| Author | Message | ||
     Portero72 |
This roadtrip officially sucks. I am on the back end of a 2 week Austin/Copper Canyon/Arizona journey. The first week and 1/2 in Mexico and AZ went fine. A day before I was to depart Az for home in Tx, my right fork seal gave up the ghost. Luckily, I was NOT IN MEXICO, and my family, with truck, were riding caravan(overnighter in Bisbee). Hauled it to Tucson HD that afternoon(saturday), and was somewhat disappointed to hear that it would not be diagnosed till tuesday, nor did they have the parts in stock, and any parts would have to be overnighted, at my expense, to arrive on Wednesday(service was closed Sunday and Monday). Wednesday morning i get a call from the service writer informing me that someone had forgotten to order the parts and they would not arrive till Thursday, and the shop would eat the cost of overnight shipping. Fine-noone's dead, mistakes happen. After picking the bike up on Thursday afternoon, I prepare to leave early Friday morning(today). I get within 200 yards of the interstate when my engine light comes on. I pull over and the bike dies. Attempts to restart result in clicks. Mutherpussbucket.....Call the shop, get it towed. Diagnosis is....failed stator and regulator. Of course, Tucson HD does not have the parts in stock. Of course, its too late to overnight them for tomorrow, so the best case is parts arrive Tuesday. Keep in mind, I have already missed a week of work because of the bike and seeming scarcity of parts. As it turns out, I am going to have to buy a plane ticket home, get back to work and life, and somehow find a long weekend to fly back to AZ and ride the bike home in the next few weeks. I'm pissed-my bike has stranded me twice(although thankfully not in mexico). I have already missed work. Tucson HD HAS been very helpful, accommodating, and courteous, but I find their lack of parts disturbing(cue Darth Vader voice). Now I have to buy a plane ticket back to austin, and somehow find a way back to ride my bike home. Add my name to the 'bad VR/blown fork seal' list. sonofabitch... Again, the dealer and service people have been VERY friendly and helpful. I am not badmouthing them at all. The lack of parts is my only issue. My mood is sour... | ||
| Treadmarks |
Dayuuuuum. Sorry to hear about the trouble, but you're taking it better than I could. Very lucky that it didn't happen Mexico.  | ||
| Etennuly |
Sorry to hear your vacation got screwed up and all of that.  So how old and how many miles are on that turd of a bike? Was it still under warranty?  Aren't you going to bash Buell and curse the day you bought it? Inquiring minds need to know.  | ||
| Maximum |
Bad things normally happen in 3's...so you should be good now! But just to be safe, and so you don't require another tow within 90 more miles after the VR is replaced, ask the service guy to check and double check the "77" connector. If it is not seated properly it will arc, then melt the connector, and you will have the exact same symptoms as before, and be stuck on the side of the road again. My Uly has only stranded twice (were I needed a tow), and it was within a week's period of time of each other (due to what I just described above). | ||
| Portero72 |
for inquiring minds....my bike is an 06, bought new in aug 07(a leftover), just turned 10,600 miles. i'll have to make a note on the '77' connector. | ||
| Portero72 |
...oh yeah, so it's all been under warranty. small favors. | ||
| Snowscum |
Oh crap mine turned over 10,600 today. Glad I made it home. So heat cooks this connector or it just ends up arcing? | ||
| Bartimus |
if you had looked in the storm fronts, AZ thread, you would have known that Tucson HD/Buell is a piece of shit stealership that doesn't support Buells... | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
if you had looked in the storm fronts, AZ thread, you would have known that Tucson HD/Buell is a piece of shit stealership that doesn't support Buells... Doesn't sound like he had much choice. Glad you would have had the presence of mind to hop on the internet on the side of the road in Bisbee, AZ. and pull up the Knowledge Vault, Bart. Have you ever been to Bisbee? I have. It's in the middle of nowhere. It might as well be Mexico. If you're broken-down and stranded and figure out that the closest dealership is in Tucson...your next thought is not going to be, "hey, let me check the Knowledge Vault to make sure these guys have a good Buell reputation. I know we're just about halfway to the moon but I'm sure there's another reputable Buell dealership nearby." Tucson is nearly two hours from Bisbee as it is. So easy to criticize. Tipsy | ||
| Portero72 |
