| Author | Message | ||
     Roadrailer |
I recently purchased a Uly, and have a question about the TT. I've seen two Ulys (the one I bought and another at another location) and neither has required the use of the key to move the TT. A discussion on another board has me a bit worried about it. Is it broken? (Message edited by roadrailer on February 06, 2006) | ||
| Soloyosh |
It's broke. Mine needed the key when new. Now it doesn't. Don't mind enough to care as the key was a pain anyways. Cheers Brett | ||
| Roadrailer |
Thanks for the quick reply. My biggest concern is that my wife is going to be leaning on this thing. It seems solid, but is it going to fall apart at some point? | ||
| 2old2bfast |
The first Uly I saw on display in a showroom required the key, but when I had 2 new ones delivered for a buddy and I, neither one needed the key. Everything seems rock solid, but no key required for either bike as delivered. Does anyone (maybe Daves) know if there is a way that the dealer might have altered it when doing prep for delivery? Maybe they thought it was broke or something and thought they were fixing it... Just wondering... | ||
| Roadrailer |
Another possibility: Is there an "unlock" position for that lock (by turning the key, etc.)? Or maybe Buell made some sort or mid-year change??? | ||
| Chadhargis |
I think it comes from uninformed dealers forcing the TT into position. When I bought mine, the salesman told me it din't require a key, as he was trying to force it up. I quickly told him to give me a shot at it. I inserted the key, and up it came....easy as pie. If he would have continued, it would have probably broken the lock mechanism. I wouldn't worry about having someone leaning against it. The lock is more of an inconvenience than anything. As long as the clip is in place, and the TT can't slide left to disengage the teeth, then it's not going anywhere. | ||
| Jim_sb |
I can't tell you how many times people have walked up to my triple tail and said "Oh, I saw how this works" and start to grab it. I have to stop them every time and explain a key is necessary. Undoubtedly if you grab one and persist in making it move you will succeed, breaking the safety in the process. I suspect that's exactly what happened to the bike in question. Jim | ||
| Daves |
The ones that don't need a "key" are broken. If the dealer delivered them that way then they should fix it. They will break if forced and I am sure that is what happened. | ||
| Rhinowerx |
Hi. My name is Jack and my Triple Tail is broken... | ||
| Clayman |
Where is it broken. I dont need a key for mine, were there actually early models that required a key. | ||
| Roadrailer |
The ones that don't need a "key" are broken. If the dealer delivered them that way then they should fix it. They will break if forced and I am sure that is what happened. I suspected as much. Here's the thing: Unless I really need to I really don't want to use the key. Not to mention I don't want to let the dealer try to "fix" something they know nothing about. Besides, it's simpler without it. Am I putting my wife in danger with the "broken" lock. Anyone have an exploded diagram of the TT they can post? | ||
| Milo_h |
I intentionally disabled mine. It was a PITA every time I needed to move it. The "key" lock serves no purpose for me. For Buell, I'm sure it's a pair of suspenders holding the same pair of pants as the belt. (liability)! I trust it will hold just fine (with the spacer/latch). I believe that the interlock is pure due diligence. Thats the world we live in. Peace Milo | ||
| Milo_h |
Roadrailer, sorry I forgot to answer your question. No you do not need a key. If the interlock is working properly, anything, that fits in the slot, and, can compress the spring, will work. Peace Milo | ||
| Seanp |
There's a good thread about the Ulysses over at Adventure Rider. Eeyore has been posting for a few months about his XB12X experience, and he's got some good pictures of the triple tail in action. Check this link out for an explanation of why you should need a key: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93290&page=3 | ||
| Roadrailer |
There's a good thread about the Ulysses over at Adventure Rider. Eeyore has been posting for a few months about his XB12X experience, and he's got some good pictures of the triple tail in action. Check this link out for an explanation of why you should need a key: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93290&page=3 Thanks Sean, Eor's AdvRider post was one of the first things I read about the Uly. I understand what the key should do, my real question is it is dangerous if the lock is broken? Since there are several people here who seem to have the same problem, we probably need to figure this out. Milo, how did you disable your lock? (Message edited by roadrailer on February 07, 2006) | ||
| Milo_h |
Milo, how did you disable your lock? Removed right side grab handle. Pulled the tail aside, (don't lose the bushings). removed spring, pin, and detent from left side. Inserted rubber plug(1/4" thick X 3/8" dia. neoprene)to keep junk out. Re-installed spring, tail w/bushings, and grab handle. Tail assy. still works fine. Still gets tightly wedged on splined taper. Peace Milo | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've considered trying to mod mine so I don't need to use the key, but after studying the exploded diagram in the parts manual, I'm fearful of something flying out and finding it's way into a dark recess of my garage never to be seen again (until after I've bought a replacement part).  | ||
