| Author | Message | ||
     Stevem123 |
Well the other day I backed the Uly out of the garage and fired it up to warm up for a short ride. I turned around to put on my helmet and I heard a pop then a thud and the motor died..... Damn kickstand bolts popped the heads right off! No other damage but a very minor scuff on the bottom corner of the hard bag. Since the bags are texturized it's barely noticible. I just fixed it myself because I hate the hassle of taking it to the dealer. The old bolts were very soft and quite easy to drill into for removal. They broke off flush with the engine case so that was the reason for drilling them out. The hardest part was removing the muffler to get access to them. No I didn't replace the header clamp. I've done this several times on my tuber with no problems and it's the same type of clamp. Just be sure to put it back in the same exact position before re-tightening it and everythings just peachy. Took me only an hour and 15 minutes from start to finish so it wasn't too bad. I replaced the bolts with grade 8 bolts and of course some lock-tight for good measure. Friggin dealer was going to order replacement hardware from the factory which probably meant the same softass bolts again so I'm glad I did it myself.  BC Steve | ||
| Midnightrider |
I haven't kept score but seems like quite a few Uly owners tell the same story. Every time I walk away from the bike I wonder if I'm going to find it laying down when I come back. I'm out of town without the bike but IF I wanted to replace the bolts before they snap, do I have to take anything off (like the muffler) or was that just necessary to drill them out? Thanks don | ||
| Stevem123 |
The muffler does have to come off to change or tighten the bolts. You absolutely cannot get a wrench on the front bolt and be able to swing it. The bolts also are longer than the clerance between them and the muffler. I knew I should have changed them before they broke because the stand was a little loose but my laziness got the better of me on this one. Better do it as soon as you can! Those bolts are way too soft! BC Steve | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Any word of a fix from Buell? Or is swapping the bolts out for grade-8 just the right path forward. Anyone know the specs? I can pick em up before starting the job!  | ||
| Jim_sb |
Hello BC Steve, Sorry to hear about this. Can you provide me with the size, pitch, etc. of the proper replacement hardware so I can buy it in advance? I'm going to swap mine out. With loctite. Don't care to take a chance on this. I assume I'll be seeing you in May at Yo Bug? Best, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Mikej |
Bolt heads should not just break off.  | ||
| Thunderbox |
They don't. If they get loose they do. If they haven't been loose then you will be okay but if they loosen I would recommend new bolts and some loctite. Well to be safe why not just replace the bolts with loctite and forgetaboutit. Bit of a pain taking the muffler off but my Drummer is coming soon and I will do mine then. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Mikej, Right. But some have been. The question is whether they are working their way loose first - or - whether they aren't sturdy enough - or - if lockwashers are required - or - ???? BC Steve, did you use lockwashers as well? Regards, Jim in SB | ||
| Mikej |
(Kind of like the front engine mount bolts breaking in the head kind of deal then.) | ||
| Lowflyer |
I'll be using safety wire and red Loctite on mine when I replace them. | ||
| Stevem123 |
The bolts in question are 5/16" and coarse threads 18TPI. 3/4" long. I didn't use lock-washers but I did use flat washers since the original bolts are hex washer heads. The grade 8 bolts don't have washer heads so that's why I used seperate washers. Don't forget the lock-tight! BC Steve | ||
| Stevem123 |
Hi Jim. Yes I already have my reservation at Yo Bug! See you there! BC Steve | ||
| Dave |
I've checked mine and they seem ok. Mine has a good 1/2 in play where the kickstand is bolted (with a single bolt) to the kick stand mount. DAve | ||
| Two_buells |
I AM REALLY PISSED OFF! MY KICKSAND BOLTS BROKE TODAY! DID I SAY I'M sofa king MAD! I was getting gas and I was getting back on my bike by putting my left foot on the the left peg, stepped up and swung my right leg over the bike and SNAP! I was standing on the footpegs and the bike fell over. I fell with such force that I landed on my shoulder, than my legs flew over the top of my body. Kinda like doing a kart wheel without using my hands. I must of looked like a idiot. (Who the hell jumps off their bike doing a no hands kartwheel!) DID I SAY I'M REALLY F**KING MAD! I broke the clutch lever, and got some nice scratches in the saddle bag, mirror and the hand guard. Buell is getting a phone call tomorrow! Mike Yasovsky Red Lion, Pa.! | ||
| Eor |
Everyone that has had this occur should contact Buell directly so that they are aware of the issue. I'm sure they will address it with a service bulletin / recall IF they are aware that it is happening. I'm sure they would want to address this before someone gets hurt as a result. It might be a good idea to save the failed components as a part of your documentation and to assist them in sorting it out. (Message edited by eor on March 27, 2006) | ||
| Rkc00 |
I was having my muffler replaced and had the tech change out the bolts if needed. He said that my bolts were starting to back out so he replaced them with new stock bolts that I had picked up at the dealer last week. He also used some red lock tight. I also had them check the timing on the bike and they had to reset it. They said it was to far advanced. My first ride on the bike today and the fan does not come on anywhere near as much as it did when it was 30 deg. out. I just hope my gas mileage will go up. I have not gotten more than 39 MPG. I now have 5300 miles on the bike. Mike Long Island, NY 06 XB12X Black of course | ||
