| Author | Message | ||
     Iugradmark |
I have a couple of trips scheduled for this summer and breaking down for any length of time would ruin my vacations for the year. I have been following various threads on the board and thankfully our Uly's seem to be fairly reliable but I think with a little planning and not too many dollars we may be able to come up with a list of things people should change now or purchase to avoid being stuck on the road. Here is my start. I would welcome others to help fill out the list: 1. Change out clutch cable wire holder to the 2008 version and avoid melted cable. 2. Change out rear bearings. I realize this is controversial but the only thing we know is that several bearings have failed and there doesn't seem to be a consistent reason or mileage. Changing seems to be cheap insurance to me. 3. Change plugs. Many bikes have fouled plugs coming straight from the dealer. Easier to change at home than on the road. 4. Pack a spare belt. While it may be possible to change on the road just having the belt means that a dealer is going to be able to get you back on the road pretty fast v. waiting for the part to be shipped. What else? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I would also replace the clutch cable and keep the old one as a spare. Extra set of levers for the "unexpected". | ||
| Alchemy |
Some extra fuses. I keep a spare plug around even if using fresh plugs. | ||
| Teeps |
Don't forget a shift lever and rear brake pedal. With regard to replacing the plugs... have you fouled them before? Will your bike roll over 10k during the trip? If you answer no to either question, I would save the plug change until it's scheduled.(just my opinion) | ||
| M_singer |
epoxy putty. Can be used for a variety of repairs (engine side covers, cables, controls etc). It is cheap, light weight and takes up very little room. A belt is going to take up a of of room and belt failures seem to be rare. I wouldn't bother with that myself. Rear wheel bearings are cheap and take up little space. Not a roadside repair but any motorcycle shop should be able to install them for you with minimal down time. | ||
| Jlnance |
 Only problem was it covered the latches, meaning I couldn't open the bags on the bike. | ||
| Jlnance |
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| Cityxslicker |
If you are traveling in the rural off grid locations, upgrade your lights now, before you discover the downside to their performance out where you cant do anything about it. Heated gear if you havent already done it. rain suit, always (maybe thats just us up here in the Pacific NorthWet) Tire patch kit w compressor pump. emergency bottle of fuel. Credit card, cell phone, a R.A.N. list of your route and my personal favorite S&W SP101 [chance favors the prepared] | ||
| Hughlysses |
If you do elect to carry a spare belt, I'd recommend you install the new belt and keep your old one as a spare (that's what I did). A new belt is extremely tight and would be much harder to change road-side. | ||
| Conchop |
Don't forget to take a towel [ southpark ] and a roll of duct tape [ the handy mans friend , Red Green ] | ||
| Jwnsc |
In addition to spare plugs, fuses, drive belt, and front and rear wheel bearings, I'm taking a voltage regulator and multimeter. They're both pretty small. And not to pick nits, Cityxslicker, but Ruger makes the SP101. I'd hate to send Iugradmark on a wild goose chase. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
ow is my face red, sumna biatch , that will teach me to cross munitions , bad slicker, no biscuit. S&W model 40 is the carry, Ruger SP101 is the target, Mossberg 500 home protection, and the Tec 9 is the cream corn killer (there is no can of it safe from its wrath) (Message edited by cityxslicker on April 14, 2008) | ||
| Gsilvernale |
Tire plugs and compressor are a must. Flat tires are very common. Fixing the clutch cable holder - yes. But an extra belt and bearings seems like overkill. But if money is no object and you have the space..... | ||
| Iugradmark |
Gsilvernale, The tire plugs and compressor are good ideas. I may opt for the CO2 cartridges rather than a compressor. I wasn't thinking about carrying the bearings but replacing them before hand. So far I don't think we have had any failures after the bearings have been replaced but have had some fail are pretty low mileage. The belt is somewhat of a question mark but I suspect if I break down, it could take a couple of days at least to get one via Fed Ex. Days can really kill a vacation when you are stranded in a motel somewhere out West. I am concerned at how few parts Buell dealers carry and most folks talk about days and even weeks to get replacements of stuff that I would think would be pretty common. | ||
| Dldeano |
Pull fly screen and inspect and put di-electric grease on electrical fittings there, as well as alternator/stator wires behind left side air scoop. Whatever you do...put a few hundred miles on it AFTER you've prepped it. Make sure it's right and operates as normal so as not create any new problems (this is the best advice I received before I stripped and prepped my DR for the TAT) | ||
| Xbimmer |
