| Author | Message | ||
     Saltydog |
Took my Uly in after a 4500 mile trip. Fan started making unique sounds the last 1200 miles and about 600 miles from home worked poor if at all. Took bike in to Zylstra H-D/Buell in St. Charles IL for warranty work with the fan and a few other issues I will get into later. I get the call today that the bike is ready to be picked up and there is nothing wrong with the fan, it is a multi speed fan and sometimes runs slow. I say, wow..ok, but if I can count the blades as it spins when I stop for gas after a 180 miles interstate ride in OK heat it should spin a lot faster and longer than it has. I get the same reply, the tech finds no codes everything is ok with the bike....hmmm. I have owned this bike since new or 1.5 years and have over 14k on it...I know what the fan should sound like. I really feel like the dealer does not want to take the time to fix my bike properly, and the next closest dealer is a hour farther away. for those who want to read more details into my drama...http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25 4167 What should I do????? | ||
| Teeps |
Buy a fan from American Sport Bike and install it yourself. | ||
| Saltydog |
I normally would take that route (and still may) but when you pay $11,000 for a motorcycle and have a warranty that seems ridiculous to have to do. | ||
| Gtmg |
Salty I agree with you. You may have to all Buell CS. Looking at your ride report I think your problems with speed were about poor cooling or bearing. I am curious to who put on your knew tires. Sounds like your dealer would have a high probability of using too much torque. Good luck. You are right about the warranty though it should not be this hard. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Saltydog, until the fan dies it probably won't throw a code. The "tech" that worked on your bike is obviously unfamiliar with the brand. I would go to a different dealer to try to get this fixed. While the fan IS 2 speed, the low speed is not that slow. What other issues are you having? | ||
| Murraebueller |
Call Buell Customer Service. | ||
| Erz |
They are full of it. The fan is not a full variable speed unit. It is pretty much 2 set speeds -blows fast or slow and slow is not "counting the blades moving" slow. | ||
| Saltydog |
As for the other issues, I had the feeling of a low tire the last thousand miles and after checking tire pressures religiously I got to thinking is may be a wheel bearing...of course this dealer tells me they are fine. Well, is fine to them and fine to me different? Ever had a rear wheel bearing go out at speed.....I have, Insurance claim number one for me. Another issue I had was excessive oil consumption, possably due to the fan/heat issue? They looked at the oil on the dipstick and conclude no internal damage has occured....hmmm, I'm sure Valantino Rossi's crew does it like that also. I am going to pick it up first thing tomorrow morning, I will post my opinion with pics!!!! After I get it back and run it through my test ride. I only live 170 miles from the factory...who knows what could happen???? Keep the advice coming, I need all the knowledge I can get from everyone...and thanks! | ||
| Bertotti |
Call Buell cs tell them everything like on the adv thread. I still think you need a new fan. My fan does run at a high and low speed but I can not count the blades while it is running. I also still think your power loss was because of the over heating and skip firing kicking in. Good luck. | ||
| Lorazepam |
seems like the qualifications to be a Buell tech at a dealer is to just show up. The fan issue took me to a new dealer that fixed mine. The original dealer would not replace it till it threw a code, and the second dealer realized the fan was bad just by listening to it, and changed it out. If your fan isnt screaming like a banshee, it isnt working properly. | ||
| Court |
Call Buell Customer Service. | ||
| Lorazepam |
Oh I forgot, jack your bike up and check the bearings, if you have ANY side to side play in the wheel, they are shot. If the dealer wont replace them, you may get to own your own dealership after they fail. Document your issues with Buell CS, and wear your gear. | ||
| Court |
Buell Customer Service: 1-414-343-8400 | ||
| Saltydog |
well, I picked the bike up today...tended to a prior issue (from two weeks ago first). I pointed out the gouges on my rear rim that were not there prior to this dealer installing a new tire for me before my trip. Service manager first tried to tell me that is must have happened after they installed the tire and they have no way of knowing how it really happened since two weeks has past. ....long pause by me.... I just look at him and say "come on do we really need to go through this, it is obvious what caused that". He then tells me how thay have a very old tire machine and a new one is on order for the dealership and admits that there machine did the damage and agrees to order a new rear rim for me. Wow, didn't expect that from them.... So, I leave the dealer half-brainwashed that this whole thing must be my imagination and they are the dealer if they say its not broke, then its not broke. I decide to take Randall rd. to test the fan, stop lights for the next few miles.....well, four stoplights later the check engine light comes on while at idle. Light turns green light goes off, next stoplight back on (you get the idea). Stop at Kawasaki dealer to look at a new bike and fan sounds the same as before I took it in. I look under to visually watch the fan run and see the same piece of grass that has been riding on the fan since Texas still there. That must have been some inspection of the fan that they did??? Kawasaki dealer only wanted to give me $6000 for trade in, so there went that idea of just trading and being done with this whole deal. I will be be back for you KLR 650 when this is all done.... I called Buell CS but was on hold and my cell was running low on battery, I will try again later. Stay tuned!! | ||