| Speedstar |
I modded mine to eliminate the key or any small thin object inserted into the slot. If the key slips past the button it gets tweaked and no longer works. I just use the plastic clip and it seems to be enough. My name is Devin and my triple-tail is broken too! | ||
| Roadrailer |
I've considered trying to mod mine so I don't need to use the key, but after studying the exploded diagram in the parts manual, I'm fearful of something flying out and finding it's way into a dark recess of my garage never to be seen again (until after I've bought a replacement part). Chad, any way you could scan that diagram and post it here? I'm just curious about what's going on in there. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Once the work day is done, I'm about as absent minded as a 102 year old alzheimers patient on crack, but I'll try to remember to warm up the old scanner when I get home. | ||
| Whodom |
Seems like this would merit a Service Bulletin from Buell. I test rode a Uly at my local dealer about a month ago, and the salesman tried to move the tail without putting anything in the slot. I tried to tell him about the slot, but he said "Oh no, I just need to push it right" and he continued to struggle. I finally stepped up, stuck the tip of my car key in the slot, and the tail pivoted easily for him. He got the message. | ||
| Smcnamara |
I'm wondering if a service bulletin like you described would have saved my TT from being broken. When they showed it to me at the shop, they simply pulled it to the side and rotated it up. It wasn't until getting it home and paging through the manual that I saw it was supposed to require a key to move. The Uly is back at the shop to have it fixed, let's hope they get it right. | ||
| Milo_h |
1st Try at pic uploading. Hope it's not copyright infringement.  Peace Milo | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
My name is Slayer, and my TT is broken too. I feel better now!  | ||
| Chadhargis |
Well...I actually remembered to scan in the pic...but someone beat me to it. THANKS! | ||
| Roadrailer |
Thanks Milo! | ||
| Daves |
It may have happened on the showroom floor. Hardly a day goes by I don't have to stop a customer from trying to wrestle the tail. I haven't had any get broken yet but I make sure the Uly's are parked right in front of my office. | ||
| Daves |
It may have happened on the showroom floor. Hardly a day goes by I don't have to stop a customer from trying to wrestle the tail. I haven't had any get broken yet but I make sure the Ulys are parked right in front of my office. | ||
| Mramsey |
My Ulysses was never in the show room, came out of crate. Triple Tail worked like it was intended (with a key or such) when I brought it home last week. I decided I didn't like using the key and set out to see how hard it was to break. How many licks does it take to get to the center of a triple tail. Lets see, a one a two a three! Third time trying now mine is broke also that was easy and much better now. Thanks Badweb for the free mod info. | ||
| Bondo1007 |
Ok, here is my opinion. I just purchased my Uly with a 12/05 manufacture date and I do not need a key. My friend has a 7/05 Uly and his requires a key. At the 1,000 check up, I asked the dealer to fix mine to need the key, "as everyone says it is broke" and the service manager and service writer both said it was supposed to be without the key. SO DO YOU THINK BUELL CHANGED THE KEY PROCESS DURING THE COURSE OF MAUNFACTURE? With the lock/clip in position, I see it as secure and no reason for slipping out. | ||
| Lowflyer |
What does your Owner's Manual say about operating the triple tail? Mine says on page 58: Step 2. Press key into Triple Tail locking detent to release lock... If mine did not operate per the OM instructions, I would be hard pressed to believe that it's not broken. If I could not get satisfaction from the dealer, I would call Buell Customer Service as the OM instructs in Step 2. on the back of the very first page. | ||
| Mramsey |
Here is the problem part 24 in the above picture is plastic. It has a little ridge on the pointy end that keeps the tail from sliding over without a key pushed in, the ridge wears off. You could put a new one in but it will break again easily. Enjoy your keyless triple tail. Mine to has a 12/05 manufacture date. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Mine has a 11/05 Mfg. date, and my triple tail works only with the key. There is no forcing it without the key. | ||
| Lowflyer |
"You could put a new one in but it will break again easily." Almost 3400 miles on mine and my Triple Tail still requires a key. | ||
| Hooaah |
My TT is still intact. I want it broken. I have the hard bags installed so I really don't want to remove the grab handle to dismantle it. I tried banging on the TT with a rubber mallet - trying to drive it to the left and break the catch mechanism without success. Any other suggestions |
