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Jose Quinones (José_Quiñones)
| | Posted on Sunday, November 19, 2000 - 07:54 am: | 
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For people with an extended warranty, please note that any diagnostic time used to determine what to fix will be paid by YOU. For example, if it takes the mechanic X hours to find the problem, YOU pay for those X hours. The warranty will then pay for the labor and parts to fix the problem.
Don't ask me how I know..... |
Chibueller
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 19, 2000 - 02:28 pm: |
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Copied from the Windy City Brag Chapter:
RE: Rocker Box Gaskets
According to Kenny (IL-HD) rocker box gasket leaks can be delayed by letting your engine warm up properly. The cylinders are made of several differing metals that heat and cool (therefore, expand and contract) at different rates.
A bike that is not warmed up properly may develop leaks from the rocker box because the gaskets are being heated by one type of metal on the top and another on the bottom, effectively pulling the gasket in two directions at once. This process is sped up if a load is put on the engine.
Also it's a design flaw with the physical composition of the HD motor. Force from the pushrods and rockers causes vibrations at the gasket juncture, making it weak. It doesn't help that HD uses cheap gaskets.
From what I understand, this is a common problem with HD motors in general. You can install higher quality (aftermarket) gaskets but I'm not sure how that will affect your warrantee.
Your best bet is to have the dealer do the work (if your bike is still under warr) as soon as you see a leak. This is not a life or death leak but if you wait too long the leak can short out spark to a cylinder and you'll be left with no power.
You can also do the job yourself in about 2 hours but you have to remove the tank. If I did this that would mean my warr expired and then I'd also install the better gaskets. When you have to replace them, go with the James gaskets. A few friends of mine have them and love them, 6000 miles with no change.
Anyway, I gather from user profiles that the rocker box leak usually occurs between 2000 to 4500 miles and at similar increments thereafter.
Keep your eyes open for oil pooling on the engine case between the two cylinders or oil spray on the battery, frame, or your legs.
Fix the problem right away because a simple spray leak can deteriorate to a gusher in less than 500 miles. Meaning, long trips could get interesting.
If it hasn't happened yet, don't worry about it. Just let the bike warm up. |
Hadyn
| | Posted on Friday, January 26, 2001 - 10:54 pm: |
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i posted a message in the for the factory window, i new and did not relize this section was here. if anyone has a legal backround and has a minute could you read and reply with opinions? My beautiful x1 that i put 26000 miles in one year is being held hostage. message would be under hadyn phx az |
Buellinbenny
| | Posted on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 07:02 am: |
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I can't get extended warranty over here in the UK. Is yours an actual manufacturers extended warranty?
Buellin' Benny |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Saturday, January 27, 2001 - 10:44 am: |
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Bennybueller :
Do you seriously think anyone in the UK is that stupid ?
Rocket in England |
Jugger
| | Posted on Thursday, February 01, 2001 - 11:38 pm: |
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Has anyone had there rocker box leak repaired under extended warrenty ? My 99S3 has finnaly begun to leak at 12500 miles. I would think that it would be best to replace front and rear gaskets while motor is down. Yea / Nah
Jugger |
Peter
| | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 05:34 am: |
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Jugger,
I would do them both. Mine started leaking on the front last week. I replaced it, and because I'd bought the set, I wanted to see how the rear was holding up as well. I'm glad I did, as one point had four cracks on the gasket, and was just connected by a poofteenth of a millifart. It was an 'any minute now' leak waiting to start.
No idea about your warranty question.
PPiA |
Tonyinvabeach
| | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 08:23 pm: |
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Hey guys,
My Buell is only 5 months old and only has 5200 miles...I've already had two rear rocker box leaks. What am I gooning? It's been pretty cold here and I'm wondering if I'm not warming up the motor right...something like I'm heating up the lower rocker box faster than the middle and top. I don't know, but I'm tired of it leaking all the time. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
v/r Tony |
Jiml
| | Posted on Friday, February 02, 2001 - 09:08 pm: |
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Tony,
Maybe it's the type of gasket you've been using. So what gaskets are you using? I've used the Cometic steel gaskets with excellent results. Also James makes steel replacements. Give one of these a try.
later,
jiml |
Loki
| | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 12:33 am: |
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Jugger,
I can say this, I took my M2 in for a rocker box leak awhile back. I asked the service guy if they would take a look at the rear also. His reply, we are gonna change both of them while we got it apart.
loki |
Jugger
| | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 08:18 pm: |
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Loki , did you have to put any coin out for the repairs? I could easily make the repairs myself but bike is going in for recall work regardless so i figured i would let them do it if it's covered by the warrenty.