| Saltydog |
one more thing, tech had some number written on dealer copy of work order, I snagged it and coppied them down. 428 degrees key on 320 degrees key on I know they both said key on, I believe one was ment to say key off. What temp should the fan be turning on and off at? | ||
| Court |
If those sorts of problems affect you this way . . . frankly, I'd take the $6k, hop on the KLR650 (I had one for years and loved it) and ride into the sunset. | ||
| Saltydog |
The $5k loss because a tech can not accomplish his job is the tough part to swallow on the whole thing. The reason I like the klr is because I to had one and loved it and it was a bike I could work on myself and never had these dealer issues. So, if getting rid of my very technical machine to get a simpler one is the way I can enjoy riding again than it may happen. lets try Buell CS again...see what happens. | ||
| Diablobrian |
They tested the fan controller and verified that it was turning on at the proper temps would be what those numbers should indicate. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the fan's function any more than the wall switch position has anything to do with whether a light bulb has burned out or not. I'd return it to the dealer, do not pass go. and talk to the tech, NOT just the service writer about what the problem is. If the tech sees "fan problem" on his work sheet he can get the wrong idea about what is failing. I'd also talk to Customer Service as Court recommended. Please don't hold dealership issues against Buell. Buell is a good company full of good people. Trouble starts when you are dealing with Harley dealership personnel that don't like Buells and take it out on the bike's owners. The best solution, if you have the time and inclination, is to get the factory service manual and do all but the most difficult or specialized jobs yourself with the assistance of the manual and BadWeBbers there isn't much that isn't possible in most people's garage. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Saltydog, I see your servicing dealer is Woodstock. If I could suggest that you travel to Ukes in Kenosha, Wis. ( Another 50 miles). Tell them your problem and get things right. Wally or Larissica (sp) will help you. I have dealt with both and they aways have been square with me. If you seen the last issue of Fuell. Keith, the owner of Ukes, is feature in the magazine. He helped Erik out in the early days of Buell. Ukes is very Buell friendly. Your problems will be taken care of in short order. You could talk to one of the two service writers above and tell them your story. Tell them the distance that you have to travel, too. You might be able to wait for the bike to be done. I was up there last week and they were booked solid, but I think that's the Sturgis rally people. It should be slowing down by now. Tell them IronButt Bob on the Black Uly sent you. That might help, too. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hey Bob, at this point it could add complications to an already messed up situation if he takes it to a different dealer at this point. If there was money paid for repairs and it was not covered under warranty (which I assume is the case since they claimed that there was no problem) for the time in the shop. I'd assume that they billed at least one hour for the thermostat check. Hopefully Customer Service will be able to get their heads out of their nether regions if they won't let him talk to the tech. I really hate hearing these horror stories. If I didn't have friends and family working at my local dealership I'd dread going for fear of just this kind of treatment. In the future though there are a couple of award winning Buell dealers in your area...Uke's,and Hal's. If Salty doesn't do the work himself I would recommend going to them instead even if it is a little further away. (Message edited by diablobrian on August 08, 2007) | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Brian, just some information about Woodstock HD/ Buell and Bob knows this story also. There use to be a very good Buell salesman there, (Pete), who no longer works there. He wouldn't allow his own dealership to work on his own Buell, he always took it to Ukes for any service that he couldn't perform on the bike. | ||
| Saltydog |
Woodstock is the dealer I used to use, they are 60 miles away and a new "larger" dealer opened up this spring 20 miles away so I decided to use them...and the problems began. I did order a new fan las night from american sport bike....time for a little DIY!!! | ||
| Retired_cop |
