| Author | Message | ||
     Ridrx |
Damnut, Thanx, just wondered. Ain't it nice to see where you are going  ? | ||
| Fdl3 |
In response to the email from Buell, I have shipped three(3) example units to Buell. | ||
| Court |
I am certain that nothing has been redesigned yet and suspect the units you received were just new ones. The very cool part though is that we've effectively been able to accelerate the data gathering process. Think how many months or years this would require in a "normal" scenario. Just under one month between the first post here and someone receiving a new unit. Cool! | ||
| Ridrx |
Thanx to BMC/BadWeb/Court. Truly amazing results so far! | ||
| Court |
Thanks to all of your for stepping up to the plate and responding. I've received 3 more e-mails today and it's really neat to see something like this happen. Ride safe and enjoy the Buells, Court | ||
| Jandj_davis |
Court, any news on a redesign yet? | ||
| Rd3501 |
Got the letter...So am I supposed to pull my old lights out take them into the dealer and they are supposed to give me new ones to put back in? | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
Yeah, same question here. About a month ago I took my lights out to see why they were so dim, the lens was actually turning brown, Well, I cleaned the glass part but the chrome is flaking off pretty badly on the low and hi beams. Guess I can take it to my local dealer and see what they have to say? | ||
| Rd3501 |
Ok any news on what Buell is doing about all the bad headlight assembly design yet? I pulled mine apart last night and they are brown inside and chrome flaking off. Tried a few things....Tired repainting them chrome. Got so hot after only a few minutes the paint started to become soft and bubble was afraid it might catch on fire. Says paint shouldn't go over 200 degrees. I am guessing that is is pretty close to that inside the headlight assembly.. So I put them back together turned on the headlight and after only 1 minute couldn't touch the outside of the assembly because it was to hot too.. Looks like I will have to re pull them apart and put new ones in that will last a good 2 months if I am lucky...damn...Its just to hot inside for any paint to hold up. Buell needs to put some kind of polished metal covering on the inside of the headlight or they need to go to glass on the inside. I cant believe this was over looked for all these years....Sure hope they get something worked out soon....I am sure this is going to affect every XB models out there..not just the XB9R or XB12R....Feel like it is a fire hazard waiting to happen at any minute. Know that a few have already caught on fire...hope I am not one of them...  | ||
| Ridrx |
Rd3501, I like to believe BMC is moving quite quickly on this issue. Hopefully we will get an update before too long on the status of this situation. Court...any word on progress yet? | ||
| Damnut |
you can use aluminum foil for a patch. I'm not advocating this behavior but I've heard it to be done. | ||
| Sflabuell |
Court, Hate to read an archive which says success, yet is still cold and frigid. Why do I say this? By reading the posts here. So, by no later than February 2007 Buell was well informed of the lighting issue on Firebolts. (Yes, I too have one) And not the one month for a letter to replace a defective unit handled one on one (and sorry, but in difference to your claim, this is NOT abnormal in the one off big business approach - only fix the loudest complainers). So, I don't give Buell any special credit here. It's now May, and still many Firebolts are out there with substandard and very possibly unsafe headlight assemblies. What's being done on the permanent and total basis? THAT would separate the cares from the cares NOT. Another issue, the 2003 POS drive belt for one. Very ignored. Cost totally born by almost every owner, few got a "factory warranty replacement". Mine broke at 6030 miles running down a 25 mph street, not even accelerating. I will give you, the upgrade belt works fine. I'm supposed to be OK with that. All you have to do is see this site's multiple problems with these headlight assemblies, and show it to the corporate lawyers. Can you say huge liability (yeah, show all this to a liability lawyer - you might get a suit before a fire)? One fire and we will have an immediate recall, and instead of us doing the work, it'll be the local shop. I agree with previous posts (or rants, if you will), Buell has been given way too much information and specific facts to not have a permanent fix in place by now. Sorry, but this isn't the success story you called it, not yet it isn't. For a select handful of people to get a temporary cost savings, that is just good old company business. | ||
| Court |
Thank you for your viewpoints. | ||
| Ducxl |
and still many Firebolts are out there with substandard and very possibly unsafe headlight assemblies. What's being done on the permanent and total basis? THAT would separate the cares from the cares NOT. I'm curious too,my '05,while burnt and flaking,but not very advanced,is still dimmed and deemed bad. Where do i (and others) stand on this issue??? Should i try crying to MY dealer??? Will they even care? Or will they likely cite the lack of a warrantee? Advice? | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
I have the extended warranty, I guess I should look and see what it covers or in reality what it doesn't cover... | ||
| Court |
