| Author | Message | ||
     Lovehamr |
My last trip to the dealer was back in June for my 5k check. I also had them take a look at my right turn signal, which had operated only intermittently since new, and at the kick stand, which wasn't recalled yet. The tech determined that my T/S switch was bad and found one loose bolt on the side stand. The service Mgr. said that the switch would be on order and that they would call me when it was in. Since that time I'd called once or twice a month to check on progress only to get some lame excuse. Keep in mind that my closest dealer is almost 100 miles away. This last Thursday I had to run my wife and son to the airport and decided to pop in at the dealer while I was in town. Turns out that there had been a shift in personnel and my part had never been ordered. Then to my amazement they found the turn signal housing in stock as well as the side stand kit. This was after we figured out that Buells have a T/S on the left side only unlike their more familiar hartlys. So I took 1/2 a day off work Friday run down and have that stuff installed. Cool, huh? Not so fast oh diseased yak breath! More to come. After waiting around, semi watching, for almost 3 hours the assigned tech had the pieces installed and took the bike out to check it. When he came back I could see that all was not right(Fla. no helmets). After the mandatory pow wow with the service Mgr.(Scott) I was informed that the right T/S still did not work. So, rather than having to come back again and having already burned some vacation, I said to go ahead and find the problem. While my Uly is sitting there minding it's own business with 4 dealership guys around it, the side stand bolts fail simultaneously and spectacularly, resulting in my bike rattling loudly to the floor. I've got to say that I handled to situation quite gracefully because I didn't shoot anyone. Both bolts had been torqued (I watched it done) and then later failed right at the bolt heads, leaving almost no shank exposed and necessitating an EZ out. Luckily the dealer had some bolts in stock but curiously there were none in the recall kit. Now we should be on track right? Well hold up there skippy! I look out into the work bay a few minutes later and see a bunch of long faces around my bike yet again. WTF! So when I go out to see what's up, Scott shows me that a portion of the sub frame that supports the pegs on the left side had broken off, leaving the drivers peg only partially supported. I'll try to put my crude phone pic in here and apologize in advance for the quality;  At this point, if I could have, I'd have just gone home and called it a day. On there initial parts search the came up with no part anywhere in the country. Talk about a bummer man. Then some enterprising individual figured out the PN was obsolete, searched the updated # and Voila' the same company's store across town had one in stock! I could hardly believe it! At this point it's going on 5:30 in the afternoon and traffic is getting jacked up. So the company's parts manager (Rick) goes out on a mission across town to meet up with another parts guy headed toward us. Rick arrives with the sub frame at about 6:30. The store is supposed to close at 7 and all the outside display bike are already packed into the service bay leaving my poor Uly stuck back in a corner waiting for it's part. The tech working on my bike (another Scott) has already apologized about 50 times for all the delays and my Uly is finally ready just after 7pm. So after 7 months of waiting my bike now has both turn signals and the new kick stand (which seems to hit my race can more often BTW). The thrash, though caused by the dealer it's self in the first place, was handled by the new people in place and I am grateful that it's done. What nuggets of wisdom did I get out of this experience you ask? #1 I should have run up the chain after 2 BS calls for parts. Maybe things would have gotten done sooner at the expense of making someone (possibly me) the a-hole. #2 Always use new bolts when installing a side stand! #3 When working with a circuit always test it through the full range of motion before final assembly. I hope this crap helps someone! Steve | ||
| Brotherbuell |
Steve, It's been a while since I had my sidestand done but I saw the parts list for the recall kit and to the best of me recollection, the new bolts were in there. I asked to see the parts list because I was curious to see if Buell would replace the front muffler band clamp..they did. Sounds like you need to find another dealer and report this loser to Buell customer service. | ||
| Davo |
The replacement sidestand has new bolts and they are different from the original bolts. The threads run up the bolt further so the new bolt heads hit the mounting plate before the shaft bottoms out in the engine case. The factory must have known about this problem because my October 06 built ULy had washers on the bolts to take up the space at the plate. There is also a problem with the pivot bolt as well. The new sidestand has a different pivot arrangement. Sorry to hear about all your problems at the dealership. There are a few good dealerships out there. I am impressed with the support of Santa Fe HD/Buell. If you can't find a dealer recommended by Buell owners on this forum I would get a manual and do it yourself. Working on Buells is easy and fun. | ||
