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Freyke
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 06:53 pm: | 
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When the sidestand failed, did it just givway (bam! bike on deck) without notice, or did it give you little hints along the road to failure?.... Now that I'm paranoid... |
Bmwdavid
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 09:29 pm: |
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When you say new kick stand is more robust are you saying its a Buell replacement/upgrade?
David |
Bloochdog
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 09:16 am: |
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I will send pics of the cable rub... well second bag latch broke yesterday ... Had a rally big load in it too.... A PAIR OF SHOES AND A HAND TOWEL. The bag had twice as much in it for this failure... will call Buell today... maybe they can save on shipping by sending a bakers dozen... latch broke in the same place too.... Ride Virginia Y'all. |
Onemanclan
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 11:19 am: |
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I'm 6'2" and have NO problem with the Uly's height. I have NOT used the footpegs to hold my weight. My kickstand broke up where it attaches to the frame. Would have fallen over if my buddy hadn't been there to help me. My dealer was totally unconcerned and took them 3 1/2 hours to replace. Dropped my helmet trying to hold it up, put a chip in it. My dealer couldn't care less. |
Bloochdog
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 06:29 pm: |
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Well i think iI am firmly on my way to the Buell Black List.... was informed that the latch is failing due to me over stressing it... it failed the first time with nothing at all in the bag this time i had a pair of shoes and a hand towel... I had a block on my warranty because i altered the product.. I put a torch on the bracket and re drilled a hole in on the hanger that is attached to the passengers foot peg.. yep i did it.. and called Buell when i did...
I thought we were all warm and fuzzy when i said i'm ok with it now ... don't bother sending and installing a new one... after all we are family right?...
well that blocked my warranty.. A mere six bolts...
I have always believed that my customers were vital and inexpensive R&D .. Not to mention unofficial reps for my product...
here is the new rub... i am getting another latch ,but the dealership has to install it for me. I have to pay the labor.
the last time the entire refit took me less than five minutes.. there is a slap in the face..
After all we are all a part of the Buell family .. right?
I mostly take all of these things with a smile and will probably take this with one as well...
I know "Big Brother" is reading these posts and making a list and checking it twice.. so remember the kudos given as well as the brickbats....
I still Dig the buell...
if anyone needs a place to crash while in the shenandoah valley (including you Big Brother ) I am more than happy to offer a roof and a hot meal.. maybe a cold beer too... thats how i was raised...
after all we are all a part of the buell family ...RIGHT?
rive Virginia... cheers |
Rkc00
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 07:07 pm: |
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The latch fails because it is a cheap piece of plastic.
Mike
Long Island, NY
06 XB12X Black of course |
Xbimmer
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 09:27 pm: |
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I'd also like to know whether the stand snaps off without warning, and also just how Duck's new stand is more robust. I'm concerned enough about this that I ordered a spare stand and pivot bolt to take with me on my road trip coming up, a consideration I think is ridiculous these days with a modern motorcycle.
How about the bag latches Bloochdog? The demo bike at my dealer and the sidecase set they have in stock both have case mounts with attachment points at the front that are two-piece, fastened with bolts. My three-piece case set arrived with sidecase mounts that have a simple [- shaped piece welded to the main bracket, the clasp on the bag reaches around this piece and torques down against it to lock the bag. Which mechanism is prone to the trouble? Since my bags are pretty new, and if you have the bolted up arrangement, and if others with the same problem also have the bolted-up mounts, and if those with my style of bracket don't have a problem, then it might seem the factory was aware enough of the problem to change the design. This would seem to indicate that they don't have a leg to stand on regarding your warranty... which reminds me, this is a sidestand thread!
My bike should not fall over by itself, period. I love this beast but I rode the bejeezus out of my first new bike ('76 Honda 750F) to the tune of over 60k in three years with 0 (that's ZERO) mechanical problems. Traded it for a new '78 R100S, it has almost 180k and yes the tranny and final drive failed (years apart and both over the 100k mark) but both those fixes cost less than my sidecase set (that doesn't fit right) for my Uly.
Add in the apparent timing problem, the lurching/surging of the apparent FI mapping problem, the fact that I'm still waiting after a month for my tankbag and taller shield to arrive...
I really hope Big Brother is watching, this bike (and an XB12X-Low?) could send Buell sales off the charts, but not with some of this stuff going on. And sidestand issues are a safety-related problem IMHO warranting a recall?
