| Author | Message | ||
     Sanjuro |
Well, after a rough initial start (which the dealer eventually fixed), I've had a wonderful time on this bike. I've gotten used to the handling, power band, and the ultra compliant but firm suspension, etc. I've been reading a lot here, and gained some good knowledge about a bike that still passes the garage test; how I feel when I see this baby when I open the garage door. I give it a wink, and it winks back right back. But, the last five hundred miles, it's begun doing something... wrong. I've noticed it pinging after about 15 minutes into my commute. Here's another thing that I've noticed just recently: Oil loss. It's lost about 1/2 quart during the past five hundred miles, since my last oil change; I was quite alarmed... and, so I thought, if it was low on oil, that could cause it to over-heat thus the pinging. There's not the usual smoke, and I've not noticed any leaks. So, I've added it back up and checked the oil level after another 200 miles. Low again. Now it sits in the garage. After reading all the horror stories from dealers adding to my own initial "dealer experience," I was and, I am still skeptical about taking it back. But, at this point, it's still fairly a new bike and that's what a factory warranty is for. So, into the shop it goes tomorrow. Wish me luck. Of course, feel free to share any insights or thoughts on what this could be. Thanks again for all the good knowledge that I've been able to gain through this forum. It's much appreciated. Nick, | ||
| Dfishman |
Make sure you are not over filling the oil.If you are it will blow it out till it gets happy with the amount in there.Always check it hot & don't fill over the halfway point.I would check this first before you freak out & take it to a dealer who will probably overfill it too! | ||
| Treadmarks |
I bet most of your missing oil is in the airbox.  | ||
| Bearly |
Mine is "happy" about 1/3 up the tolerance line. | ||
| Gotj |
This post is slightly off-topic. My bike is lowered with a shorter sidestand that doesn't give the bike the normal lean angle. Has anyone checked what their dipstick shows when the bike is vertical after having found it "happy" on the sidestand? Right now, I'm guessing how much to lean it over to take a reading. | ||
| Pso |
9K miles and I have the same as Bearly. | ||
| Buelet |
Someone else posted this before, but I don't remember who. Good advice, even if it does seem like common sense in retrospect. Check your oil level on a LEVEL surface after you change the oil & filter and pouring in the required 2.5 quarts. (Make sure it's hot too.) That is your TRUE "Full" mark.  I made this same mistake on our recent Homecoming trek. I'm not usually that anal about checking the oil, but since I was taking a longer trip I decided to top off the oil before I left so I could track the oil usage... Yeah, I had the sick feeling that my bike was using way too much oil after I would bring it to the FULL mark and then recheck at the next gas stop and it'd be down quite a bit. Like it was stated above, and I didn't realize until my return trip that it was happy and stable at the 1/3 "Full" area. (I had used up my extra oil that I took along, just in case...) So later when I did the oil / filter change I did the first oil check right away, after I warmed it up and the 1/3 Full range is where it should be. My sanity returned. (Message edited by buelet on September 20, 2007) | ||
| Osup |
Hopefully the dealer treats you right as I bought my Uly from the same place about a month ago. I guess we wont be riding out for some Chinese food this weekend Sanjuro. | ||
| Adrian_8 |
Buelet.....you mean 2 1/2 qts don't ya? | ||
| Buelet |
Isn't that what I said? Thanks buddy! | ||
| Etennuly |
What weight of oil you use can make a difference too. If it is hot out heavier oils are a good thing, as per manual.(just don't use the torque specs on the oil plug). | ||
| Whitj |
Depends on how many miles you have put on the bike. 1st 1000-2500 it uses oil. Once broken in (rings seat) say at least by 3k you will not notice nearly as much loss. Take off those jack off smog epa control pipes from the heads to the air box (plug the holes silly), add a "puke can" from American Sport Bike and the next time you will refill the oil is in 5k when you do the filter service. I ride in 100+ temps and idle for stops in traffic and have not had a ping issue or oil loss. After 5k service, I am down maybe 1/8th if that. A lot of oil and condensation goes back into your engine. Engine vacuum and a long stroke does not help this. NW area will create a ton of condensation in you motor. Cold temps/high humidity + hot motor = lots o' water. Pull off you air cleaner and look at the nice brown throttle plate and also note the oil inside around the filter housing. Side note, break it in hard, its air cooled. Flog the pig. If you break it in like the lawyers at Buell say to in the manual, you will not seat the rings properly and will always be riding a two stroke. 15w50 syn | ||
| Davo |
Treadmarks, I think you nailed it with your discovery of the failed valve seals. Many of the pinging ULy's have started to use oil after a prolonged period of pinging. pinging and heat are mutually self perpetuating. | ||
| Sanjuro |
Guys, thanks a bunch for your feedback here. As typical, a lot of good thoughts from a dedicated group. One of the benefits I realized about being one the few, and proud Buell owners. This, I found out after the purchase. I have a mixed drink in hand, so I can't claimed to have processed all of it just yet, but I'll get back to it tomorrow.  I don't think I've over filled it during my last oil change, but I won't discount that possibility as I am still, learning about this machine. But, it's done; I've just dropped it off at the dealership, and spoke with the service guy who also happens to own a Buell "Rocky"; so, maybe that's a favorable sign, maybe not. But, it's done. I got off work, called up my bud Osup and we headed over there and dropped off the bike. We'll se what they come up with. Oil loss is one thing, but that combined with the pinging I've been noticing on this new of a bike after a measly 15 minutes in traffic has me feeling, well.., nervous. So, I guess after having dropped off the bike tonight, this is when I get busy just waiting. Osup, I think we can still get some good Chinese food this weekend; it just won't be our usual ride weekend - unfortunately. Again, thanks everyone for your thoughts on this, and I'll keep you all posted. Nick, |