You, Sir Tipsy, are correct!! Not-so-funny-thing was, when I broke down the first time, I was roughly equidistant from Tucson HD and Sierra Vista HD, and neither shop had ANY Buell parts on hand. Sierra Vista HD was the shop that gave me the impression they didn't want anything to do with my bike. So, at the time, I went with the better option. Again, I have no problem with how I've been treated, it is just the delay that is inconvenient. But most breakdowns are. Also, I'm just venting. Color me a little b!tch. Thx for listening. | ||
| Maximum |
Snowscum: The "77" connector is prone to work itself a little loose, which is what causes the arc, which is what causes the failure. The connector is under the front sprocket cover and connects the VR back to the battery...so check often, or zip tie that bad boy in the fully seated position and forget about it. | ||
| Bartimus |
"So easy to criticize. " Sorry about that Tipsy, I didn't mean for it to sound that way. But, I don't wait until I break down on the side of the road to check out my options. I look BEFORE I leave the house to see what shops and stealerships are available along my route. I don't just check for Buell shops either, but also for Harley speed shops as they will typically give you better service. A quick look at the BRAN (Buell Riders Assistance Network) here on the badweb, before leaving would have given him the names and phone numbers of individuals along his route that are willing to help out a fellow Bueller. And YES, I do surf the web at the side of the road sometimes. Modern Technology is a wonderful thing, and I do try to use everything at my disposal to make my trip more enjoyable. An ounce of prevention goes a long way... | ||
| Neurorider |
I've only broken down far from home once, and it was on a Honda (broken spokes from bad lace job, one of my first ones). I rented a U-Haul and loaded it up/drove it home that way. It was cheaper than a tow and plane ticket. I still consider it a viable backup plan since there are uhaul places all over the US and I'm still a major do-it-yourselfer. Just something to keep in mind, an out-of-the-box idea. Then you can fix it at your own pace. doc | ||
| Portero72 |
Renting a Uhaul was an option I investigated, but quickly rejected, as a one-way rental ran 99 cents a mile, and Benson, AZ, to Austin is quite a mile eater. In a perfect world, I would prefer to have it done in Austin, or do it myself. But spending 1000 bucks to get it home myself was, at the time, not the wise choice. Bart-FWIW, 1/2 of the weight of my luggage/gear was dedicated to tools, spare levers, factory manuals, etc, in the event of a breakdown. So, your statement 'I don't wait until I break down on the side of the road to check out my options' sounds comfortably sanctimonious and does not really apply to me. Read the post-I was with my family on our way to Bisbee for an overnighter. Taking time out of their weekend getaway while I(and maybe another badwebber) do roadside diagnostics and PERHAPS come to a successful repair seems selfish at best. Also, how would Joe Schmoe find parts to repair his Buell in BFE when no dealer in southern AZ stocks parts? Last point-Bart, if you're going to apologize for laying out armchair criticism on how someone deals with breakdowns, direct it at the person effected, not the person wise and fair enough(Tipsy) for calling you on it. | ||
| Iugradmark |
Question for the group: Is there a way to create knowledge vault area for all of the things we have learned that should be checked or modified when considering a longer trip? I constantly see mentions of tying some down, fixing connections, changing out cable hangers, tricks for keeping water out of areas, etc. but believe that it could be very helpful to have in one place, especially for new folks. Mark | ||
| Jettdawg |
Great idea Mark! I'm planning to buy a new Buell in the next couple weeks, and from reading THIS thread, I'm gonna find that "77" connector and put a zip tie on it shortly after I get the bike  | ||
| Jont |
A list of your favorite BadWeb sponsers' phone numbers and overnight shipping are wonderful things. Just sayin'. | ||
| Rays |