| Old_mil |
Are these sidestand problems limited to 2006 models, or do they affect 2007s as well? | ||
| Ihavemanyfleas |
I have a may 06, and I haven't heard didly about the recall from the dealer (after asking them a couple of times). I haven't had a problem... yet. And, I haven't had anything come in the mail about my stand being recalled. Is there a way to determine by looking if it is needed, or do I have to call Buell to find out since the dealer wont do it for me? XXXXX TX HD... btw. What they told me was that the folks who have had it fail had the bike loaded down, and were sitting their weight on the bike when it did fail, which to me sounds like total BS. Names have been changed to protect the inocent. (Message edited by ihavemanyfleas on January 14, 2007) (Message edited by ihavemanyfleas on January 15, 2007) | ||
| Ulywife |
had the bike loaded down, and were sitting their weight on the bike when it did fail I don't remember anyone posting that they were sitting on their bike when the side stand failed and as for being loaded, that shouldn't be an issue either. If your dealer won't run your vin# for you, check with another dealer that will. According to Daves in the thread below, the recall affected certain XB12X motorcycles made between 3/15/05 and 6/16/06. The following threads may give you some answers, the second one has pictures of the bolts after the sidestand broke. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=746287#POST746287 http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=685758#POST685758 (Message edited by Ulywife on January 14, 2007) | ||
| Davo |
Ihavemanyfleas, If your Uly has a removable pivot bolt (threaded) then you need to make a phone call. The extra length of a Uly sidestand places more leverage on the mounting plate bolts than the shorter xb's. If the pivot bolt backs out even a little bit, then this will make the sidestand creep and put additional force on the mounting plate. If the two mounting plate bolts have bottomed out before they have placed enough torque on the plate, then the leverage effect is compounded. It is sort of like putting a block of wood under the head of a claw hammer to make it easier to pull a nail out. When all of these forces come together then you have a potential problem. The two bolts can break. There is also a problem with the weld at the top of the sidestand. Take a look at it and you will see. Some of the welds have broken and the bikes have fallen over. The new sidestand is engineered differently at the pivot and have slightly different bolts. I have comparison pictures if you would like to see the difference. Mine never failed but I saw a problem with the pivot bolt over a year ago. The dealer did not think it was a major problem because they sold me a new pivot bolt. The recall supports my argument. | ||
| Court |
The #1 problem with Buell parts delivery. Several "myth busters" . . .
Glad you finally got things worked out. Court | ||
| Teeps |
Court Posted on Sunday, January 14, 2007 If you order a part and it's not arrived with days (not weeks) someone needs to check on it. Buell ships NEARLY EVERYTHING the day the order is received. This pretty much includes most bodywork. . .NOTE: There are some exceptions. Within days of order has been my experience with the local Buell dealer. Their biggest problem is the only one that will call to let you know your part is in, is the parts guy/gal that ordered the part. On more than one occasion, I've dropped by the dealer. Only to find my part had been there for a couple of days. When I asked why no call; the answer was oh, (parts/guy-gal) only works on Saturday. | ||
| Lovehamr |
"On more than one occasion, I've dropped by the dealer. Only to find my part had been there for a couple of days. When I asked why no call; the answer was oh, (parts/guy-gal) only works on Saturday." Having owned many other bikes in the past (both Japanese and European) but never a Harley, I've come to the conclusion that the vast majority are retarded, think I'm retarded, or are just lazy a-holes. Don't get me wrong, that's not everyone. But every dealership that I've been in has been populated by Neanderthals (women to) who's idea of a motorcycle is 3/4 of a ton of ass-jewelry and anyone else, including us Buell types, are looked down upon. I gotta tell ya guys, I'm sick of it. From the dealership in Savannah who laughed at me out loud when I asked about Buells, to the dealer who tried to ad all sorts of BS charges when I bought my Uly, to the Daytona dealer who offered me a job because I could semi speak Buell and they couldn't, to this latest fiasco; I've had it. Buells biggest problem is their affiliation with HD. Never again and that sucks because I dig my Uly! | ||
| Ihavemanyfleas |
ok. Thanks for the info on helping to identify a possible problem. I'm looking at my SS and thinking that this is NOT a removable pivot bolt... Am I correct in this assumption?  | ||
| Davo |
That is the new sidestand. You are in good shape! | ||
| Xbimmer |