>>>Or will they likely cite the lack of a warrantee? That'd be a first. Buell has done things, in terms of reaching out and actively finding bikes long out of warranty to fix, that no other manufacturer has ever dreamed of. I'd not worry about the warranty part either. I have no idea what the status is. I ended my "what I can do" element when I consolidated the information. My bet, and I am not privy to ANY Buell R&D info, that it's getting a serious look. I recall when my wife and I had one of the "bad" Graco kiddie seats for the car. Graco found out that something was performing, in the real world, up to snuff. By the time they did all the research, analysis, prototyping of the improvement, scheduled and got the thing before the feds for certification (headlights would be subject to the same thing) and got the green light to revise and update the product, they were proud to have done it in 19 months. The first step is to determine what is ACTUALLY wrong and then craft a sound solution. I expect it to take longer than a couple months. . . lots of i's to dot and t's to cross. I see Buell as being 2 years ahead of where BMW or Ducati would have been with this issue as a result of valuable input from owners. That's pure speculation on my part . . | ||
| Ducxl |
I believe you,thanks.I'll check my dealer. | ||
| Damnut |
and sorry, but in difference to your claim, this is NOT abnormal in the one off big business approach - only fix the loudest complainers To steal Mr Canfield's line.... That is an inaccurate statement. I never once complained to Buell about my headlights. I mentioned it here and Buell contacted ME to send them in. I didn't go complaining to them about it. Now this is only my opinion here but I believe that they (Buell) have contacted enough owners and have received many headlights to determine that there is a problem. They are probably working on a solution to that problem. | ||
| Court |
I know . . . I know . . . I should be studying for my last final, but let me toss this in on break. The internet is easy. We're all smart, I'm not 40# overweight, we all really have 100RWHP and all our daughters were Homecoming Queen. Life's not like that. Buell builds motorcycles in the most 2nd most regulated vehicle manufacturing environment in the world. Let's, just for a moment, assume that what 3 folks on badweb said was 100% accurate, Buell knew all 3 were Stanford M.E. scholars and no research, analysis nor design was necessary. . . just fix it like we told you. Steve McKay . . help me out here. . . how long to design and produce a production part? Don't you worry about the arranging the certification paperwork or audience with the Feds . .. I'll handle that. Bob . . . you work on the homologation in the other 17 countries. . we'll be having to get the sign off from them as well before we release the first unit for production. Now . . . let's assume that one of those badweb PhD's flunked Materials and that the tin foil derived solution didn't hold up and some engineering and testing was required. At the same time. . I'd have a group sorting out how this got past us and in production in the first place. Is the problem global or did we get a •••••• shipment of headlamp units. Some things are less obvious than in our perfect internet world. Anyone remember the horror Ford went through on the Crown Vic batteries? I mean . . . how tough can it be. . . 1 out of 6 Crown Vics was arriving at the dealers with a dead battery. The dealers TOLD them what to do . . . at that rate of failure, it was obvious. . they needed a bigger battery. Ford decided to take some time and look into it. The dealers chimed "what are you, stupid?" . . . "we told you the problem, we've seen it with our own eyes and we told you what to do". . . "do we need to draw you a picture?" That story illustrates where I'd guess Buell is at now. There is lots of evidence to support that there's a "problem". I know enough of the folks who are likely working day and night on this to know they take it personally. Someone is kicking their own ass that something slipped by them. . they OWN that part (actually it's a team of 3) and it's their responsibility. But. . . it has to be done right. A reactive, driven my the clock alone, solution is seldom sound. The mere suggestion that someone Buell (the same folks who have told so many folks "hey, pull that bike over here, I want to look at something" at so many events and replaced so many owner created problems is going to hide behind the oiling only the squeaky wheels reveals a basic lack of understanding in how Buell has PROVEN they do business. I've been riding and owning a LOT of Buells for the last 20 years and I continue to be impressed. You want a pain in the ass vehicle to deal with by a new Mercedes-Benz. . .I just got my first and last. | ||
| Rd3501 |
Well I got a letter from Buell in April (thanks Court) and said that they would give me new headlight assemblies if I sent the other ones back...I have been in and out of work and had no time to get down to the dealer..tried to talk to the service department about getting me some headlight assmeblies ordered and they told me they would call me back...never happened....when I tried to call Buell (Less than 3 weeks later this week to be exact) to figure out how the dealer would get credit after my second trip to the dealer and got the parts guys to order me some me ones this week. They told me that they already had enough head light assemblies at this time and would not give me credit or replace my headlamps...Guess my fault for not running down to the dealer asap...Said that at this time if I wanted to change them out..it would be at my own dime...Kind of sucks that they sent me a letter saying that they would give me free ones and then tell me no... So I guess I will have to pay for some new ones..and hope that someday they might comeup with something new that will work and not cost me another $100.00...They did say that if they did find something wrong with the headlights that they might...I mean might reimburse me down the road if I sent them a fax....not usre how that one is going to work out??? Just hate having to buy new ones that are already defective than have to buy another set of new ones if they find a fix....Did tell me that they are still looking into if anyone wants to know.... | ||
