| Author | Message | ||
     Bugnut |
Third time posting this: 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 P.S. Since this is the third time, I have new info from dealer - bike looked at 2 days after drop off. Tech thinks VR, but spent the next two days "diagnosing". He determined VR bad (oh, really!) contacts HD to get part. Now I wait, again. This is the third VR and possibly stator. Is there something wrong with those parts? Why are there so many posts regarding VRs and stators? I even went the step to look up Florida Lemon Laws. Unfortunately, those laws do not apply to bikes, only cars. So even with 3 strikes on the same part, I'm screwed. I guess I'll just invest in spares or off load the bike. Thanks, Mike | ||
| Ikeman |
Mike, I'm not Court obviously but I had an issue on my '06 Uly that was also rain related. To make the story short, the bike would just quit after 20 mins or so in the rain. This happened twice (with 2 corresponding dealer trips - one about 150 miles from home). Turns out that there was no dielectric grease in one of the connectors for the cam position sensor. Once it got water in it, it shorted out and the motor shut down. The first time it happened was on a Saturday evening so by the time the tech got to it everything was dry and they couldn't find anything wrong (no codes or anything). The second time it didn't have time to dry out and they found the problem. The tech dried it out and packed it with grease. No issues in the 2 years since. What I'm getting at is that you may have a similar situation with another connector, cut insulation, etc. that's allowing moisture to get where it shouldn't be and the end result is a dead VR or stator. I'm no electrical whiz so I could be way off base but it's something to consider. | ||
| Court |
>>>>I'm not Court obviously  If you wanna be for a day you're welcome to it . . . I have my 3rd (and last) mid-term tomorrow night at 6:10 and by Friday morning will be back to reading and responding. All data, experience and information is welcome. . . . | ||
| Bugnut |
O.K. Court. I was worried you had left the fold and moved on. I'll be patient and hope the best for your testing. I'll add the below bit for your review post testing. My latest bit of info is about my call to Buell CS. Funny how they answer as if it's HD, not Buell. That concerned me a bit. HD ref # 829254. The young lady was very forth coming with info concerning my bike. The dealership service department had already contacted HD about the possibility of a bad regulator, but my VIN had a "freeze" or lock on it due to "having too many electrical accessories" (sic), and possibly being out of warranty because of it. I run aux lights (110 watts 8.5a), Garmin GPS (15w 1.2a), Sirius radio 15w 1.2a) with AA batteries for head phones, and occasionally my heated grips (15w 1.2a approximate). Now, I approached this logically. How many others have had this problem? I added my name to the list of people with VR / stator issues back in November when I lost the second VR. Now I've added myself to that list a second time. I decided to see how many are on that list with at least one VR or stator replacement. It came to 15 individuals having posted as losing either VR or a stator once I opened my search for bad VRs a bit. Now here's the really funny part. My Buell Customer Service representative thinks all of them are posers, fake, or just plain liars. FatBastard, Chadhargis, Xbimmer, Ftd, Aeholton, Dfishman, EJC, Rotorhead, Slowride, Jmhikle, Maximum, Techmikeny, Isham, Rokoneer, and Duffman are all lying through their teeth about VRs going bad. Or they are simply one or two people repeating the same problem over and over. They are even so bad, that they are all making it up to make Buell look bad. She stated Buell has had no issues or problems reported to them concerning VRs and stators. And certainly not in significant numbers to warrant a recall or redesign of the part. The Buell Customer Service representative put me on hold to check with the other 11 representatives about VRs and stators. Nope. No issues. Never heard of a problem. Hum. That's interesting. Maybe you are fake too. Perhaps your part of the Orwellian conspiracy to have me own a shit bike. Sorry, getting a little passionate. Have to tone it down. The bike isn't bad, just has electrical gremlins that only pop up every 5 to 10k miles. But I do realize the internet is the pantheon and pathos of this world. However, I feel I can trust, to a certain degree, that you and all the others on this site are real. This is no internet dating service after all. We're not getting into a physical or platonic