Jugger |
Tonyinvabeach
| | Posted on Saturday, February 03, 2001 - 08:51 pm: |
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The dealership is using the standard paper HD gaskets. I've read on this board that some folks think the metal may not be the way to go. I've heard from some guys who are HD mechanics that there are composite gaskets out there - similar to what they used on the old Evo base gaskets (when they were having problems). I'm very new to all this stuff. The dealership is fixing them for free now but in a year I don't know. I have the extended warranty so I think I may be out 50 bucks each time if I let the dealership do it after a year is up. I guess I'll do it after that.
Thanks for the help Tony |
Steveh
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 05:15 pm: |
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when i bought my bike i was told that if i didn't use my warranty that i would be refunded the full amount for the extended warranty. is this true?
also can you extend your warranty? i have also heard that riders after the purchase of their bike were offered to extend their warranty. is this true?? i have a three year waranty. if you can extend the extended warranty,
what is the cut off point for extending??
HUH?? what im i trying to ask here |
Troop
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 05:41 pm: |
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Uh Steve - I know you can extend the original 12 mo warranty anytime during the original warranty period. I'd be willing to bet the same holds true for the extended warranty. I did hear that some kind of refund is given if no portion of the extended warranty is used. How much - ?. I also believe their is a $50. or $100. deduct on the extended warranty per incident. Not sure though. My 12 mo is good till 09-01. I'll let this period determine if I'll extend. |
Mikej
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 06:22 pm: |
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Some extended warranties are refundable if unused, some are not, it really depends on the terms in the contract when you signed up for it. Mine is the fully refundable one, and i mainly got it in case I had a major engine failure. A friend was told during the purchase process that the fully refundable option was not offered any more, but that might be dealer specific. |
Loki
| | Posted on Sunday, February 04, 2001 - 08:29 pm: |
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Jugger,
It went in under warranty with coin from the purse. This kinda change my outlook of the dealership. The next step is getting the 01 shock and mount.
On the note of extended warranty stuff. If you read the fine print you might notice this. Yes, there is a deductible. Then if brought in again for the same problem there is no deductible. At this time I think I need not have spent the money on the extended. Just need to talk to the dealership about it now. To see if it refundable or transferrable to another dealership. Just in case I move!
loki |
Seance
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 06, 2001 - 03:14 pm: |
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If you cancel the extended warranty you will be refunded on a pro-rated basis. The deductable is $50. It is also transferrable to a new owner.
I don't know if these warranties are a good deal, it depends on your risk tolerence. The extended warranty is insurance, and the odds are in the administrating insurance company's favor. If you make modifications to the bike, you may void the warranty. For instance, you may void the warranty by fitting tires that are not OE size, according to the contract. Read the contract very carefully and remember that anybody can tell you what you want to hear, but if it's not in the contract it's not in the contract. |
Skeptic
| | Posted on Monday, August 20, 2001 - 04:50 pm: |
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Anyone have any luck with getting Buell to cover failures after the warranty is over?
I have a 2000 M-2 with 1,900 miles on it. It has the following problems, most of which appeared in the last 200 miles. Bike was delivered in Sept. 1999:
Warped/Bent front rotor and carrier
Leaking rocker box gaskets
Broken front snout on tank (new tank 1 yr ago)
Dead Speedo
Spark plug disintegrated in rear cylinder
If this is what Buell considers acceptable after less than 2,000 miles and 2 years, then I'll have to find myself a new sportbike vendor.
The service writer claims that Buell is "cracking down" on out-of-warranty goodwill work. I have no way of confirming this. Anyone have a contact on the inside?