| Jim_sb |
Yeah, that's awful. I will not step on my pegs to mount or dismount again. I'm going to keep the load minimal on that stand. I also tried to tighten the bolts but they're already "guttentight" and "farfromloosen". Sorry to hear about the breakage. Regards, Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Windrider |
Buellers, Can anyone comment on the difference between a Ulyssess sidestand as compared to any other model of XB sidestand? Has this happend on other XB models? | ||
| Ftd |
I was wondering about that too Windrider. You never seem to hear about other XB stand failures (lately). I can only guess that it is due to mounting the bike while on the stand which is not routinely done with the other models. Still, I think a well designed side stand should be able to handle this with no problems. Hopefully the co. is working on a fix. Frank | ||
| Thunderbox |
I would hope Buell is paying to have the subsequent damage repaired. If it was my bike I would be expecting at least that. I think a recall may be in order before one of these bikes crushes some little kid. I am changing my bolts to be on the safe side as soon as I get the bike out of the garage. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I checked mine when I put my race muffler on, and they were tight. I'm keeping an eye on my sidestand, but I would appreciate it if Buell would do a recall. I've got a small daughter, and I'd hate to have the bike suddenly fall over on her. It's not that I let her into the garage unattended or anything, but she does walk right by my bike to greet me when I come home from work. | ||
| Thunderbox |
I hear you Chad. I also worry about someones elses kid I don't even know touching the thing when it's parked beside the curve and it breaks and ends up falling on them. Even an adult who is screwing with your bike may get a surprise. | ||
| Chadhargis |
To me, this is a safety issue. But as with most issues, someone will have to get hurt before anything is done. | ||
| Lowflyer |
This whole thing really pi$$es me off. I don't want to have to think about the only damn thing holding the bike off the ground failing without notice. I worry about my kids, but I also worry about the people that like to look at the bike in the parking lot when I am not around. I have walked up more than once to someone admiring the bike in the parking lot at work and other places. I wish it had a center stand like any respectable "adventure" touring bike should. I would use it when I plan to have the bike sitting for more than an hour or so. | ||
| Chadhargis |
With no chain to adjust or lube, I don't miss a center stand. I do, however, think that this should be addressed. I've never had the failure, so I would feel like an idiot calling customer service and telling them, "Hey, I read on the internet that the sidestand bolts break off. Will you issue a recall." They'd probably have to hold back laughing at me. If those of you who've actually had the failure would call your dealer, Buell, and the the NHTSA (http://www.nhtsa.gov/) to report this, it would be a great help to us all. I'd rather see some action taken now, than wait until there is a serious injury or a child is crushed by a 500lb motorcycle. My daughter often walks up to my motorcycle and says, "Daddy!". I am honestly afraid to let her near it. | ||
| Court |
>>>>But as with most issues, someone will have to get hurt before anything is done. I've got to ask why you say that? The word "most" and "someone will have to get hurt before" cause me to take serious issue with the statement and undermines your personal credibility. When you say one thing that is patently false, people will hesitate to believe the meritorious things you bring to the table. In addition, it paints Buell, a company that has gone about 9 miles past the figurative "extra mile" in backing up their bikes, sound like a cold, heartless bunch of folks. I suspect folks are aware of the side stand issue. I know, for a fact, that everyone who reads Badweb, knows precisely what the problem, the advance signs, and the solution are. I do agree that I would share your concern about a child getting near the bike. My kids played on and around my Buells all the time, even 20 years ago. I'd suggest, as has been mentioned since this problem was first discussed, that you take a close look at the bolts and ensure they are snug. If not, fix them. Buell has a responsibility as the manufacturer. We have responsibilities as owners. Court | ||
| Roadrailer |
I wish it had a center stand like any respectable "adventure" touring bike should. Why? It's just extra weight and something else to drag in corners. Not to mention they're less stable than the side stand. They're really only useful on a bike with a chain. Just a hunch, but I bet the vast majority of stand failures will come on bikes where the rider is regularly using the pegs to mount the bike. It's just not designed to hold that amount of weight. This would also explain why we're not hearing about this problem on other XB models. | ||
| Eor |
I have to use the foot pegs to mount and dismount the bike. With additional reports of sidestand failures, I have become increasingly concerned after initially not worrying about it. In that instant when you have all your weight on the left peg and are beginning to swing your right leg over the bike, you are VERY vulnerable and prone to injury if the sidestand should fail, I would imagine. Providing dealers/owners with upgraded bolts and instructions to Loctite them should be a pretty simple thing to do, if it is needed. | ||
| Lowflyer |
"Why?" Because I flucking want a center stand. Is that good enough for you? Pardon me for believing that I need not have a reason that would suit anyone but myself.  | ||
| Lowflyer |
I used to mount using the left peg, but since changed to the keeeeyahhh!! method. |
