| Author | Message | ||
     Yogi0013 |
Hello folks. I've been enjoying the site since July and bought a Uly in August. Sold the dirt bike (kids to cool to ride with dad anymore) and picked up a 2008 Ulysses XB12X. Blue in color(fastest color I hear)32000km on the clock and all three bags. Previous owner changed all fluids and put on new tires. Got it for a steal I think, paid $5700. Love the bike and have spent the last couple months riding and smiling. Great website, I have learned a great deal, it even helped in the decision to buy. Only one problem has come up, started blowing low beams, will have to spend some time testing but it sounds like a bad VR. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Welcome, Yogi. It's good to have you on board. As you mentioned, this is a great forum for Uly owners. I still consider myself a new guy after three years!  There are some very knowledgeable and skilled folks here and most are more than willing to help if they can. A good group, for sure. | ||
| Arry |
I'm, also, pretty new. One year with a 07 12X, love it, but if I knew then... You're probably lucky to have an 08. You're might be right about the VR. check your voltage output with a multimeter. | ||
| Yogi0013 |
Thanks for the welcome guys. Nice here today north of the border could be the last day to ride, the forecast is for snow this week so I may have to put the Uly to bed and get the sleds ready. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Welcome aboard. | ||
| Mad_doctor |
Welcome to the fun side of life. The Uly is a great bike, you'll have hours of smiles coming. ride safe Tim | ||
| Tootal |
Will you please wipe that big grin of your face!!  Check your voltage as mentioned. A lot of us have a voltage gauge to monitor our electrics before major problems happen. | ||
| Ourdee |
Do the bulbs pop about 1 to 5 miles into the ride from starting the cold bike? | ||
| Jkpotter |
I have a 08 XB12XT and had the same problem... Under warranty the dealer replace the headlight assembly, the ECM, the battery (and in their doing it blew thew fan which was replaced) and said the VR was fine. 2 months out of warranty the VR went. Replaced it and haven't had a single bulb blow since. | ||
| Yogi0013 |
Jk did you have to do a stator too or just the VR? Ourdee, yes the last bulb went pretty quick, faster than the one before anyway. (Message edited by yogi0013 on October 22, 2012) | ||
| Djohnk |
When my bulbs were blowing out I first replaced the VR, eventually had to replace the stator. | ||
| Babired |
dang my low beam just went out but I got 31,000 miles on the bike. What is a good replacement or upgrade for the low beam? | ||
| Zane |
Welcome aboard Yogi. This is a great board with many knowledgeable people (I'm not one of them) always willing to share their knowledge. (Message edited by Zane on October 23, 2012) | ||
| Ourdee |
Kathleen, If you were happy with the light you had, I'd just go to HD and get another 35 watt bulb. But that is not what you asked; You can put a 55 watt H7 automotive bulb in it for about $10 from Walmart, etc. OR, HID kits can be had fairly cheap these days. There are threads on here about replacing the lighting. | ||
| Tootal |
I've been using these in both lights and they do well, and have lasted a long time. http://store.candlepower.com/osraulhiouh7.html | ||
| Babired |
Hell Yeah! Thanks and to Yogi0013 welcome to the ULYS! I've rode mine all over and she is still going strong, nothing else compares! Mild weather in Maryland this week Uly has been taking me back and forth to work LOvin it! Orange fastest color! | ||
| Buelldualsport |
Osram has a 65W bulb with the H7 base. Great for low beam illumination. Regards Guess I should have clicked on the lin in the Total's post. That is where we got the information. WHAT HE SAID!!! Put them in a 2009 - 2010 headlight assembly and light up the world. (Message edited by Buelldualsport on October 24, 2012) (Message edited by Buelldualsport on October 24, 2012) | ||
| Buelldualsport |
FWIT, we are putting a switch in the light circuit, so that both lights can be shut off. Stealth mode for unobserved might maneuvers. LOL Never know when you need to "advert" a meeting with John law. Have both a headlight and tail light, no not brake light cut off switch on the 4 wheel stealth ride. But that is another story all together. Ride safe LOL | ||
