| Author |
Message |
    
Stealthxb
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 01:59 pm: | 
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If the parts and service manuals are online and connected the next logical function would be to allow for ordering of parts from the factory.
This would benefit the consumer and the company but have a negative effect on local dealers. |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 02:14 pm: |
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Despite the convenience factor of direct on-line ordering I would rather they did not incorporate that feature.
It would cut off even more of our connection with the dealer network. The dealers are already almost hostile to
Buells, and their riders.
(not our sponsors of course )
If they lose further incentive and contact with Buell owners they will see absolutely no reason to keep the brand.
Despite the average Buellers fierce individualism we still need a dealer network. |
Blake
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 04:16 pm: |
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Online PDFs with timely updates and hyperlinks would be great! I still would want a hardcopy too though.
THANKS BILL!  |
Lovematt
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 05:02 pm: |
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I support the BRAG number idea to access a PDF online. There are a number of options with PDFs...maybe password protect each file with the BRAG number as well when it is opened each time? I don't know a lot about this stuff but I have gotten password protected PDFs before... |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 05:11 pm: |
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Now that I think about it, I had no beef paying retail for my service manual, but it was pretty annoying to have to pay for the parts manual.
It's a great and useful book, but it felt funny to have to pay. The assembly information I get from it should have been in the service manual I already bought, as should the part numbers, so it seems to me... |
Steveshakeshaft
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 10:32 am: |
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On line parts search engine would be useful for cross referencing compatible parts when numbers change or are upgraded. IMO, CD's have had their day and are too easily pirated (look at EBay). On line, it needs to be. |
Rhinowerx
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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Online parts fiche should be available and free (most of the European and Japanese manufactures offer it). In conjunction, Buell should make available the opportunity to buy OEM parts online. This seems to be a lacking feature of Buell ownership. I’ve owned quite a few German and Japanese motorcycles, and for the most part, was always able to pre-order (the correct) parts online.
Think of all the stress and discomfort we’d be lifting of the shoulders of the brick and mortar HD (Buell) parts staff.
The service manual should definitely be available (for a fee) as a PDF version on disc – obviously offering key word searchable functions. I think the best part about having a PDF version of the service manual is the fact that I can spend time reviewing upcoming maintenance procedures, from the comfort of my office desk, and then, when the weekend rolls around, I simply print off ‘only’ the pages I need to perform the task.
Cheers
-Jack |
Bomber
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 12:31 pm: |
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I really dig the BRAG tie - in
I also agree about the on-line parts ordering (kinda) -- no need to further drive a wedge between Buell owners and the dealership metwork (both sides of the fence do a good enough job of that, I believe) -- also, direct ordering from the factory would play heck with the dealer relationships
however, there are manufacturers that allow you to order things from the corporate e-site, and take delivery thorugh the local dealer, so that is very possible -- more work, of course, but doable
all that remains is to spin the numbers and demonstrate some benefit to HDI ;-} |
Sarodude
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 01:15 pm: |
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If we're talking Pie in the Sky....
* Conditional procedures: Basically, you can view, say, a different procedure for rocker gasket replacement if the motor is in or out of the bike.
* Procedure Merging: When something in a traditional manual says Remove Wheel (see page whatever) you could have that automagically merged inline.
* Part Interchangeability: Maybe some reference system could be developed to help hot rodders, customizers, etc to figure out what kindsa stuff might work outside their factory application - without necessarily condoning it. Easy example: XB-S footpegs fit XB-R bikes?
* Procedure and Parts Requirements: Be kinda cool if you selected Rocker Gasket Replacement and got the required part #s (the rocker gaskets, o-rings, washers, isolate bracket bolts, etc), optional parts (PCV valve, the PCV doughnut), etc.
The gist of what I'm getting at above is a different type of reference. Instead of having a giant, cumbersome manual you need to flip around when you're working, you can plot what needs to be done and have a specific procedure print out for you in a nice, concise, manageable fashion.
Eventually, a truly workable concept could be licensed or serviced for other companies.
I know there are lots of reasons to show why this shouldn't or couldn't be done. Instead, can't we show how it COULD be done and some things we might like to see? Reality will be injected in HEAVY DOSES once someone actually looks to implement this.
Just because something is a certain way doesn't mean it needs to stay that way.
-Saro |
Bud
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 01:36 pm: |
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perhaps a idee to lower the cost for buell
every bueller who can scan a few pages, scan a few pages to a given spec. from buell ?
and send theme in to a mail box ?
550 pages @ 300 Dpi is a lot off work. |
Chainsaw
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 02:17 pm: |
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Despite the convenience factor of direct on-line ordering I would rather they did not incorporate that feature.
Harley does online ordering for most parts, shipped from a dealer of your choice, keeping the dealers in the loop. I'm sure Buell could do something similar.
Some fine ideas popping up here! |
Steveshakeshaft
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 06:54 am: |
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Be careful with the Brag tie in. Buell is exporting a LOT of bikes. We don't have Brag overseas. HTH. |
Fmaxwell
| | Posted on Friday, July 06, 2007 - 01:14 am: |
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Here's a simpler suggestion:
Buell could stop trying to make parts and service manuals into a profit center. They get $10K for the bike. Throwing in a CD with service and parts manuals seems pretty darned reasonable and consumer-friendly.
Besides, if I had parts manuals for all of the various flavors of XB, then I could start looking for cool bolt-ons from other models and years, giving the dealer more business. I could tell if the ECM changed from one year to another, what the part number is for the inner airbox cover, etc. As it is now, I have a long drive to the dealer so that I can point and say "this piece" rather than just calling on the phone and giving a part number to get a price and to place an order. |
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