'thinks he can'.
Bryan |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, May 23, 2003 - 08:22 pm: |
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ANY dealer who does not already have the bearing removal tool would be highly suspect in the service department.
Mrs. Sicemm,
If Buell is sending you a complete wheel assembly, why does your dealer need the bearing replacement tool??? If the wheel and bearings were ruined, why does your dealer need a bearing removal tool  I'm sorry, it may be a simple case of miscommunication, but the whole story sounds whack to me. Glad BCS came through for you. I'd think real hard about finding another dealer for service issues if I were you.
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Timbo
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 01:58 am: |
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Blake asks,
>>>Mrs. Sicemm,
If Buell is sending you a complete wheel assembly, why does your dealer need the bearing replacement tool??? If the wheel and bearings were ruined, why does your dealer need a bearing removal tool<<<
Ummm, maybe to do the front wheel at the same time as the rear? I dunno, just a thought.
Timbo |
Court
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 06:10 am: |
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>>>What's changed?
LOTS
Hint: Think those calls were the result of clarvoyance?
Do what you are most comfortable with but they are capable of getting you taken care of. |
Sicemm
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 09:15 am: |
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Blake,
I was thinking Ummm too. I guess he still had to take the whole think apart in order to evaluate the damage. I actually asked him that same question. Why do you need the bearing tool if the whole wheel is going to be replaced. Being that they had the buell and it was in their hands I did'nt want to be too pushy and piss him off. I did'nt think that would help getting the buell back faster. He said that he still had to take it all apart. I also asked if the new wheel that comes from Buell already has the upgrade bearing in it. He said it should and he would check to make sure. If it does not he has the bearing kits and will do the upgrade if its needed. Yes they are going to do the front as well. I don't know what the story is on the tool thing. I did not call buell because the service department got back to me and already did everything they need to in order to get the bike back on the road. Too bad we don't have it for this long weekend. Maybe I can take my husband for a ride on the v-rod and he can ride b_tch.  . he will  me if he sees this.
Mrs. Sicemm |
Tripper
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 09:45 am: |
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Ridin Bitch on the stock VRod seat is tough duty. I feel sorry for the guy. |
Blake
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 04:21 pm: |
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Timbo,
D'OH!!! You'll have to tell me sometime how it feels to actually have a brain.
Mrs. Sicemm,
What Timbo said.
Trip,
Riding on a bike behind a woman. Could be quite enjoyable I'd imagine. Rowrrrr!  ![:]](http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/clipart/proud.gif) |
Timbo
| | Posted on Saturday, May 24, 2003 - 08:31 pm: |
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Blake,
You'll have to catch me on a good day, as mine seems to be intermitant. 
Timbo |
Ftd
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 08:06 pm: |
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Mrs. Sicemm and her V Rod.
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Ftd
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2003 - 08:25 pm: |
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Bad bearing Buell:
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Sicemm
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 11:10 am: |
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Better pic of the wife |
Xb9
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 28, 2003 - 08:26 pm: |
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Wow, Good Looking Gal!
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Chainsaw
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 03, 2003 - 11:44 pm: |
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Resolved!
Got my bike back tonight with new bearings and the new sidestand. Rocky Mtn. Harley got me taken care of. Whew! Now i can ride the thing and not worry about an imminent bearing failure.  |
Fasteddieb
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 04, 2003 - 11:41 am: |
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I want to repeat my kudos for Earl Small's in Marietta, GA. They fit me into a full schedule and did the wheel bearing recall in one day, in spite of it being a couple days before the Cherokee rally.
On top of that, I whiled away the time on a V-Rod they rented me for $35. Great motor, but bars that were 100% wrong for me. Now maybe a V-Rod Sport...
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