| Author | Message | ||
     Rhinowerx |
Well, I'd heard about it, but didn't think it could (would) happen to me... So I'd just finished installing a set of Touratech hand guard spoilers. I moved the bike out of the garage, into the light, so that I could take a picture of the spoilers for my web site. Snap a picture with the bars straight. Got on the right side of the bike, and started to move the handlebars in order to get a shot at an angle, when - CRACK! - oh sh*t. Of course, being on the right side, I had no way of keeping the bike from falling - BANG! Both bolts snapped clean off  Damage sustained to the left side of the bike includes hard bag, the hand guard, the bar end weight, and a few other minor scrapes and scratches. Damn this sucks. What the hell do you do with a bike with no side stand???? Now I need to take time off work to get this thing into the dealer - gosh I hope they can fix it before my trip up to Laguna Seca So while I'm here, can someone tell me, is there an actual (upgrade) fix for this - one where I don't have to worry about it happening again? This is incredibly inconvenient and frustrating. For the record - I never stand on the pegs while the bike is on the side stand, and since having read about this issue some time ago, I've been very particular about how the bike is parked, as well as making sure I am cautious and deliberate in how I use the side stand. I guess I should think myself lucky that the bike wasn't next to one of our other bikes at the time, or someone else’s vehicle. Sorry for the rant Time for a beer or six. Did I mention this really sux... | ||
| Destroy |
Just curious, assuming under warranty, does the dealer repair the damage done to the bike from the bike falling over due to the defective side stand?? | ||
| 44mag |
If the stand breaks and the bike falls on another bike, or on a little kid, who is responsible for the damage? | ||
| 44mag |
How hard is it to replace with stronger bolts? I assume you need to remove the muffler ... how hard is that? | ||
| Dudeman |
Kind of a pain to remove the muffler. -remove lower fairing -remove drive pulley cover -unscrew 3 clamps w/ deep sockets preferably -remove muffler clamp I was installing the race kit so had muffler off anyway. Rear sidestand screw was a bit loose and swivel bolt was found loose a few days before. Anyway replaced the bolts with grade 8 ones and tightened and loctited them all... Bummer about bike dropping, I was definitely gonna take preventive measures. | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
This is getting  . That's all I got to say. To the ones that would have this be an owner's responsibility, GIVE ME A BREAK! Do you check every nut and bolt on your car before and after every use? Buell needs to address this faster! | ||
| Alatriste |
Sorry to hear about it, even if this did not happen to me , I am starting to be worried about it. Not because the bike damage, (covered by the insurance I suppose ) but for possible people injuries. In Spain bikes insurances covers these possible personal damage but they can ask for a compensation as well. So... Buell please give a general RECALL and replace the kickstand Saludos | ||
| Bmwdavid |
This just gives me the creeps! Everyday I'm checking my side stand bolts and mount. Now it looks like the stand can fail while appearing to be intact. I can only get on my Uly by standing up on the left foot peg and then swinging my leg over. I need to dismount the same way. I shudder to think if the stand failed as I was standing on the peg in the middle of mounting or dismounting. Ouch and possibly something broken on me! Sure hope Buell steps up to the plate on this one! Other than this concern for the stand I'm still very pleased with my Buell. David | ||
| Ftd |
I have not heard of any Buell model other than the Ulysses with this issue. So is it due to the additional torque from the longer stand combined with mounting bolts that can withstand the force from the standard length stands but not the ULY's? Has anybody broken any component other than the bolts? If not it looks like swapping the bolts out for grade 8 loctited versions is the fix. Frank | ||
| Rkc00 |
Buell really needs to address this FAST!!!! I had my bolts replaced with new stock bolts when my muffler was changed for the rust problem. The tech said mine were loose when he checked. I had already had purchased new bolts from the parts department before bringing the bike in for the muffler. Mike Long Island, NY 06 XB12X Black of course | ||
| Teeps |
Could the side stand bolts be too long and bottoming out in the hole? Rhino can you take a shot of the bolt side of the stand bracket? | ||
| Brotherbuell |
You guys are right...this is taking too long. The first failure that I heard about was in Sept. '05. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Rhino, I worry about letting my 14 year old sit on the bike when I'm getting it fueled up. Anyway, how about a photo of where the kickstand attaches to the bike. Where I'm going with this is: 1) Do those bolts thread into the frame or do they go through and are nutted? Is it possible to tap to the next size bolt for superior strength. 2) Can a 3rd bolt be added between the stock bolts. Maybe that would weaken the area that bolts to. That is why I would like to see a photo before you bolt it back together. Thanks if you can do that. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Rhino, Forget the above "stupid" request" and comments. I went out and looked it over myself on my bike and see how it is attached. Hindsight is always 20/20 and there a plenty of ways for them to engineer a better solution. Personally I would hope that whatever they do it is something that we first buyers can retrofit on our own bikes. That should have been a four bolt affair (20/20) and then this never would have been a problem. The bolts on mine seem to be plenty tight but I'm sure that means nothing. It's a hell of a thing that we have to remove the muffler to preventatively fix this "SAFETY ISSUE". | ||
| Naustin |