I can live with poor quality with good service, or good quality with poor service, but if it is gonna break all the time and I have to pay for everything, I'm going elsewhere (I stupidly got rid of my mint '91 FZR-1000 3 months ago. 10 years with ZERO repair expense. Of course, the Buell starts self-destructing as soon as I have no backup)
Skeptic |
Troop
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 09:39 am: |
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I wonder about this too. I live in Wisconsin, where reallistically I get only 8 mo. warranty due to winter down time. My factory warranty is up in a week and wonder about extended. Believe Buell should cover me thru this season as that's about 11 mo. riding time. My dealer can confirm my storage. Hope I don't have to find out. |
Mikej
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 28, 2001 - 02:38 pm: |
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Troop,
The warranty period is based on calender time (or sometimes mileage, which ever happens first). The local riding season is irrelevant as far as a warranty issue is concerned, but you might be able to get something taken care of under a goodwill resolution. But don't count on it. This is all just my understanding of things and might be all wrong. |
Buellhowser
| | Posted on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 07:37 pm: |
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Does anyone know if you can "extend" the extended warranty? In other words, buy another 4 years after the first 4 expire? I love my bike, but at least $5000.00 worth of warranty work has been necessary in the last 2 1/2 years; consequently, I cannot afford to own it with no coverage. Thanks in advance! |
Xtopherj
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 03:01 am: |
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Ladies and gentlemen,
After lurking these pages for several months I can finally register as a new Buell owner. I picked up a 2001 M2 earlier this week and am pretty satisfied with my purchase. I know the Buells are quirky creatures and I've already run into a couple of problems. The speedo isn't registering anything, the bike sputters like it's running out of gas when the petcock is in the ON position (but is fine when on RES) and there is some oil on the clutch cable where it exits the case.
I filed the paperwork with HD and I'm waiting for my card before I schedule any maintenance.
Can anyone tell me if a second owner can purchase the extended warranty?
Despite the little problems I'm having a ball. Now I fully understand the 'Hooligan' mentality. After driving through traffic I feel like I need to go to confession, and I'm not even Catholic!
I look forward to exchanging ideas and comments as well as meeting up with some of you on the road.
c.j. |
Kahuna
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 06:34 am: |
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Congratulations Xto!!  |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 08:14 am: |
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Congrats Xto! Great bike. The speedo failure is a classic, its probably a dead sensor. Same deal when I got mine. There is an updated part number out there for it, no idea if it solves the problem or not.
We have a couple other fixes that seem to solve the problem as well (search the knowledge vaults) if the money is coming out of your own pocket. Its about a $50 part from the factory, if you do get the new part, let us know if it holds up.
If you get the old part, and another failure will cost you too much time or money, you can improve reliability with about $5 worth of parts and 20 minutes of time.
While you are talking to the dealer, make sure you have the updated front muffler mount (a "Y" mount and relocated voltage regulator) and the updated beefier primary chain tensioner. Both of these items showed up in 2001, not sure when. You already have the updated shifter, which is a nice $100 in your pocket. I think you have the updated shock as well.
My recommendation for the first set of mods would be addition of a forcewinder, rerouting breathers to a filter or catch can, and swapping out the low speed jet and tweaking the air fuel mixture screw. Very easy job. Your high speed jet is probably large enough already.
Your rocker box gaskets will start leaking shortly. Don't panic, its an easy enough replacement even if it is not covered under warranty. Probably worth having parts on hand ahead of time though, the James Steel or new Firebolt gaskets are recommended... the old paper ones do not last as reliably.
Its a great bike. It will just keep getting further and further under your skin the longer you own it and work on it. My 2000 m2 has forever ruined me for other bikes. |
Xtopherj
| | Posted on Thursday, March 28, 2002 - 11:27 pm: |
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REEPICHEEP,
thanks for welcoming me aboard. i do love the bike. and i knew full well coming into the deal that it would never be as problem free as any of my imports.
i'll get the new gaskets and have them ready for when the inevitable happens. i'll also let you know when the dealer takes care of the speedo problem as well as the fuel stutter.
i'll be printing out your post to take with me to the dealer and make sure i've got all the updates/mods you've listed.
the forcewinder intake, along with a V&H pipe are definitely in the works. everything takes time, a little longer when you live on military pay!
thanks again,
c.j. |
Roadrunr
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 06:28 am: |
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 OK, can anyone here tell me where I can read the service bulletin B-032 for the upgraded front y mount? someone here said that it was extended till 7/02 but my dealer isn't real eager to help me out. STEVE. |
Coop
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 08:19 pm: |
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Hey fella's I bought some aftermarket parts for my buell, slip on muffler, race ecm and air cleaner kit, I was going to have the dealer install the ecm so they can zero the tps, and then I was going to install the muffler and air cleaner kit myself, would this void my warranty, should I just have the dealer install everything, even then, will they give me a hard time because I bought my parts from sport twin and not them, thank-you. |
Blake
| | Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 01:07 am: |
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Call Buell Customer Service. |
X1glider
| | Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 01:23 pm: |
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Coop, put the muffler and air cleaner in first, then have the ECM put in. When they re-zero the TPS, the ECM has to relearn some things while you ride in the closed loop. Better to let the ECM relearn with the parts it has to deal with day in day out, not the old parts.
