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Buell Motorcycle Forum » Court in Session » Archive through August 07, 2008 » Dealership and electrical issues - plus questions « Previous Next »

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Bugnut
Posted on Wednesday, March 05, 2008 - 10:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Posted this at the end of the running thread..figured it might not get seen.

Court,
I had hoped to never have to call on you for help, and may just not need it yet. I am going to my local HD dealer tomorrow (Brandon Fl) to yet again have my bike looked at for a failed voltage regulator / stator. Died on the way home tonight on the freeway. Started out with a nice 13.4 volts and steadily dropped to 6 volts about 18 miles into the ride. I live 28 miles away from work. The bike really didn't like to run like that.

This will be the third time since new in '06 that either the regulator, stator or both have gone down the tube. As depressing as that is, I had plans to go to Daytona this weekend and possibly Seminole Buell Thursday to hear Erik and the band and meet the man behind what I thought was a really great bike.

Now, I absolutely know my dealership will not have the parts and not be able to get them in time much less perform the service (damn well better be under warranty)before Saturday. Thursday is shot unless I drive there by car (ugh). Maybe I should to ask the question of Erik himself.

My question to you is, what is the problem with the electrical system on the Ulysses? This has only happened when the bike has been ridden through rain. My last soaking was due to weather over the past couple of days here in sunny Fl. I never use a pressure washer on any thing but my house. The bike is not ridden through 2 foot deep gator swamps. Most of the time, good soakings cause no issue. But some special circumstances, and alignment of the planets cause my regulator to wig out two days after rain that wasn't that heavy. I rode through it!

I'm putting the Customer Service Number in my cell simply because I also know this will be a huge headache with the dealership. It should be fun because they (HD) have stated in the past that a GPS, satellite radio, and 2, 55 watt lights are "too much" for the charging system. I guess wearing heated gloves, heated vest, and grip warmers is too much also with a constant 13.6 volts charging at idle along with the other electrical vampires. So can you shed any light onto this electrical voodoo of regulators and stators?

Now my next question - Why is Buell the ginger haired, adoptee of HD? If the dealer sells Buells, works on Buells and has a Buell sign outside, what's wrong with stocking the parts that crap out the most? And these are parts that take a dump more often than not. I know you watch this forum and you see the posts regarding the bad regulators, fried stators, and melted connectors. My dealer can't even stock Buell spark plugs. I can almost understand not stocking a front rotor, but no spark plugs? Simple Buell Pro Series spark plugs? Are they made in China for dogs sake? Is a Buell manual for the bike on the floor really that hard to order and have available for the buyer of that bike? Bizarre, just bizarre.

Trust me my fingers are crossed that the very good people at my service dealership can work miracles ( no BS, they are good people), but I'm loosing faith in the bike. My plans for this summer to tour to Sturgis just took a big kick in the neither regions. How can I trust that the dealers along the way have the parts if they once again commit Hara Kiri in Kansas? Or how about rear wheel bearings? Will they have bearings in Beaver Boot, North Dakota? Shoot, I might be able to get a neck gaiter from the dust bin out back, but a regulator and stator? 3 weeks, pal.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great bike. It's not a lemon. It's hot cherry pie. I do love it so. I'm just one of the faithful who is having a sever bout of disillusionment. And I may need a divorce - or a doctor. Know anyone who wants an '06 with 21k on the clock? Faster Black! New regulator and stator!

Thanks for any input,
Mike
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