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Buellgrrrl
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 07:29 pm: | 
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Some good news, financially at least- Saint Paul HD called and the extended warranty will cover everything, less the $50 deductable. They say a bolt broke off in the head but they think they can save it. They also found the oil tank leaking and are replacing it- perhaps explaining the strange disappearance of oil when parked!
The total bill will be over a thousand dollars, so the extended service policy has already paid for itself with 3 years yet to run on it. I'm retiring soon so I'll be putting even more miles on, so I may become very familiar to the warranty folks...
Kudos to St.Paul HD and HD Extended Warranty- I will probably be back for another Buell (Uly?) in a couple years! |
Tramp
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2005 - 08:47 pm: |
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YEA! I am stoked that they're covering it. you SURE no HD shops did any of the scheduled maintenance?
I am seriously stoked for you, and I'm very happy that i was wrong about this one. |
Al_lighton
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 01:40 am: |
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Don't use the Urethane mounts for the front motor mount application..I don't have personal experience, but the notes that Tat left me said that the life expectancy of those used in the Buell application is short.
I personally wouln't screw with that mount. Any elastomeric based vibration isolation system is "tuned" for vibration isolation at a certain frequency by selecting the proper durometer isolation material and size. I would say, based on riding many a Buell, that the system is tuned quite nicely for about 4-4500 RPM.
But another property of elastomeric vibration isolation systems (or any passive vibration isolation system, to some extent, depending upon the damping properties) is that they will have a strong vibration amplification frequency as well. I would guess that this is about 1500 RPM on tubers, a place that one spends very little time (where mirrors and fairings shake and teeth rattle).
I wouldn't change that isolator and screw up a perfectly good thing myself. The stock part seems to work pretty good to me.
Al |
Tramp
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 07:01 am: |
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works great, right up to the point where it tears and the LF vibes increase and, eventually, the engine drops down a few inches. other than that, it's swell. |
Loki
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 08:30 am: |
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B-grrrl,
That is good news.
St.Paul HD/Buell always seemed to be good people. Lakeville on the other hand...
Loki (of the Hampton/New Trier/Mieseville stompin gnds) |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 09:30 am: |
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A company called Hotop Design makes a front motor mount limiter. It's basically two pieces of billet aluminum that sandwich the mount and squeeze the bejesus out of it. For my bike I only used the bottom one as the top one would've been a safety issue (it was very small and thin and was supposed to replace the stock thick "D" washer. Can you say motor drop?). The rear isolator stiffeners that American Sport Bike sells are made by Bartel's. They are aluminum bushings that slide into the hole in the rear mounts to limit their movement. I have both on my bike and the vibes are pretty, well, fierce. High frequency but not very intense. It only settles out above like 5000 RPM. Having both installed puts a lot of preload on all the mounts...it's usually the rear ones that suffer most. I have to replace them almost every year. The feel and feedback is phenominal, though. The stock tail light can't handle it. After breaking a few I had to rig something up. |
Newfie_buell
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 09:56 am: |
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I hate to say this but the improved stock isolators work quite well. |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 11:01 am: |
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Rick a, what do you mean rig something up? I got the rear isolator bushings on mine-another source made them, I haven't had any tail light problems but my liscense plate has a big crack in it. I really like them because as you said it now feels as though I am connect to the back tire. I don't think I want to replace the new isolators that much though. |
Panic
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 12:00 pm: |
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Is there a drawing or blueprint available that shows the exact position of all heim links in plan view? All the ones I've seen are 3/4 views, etc. |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 02:02 pm: |
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I had a Storz plate holder that bolts to the back of the plastic tail light. The vibes lost me an entire plate/holder/tail light some where on the interstate then broke another plate holder and tail light later. I ended up using a universal steel backed tail light and a thick carbon fiber plate holder. |
Bomber
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 04:39 pm: |
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Mike -- er, dunno, I havn't memoriez torque values, yet -- ya gots the manual? use standard torque settings with the c'foot at 90 degrees from the length of the torque wrench, if that's yer question . . . . anywho, nope, I used new hardware (recommended for the read, I fugred using new in front was OK too) --
Nte -- it's a tight fit, but I managed to get a short socket on the fasterner from below, using a wobbly extension |
Natexlh1000
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 07:18 pm: |
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II wasn't going to say anything but I gave up and drove it to the dealer.