relationship. Just exchanging information about our passion. I am absolutely sure I am getting the run around. I find it total BS that running the devices I do would cause issues. They add up to a paltry 330 watts at 28 amps including possibly 200 watts to run the bike by itself. Running fully all the time! And that doesn't happen! No heated grips everyday much less every day, month after month. No aux lights at night, ever! GPS and Sirius are on all the time though. Got me there. This makes no sense. How many of us have put auxiliary lights, GPS systems, radios, heated gear, and other electrical doodads on our Uly's and NOT had issues? A quick look over the site has bunches of guys running the exact same stuff and MORE! Some DO loose VRs and stators. Most don't it seems, because Buell has no record of bunches of bad VRs. Especially ones that admit to using electrical farkles. They must hide in shame. Listen, I do not want to get rid of this bike. As I wrote before, I truly love it. It fits me like a glove. Not the O.J. glove or a work glove. But a fine, Italian, deer skin leather glove, with little massager's at each finger tip. Lovingly egging me on to ride more and more. With this VR, stator and connector issue, how can I ride with any mental ease? First death at 5k, then 15k and now at 21k. Am I going to have to watch the odometer to gauge my VR replacement schedule? What am I going to do on a long trip? Add two or 3 VRs to my kit along with bearings and belts? I can't rely on a HD dealer out in Nowheres-ville to have any of those parts. Then I have to visit Nowheres-ville for 8 to 10 days waiting for parts and cross my fingers I don't get raped by the service bill. Yeah, I could fix it roadside. Why? Shouldn't the parts last a bit longer? Maybe 20k? I didn't see that in the manuals maintenance schedule. Help me please. Make me believe in Buell again. As I wrote before, the divorce is pending and I really want the relationship to last as long as possible. Hey, I still have the same wife after 21 years. Shouldn't my bike last as long.   Thanks for your time, Mike | ||
| Froggy |
Bugnut, not that it exactly helps, but my Ulysses had the Buell Garmin Quest, Buell Heated grips, Harley heated jacket, PIAA 510 lights, and to top it off an electric refrigerator. I had 0 electrical issues. No, I don't think I used them all at once. Closest thing would be GPS, fog lights, heated jacket and grips at the same time. The lights would dim while idle, but all was good while moving. | ||
| Towjam |
Hey, I still have the same wife after 21 years. Shouldn't my bike last as long Yeah - but are you riding her as much as the bike?  | ||
| Bugnut |
Yeah - but are you riding her as much as the bike? Not quite as much! Had to cut down to 5 times a week..... 4 times a day!  Mike | ||
| Towjam |
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| Bugnut |
Court, Are you out there?  Mike | ||
| Court |
>>> Maybe you are fake too. Thanks. Keep us posted and let us know how it goes. Court | ||
| Bugnut |
Court, Spoke with the service guys today. Parts just arrived - 2 weeks to the day. Not bad, they must have been shipped via carrier pigeon or slow boat down the Mississippi. I expected longer. They will start to "test" today after installing the parts. Can't wait to hear that using 300 watts of intermittent power at 28 amps is too much for a system that puts out 493 watts and 38 amps. I wonder what BMWs and KTMs put out? Or wimpy KLRs (sorry KLR riders)? So are you real? I can't tell from behind my screen.  Mike | ||
| Towjam |
So are you real? I can't tell from behind my screen Yes indeed. Court is very, very real. He lives here:  | ||
| Bugnut |
Dang, and I thought he was from here:  Harley Heaven. AKA The Leather Palace, or the Chrome Castle.  Mike | ||
| Road_thing |
Court's alive and well in the French Quarter:  rt | ||
| Reepicheep |
My KLR-250 is lucky to run the headlights, much less heated anything.... Though it runs fine with a blow VR regulating the whole system at 6v, and a completely dried out and non functional battery | ||
| Court |
I know how to fix the KLR . . . go the the local store, hand them a $33 bill . . install the battery in the lot and ride happily away. Repeat in 5 years. | ||
| Reepicheep |
$33?!?! Maybe for you rich guys with the "big" KLR's. More like $21. Kick start has its advantages | ||
| Court |