Keeping the faith though. |
Davo
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 10:03 pm: |
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xbimmer,
I can fix the mechanical problems but if my bike takes a dive by itself I am afraid I will go offshore for sure! I have started looking for a replacement but there isn't one. Every time I ride the Uly I smile and forget the pitfalls. The sad thing is it wouldn't take much to turn the PR around on this bike. It is too great a bike to give up on yet. Until then, always park to the left of your friends and any bike you can't pay for. |
Xbimmer
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 10:46 pm: |
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Agreed, Davo, mechanical bugs are a no sweat deal, aside from digital stuff.
But a sidestand, especially for a not-inexpensive motorcycle that has no centerstand, CAN'T be scrimped on. The spare I ordered was $60, that is too cheap a price to give me much confidence in its quality control, given factory cost passed on with dealer markup. I will be putting on a couple thousand miles in about a week soon, I intend (if my spare arrives in time and if it appears identical to my original) to run a couple of welded gussets along the length, probably won't be pretty but neither is your bike on its side. I don't want to have to think about whether my loaded up Uly is gonna collapse while I'm gassing up in the middle of nowhere, not even close to a Buell dealer in my BRAG atlas...
No I'm not giving up, just sorting it all out. |
Davo
| | Posted on Friday, June 23, 2006 - 10:57 pm: |
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xbimmer,
You have a great idea. I think I will introduce my side stand to "Mr. MIG" as well. The problem is sometimes my bead can best be described as the grapes of wrath, but it usually holds. |
Rays
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 02:26 am: |
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Can someone who has been unfortunate enough to have this failure post a picture showing exactly where the sidestand fails please?
I pulled mine off this morning and carefully cleaned, inspected and re-greased the 'jaws' section where it fits over the bracket bolted to the engine as well as the pivot bolt. I couldn't find any cracks or obvious signs of distress so it would be useful to know where the exact failure point is.
I don't use the stand to support getting on and off but I do leave the Uly idling on the stand for quite a while while it warms up now that it is winter here.
My experience with warranty parts delivery in Australia has been very disappointing to date (months to get replacements) so I would also like to investigate any pre-emptive possibilities as well.} |
Davo
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 06:33 am: |
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Rays,
Make sure you use loctite on the pivot bolt! I replaced my pivot bolt because it kept backing off and it distressed the bolt. One of the issues with the side stand is when either the pivot bolt or the two bolts under the engine get loose then they shear off. Just recently has the "broken" stand issue surface. I too would like to see a picture of a broken stand. I feel certain the weak point is where the top side of the round shaft is welded to the flat area where the pivot bolt attaches. FYI, the replacement pivot bolt was "made in Taiwan".
(Message edited by davo on June 24, 2006) |
Rays
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 07:25 am: |
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Davo,
Thanks for the warning - I did use red loctite as I have had a similar issue with the pivot bolt backing out in the past. I first noticed it when the sidestand started hitting the muffler outlet when flicked up. The jaws at the end must have then spread just a tad and allowed the extra movement.
I have been keeping an eye on the two bolts that go into the engine cases as well but have had no issue with them coming loose at this stage.
Not so sure about the current pivot bolt now that you have pinpointed its source.
 |
Xbimmer
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 11:43 am: |
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I don't see why a high-grade bolt of longer length couldn't be used instead of the stock pivot, secured to the stand with nuts either side of the sidestand clevis and mounting bracket... or maybe even a stud with the center nut tacked into place. |
Bloochdog
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 10:39 pm: |
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xbimmer... the latches that attach the bags to the bike are not the issue.. they did that right.. made of metal.. the latch/locking assembly that closes the bag is the issue.. the smallest piece of plastic is the problem.
its a modular piece attached to the bag by two little screws... it cinches the bags closed the last couple cms. ... i was informed i was overstressing it .. i guess they mean overloading the bag... i think it has something to do with the rubber seals seperating from the bags.. I guess i have to make sure the gasket strip is where it is supposed to be every time i want to close the bag... btw the gasket failed to stay put in its channel from day two on...
i would remove the gasket entirely but i fear i will be accused of altering the product...
a new prob today... right front turn signal doesnot work when i turn bars to the right...but that might be from the cable i ran through the loom for sat. tv. and the wet bar i installed on the luggage rack...
look i still love this bike... we as rider /owners can help buell rock,but we dont need to feel like every time we bring up a weakness in the bike, big brother is not going to spank us with some dirty pool tactics..... hell im ready to sing the praises of the Uly from the highest mountain.. but i don't want to turn around after hitting that high note to see my bike on the ground with the bags popped open.
after all we are family right?
ride virginia yall.. |
Bloochdog
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 10:46 pm: |
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just kidding about the wet bar and sat tv cable Big Brother |
Two_buells
| | Posted on Saturday, June 24, 2006 - 11:57 pm: |
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I just broke my second kick stand!
