| Author | Message | ||
     Johnboy777 |
Hey Teeps, I respectfully disagree. Think about it logically for a moment. You are building a product that you, and those with whom you work, are passionate about. And here is a forum full of actual users of your product, who are as passionate about it as you. I would say, except via forums such as this, covering multiple continents, there are few times in 'corporate' life that one would get to so clearly see, firsthand, the end result of one's work, with such a wide panorama. Maybe the question should be, why wouldn't they read these forums? Just MHO....John H. . | ||
| Hoon |
BK,quite possibly SKF bearings from what you said-good quality. | ||
| Xbimmer |
All I can remember is that they were French, and had a very short name. I think that it was SNR? SNR's can be French, I have French SNR's, Timkens, SKF's and German FAG's and who knows what else in my Airhead. The front bearings are original, 160k+ on them... | ||
| Jwnsc |
Having some free time today after I rode over to Applied, Inc. to pick up my Koyo replacement bearings, I called HD/Buell Customer Service. After a four-minute wait I was able to speak to Phillip. I asked him if Buell was aware of the number of wheel bearing failures on the '06 to '08 Ulysses model. He said Buell should know through warranty repairs. I replied that would result in an under report for reasons we, here on forum, are all too familiar with. I then asked what was Buell's position on the wheel bearing issue? Or, better yet, if they are aware, what, if anything, are they doing about it? Also does anyone at Buell monitor the Bad weather bikers Buell forum? Of course, Phillip did not know the answer to any of these questions, but he assured me he would call Buell and get the answers. Then, he or someone from Buell would call me back. That was at 1400 hours EST on 04/09/2008. As I said, I had some free time. | ||
| Teeps |
Johnboy777, I agree with you in principle, and you'd think this (and other forums) would be a great source for any manufacturer to gain insight regarding their product. Believe me when I say; "they" (Buell in this case) have better things to do with their resources than monitor these forums. PS The answer Jwnsc got from the Buell CR agent, is no surprise to me... (Message edited by teeps on April 09, 2008) | ||
| Jwnsc |
Update: Phillip (Buell Customer Service) called me back at 1656 hrs EST and we spent 20 minutes chatting amiably about bearings. Yes, Buell tech people do monitor the Bad Weather Bikers forum. Yes, there was a bearing issue in 2003 with XBs which Buell fixed after rider feedback was received. The culprit was a quality control problem at the bearing factory. As far as Ulys are concerned Buell has not received enough authenticated data through warranty claims to make them think there is an issue. Anecdotal data from internet forums are suspect due to misinformation, disinformation, incomplete information, repetition, and by themselves, create no obligation to act. Anyway, Buell is very very busy working on the 2009s which should come out in July. So, until the official datum on failures reaches a point that Buell thinks is out of line with industry standards (or IMHO people start getting hurt or Uly sales are negatively impacted) how you achieve peace of mind vis a vis the Uly bearing issue is up to you. I was issued a reference number for any future issues concerning my wheel bearings which is nice to have should I keep running the stock ones for the 18 months left on my warranty. I also have AAA motorcycle towing and carry spare Koyos in the topcase. Anyone going to the Buellfest in East Troy in July? If nothing happens before then, that would be a great opportunity to continue the discussion. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Jim, thanks for the update. I imagine a lot of us (like me) are skewing their data by not taking the bikes back to the dealer for bearing replacement. If I'd had a week to kill, I would have done it. Wow, the 2009 release is sneaking up on us, isn't it? 'Bout time for someone to start a "2009 model rumors" thread on the Quickboard... | ||
| Jwnsc |
Hugh, I told Phillip that more than a few people for convenience sake and peace of mind, change the bearings without using the warranty procedure. Unfortunately they don't count officially, and by using non-OEM bearings you void whatever warranty you might have had. | ||
| Jlnance |
As far as Ulys are concerned Buell has not received enough authenticated data through warranty claims to make them think there is an issue. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=5096 828&postcount=14 | ||
| Jlnance |
I told Phillip that more than a few people for convenience sake and peace of mind, change the bearings without using the warranty procedure. I did. Changed the belt too. I'd rather replace things occasionally than wonder what's going to break. | ||
| Jwnsc |
Jlnance, Perhaps Optimus Prime can call Phillip and clue him in. I have his number. One opportunity to see will be if the 2009 Uly comes out with different bearings and/or wheels. Can anybody check the bearings on an XT? | ||
| Maximum |
Well, here are my rear bearings after 23,000 miles.  The front were very similar...one bad and one in near perfect condition. I don't remember which side was which. I might not have checked them out if it was not for the fact that I have the bike completely apart for some mods. The price of the bearing is worth not being left stranded somewhere, but it is a shame that Buell will not be able count these in their warranty stats! | ||
| Xbimmer |
Man Maximum, that right one's UGLY... My last rear new-tire and right fork seal work allowed me to inspect the bearings again rear and front. The grease was gray in them. I figured it might have been the massive rain I'd been riding through this winter, but maybe it was just the mix of red grease and blue/green stock stuff. Cleaned them out best I could and regreased. But your bearing is nasty. Rust is eating the balls and cage as I look at it... Good thing you opened them up. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Additional info, probably irrelevant to our Uly's. I have a box of new small parts for my '78 BMW that I stocked up over the years. I was checking the wheel/swingarm bearings for origin of manufacture and came across some boxed Kaco wheel seals. The seals are for tapered roller applications, and they have FOUR sealing lips on each, facing outward from center. Could be why the front bearings on my bike are original. I posted way earlier I was trying to source bulk seals for those of us who service the stock NTN's. Unfortunately the response finally came back that new 6005/6006 seals had to be ordered in 91-count lots (I thought that weird) at $4.52 per seal (I thought that a ripoff...). Smaller lots could be ordered for less outlay of $$$ but a "$30 shipping charge" would apply and the 6005's are ordered from Japan with a "2- to 6-month wait". Not real practical IMO considering I'm wary of the Taiwanese NTN anyway. Since my bike is out of warranty in a little over a month I'll be on my own I guess. Soon at 50k I'll be replacing both ends with premium bearings that I can get seals for, if that's even possible. If anybody who has replaced the stockers with Koyo's or SNR's or FAG's or SKF's etc has a failure, then there's a whole new ballgame... | ||