The problem that seems to crop up with a very small number of "77" connectors is that the female socket/s in the loom side of the connector is/are deformed such that a poor electrical connection results. Depending on the circumstances this can result in arcing that can be as inoffensive as an insulating layer of carbon and whatever or as bad as a melted connector housing with an imbedded connector. Either way the end result is the battery stops charging and you often find out about the lack of charge in the most inconvenient places. The connectors are actually held together very well and unless the standard latch is broken, a zip tie won't be of much help. There have been some very creative ways to repair this connection and if this is the problem and you are stranded somewhere then any method that provides a good, high current capable connection that is well insulated will get you out of trouble. I ran into this problem about 2 years ago with my '06 and after playing hide and seek with my dealer over this for a while I set about tracking it down myself. At the time I put together a simple 'how to' document for a fellow Badwebber. He was able to resolve his issue and published this on Google Docs. I haven't got around to updating this document (I've actually helped my dealer diagnose a couple of other XBs since and there have been some good pictures posted of melted connectors) but you will get the general idea. I now run a voltage meter on my Uly and would highly recommend this small mod - you can spot a charging issue a mile away and it might let you limp to safety before the electrons give out. FB had a really detailed post on this a while back. This is the link to my doc : http://docs.google.com/view?docid=d4rbxwr_20dq5khf If you do decide to work on this connector please remember these basic rules: 1. The regulator connector is connected directly to the battery- ie it is 'hot' with the ignition off. To avoid expensive mistakes disconnect the battery as the first step. 2. Mark the positive position on both connector housings - cheap insurance for later. The regulator side has two black wires and these can be mixed up very easily. If you want any further details please PM me. I hasten to add that this is only one possibility in relation to the issue that was originally posted - it may well be a stator or a regulator but I do know that a lot of innocent regulators have been sent to electrical hell because of bad "77" connectors. | ||
| Portero72 |
Rays- That's great stuff. Thx for posting it. | ||
| Xbimmer |
Bum way to finish a road trip Portero, sorry about that. I think th 77-connector problem may be a pre-'08 issue. I was checking out some '08's recently and noticed the VR harness has been moved up into the frame area. Checking the dealer's parts guide pix there was no 77-connector to be found, I'm assuming because of the changes to the charging system components on the '08's. Now that my '06's warranty is up I'll be eliminating my 77-connector completely. Has ANYBODY had or heard of a left side fork seal blowing? I've blown two on the right, ZTL-related? | ||
| Darthane |
With a T27, you can take the front sprocket cover off and little-ol' Connector 77 will be staring you in the face. It's big, it's black, and it's got two heavy-gage wires in it (one red, one black, inevitably). Your right fork seals are subjected to brake dust from the ZTL - a likely culprit for blowing those seals 'early' as opposed to the left. | ||
| Maximum |
I had a right fork seal go on me around 23,000. The lower fender on the "X" makes it difficult to wipe the fork slides down after riding. | ||
| Dr_greg |
Is there a way to create knowledge vault area for all of the things we have learned that should be checked or modified when considering a longer trip? I constantly see mentions of tying some down, fixing connections, changing out cable hangers, tricks for keeping water out of areas, etc. but believe that it could be very helpful to have in one place, especially for new folks. This is exactly what I've been wondering. As I approach 50,000 miles, I'm getting a little paranoid wondering what marque-specific items I should be taking along on trips: fan, fuel pump, belt (obviously), etc. | ||
| Portero72 |
The saga continues...I write this from Austin, while my Uly is being serviced in Tucson. Just received a call from the service writer at Tucson HD explaining to me that my bike was ready, but my two 55w accessory lights (wired off the battery, thru a relay) were putting 'way too much load' on my charging system and were the cause of my VR/stator failure. Of course, all repairs/parts would be my responsibility. I almost laughed. The writer's stance seemed to soften a bit after I said I'd have to get back to them after speaking with BCS(I've already opened a ticket with BCS, the day the breakdown occurred), and after I explained the math behind the Uly's 500w alternator, minus 200 for the bike, leaves PLENTY for accessories. If two small lights can kill a bike, why design it with 2 accessory sockets? Oh, the folly.... Anyway, I'm just bummed to have to deal with this. After all the BS this has caused so far(stranded in AZ, missing work, leaving the bike, having to fly back out, etc.), I thought I was done. I'm sure I'll 'win', but I just wished I didn't have to fight all the BS. |