And guess how many batteries are "better" than your $21 one? | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'll let you know when I blow another voltage regulator.  I think next time it goes, I'll just go get a big electrolytic capacitor (something about the size of a beer can) and wire that in instead. Then I can use it as a short term battery, or to do some light welding in a pinch . Normally, something like that would be insanely expensive, but I happen to work about 10 miles from a 4 acre electronics surplus store (Mendelsons), and they have 50 years of Wright Patt cold war cast off parts for sale, more or less by the pound. You can find the most interesting things there... rumor has it there is a complete Huey on the second floor, completely disassembled and carefully stored in little zip lock bags... | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I won't go to Brandon anymore. My mom works there so I get to see a little more than gen pop. There is one guy there that rides a Buell. Luckily he is in the shop. Nobody else cares though. If you've been there you've seen the "Buell wall". It's ridiculous. My question is: Mr. Buell himself made this deal with Harley. Why doesn't he step up and say something about it. It's a joke. I love my Buell. But to get something for it I either have to ride out to Sanford or find it on line. TERRIBLE.  | ||
| Court |
>>>You can find the most interesting things there... rumor has it there is a complete Huey on the second floor, completely disassembled and carefully stored in little zip lock bags... That's the one the secret Buell techs in Florida delivered, right? ? | ||
| Reepicheep |
No. The Huey is on the thrid floor. The elves from East Troy dropped something off on the second floor... but we don't talk about the second floor. Ever.  | ||
| Court |
Ever. | ||
| Doerman |
But to get something for it I either have to ride out to Sanford or find it on line. TERRIBLE. Terrible? What's so terrible about that. One thing involves time on your scoot - always a good thing in my book. The other is a plethora of selection on line. | ||
| Bugnut |
O.K. Court. I've hit my limit. Buell Customer Service has been no help. They certainly didn't bend over backwards as some have suggested they would. I've maxed out my patience, at having a bike that has obvious issues with it's electrical components. I'm waiting on a call from the "Buell Guy" to the servicing dealership to respond to their new info of no issue with electrical. My dealership now says the electrical equipment causes no issues with charging or low voltage. Hummm. I knew this from the start. What do I do now? Continue to wait? 3 weeks tomorrow since I dropped it off. I'm in a state that has no Lemon Laws for bikes, and I'm saddled with a great bike with a serious problem... Buell and Harley Davidson. I've taken the step to place hold money on another bike. Something from the land of the rising sun. I just can't trust my Uly to hold up under me. I'm just absolutely frustrated that this is happening. More because of the crap I've put up with from HD and Buell than the actual problem. If they just got the part, replaced it, initiated a program to figure out why so many (maybe not) people have cooked VRs and stators, and fixed it with something better, then I'd be o.k. I guess if the bike fell over or stalled while leaned over causing a crash that would be cause for a company solution - recall! They did the right thing then. Why not for some of the other issues? Safety. VRs and stators just are not a safety issue. I see that. Just a part that's expendable. And we'll just suck it up. "Oh well, I'll just get spares" we say. Just wonder why we put up with bad electrical, bearings, rusty mufflers and the other little things. Must be because we like the bikes, not the system. When do we say enough is enough? Is my case "hands off"? Mike | ||
| Bugnut |
Well, the confusion continues. As does my waiting game. After a call to my servicing dealer, I found they were waiting on someone from Buell who is on vacation. Yep, vacation! For another 3 days! Called back to Buell Customer Service (oops, I mean HD Customer Service), found out a different tech had called my service tech directly! Um, well, not! Called back to dealer, spoke with tech. He never got a message from Buell. The tech was advised by the service manager to call customer service directly with my reference number, while on his day off. Good on them. See, my service guys are good. Really. They try to help. Just need a nudge every once in a while. Hummm. A call or two later has given me the information that there is a secret test that the Buell tech will walk the servicing tech through. It needs to be performed to find out if any component or item on the bike might be causing a failure. This is supposed to happen sometime today. I thought that happened last week Thursday after the new parts were installed. Guess not. It