I was on my way to the Montreal F1 race and got caught in some rain in N.Y. during one of my stops I noticed the bike leaning over a little too far. I use my Buell GPS and found a Buell dealer 20 miles away, I called them and they put a new pin from their demo bike to get my back on the road. They said there is a recall coming for the kickstands.
One thing I really noticed is that when the bike is loaded for a trip its real easy to tip over while on the kick stand.
Luckly my bike didn't fall over, I caught it in time. When I got to the dealer for the repair the pin broke in our hands.
Great thanks to Spitzie's H-D in Albany for the repair. |
Bloochdog
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 12:07 am: |
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se thats what i like to hear.... good dealer representation.... kudos to that dealer... |
Xbimmer
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 11:40 am: |
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I've always thought the plastic closure levers for these bags are cheap junk. Now that you've explained the problem I can clearly see it, you have to lever the lid closed (even empty) against an ill-fitting gasket and while doing so all the forces are focused against a 1" plastic pivot.
These bags aren't even worth close to what they cost. I'd look into replacing them with another Hepco-Becker product that might fit the bike mounts but I think H-B has done us (and Buell) a disservice with these things.
But they're all we've got for now so starting today I'll be throwing a velcro strap around each handle before I take off... |
Crusty
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 01:24 pm: |
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Take heart; there's an upgraded latch in the works. It just takes a while for the part to get from Engineering to the customer. Once it makes it to us(the customers), latch problems will be a thing of the past.
(Message edited by Crusty on June 25, 2006) |
Fubar
| | Posted on Sunday, June 25, 2006 - 08:36 pm: |
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Perhaps "junk" is a bit harsh, but they *do* need to have the latches upgraded. I have learned from experience that when the latch goes, it stays in place and doesn't allow the bag to open. In fact, it's a b!+@# to get apart to get the bag open.
Looking forward to having the bag latches be the last think to worry about...as they should be.
fubar |
Bloochdog
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 01:29 am: |
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I wonder if buell will force us to pay the dealership labor on two screws .. a 3 min. job like they are doing to me..
have a new feature to report as i am off the bad bag band wagon...
My right turn signal fails when turning bars to the right.. very strange works fine when turning left .. hope to address today when in for the 5k service.. South Side Harley and Buell are really attentive to their customers...
I Forgive you Big Brother Lets be friends... come on over ,I'll make a pie...
After all we are family , right?
ride Virginia y'all |
Ratcatcher
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 02:28 am: |
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I am sure these bags are made by Hepco because I sent my bike down the road and replaced them with Hepco Journey luggage |
Thunderbox
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 09:29 am: |
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If you look inside the bag you will see it actually says "Journey". If you are putting any stress on the latches when you are closing them then something is not aligned correctly. I just did a 7800 km ride and we always made sure the latch did not need very much tension on it. There was always a reason why if the latch was tight. Never had any broken and they worked very well. They are also perfectly waterproof 100%. We never had a drop get in the case and we had rain everyday we rode for the whole 3 week holiday. Sometimes 10 minutes of rain and more often all day but the bags were true waterproof. |
Bloochdog
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 01:59 pm: |
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I said i was not going to bring up the bags anymore.. but if i were to comment on the bags again it would go something like this... the first failed with nothing in the bag.. i think one of the points being made here is .. One should not have to go over a prefilght check list longer than the preride list.. i dont like having to make sure the entire seal is perfectly in its track and the little plastic retainer strings ,fold in instead of out.. i am working on a four point overhead multi purpose duel side stand .. thinking of welding it to the passengers hand grabs , telescopes out using various pulleys and cables ...aircraft alum. maybe..maybe a four point stand much like spider legs.. will also serve (in the semi-retracted position) as a boom and purchase system, to help load the side bags when cargo exceeds 300 lbs. per bag... It anyone out there has a knack for tech drawing, feel free to sketch something up..
cheers , Ride Virginia...
P.S. you know I am just yankin yer chain thunderbox... all in fun... we are all family , right? |
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