| Bross |
Quoted by: jwnsc "So, until the official datum on failures reaches a point that Buell thinks is out of line with industry standards (or IMHO people start getting hurt or Uly sales are negatively impacted) how you achieve peace of mind vis a vis the Uly bearing issue is up to you." Already sent me elsewhere. I've been interested in the Uly for awhile now, but currently riding a BMW RT with a potentially flaming final drive and with all the current info on the bearing issue, I bought a Triumph Scrambler instead. Hope Buell get enough data to find out why the bearings are failing but I'm one potential customer lost. | ||
| Jwnsc |
Sorry to hear that Bross. If you were at all interested in the XT model, did you check to see if the bearings had been upgraded along with the tire and suspension changes? Sometimes manufacturers will quietly (especially if the official company line is we don't have enough data to say there is a problem) make little improvements when they come out with a new model. Ride safe. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Bross, sorry to hear you gave up on the Buell. I don't think you can compare an umpteen thousand dollar BMW final drive failure with a couple of $20 bearings. I have heard of at least one Uly that required a swingarm replacement (after a long ride on an undetected failed bearing during a trip to Alaska) but that's pretty rare. Most have been detected by owners before they even failed. At any rate, good luck with your Triumph. Xbimmer- we do need to keep an ear out for that. Has anyone had or heard of a replacement bearing failure yet, whatever the brand? | ||
| Johnboy777 |
Look, I'll be honest here. I'm usually a happy-go-lucky kinda guy but lately, I've been a nervous wreck. Seriously, I can't sleep - can't eat; all I can think about is when and where my rear wheel bearings will go bad, and if, in the process, it'll kill me or worse. Chr*st, I'm starting to lose it! Serenity Now! . | ||
| Jwnsc |
Johnboy, it sounds like you are a candidate for an early install of upgraded bearings. Either that or quit looking at the bearing thread. We promise to PM you if anything changes. And look at the bright side, a copy of your last post probably went straight to the Buell corporate counsel's office. | ||
| Maximum |
As you can see above...my bearing looks pretty bad, and who knows how long it has been that way, but honestly I just finished up my third rear tire (averaging just over 7,500 miles per Sync) and this is the first time I have even checked my bearings. Who knows, maybe it still would have lasted another 5-10 thousand miles. So I have learned three things: 1. I will put some anti-seize on the inward side of my bearings (before popping them in), and keep some anti-seize on the outward side with periodic maintenance. 2. I will check my bearing for smoothness every time I take a wheel off. 3. I love this bike so much that no bearing issue will make me stop riding or want to get rid of her!!!!! | ||
| Prubert |
Add me to the list. My '07 Rear belt side bearings went at 13750 miles. I was on the freeway when my bike felt like it had a flat tire. Pulled over to see the bearing puke on the rear sprocket side. Woot! | ||
| 12bolt |
I did not contact Buell customer service but I will know that my Buell bag latch just broke and the dealer said all he can find is a complete replacement bag! He also said that he has never heard of a latch failure!! Do these guys live under a rock or what? | ||
| Court |
>>>Do these guys live under a rock or what? Easy fix. Call Buell Customer Service (we went through this the other day, they were unaware of the part but are up to snuff now) and they can fix you up pronto. Be gentle with your dealer. Bear in mind most dealers have NEVER seen a latch fail . . he was likely being honest with you . . a good thing for a dealer. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Color me stupid...can the bearings be pulled/installed without any special tools? I see the service manual has quite a few special tools. And Al sells what looks to be a tool for installing them. I'm going to be changing tires soon, might just change them out. $60 every 17k seems reasonable. | ||
| Blake |
In order to avoid damaging the wheel hub, you'll want to use a proper bearing puller. What I'd recommend in lieu of such an aggressive replacement regimen would be diligence, check your bearings every time you change the tires. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
Is the slide hammer HF puller precise enough? I'm going to check them each time from here on out, but I'm assuming at some point I'll be swapping tires and discover they need replacement. At which point I'd like to be prepared.  | ||
| Blake |
A slide hammer may not be the best means to remove the wheel bearings. You want something that will help assure a nice even/straight and steady pull. It would probably be a good idea to spray penetrant between bearing race and hub too. Just be sure to clean it well before installing the new bearings. What does the service manual say? | ||
| Teeps |
Blake Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - What I'd recommend in lieu of such an aggressive replacement regimen would be diligence, check your bearings every time you change the tires. I'm using a mechanics stethoscope to listen to the bearings. So far things sound smooth. 11k miles and counting. | ||
| Stevenknapp |
What does the service manual say? Lists some H-D puller tool that uses a threaded rod to pull them out placing the pulling load reasonably evenly around the hub. | ||
| Blake |
There you go. |