It's already done and I will be picking it up Friday I guess. |
Tramp
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 07:22 pm: |
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what are you talking about? I thought buellgrrrl started this thread.
i'm confused. |
Nitsebes
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 09:08 pm: |
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Tramp,I believe he's referring to his tore front Iso.I'm sure his intent was not to Hijack this thread.
btw Natex, just the front iso replaced? |
Tramp
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 09:13 pm: |
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i wasn't (intentionally) implying that, i'm just confused.
his original post is now archived, and that's why i didn't see it on this page. |
Natexlh1000
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 10:12 pm: |
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Damn. Yeah I guess I hijacked the thread.
Sorry.
Just the front isolator was ripped underneath.
Looked fine from the top which is why I thought that perhaps the bracket was failing on me. |
Mmmi_grad
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 11:11 pm: |
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If i were asked i think the whole forum should be archived and a new,more common forum software put in service.
just my 2 cents |
Oldog
| | Posted on Thursday, September 08, 2005 - 11:16 pm: |
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Nate glad that you caught it! |
Buellgrrrl
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 12:47 pm: |
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The saga continues... St.Paul HD called today and tried to sell me on fixing a few "maintainence items" at my expense before returning the bike. They noted the plug wires, one of which has a worn spot but not throught the insulation; I'm still looking for a good deal on some. They also noted a rubbing fuel line, which I hadn't seen and thank them for; plenty of tubing in stock at BuellGrrrl's garage. They noted the exhaust gaskets I'll get around to replacing someday if they become a real nuisance.
St.Paul HD also tried to tell me my brake pads were worn out...
Now BuellGrrrl holds the highest class commercial drivers license and feels every vehicle should have a "Jake brake" or equivelent so she can keep her brakes fresh for real emergencies. Lacking same, I am a habitual downshifter to the point where my 100,000 mile 650 cc. BMW still has the original pads with plenty of lining left, despite having pulled a sidecar for half those miles. So with 1203 high compression ccs. of engine breaking I may not live long enough to wear my Buell's brake pads out. I checked them as I have every 5 k miles just before taking the bike in to St.Paul HD and they looked the same as ever. None the less I'll check them again when I get the bike back and look about to make sure their not dragging or anything.
Suffice to say St.Paul Harley has now dropped in my estimation to a dealership that I might bring a bike too for repair if I'd spent all day wrenching at the roadside in freezing rain to no avail. And given that they're probably the best Buell dealer for 200 miles around it's unlikely they'll be a Uly in my garage! |
Djkaplan
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 01:09 pm: |
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I stopped depending on dealers once my warranty expired. |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 01:48 pm: |
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Hey, they asked before just doing it. Sounds like free diagnostic work to me, and like they are being very thorough. I would rather them find too much and offer to fix it then miss something. I say "no" all the time 
Except maybe the rear brake pad thing. If that is a flat out lie that is an issue. |
Natexlh1000
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 02:41 pm: |
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I just got mine back from the dealer and I guess my rubber dingus was on its way out for a while.
I can't even remember when it ran this smooth last.
I can run it at 2000 RPM now for long periods.
AND....they even washed it!
Nice to know that there was paint under there all this time. |
Tramp
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 06:35 pm: |
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buellgrrl...just remember- brake pads are far cheaper and eaiser to replace than transmissions.... |
Oldog
| | Posted on Monday, September 12, 2005 - 08:59 pm: |
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Think of it as the "would you like to supersize that order?" |
Captainkirk
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 12:20 am: |
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Sounds to me like they were just trying to help. They don't know you, your riding abilities or mechanical skill level. I'd thank them just the same and go on your merry way. Brake pads ARE relatively cheap, and easy to install yourself. Be glad you have a Buell dealer that gives a %$#@.