| Yogi0013 |
Got six inches of snow the last couple of days up here in Saskatchewan. Looks like the Uly is parked for a few months. Now I'll have time to research my VR issue and get her ready for spring... | ||
| Jkpotter |
I only replaced the VR. I was blowing bulbs about once a month. That was 2 1/2 years ago. No problem with stator or blown bulbs since. 46K on the Uly so far. | ||
| Yogi0013 |
Thanks JK. I think that's all that is wrong with mine too. No battery charging issues so far. Now I have to decide on whether to use a stock VR or try a mosfet. | ||
| Djohnk |
Go with the MOSFET. I installed one in my Uly and I am very happy with my decision. It even survived my stator going bad. Also ... supposedly the MOSFET VR is easier on the stator (I'm not sure if this is true, didn't have time to research it thoroughly) here's a good link: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/667134.html?1326751428 | ||
| Yogi0013 |
Thanks Djohnk. I'll take that under advisement. Sounds like the thing to do, those old VR's are "old tech". Where did you get yours from? I've seen two, one on ebay and another guy with his own site. Anyone want to chime in on just getting one from American Sportbike? | ||
| Ourdee |
Watch the guys videos. | ||
| Froggy |
Just to let you know, the stock regulator uses a MOSFET design too.
This is not true. The only thing that would make a regulator "easier" on a stator was if it was of a switching design, allowing it to turn phases of the stator on and off as needed. The VR you purchased may or may not be any better than stock, there is no difference in its technology, but it may be better overall as it probably wasn't made by the lowest bidder like some stock components. | ||
| Froggy |
There is nothing wrong with that. American Sport Bike just sells the OEM regulator, which means it will be plug and play while aftermarket ones may require different connectors or creative mounting. American Sport Bike's service is top notch, so you can't go wrong with that route either. | ||
| Yogi0013 |
Thanks Froggy. Is the shindengen any better than what American Sport Bike sells? And you say there is no real difference internally. I like plug and play so that would work for me. | ||
| Djohnk |
Installed the SHINDENGEN FH020AA http://roadstercycle.com/index.html In my humble opinion its an upgrade from the OEM VR. | ||
| Froggy |
Yogi, your bike already has the one that American Sport Bike sells. Hard to say if the Shindengen is really better or not, as the tech in it is the same. It may be better than stock, or it could be lower quality. There are a whole bunch of regulators available including some from Compufire. Personally I would get the CE605 which is also available at the link Djohnk posted. That is a nice upgrade over stock, and is well loved on the 1125Board. I am having regulator issues on my Ulysses and plan on swapping one in. | ||
| Yogi0013 |
Thanks for the tip Froggy. I'll look into that too. Just trying to learn as much as I can. Spent some time checking that website out and it looks O.K. Also weighing a number of factors: ease of use, cost benefit, quality etc. I'm sure if I buy a VR from American Sport Bike or my local dealer it will do as long I don't have stator issues and if I do, no VR will help. If it is just the regulator then upgrading probably is a great idea, as I do take some long trips and taking the bus home from halfway to Alaska would suck. It seems that, as I check into it, no matter my choice it's going to cost me around $180.00 to fix. Living in Canada has it's drawbacks when it comes to ordering parts. Everyone seems to want to charge 40 bucks to ship a $120 item. Plus taxes and duties... | ||
| Yogi0013 |
Just looked at the CE605 regulator and there are two problems: first its for 3 phase and my 08 Uly is single phase and they will only sell the "series" regulators to U.S. customers. Looks like I'll spend the winter reading, learning and tinkering. | ||
| Froggy |
The 3 phase regulator will work fine from what I've read, hence my plans to install one on my 08. The shipping calculator on American Sport Bike is not accurate, email or call them to get a quote. (Message edited by froggy on October 28, 2012) |