If the fan sounds as if it has rocks inside it, it is bad and needs replaced. The dealer should be able to recreate the sound by cycling the fan off and on while hooked to the diagnostic computer. Mine was doing the rock noise thing and when we got it to the dealer it took 15 minutes to get it to make the noise. It was promptly replaced with a new one. Only once did mine run at an abnormally slow speed and that was only for 5-10 seconds before it sped up. If the dealer will not give you satisfactory service get on the phone to Buell Customer Service, they will get the issues fixed. The company will stand by it's customers, it is various dealers that do not! | ||
| Red_chili |
So, if getting rid of my very technical machine to get a simpler one is the way I can enjoy riding again than it may happen. ) I would have to say the Uly is no more technical than the KLR! If you can work on the one, you can work on the other. The only difference may be EFI vs. carb, but if you ever need to hear people kvetch about issues read carb threads. I don't find carbs all that magical either, but apparently many do. EFI is straightforward once you make peace with computers. I'd say your drama is related to two very small problems and not Buell v. Kawasaki, one is fan design/supplier, the other is dealer boneheadedness. KLRs also have design flaws (doohickey anyone? Simple to resolve, but a flaw nonetheless, and for how long??) and boneheaded dealers. Think about it, get Buell CS to step up and do what they do so well, and be grateful for one of the most versatile, simple, easy to maintain bikes on the planet that just got fixed! | ||
| Bertotti |
Saltydog I see in another thread you have decided to fix the bike up and sell it for a klr. I'm speechless that you would let a less then competent dealer influence you so much. I say that because after the warranty period you don't strike me as the kind to let someone else do your servicing anyway. | ||
| Pinkie_and_the_buell |
Ukes is very Buell friendly. ROFLMAO! Riiiiight... Sorry Bob, I've had quite the opposite experience with them. While Keith may very well be Buell friendly, the rest of the sales staff has treated many of us Bueller's as 2nd class citizens. YMMV. | ||
| Court |
Buell Customer Service: 1-414-343-8400 E-mail me a copy of the Advrider thread so I can send it ahead of your call. Easily solvable problem. By the way, Ms. Pinkie, what have you done about being treated as a 2nd class citizen? Me? . . I'm inclined to not tolerate such treatment. You obviously know Keith and Nancy, have you sat down with Keith and shared your experience. I have a tough time picturing him not putting a stop to that in a heartbeat. . . he's made a good living by being a good businessman. Common sense should be. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
Ok, back to the fan from American Sportbike, is it any better at cooling the bike than the stock fan? Been doing alot of heated desert dirt riding, and the fan just doesnt seem to want to shut the happy hell off ! Thanks | ||
| Lowflyer |
The one from ASb is a stock fan. | ||
| Saltydog |
After spending some time on the phone with Buell CS they recommended taking it to Woodstock HD-Buell, the same place I bought it at. I stopped going there for service because it was an hour plus drive and the new larger dealer was 20 minutes away. So, Monday I will load it in the truck and take it to them and explain everything again and cross my fingers. I am planning for the bike to be down for the neXt few weeks and I can't take being exiled to the cage... | ||
| Diablobrian |
I hope that with Buell Customer Service involved the job will be expedited. This should be the end of the nightmare. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
Pinkie, from reading your post. I doubt if you ever purchased a motorcycle from Ukes! That's just my observation from reading your post because it would be impossible to be the oldest Harley-Davidson dealer still in existence in Wisconsin if you didn't treat your customer's well. Also Ukes was one of the first dealerships to promote Buell motorcycles, if you had bothered to read Fuel magazine you might be better informed about the dealership. I have been dealing with this dealership (Ukes) for 9 years now and I have never been disappointed with the service or the people that work there! | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Your problems will be taken care of in short order. You could talk to one of the two service writers above and tell them your story. Tell them the distance that you have to travel, too. You might be able to wait for the bike to be done. I was up there last week and they were booked solid, but I think that's the Sturgis rally people. It should be slowing down by now. Bob, Uke's has always treated me well. I usually just drop it off and pick it up whenever they are done with no appointment. Even when they are booked full, they don't mind having it around and usually get to it VERY quickly regardless. They also offer pickup/drop-off service, they said $50 for it round trip (two trips from their end) from Grayslake, not sure what it would be for a further trip, but might be worth the hassle if you're really PO'ed. | ||
| Saltydog |
Well, the bike is at Woodstock HD and I'm waiting for further....the up side is I've been researching what to buy if things don't pan out well and bike shopping is fun... |