I'm sure the recall will happen eventually. The problem is they can't issue the recall until they have the parts to replace them with. It takes time to redesign a part, and then retool to build it, and then actually build a bunch of them. I don't know if the new side-stand is coming from a 3rd party supplier or if the original did too, but if so - that adds another month or two on top. All this is compounded by the fact that it is in Buell's best interest to replace the side stands on their new inventory Uly's before those bikes get delivered to the dealerships or sold off the showroom floors. It would be stupid to sell even one new bike with the old stand when they are planning a recall already. So - whether it is right or not - the first new stands will go on the new bikes they have already built, and on the ones they are currently building. They will not issue the recall until they have a surplus of the upgraded side-stands sufficient to replace all the `06s that are out there. The true failure is in customer service. They should have brought all the Uly's in months ago, and had the dealerships reinforce the side-stands by welding on extra girth, and upgrading the bolts. But, if they did that, they would have to do two recalls on the same part, because every Uly owner would still expect a brand new stand eventually even after those makeshift repairs. I'm sure Buell would have preferred to do that - but the accountants at Corporate HQ wouldn't spend the money to bring all the bikes in twice for the same problem. Plus they would compound their liability if the repairs failed due to poor welds or something. It Sucks. Plain and Simple. But, that's business. I just hope they have the fire going and those side stands are replaced soon. It is inconceivable that Buell would not recall the stands at this point - its just a matter of when. As far as damage and who is responsible - the insurance will cover it. But, you'll have to pay the deductible. And your rates might go up if you make a claim. And if lots of people make claims, the cost to insure a Uly in general will skyrocket. Buell should pay the damages - but they won't. Again, it sucks, but that's business. Its really too bad. Buell can't afford to piss off its customers, especially the ones who pony up a decked out Uly. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Daves, I notice that when someone needs a part there is no one faster to to let us know that we can buy it from you. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt here and assume you are formulating your answers to the above warranty questions. I know for a fact that I'd at least believe that all parts damaged (including bags) would be covered under warranty when the side stand fails. Being as you sell a bunch of these bikes, what has been your dealership's position regarding the fixing of damage caused by this problem? | ||
| Pso |
Could this be a National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. issue? If they are falling over at gas stations, when people are getting on or off the bike, or just sitting on the bike seems like a safety issue and thus perhaps a safety recall. | ||
| Snub13 |
Well, this does indeed SUCK...... Every time I put the side stand down I'm nervous! It used to be (the nervousness) because I thought someone would steal it. I'm not waiting for a recall, I'm going to grade 8's now (while I'm putting on the race kit and the muffler is off anyway)! | ||
| Jim_sb |
Rhino, sorry to hear about this. Imagine being parked at the Rock Store. A $50,000 custom comes in and parks next to your bike. Your kickstand fails. Things get expensive and ugly in a hurry... Dang. I guess I need to go to the hardware store this weekend and put new bolts in. Jim in SB | ||
| Chadhargis |
My 20 month old daughter walks by my bike on her way from the car to the door. He often likes to stop and point at my bike while exclaiming "Daddy!". I've thought several times about what would happen if the stand failed with her standing there. I've told my wife to keep her away from the bike when she's walking to the door. I check my bolts (as best I can with the muffler there) on a regular basis. Mine are tight, but it appears it's not a tightness issue, but a weak bolt issue. I've often wondered who among us will get hurt, have a loved one (or even a stranger) hurt, before a recall is performed. | ||
| Daves |
Electraglider, I am trying to get official info on this as I type. For me to speculate on what is or is going to be done would not do anyone any good. Stay tuned! | ||
| Rhinowerx |
Hey guys, So I just got into work this morning having dropped my bike of at the dealership. The service manager (Woody) at California HD was very responsive and supportive – so far so good. In talking to Woody, he mentioned that this was the first time he had heard of/seen this issue. He checked on the computer but found no service bulletin or upgrade notices regarding the issue. I explained my concerns with replacing the bolts with OEM units - he agreed and replied that they plan to put a call in to Buell WI, express my concerns, and seek a recommendation for a better solution. As for the damage to the bag and the hand guard, Woody said it (should) be covered by the warranty - I was surprised to hear that, and will be extremely pleased if it turns out that way. The fix will take a few days – so no riding this weekend. They asked me to check back in with them on Monday, which I will most certainly do seeing that I have the day off. Funny thing – the service department had to figure out what to do with the bike. Seems the only chocks they had was on the bike lifts, and I guess they didn’t want to tie up one of the lifts while they wait to get feedback, and the parts they need, from Buell WI. I can only hope the sheer (excuse the pun) ridiculous inconvenience of it all will echo in their conversations with the folks in WI So far, I’m feeling pretty confident that the folks California HD have my best interests at heart, and that they will take care of me – which is all I (we) really want – right? I’ll keep you guys posted. Cheers -Jack | ||
| Pwnzor |
well Jack I wish you luck at California HD. You will need it. Woody is the guy who stood there and told me to my face that my primary case oil had been changed. When I got home I drained it and found a shredded o-ring on my drain plug along with about a million metal shavings and the oil was black as midnight. 'nuff said. | ||
| Rhinowerx |
Matt, I actually had a similar issue with them last year during my bikes first 1k service. I promptly returned the bike, highlighted the issues, and expressed my dissatisfaction to upper management. They were very apologetic, and re-did the 1k service - correctly this time. They've been good to me ever since. Not sure, but it seems to me like they've cleaned up their act, or are at least trying to - guess we'll see soon enough. Cheers -Jack | ||
| Freyke |
Yikes! | ||
| Pwnzor |
Cal HD no longer exists to me. | ||
| Teeps |
}Pwnzor Posted on Thursday, June 29, 2006 - 03:16 pm: Cal HD no longer exists to me. Why? | ||
| Uselyssxb12x |
Thanks Daves I am getting nervous about my kickstand too  . | ||
| Rhinowerx |
Actually, I believe in second chances. Hmmm, reminds me of that old adage - how does it go? "...fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can't get fooled again."  Cheers -Jack | ||
| Daves |
No problem Uselyssxb12x. I'll let all of you know as soon as I hear something. I do look at this as a serious issue. In spite of Electragliders opinion of me, I "occasionally" do more than just sell stuff here. |