Whatever you do...put a few hundred miles on it AFTER you've prepped it. Make sure it's right and operates as normal so as not create any new problems +1. Often when we take care of things other problems crop up. Many good ideas above. Every time my cable wireform broke the cable functioned fine, just the boot by the header fried. Zip ties around the front isolator will do until a repair is possible. Snapped cables I guess are possible at the handle ferrule but I grease the snot out of the recess regularly. I've since installed a Honda dirt bike rubber cover over the clutch lever pivot area and now that area stays clean. I carry a good used belt now on longer trips, and a substantial wrench to de-torque the axle on the road if necessary. Fits in the bottom 2" of my top case. A Slime compressor is always on board, with CO2 cartridges as backup. I've used the CO2 before and exhausted a whole pack to try to get the tire up to pressure. I've used the compressor to air up even car tires and it's great. I HAVE had the stator and v/r fail on a trip. No fun. Bought a Wal Mart battery charger to help get me home but in my case the bike charged just enough above 4k rpm's to work the bike. I have a Kuryakyn battery meter installed to apprise me of any problems now, before they become critical. A spare spark plug takes little room and if you even need it at all it will probably be the front which is easy to change. I service my bearings but next long trip I will either be on replacements when I hit 50k or carry some aftermarkets with me. | ||
| 911_racer |
I would put electrical grease on the spark plug wires front/rear top/bottom. also put small zip-ties on the plug wires on top where they meet the coil. I was about 1,500 miles from home on the side of the freeway in the pouring rain with a bike running on one cyl and all it was was a little water in side the plug boot. I have the Magnacore wires. also do the same thing inside the handle bar switches. and all other elec connections. and the most important thing to remember when traveling long distance is to have fun! | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Also carry some kind of flashlight. I carry one of those mini-lights. You can carry all the gear in the world, but if it's night and you can't see, they're not going to do much good. | ||
| Towjam |
I believe in traveling light:  and  | ||
| Dr_greg |
Use the "bandsaw blade" tri-fold for the belt. It almost falls into it naturally. Fits well in the side case. | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Gsilvernale: "The tire plugs and compressor are good ideas. I may opt for the CO2 cartridges rather than a compressor". Before you do this, you may want to completely deflate your tire and fill (or try to fill) it with air using CO2 cartridges alone. I think CO2 cartridges are nearly worthless (for our purpose), compared to a small Slime pump - but that's just me. Also, with an electric pump, you can always top-off a tire, as need be. John | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Towjam: "I believe in traveling light:" I tend to travel light as well, but prefer these:   | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
1. Change out clutch cable wire holder to the 2008 version and avoid melted cable. Do all of the '08's have the improved cable-stay or was the part implemented mid-production year? I'm headed out of town Thursday morning to for a Fly-n-Ride. Picking up my new-to-me slightly used '08! Tipsy | ||
| Towjam |
Do all of the '08's have the improved cable-stay or was the part implemented mid-production year? Mid-year implementation. The new stays just started showing up on '08s in the past couple of months. | ||
| Moedaddy13 |
zipties gotta have zipties | ||
| Wrongway2 |
Iugradmark posted:The tire plugs and compressor are good ideas. I may opt for the CO2 cartridges rather than a compressor. The CO2 cartridges may work for some but we put 7 of them in the front tire on a buddy's Valkarie 2 years ago only to have to call a tow truck. I trashed mine and bought a small compressor the next day! | ||
| Conchop |
Jeebers - This is Boy Scout City>LOLOLOL Good info! | ||
| Uly1080 |
Is this the Slime kit everyone is talking about? http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/77/13761/ ITEM/Slime-Power-Sport-Smart-Spair-Kit.aspx | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Here's a shot of my basic kit, FWIW. It goes into my 1300 or 1450 Pelican box that I mount on the flipper tail. Slime 12v pump Slime Slime Sears multi-tip screwdriver (w/T27 head) Innovations tire repair/ strings Valve core remover thingy Zip Ties Lighter LED flashlight Bearings/rear X2 Octane Booster Small Multi-tool Freezer Bags (why do I have these?) Air gauge Pen Duct Tape/ Electrical Tape on Magic Marker Rock straps - (gotta love these) Vise Grip/ small Crescent/ small Spare ignition Key - attached to multi-tool I think that's about it?? Oh yeah, credit cards, AAA RV card, cell phone and Dunkin' Donuts (in case a cop stops me - he gets the Dunkin' Donuts and I get out of a ticket)  (Message edited by johnboy777 on April 16, 2008) | ||
| Ftd |
Good lists but most important for me is a pair of reading glasses. Seems my up close eye sight is getting worse by the day. All the supplies/tools in the world can't help me without them. I suppose this only applies to us none prescription glass wearing people though. |