If all is done by the dealer in one go, it shouldn't void the warranty. Most dealers I've talked to will warranty the work they did even if they install aftermarket parts. Keep in mind they are warrantying their work only, if the part is defective, that's different. If a shop won't guarantee their own work, there's a reason for it, they suck at what they do. As far as the mother company goes, honoring warrantys is inconsistent (see the dynarider mess), but the dealership who does the install seems to have some influence in those matters. I've been lucky on my new bikes. |
Buelliedan
| | Posted on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 01:53 pm: |
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X1glider,
It only takes the ECM about 10 minutes to "learn" any new parts added to the bike so it really doesn't matter what order he puts them in. Personaly I would install everything myself all at once(the bike will run even without the TPS reset just not as good) then drive the bike over to your dealer and have him do the TPS. |
Mad_Jester
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 03:52 pm: |
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I had my new M2 ONE day, and it went into the shop with a faulty ignition switch. It has now been 8 days since the failure and they still don't have the new switch in. Is this a common turn around time for such a simple problem? Does it always take this long to get parts from the factory? The reliability and quality of my Buell is not impressing me at this point.
The Mad Jester
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Mikej
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 04:29 pm: |
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Jester,
Call your shop and verify that they have placed the order and not just entered the request into their internal order processing system. Some shops only contact the factory when they have a predetermined number of pending orders, or on a set schedule like every other week. Many "problems" have been tracked back to the actual dealership causing the delay in the first place. Start at the source, then expand outward.
Just my observations.
MikeJ. |
Sarodude
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 15, 2002 - 05:16 pm: |
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I'd go one further... Call Buell CS (414 343 8400?) and see if the part has actually been ordered... I speak only from personal experience...
-Saro |
Mad_Jester
| | Posted on Thursday, May 16, 2002 - 02:01 pm: |
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Thank you both for the advice. I spoke to Buell yesterday and they hadn't shipped it yet. They have had the order for a week! I called the dealership to try and get a rush order put on it. They didn't get around to it until today, but it had already shipped this morning via UPS ground. Next week at the earliest... I don't understand why a brand new motorcycle would get this kind of back-burner treatment. All I get are appologies, not results. This is ridiculous treatment of a new customer by Buell. I don't understand why it would take them a week to ship out the part, and then ship it via the slowest means available to them! All in all a 2 week turn around is horrendous.
The Madder Jester
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Mikej
| | Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 03:26 pm: |
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Time to refresh this thread:
If you were one of the few people who purchased one of the refundable warranties between late 1999 and early 2000 you'd be well advised to verify if the Money Back Guarantee is in fact valid. Locally, from what I was told by a local dealership warranty processor, 5 out of 6 of the ones they sold are not valid. The warranty portion may still be in effect as long as you don't fall into a disqualified category, but the money back guarantee is handled by a third party. You as the buyer were required to send in some paperwork and your "original" warranty paperwork to validate the money back guarantee and activate it. If it was sent in by the dealership or on dealership letterhead then it is invalid, if it got lost in the mail then it is invalid. If you did not send in the paperwork then it is invalid. I believe I fall into the category of the dealership sending it in for me, but with 4 years having gone by and the person who sold it to me no longer at the dealership I am basically floucked over and reamed royally.
I am no longer a home mechanic, I am now a warranty fully utilizing fool. Digging out my paperwork to see what will and will not be covered, and as soon as something goes wrong then in it goes. A lot can happen in the three years remaining on the warranty. I wonder if the top end will be covered or if mileage will disallow a claim due to "normal wear and tear".
Colsolidate all the warranty issues in this thread so they don't get lost all over the site, thanks. |
Blake
| | Posted on Thursday, November 20, 2003 - 07:10 pm: |
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Mike,
That sounds illegal to me. What they did to you I mean. I'd bet you have some pretty significant recourse under consumer protection law. |
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