BTW, "Jake-Brakin'" is a good way to get acquainted with a high side if you overdo it...I'm sure you probably know that, tho. |
Panic
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 10:51 am: |
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SOP to give parts/service people a lecture on "safety items to push with every service ticket", probably includes pads after 1 year regardless of mileage.
Still a rotten thing to do, and against the law in NY (selling/installing an un-necessary part). |
Tramp
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 01:21 pm: |
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they get away with it in NY by "suggesting" replacement based on the obvious eventual wear-beyond-serviceable-limit down the road... |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 01:09 pm: |
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Screaming Eagle wires for an EVO Softail fit perfectly and are only like $14 a set. |
Buellzebub
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 03:57 pm: |
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rear brake pads seem to almost wear out on their own, i recall using mine under ten times in the first 20,000 km's and still needed to replace them, also the stock front pads have a tendancy to wear at an angle which really changes the feel |
Tramp
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 04:44 pm: |
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ummm...buelzebub- that's because your caliper carrier is bent.
very common on these bikes....mine was so badly bent that it wore down my rotor carrier rivets. i just got a pry bar in there and pulled her out 'til it didn't rub on them. very, very common condition on these machines.... |
Natexlh1000
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 04:46 pm: |
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Rear calipers are of the old fashioned "one piston drags the whole caliper sideways on pins" style.
So one pad will be a bit more worn than the other.
Today on the way to work:
 |
Tramp
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 10:07 pm: |
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nate- buellzebub was referring to the front pads, that's why i mentioned the commonly-seen bent front caliper mount. |
Buellzebub
| | Posted on Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 10:01 am: |
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Thanks tramp... it only seemed to happen with the oem pads, i will have a closer look when the sun comes up |
Rick_a
| | Posted on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 11:44 am: |
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I've had my caliper bolts rub on the carrier once...that was because I almost highsided and the front tire dug in so hard the rear wheel was barely in contact with the road. After loosening the axle it all snapped back into its proper place. I can't imagine the mount actually bending. My PM's always had the pads wear evenly...haven't wore out these Nissin pads yet. |
Tramp
| | Posted on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 03:52 pm: |
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yep -that front mount bends like the proverbial mofo.... |
Buellgrrrl
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 04, 2005 - 10:01 pm: |
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I got the M2L back from St.Paul HD today, it was done the 21st of last month but I never got a call to announce it's readiness. As forewarned,total bill was just over $1000 with my out of pocket being only the $50 deductable. Looks like they replaced the fuel line if it was compromised. I checked the brakes and found one pad on the front unusually worn, with the other near new. I inspected but couldn't find anything to explain the asymetrical wear- I'll throw new pads in it and see what happens- any suggestions?
As for the specifics of the isolator mount repair, the new mount looks a bit different and maybe thicker. The bolts look similar to the originals, but seem to have different markings with 12 little raised dots around the periphery of the head.
Suffice to say I'm no more motivated to buy a new Buell- In the last two weeks I put a 21 year old BMW airhead back together with near zero wait for parts. It says something of Harley and their dealers service operations that I can get parts more readily for a BMW that's been out of production for over a decade than for a 5 year old Harley product.
BuellGrrrl |
Bomber
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2005 - 08:43 am: |
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Grrl -- you can get parts PDQ if ya deal with the right source -- some have gotten parts theirownselves and delivered em to the dealer while the dealer swore they were on backorder --
agreed, "service" can certainly use some improvement, but, now and again, you find/hear of a shop that does decent work
warranty work is the absolute worst -- after the warrenty expires, you're on yer own, and your posts seem to indicate you can handle most anything shy of grinding the crankshaft true |
Dave
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 05, 2005 - 11:06 am: |
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Brakes: I'd be tempted to check the side that was like new for function. Perhaps install the new pads off the rotor and squeeze the brakes to see if the pistons come out a bit.
DAve |