is a special, secret test after all. My fingers are crossed, but I'm still very disappointed in "Customer Service" and how this has been handled. I'm accused of having too much draw on the electrical. Dealer finds that to be wrong. I wait an extra week while Buell waits on the servicing dealer to call them back. Or the dealer to get a call from them. I'm basically called a fool by "customer service" for believing in the people on this forum. In believing their stories of bad VRs and stators. Even for believing someone would help the situation. I'm so gullible. Miscommunication, lack of parts, and dropping of the ball several times has extended what should have only been a week, into now over three. Kind of crappy service all around. Court, still silent. I guess I don't know you personally, so I'm SOL. P.T. Barnum said it, sucker born every minute. Call me the latest sucker. Thanks for the help. Mike | ||
| Court |
Quit your frickin whining at me. I am not your Buell dealer. I am not Buell Customer Service. I am a professional in New York City who, in addition to working 60 hour weeks, am taking 3 graduate level law classes at Columbia University Grad School, playing guitar and teaching math. I've been helping Buell owners for years when the get bogged down in the system. I help folks I like a lot, folks I care for less, folks I know and folks who I don't even speak the same language with. Trying to saddle me with that "I guess I don't know you" crap is petty, small and makes you look ignorant. I also have tremendous patience. It you want to try telling me what is wrong with all the self deprecating whining filtered out . . fire away. If not, go wallow in the pond of shit you've made . . but spare us the drama and do it alone. Clear enough? . . sometimes I am difficult to understand. Court | ||
| Bugnut |
Wow. I wrote a really long, nasty post to send back to you. Had to erase that. Felt that would just not be right. I have been impatient. Sorry. Not having my main transport for this long is taxing. I asked the question originally: Is there something wrong with Ulysses electrical systems that caused multiple failures with multiple riders? Is there a common issue? Next question was: Why does HD not commit to Buell? I'm just asking as an opinion. Nothing more. We all feel it. Just like to see what you thought. The rest is just what I've put up with. Still love the bike. But I'm looking for sage words of wisdom. Something to make me feel better about Buell. Especially when it's been said so many times that Buell goes way out of their way to help. I just haven't seen it yet. And yeah, I'm very much considering going to another brand. I wished you luck on your tests. It was sincere. Hope all went well. Mike | ||
| Kmbuell |
Court , Good for you! You take an enormous load of Sh*t for a guy who helps so many and knows the right way to do so much. I guess some folks don't understand that you are not the Buell Motorcycle Company, but just a sorta ordinary guy who has it in his heart to help other owners. Some times it just makes sense to say "OK, get off my team" I've said it a few times to some Buell owners who have it in their heads that after they modify a bike it fails, but they never do. They just don't bit*ch to me anymore | ||
| Mikej |
"Next question was: Why does HD not commit to Buell? " I'll try to hit this one: If H-D did not commit to Buell then there would be no Buell as we know it today. Your statement is stated as if it were a fact, when in fact it is not a fact, and in fact there is plenty of evidence to fully dispute it clear down to several of the highest ranking officers and officials within the Harley-Davidson participating in numerous Buell activities (at times doing so in such a way that the corporate attornies and insurance underwriters were probably freaking out due to what was going on) such as participating in a BattleTrax™ event or two and attending numerous and various Buell focused gatherings (see the thread on March Badness V for an example of potential near-future/immediate participation by potentially one or more of "them" ). I hope your issues get resolved. The rest of us are waiting on Court's annual pictorial and essay on his campus's SexWeek, and for more pics of Buells parked on NYC city street, and more doorway and building and park pics, and other stuff that he somehow finds the time to have fun with and chooses to share with us on the site here. I dare say that if I requested a pic of something, like maybe a Buell S1 with a NYC YellowCab in the background, I'd see a pic posted in short order along with perhaps a little dialog to go along with it. |