| Ironhead1977 |
man that's buellsht- Thats probably what they do to the dealers also. | ||
| Court |
>>>Thats probably what they do to the dealers also. Yeah . . .let's beat'em up! Philip, something doesn't sounds right. Drop me a note with your contact number, details and VIN and let me review the chronology. Court | ||
| Kuuud |
I recently picked up an '04 Bolt. The lowbeam is particularly dim. It doesn't even light up the road. Shall I just continue to monitor this thread? Should I attempt to contact a local dealer (who wasn't any help on the kickstand and BAS recalls)? Bret | ||
| Ridrx |
At least they bothered to contact you, I still have heard NOTHING, and I was one of the first to send my info ...if they did find something... IF? I guess it's all in our heads. ...They might reimburse me... Good luck with that, I was told by the stealership..."that's from YOUusing the wrong bulbs"...They're freakin' STOCK! Seems like anytime there is a problem with these bikes the stealer always says it's someone elses fault. I love my bike but if BMC/HD don't want to stand behind the product I'll go back to Honda. Never had a Honda dealer tell me I didn't know how to check my oil...never had a Honda dealer tell me that pinging, detonation, preignition...whatever you want to call it(self destructing!), was "representative of the product","...if we find anything..." what a joke, I almost take offense in that remark because it implies the same "dealer" attitude...it's your own fault,not ours! HD stealers will be the demise of BMC if things don't start changing pretty soon. My brother in law was going to buy 2 Buell's..one for him,one for his wife...until he went to the dealer with me one day...now they both ride Honda's. Buell ,you listening? HD STEALERSHIPS are slowly killing you! I understand it takes time to deal with this sort of thing, but the "we'll decide if it's bad" attitude doesn't encourage me to believe that a solution is coming. (Message edited by RidrX on May 04, 2007) | ||
| Rd3501 |
Still no contact from anyone Court...so I am guessing that Buell doesnt want to honor their letter to me....and I am paying for my own lights, right? What is going on? Does anyone know if Buell going to fix this problem or not.... | ||
| Court |
Phil: Just out of curiosity, have you called Buell again? There is an entire team of folks there who's job it is to resolve just these types of issues. That'd be my first step. Court | ||
| Ridrx |
Rd3501, My 12R is not even a year old yet and I'm about to have to replace the low beam for the SECOND TIME. Buell never contacted me AT ALL(remember I STARTED this movement)...shows how hard that "entire team" is going after this issue...looks like I'll be footing the bill AGAIN! ... I'd say at this point "or not". I'm not going to BEG a manufacturer to fix such a dangerous problem on a NEW bike when there are legal venues that assuredly will get a MUCH FASTER response(...hell, a response at all). I'm not one to jump on the lawyer wagon but this is just a little silly at this point. I was waiting patiently to allow BMC time to rectify this issue...however in light of the fact that they seem to be sidestepping the problem, looks like a legal path is all thats left. ...so here is yet another post about this issue that will be ignored. | ||
| Ducxl |
And the discussion over at the XB forum is getting frightening... | ||
| Rd3501 |
Well, tried to call customer service again today and got the biggest run around of my life. No one wanted to talk about the headlights.. Or if they are any further along than a few months ago.. If you ask me personally I think they new about this the first year when this bike went into production....honestly how could you not???? The lights have start to go dimm right away...and still a problem on the 2007s.... but tried to let it go after all the other stuff wrong with the bike..Lets see what they changed the first year out..I know for a fact that they rushed this bike way to fast into production..Should have gave it 6 more months before dropping it into everyones lap. Sorry still looking at my 2003 belt wondering when it will blow apart on me... Back to changes for 2003-2004..Bad side stand(on 3rd design now and still doesn't work properly), speed sensor, oil lines, belt(biggy), seat cutting into the battery cables and wearing them out, mirrors to short, wrong colors on the display, lower faring to close to the muffler and burning/melting, wrong torque settings on the primary, front and rear bearings, shifting assembly, I know I am missing some others..This is the first year changes. Can say what you want about first year production..but I see to many changes in one year to say they pushed the bike out to fast...and the nice $1,000.00 drop in price from 2003 to 2004 didnt go over well for most...oh..and dont forget the headlights... I think I have been very calm about this whole thing if you ask me..But man..Indian Giver is starting to come to mind when I think of Buell.. I am wondering though...has anyone taken apart to see if the XB9S or XB12S has the same problem?? Does anyone want to take any bets that if you put a rag in it to clean them the coating will come off???? Am I bitching....maybe..just feel like I am one of the original owners and getting tired of fixing shit that Buell should have had fix before selling me the bike...I won't even go into how I feel about the old 1997 S1(aka.. money pit). Anyways....just wanted to update everyone...no one at Buell wants to talk about it in Customer Service..... | ||
| Ducxl |
I think Court has done all that he can do.Remember,he's NOT a Buell representative or employee.This thread serves no purpose any longer.Suck it up,there are solutions.We're left to our own devices now. |
