| Author | Message | ||
     Drawkward |
So, based on the pictures, how completely screwed am I? This happened on the way to work. Luckily I was only about 10 minutes away from home on back roads and was able to limp it home. I'm assuming that I need a new front head and upper motor mount, correct? What exactly is that part of the jug called? Upper jug? This all just makes me incredibly sad. This is my favorite motorcycle in the world to ride.    | ||
| Reepicheep |
The head is screwed, but the bike is fine. You could get a pro to weld it up, it's been done, but it is probably easier and cheaper to just source a replacement head. It's not like finding a Evo head is difficult. And you will of course need a new head support. I personally wouldn't have drilled those holes for those switches into that frame brace either, but it will probably be fine for street use. | ||
| S1owner |
Ahhh broke mount arhggg. I am assuming this is your M2. You have options Buy new front head or have this one welded up and machined ( someone probably has one on here for cheap) Buy used motor mount ( I would suggest an early S1 they are better) or buy a new billet mitor mount Either way make sure you do the following replace the front Iso, make 100% sure that the face on the head where the mount bolts is perfectly flat as well as the mount that way they mate stronger. | ||
| S1owner |
Ohhh and dont reuse the bolts!!!! | ||
| 651lance |
There are new front (bare, no valves or springs) heads (4) still available and they cost $412. The front mount is available new also for $130. | ||
| Drawkward |
Yes, this is my M2  So, that head isn't anything specific to the Buell? It could be from any 1200 EVO motor? I am in no position to buy a new head for $412. I've found a front mount on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buell-M2-Cyclone-Front-Iso lator-Engine-Mount-/222158084138 And thanks so much for the quick responses. | ||
| 651lance |
You cant mix heads from two different engines do to the valve style and the combustion chamber. The thunder storm head are cut for the thunderstorm pistons. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Even if you get both heads from a Sportster, you'd have to change the pistons and drill and tap the front one. Find a used Thunderstorm head in the classifieds here or (gasp) contact the butcher DavidJaydun. He has got to have one from one of the bikes he has bought whole and mutilated for Ebay. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Check with CycleRama or BullieDan one of the other board supporting dealers here as well. They may have some heads kicking around. | ||
| Drawkward |
Ok, so it has to be from the Thunderstorm. Great. I feel like this is going to be a costly repair... | ||
| Buelliedan |
sorry I do not have any front thunderstorm heads available and I hate to tell you all this but you can no longer buy new thunderstorms from Harley. They were discontinued 2 years ago. So your options are limited. Hopefully you can find one. | ||
| Drawkward |
I've not been able to find anything so far. I'm not giving up hope but this seems to really suck. I am only proficient in MiG welding and my Hobart 187 doesn't seem to be very conducive to aluminum welding without spending a lot of money on it. I'm looking into stick welding aluminum right now but that's a scary prospect. I love this bike so much and have spent many countless hours working on it. I'd hate to see it die out. (Message edited by drawkward on July 12, 2016) | ||
| Reepicheep |
I had a broken back XB head and just for kicks I tried some oxy-actylene welding (with proper flux and goggles) to add fill to it. It was exactly what you would expect for somebody with very limited experience welding aluminum... a a train wreck. For what that's worth. | ||
| Gianni312 |
The same thing happened to me on my S1 and I was able to have it repaired by a local weld shop for only $40. It has held up for 3 years with no sign of fracturing. I would also call Karten Illg over at Framecrafters, his skills are top notch and he is awesome to work with. | ||
| S1owner |
Mount stlyes  | ||
| Nitrokeeb |
The mount on the top is available on eBay, along with some other Buell billet toys, from a seller in England. With the drop in the value of the Pound, now is the time to buy goods from the Motherland. | ||
| Drawkward |
I found the mount with the bushing on eBay and snagged it from here in the States. Not bad a $60 but I wasn't waiting around for something cheaper. The last time I called around about machining work only one local shop was willing to take on a side project. But I guess welding may be different. I'll call around soon. How did you have them weld it? Just have them add material and then you machined/filed it yourself? | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
It looks like the left boss on the head was already broken for some time!? Pull the head and have it welded at a good shop or person that know's what he is doing! | ||
| Drawkward |
Why do you say that? I feel like I would have noticed it. I look this thing over all the time and up until I felt the bike shudder and start to shake differently this morning, it has felt the same for years. I was actually just working on it last night making the starter button the horn (starter was relocated). Hell, anything is possible though. A very good friend of mine told me to take it off and send it to him. He works as a welder in Houston and regularly does repair work on enormous pump housings and other pipeline stuff. I think this is the way I'm going to go. I'll update this thread when I get going (not that you guys haven't seen everything under the sun, it sounds like). I sincerely thank you for all the help. | ||
| Buelliedan |
if your friend cannot help you NRHS can weld that head for you. Would cost about $100. | ||
| Drawkward |
Thank you Dan! I'll get with you if my friend can't do it. | ||
| Hootowl |
Make sure your friend has the experience and the equipment to weld cast aluminum. Pipe welders are super good (I know a really good welder who couldn't pass the test) but welding cast aluminum is a different beast. | ||
| Hootowl |
It would be a shame to screw up the head when $100 plus shipping gets it done right. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Off topic (barely), but if anyone here can refer me to somebody that is a welding guru for cast aluminum I could use a reference. A friend has a Porsche 911 Cabriolet that broke a strut for the convertable top. It's a 2" by 1" beefy cast aluminum (?) part, and Porsche wants $1200 to $1500 for it. It's a pretty clean break, so a $100 weld by a guru would be a bargain. | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
About the broken piece ,to me it looks it cracked and then was rubbing and grinding against each other. Also the cracked pieces are messy with oil and grind alloy ,and that is not from a day or two. And the bolt looks also a bit on the short side! Is there still a piece of it in the hole? | ||
| Buelliedan |
Reep Pretty sure I can take care of the Porsche part for you as well. | ||
| Drawkward |
I talked to Dan earlier and after talking it over with my friend he said I'd be dumb not sending it to NRHS. So Dan, I'll be calling once I find the time to get the head off. It's too precious to send anywhere else and the price is borderline crazy for this work. The guys at NRHS are awesome. | ||
| S1owner |
While you are at it get a good gasket kit from NHRS also | ||
| Drawkward |
Brother: I think you're right. Two days ago I was having more trouble than usual getting my kickstand down. Because of the exhaust that I built for this bike, the kick stand rubs on the way down but I was having to really force it. After the mount broke all the way, I couldn't get it down at all without jacking the motor up. I can't believe I missed that. Feel like a fool. The bolt broke inside the head too and broke the motor mount. What the hell. I'll have to get that out before I send it off to be repaired. S1: I was planning on getting a cometic kit. But I'll see what NRHS can supply. | ||
| Buelliedan |
NRHS sells the Cometic gasket kits so just remind me when we talk about the mount. |
