| Author | Message | ||
     Troyyz |
Well, this is a story detailing my (mis) adventures after finally picking up my Uly on 10 May. This begins in Balad, Iraq almost a year and a half ago. Maximum and I began the conversation about this new phenomenon from Buell. Of course, this turned into a quick obsession. My personal obsession reached a start point a few days ago in Dothan, Alabama. The sales and service team took care of my Uly for the last 5 months while I waited for the weather to clear for the cross-country to the Rockies. Upon receipt last Thursday, the bike had all of 11 miles on it. The manufacture date is Sep 05. While I waited for weather, the Dothan team installed Pirelli tires in lieu of the Dunlops, the 07 front springs, and finally the 07 air cleaner kit/box. Great work, flexibility, and hospitality on their part. You gotta love the south! Thanks guys! To continue, I put a quick 50 miles on the bike and the oil/filter change that same day. Thereafter I departed for Atlanta. At my first gas stop at 140 on the odometer, the bike would not hold idle without me applying throttle. My initial belief was possible bad gas since the bike sat for nearly a year and a half with the same tank. Later that evening upon my arrival in Atlanta the same problem persisted. The next day (Friday) I returned to Dothan with similar but not as severe issue with the idle. I picked up stock HD oil and filter and discussed the issue with the service team. They agreed with my belief of bad gas. Later that night I completed a preventative 500 mile oil/filter change. I got an earlier start on Saturday to make Shreveport, LA (550 miles) for the 1000 miles service by 2:00 pm. Great ride across the beautiful gulf coast states. Started at about 4:00 am and sun came up behind me as I passed through historic Selma, AL. I love riding this bike. The southern hospitality continued as I got into Shreveport. The dealership there with Wade, Richard, Jeremy, and Rex did a great job with the service and the recommendation for lunch at the Country Tavern. By far the best BBQ I have ever had, bar none! ...but back to the adventure, I brought the idle issue with Richard and Jeremy in the service department. They did a completed diagnostics and found no problems but did observed the idle issue and a rough engine at higher RPMs. I spoke of the perceived fuel issue and they recommended a couple of caps of STP treatment per tanks for several tanks. I agreed and complied for 2 tankfuls while enroute to Fort Worth, TX the next day (Sunday). The adventure starts to go south (pun intended) Sunday morning. First thing is I bust a latch on the right stock Buell while packing for the ride west. BUMMER!!! I tape it up for the ride and moved out. As I rolled into Fort Worth I began to notice the engine running rougher and rougher. As I got into downtown proper with 1356 miles on the odometer, the engine coughed, sputtered, and promptly quit. QUIT!!! Huge bummer! The roadside assistance worked perfectly and within two hours I was in a hotel and had a plan for an early Monday morning pickup and service call at American Eagle HD/Buell in Denton, TX. Randall, the service technician there, quickly identified the problem as a rotor cup installed improperly. Apparently the cup tab was misaligned on the timing sensor plate at the factory. Unfortunate. Fortunately the team in Denton had the rotor cup on hand from their race team and within a few hours had me back on the road. They did say if the problem persisted to have the TSP looked at for replacement due to possible damage to it as well. Otherwise, all went well. Thanks American Eagle. The trip across the Lone Star State took me up US 287 through Oklahoma and finally back into Colorful Colorado logging in 800 miles for the day/night. Aside from the bad weather north of Dumas, TX all the way through to Denver, the ride was great. In reality, the bad weather was a great test for my Olympia gear. 100% dry through several severe thunderstorm and rain showers. Love it! Arrived at the house at 3:00 am with 2105 miles on the bike in four long days of riding... just in time to get ready for work today.  UGH! The idle is ok but the engine is running very rough at several RPM points (25-27, 32-3400). My local dealership (Rocky Mountain HD/Buell) told me today that the one technician is swamped and may not be able to get to it for the next two months... Bummed beyond belief! Am plannning to follow up tomorrow with the service manager. Hoping for a better response. Loving the bike but am discouraged with the first 2000 miles of engine issues. If anyone has suggestions on how to make this better, PLEASE pass it on to me. Am anxious to get on the road and enjoy the summer. Thanks to Maximum for the help and motivation to bring this 20 month dream to fruition. FLY LOW and Safe!!! | ||
| Maximum |
Glad you made it home safe, here are my suggestions: 1. Call Buell customer service about the broken latch, they are very aware of this problem with the earlier bags. 2. If your dealer will not help you for two months, find another servicing dealer. I spoke with the Sun Buell service department about the Bank Angle Sensor recall a couple weeks ago, they said just to call a couple days ahead and they would get me in (although I am still procrastinating). 3. You should have rode back with me back in February. I was much nicer weather! http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/260012.html | ||
| Etennuly |
Considering all of the rough running problems you are having I would change the plugs, check your coil wires from the coils to the plugs for rubbing/wear through/fit, have the tps reset, check the exhaust valve for function, check all of the wiring connectors for fit and connection, check ECM connectors under the seat for bending from the seat rubbing them, check battery terminal connections(the bolts will bottom out and feel tight, put in washers if necessary), take it out on a long stretch and run it. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
If you are mechanically inclined...You should pull the air box and the baseplate that the air filter sits on and check the routing of the wires under it...they are prone to chaffing and so is the front plug wire. The sooner you do this the better. If you are inclined to do this Badwebbers can lead you thru it or go to "search" on this site. You ???might????find a dealer to do it..yeah..right.. | ||
| Bobsims |
Troyyz, Great report, many thanks for sharing. I especially appreciate your positive attitude and patience in dealing with a persistent and difficult mechanical problem. No doubt you'll find resolution to your remaining problems in short order. Looks like there are at least a few of us here who have their Ulys thanks to tax-free, government-sponsered "adventures" of a different kind. +1 on props to Maximum -- got a lot of good advice from him, myself. Thanks again, and please keep us updated on your bike. Bob Stuttgart, Germany | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Your local dealer sure is treating an Iraq vet like a shiite. Shouldn't have to wait so long for warranty service but it might only be in need of plugs. Good luck with it and welcome to ULY World. | ||
| Troyyz |
Well, dropped the bike off at Rocky Mountain HD/Buell with the service manager, Forrest, and said he would give it priority handling. Good news there. Hope to pick it up tomorrow for riding this weekend. Thanks to everyone for the advice and feedback. See you on the road!  | ||
| Flyor |
Troy, Great rundown on the trip. I missed you after the briefing in Atlanta before you had to roll back to Dothan. Fully intended to "talk shop" with you before your departure. Oh well, Glad you made it back okay. Hope that engine issue is worked out promptly. It's a great bike...would hate to see it messed up for you so early. Talk to ya later, Scott p.s. Stay on Freyer...he's very interested.  | ||
| Troyyz |
Scott, Great to see you again. Will follow up with Freyer tomorrow. Got the bike back last week and it is running like a champ. No problems. In my hands for 11 days and only 2200 miles so far. Maybe the summer will prove more adventurous. Was out today with Maximum (pix forthcoming) first our first ride around town at lunch... just in time for an afternoon thunderstorm. BWB!  Yahoo! Sorry I missed you after the brief in ATL. Stay in touch. Am hoping to make E.Troy for the homecoming as well as Sturgis. If you are ever out this way, look me up. I am in contact with Abejon about future HLS/HLD apps for BFT here for the DNC in Aug 08 so we will probably be working that later together. Beautiful bike BTW, I particularly like the Blue Max! Later days.  Troy |