Fleas, great pic, what camera? Like Davo says it's the new pivot PIN, which supports the stand leg clevis through both sides. Looks a little dry in there though, you might want to get in there with some synthetic grease. Great shot also shows the weenie mounting bracket which is an engineering afterthought IMHO. That sucker needs four bolts into the case, and not Taiwanese bolts... My Uly was built 10/05 and was recalled. My pivot bolt was replaced with a pin. Long before mine was recalled I bought the factory fix-kit with instructions dated 02/06 which clearly indicated the kit as a replacement for the standard pivot-bolted stand leg. Buell knew about the problem apparently long before the recall but I guess the gears in the Machine take some time to get going. Glad you got your bike back on the road, the dealers seem to be most definitely the bad part of Buell ownership. (Message edited by xbimmer on January 14, 2007) | ||
| Ihavemanyfleas |
The cam I'm using is the canon powershot s410. I've been pretty happy with it considering it's size and picture quality. Anyone else getting a kick out of our 'ICE STORM '07?' | ||
| Davo |
It is going to be 74F today in Southside VA! Leaving the house in a T shirt. | ||
| Jlnance |
Only to find my part had been there for a couple of days. When I asked why no call; the answer was oh, (parts/guy-gal) only works on Saturday. Yet all these dealerships will be shocked when they discover everyone is ordering their parts online in a few years. | ||
| Old_mil |
\i(Glad you got your bike back on the road, the dealers seem to be most definitely the bad part of Buell ownership.\ You've never dealt with BMW dealers, have you.} | ||
| Chadhargis |
Yep...I've owned a few BMWs. The parts take longer to get, and cost 4 times as much. Same for Ducati parts, especially if you order them while Italy is on holiday....the whole darn country! | ||
| Teeps |
Jlnance Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 Yet all these dealerships will be shocked when they discover everyone is ordering their parts online in a few years. A few weeks ago I read (here on BadWeb) that online ordering of factory parts might be a reality. And... the dealer that you will call the parts from gets the sale credit. The dealers will love that for sure; getting paid for doing virtually nothing? | ||
| Xbimmer |
Old_mil, matter of fact I've still got the '78 R100S I bought new in '79, have been to the dealers more than a few times since then as well as mail order from Capital Cycle, and I'll wager that I can get most any part over the counter while I would have to order the Buell counterpart. I've had to wait for an air filter, and I'm still waiting for a drive belt and for cryin' out loud a DRAIN PLUG that I ordered last week for my Uly. You would think those basic items among others would be kept in stock. I'm stockpiling stuff now so that when I need it I won't have to wait for it. The only stuff I've been able to get across the parts counter for my Uly are oil filters, spark plugs, and some fasteners. I will admit though that Buell parts prices are more than reasonable. I'll be heading over to my dealer tomorrow to order an oil cooler since mine seems to be seeping now from the fins somewhere. Might as well have it when they decide it is a warranty issue and I can just hand it over to them instead of waiting. | ||
| Lorazepam |
The dealer network is my only beef with Buell. I have asked several times about parts, or service, and have been told they would call back. I have yet to receive a return call from them. They are nice folks, but when I ask about a fork oil change (no heated garage here, or the tools needed) I have called twice to get a price and set up an appointment, no one seems to know how long it will take or the cost, and will "get back to me". I got my sidestand replaced at another dealership who had it in stock after three calls to my purchasing dealer, and got the "get back to me" which they never did. The closest dealer to me acts as though I farted in their general direction when I go in and try to get service or parts, and the others arent much better. I think the Uly will be in my garage for many years, but my next new bike will come from a dealer where they take the bikes and customers seriously. As far as ordering parts from the 'net, I do my best to support my local dealers, but Buell ownership is changing my thoughts on this. It is bad enough to get crap from the rubs for atgatt when you go in, but after spending several hundred dollars on stuff, and getting blown off for service requests, I will order from the folks on here, and screw the local dealers. | ||
| Ihavemanyfleas |
Speaking slightly off topic... I was at the grocery on the uly the other day and heard some mom telling her kid, "Look at the Harley Davidson Buell."  I guess that's not TOO far off, but seriously (Message edited by ihavemanyfleas on January 16, 2007) | ||
| Birdmanrh |
Sounds all too familiar. When I had my sidestand recall done the muffler was off because I was getting the header Ceramic Coated. (trailered it there and back) They changed the stand and handed me some parts that I did not look at until later. The parts were the new muffler straps and the new bolts. Glad I had an "approved" tech do the recall.....IDIOTS! |
