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Xl1200r
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 - 04:02 pm: | 
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Fuel smell, lots of gripes.... no probs here, think I'll pass on the new hose.
Interesting. I have an '09 and my fuel vent line exits out the bottom of the passanger footpeg bracket. However, I noticed after a 20 minute ride, you could visibly see gas vapors coming out of the line, and a couple drops of gas came out as well.
I'm going to keep an eye on it before I make a stink about it to my dealer. |
Xbswede
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 - 10:56 pm: |
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Mine does the exact same thing. It will hiss vapors out of the fuel vent by the passenger footpeg. I usually end up leave it it outside for 15 -20 minutes before putting her back in the garage. |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 12:32 am: |
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I don't see how Buell can change laws of Physics, but they can move the effect.
If I saw gas dripping on my muffler more than once, I might think about it.
I checked the 09 parts book and it's the same number for the dipstick. A whopping $5.35.
dunno.
Also, I don't think the dealers know much about it yet.
It didn't pop up in a note or anything, it showed up when I did a check on my 1125's vehicle info.
Z
(Message edited by zac4mac on October 08, 2008) |
Steeleagle
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 06:57 am: |
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I dropped off the bulletin info at my dealer's service desk yesterday when I dropped off the bike for the recall work. I got blank stares, but they stapled the paperwork to my service order, implying they'd pay attention. We'll see if they look into it and what they have to say. Stay tuned. |
Pariah
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 07:01 am: |
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LOL, I have seen these blank stares before... this forum is months ahead of my pals at the dealership! |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 09:22 am: |
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>>>this forum is months ahead of my pals at the dealership!
That's frequently true and it confers upon us a degree of discipline and responsibility.
There is a difference (and, by the way, I am not talking at or about you) between "sharing" information with a dealer and "telling" them.
Think of the difference between "hey, here's something that may be of help and I think you can get more information about it on HD-net"
and . . .
"if you had your head out of your ass you'd have known what I already know. Your the dealer, why don't you know this?"
While both phrases may seek the same ends they color the relationship quite differently.
Times have changed and so too has the way that information moves.
When you get a "heads up" I'd suggest making a very concerted effort to work with your dealer.
i found out the hard way once when I sent some parts to an owner that a dealer was having problems getting. The guy pranced in a couple days later, while the dealer was working his ass off to get them, and announced "what the heck do I need you for . .. Buell sent them straight to me". Took years to get past that and the dealer RIGHTFULLY SO . . was really pissed off.
Just food for thought.
I think Buell owners have more impact on making "great dealers" than Buell ever can. |
Ccryder
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 09:28 am: |
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+1 Court:
"I think Buell owners have more impact on making "great dealers" than Buell ever can."
Neil S. |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 09:36 am: |
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well said, both of you.
Cooperation is almost always the best tack.
Z |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 10:04 am: |
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It is normal for bikes to vent vapors and sometimes a bit of liquid out of the vent line. Most companies run the vent down under the bike so it can't be seen. But the 1125 has a muffler that runs the entire length of the bottom. So if the vent goes out the bottom, like it did originally, the fuel vapors and small amounts of liquid go onto the muffler which heats them more and gives the smell of fuel. When the vent is run out away from the muffler, like the update, then you actually see something happening that is absolutely normal but is hidden on other bikes. So, it simply is an offshoot of a having a huge muffler under the bike. There is nothing wrong with any bike that is venting vapor and small amounts of liquid that come from a long line that gives some vapor time to condense. |
Steeleagle
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 10:08 am: |
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I think Buell owners have more impact on making "great dealers" than Buell ever can.
++1 Court
No arguments here. My intention was strictly as a "heads up", for their future reference. There were no other expectations on my part and I conveyed that to them. No threats were made! The service guys are good folks and to Court's point, we all need to be part of the solution.} |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 10:15 am: |
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Any tech, especially senior ones will consider themselves some level of expert in what they do.
Pride in your work...
The last thing the tech group needs is an outsider(customer) making them feel LESS the expert.
Make them feel MORE the expert and you'll get the best out of the deal.
Z |
Doerman
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 10:33 am: |
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A good dealer will measure their success first by satisfied customers and (also important) second by the profit and loss statement.
Taking care of the customer will invariably have a positive impact on the P/L.
I measure my satisfaction with my dealer by the way I am greeted when I visit the dealership. I have just as much impact on having a positive experience at the dealer as the dealer itself.
That was just the long way of saying that it is a two way street and that the golden rule applies. |
Odinbueller
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 11:07 am: |
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Here's the official Product Program info;
2008 1125R VENT LINE, SIDESTAND SPRING AND OIL FILLER PLUG
PRODUCT PROGRAM 0504
Purpose
Buell Motorcycle Company has determined that:
- The vent line routing on 2008 1125 models may
cause the rider to smell fuel vapors from the fuel
vent line.
- The sidestand spring hook can break with use.
- The amount-to-add marking was incorrect on the oil
filler plug, on some of the 2008 models.
In the interest of customer satisfaction and continuous
improvement, Buell Motorcycle Company has elected to initiate
a product program (Product Program 0504) to update
the fuel vent line, sidestand spring and oil filler plug.
Motorcycles Affected
All 2008 Buell 1125R model motorcycles built 10/29/07
through 7/17/08.
IMPORTANT NOTES
- Kits will begin shipping the week of October 6, 2008
in the US markets, and shortly afterwards worldwide.
No orders for kits will be accepted prior to the completion
of the initial wave shipments. Orders
received prior to the termination of the wave shipment
will be discarded. Termination notice of wave
shipments will be posted on h-dnet.com.
- You must have submitted claims for 75% of the kit
quantities that have been shipped to your dealership
before additional kit orders will be processed.
So the kits have yet to ship, and once they do begin, we will not be able to order more kits until we have a 75% completion rate on this program.
Hope this helps all you guys & gals out there with the fuel smell. |
Josh_
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 12:16 pm: |
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When I got my ECM update on Monday, my tech asked me about the three new updates and was all excited he knew more than I did  |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 12:18 pm: |
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Taking care of the customer will invariably have a positive impact on the P/L.
Short term no. Long term yes.
Can you imagine the cost of these recalls? Even at just 1,000 bikes (and we know that there are more than that many on the road,) a recall like 0504 which is probably $5 in parts (not having seen the kit) and .5 hours in labor at $70/hr (huge guess here). Do the math, that's $40,000 on a recall that no one seemed to be demanding. Almost voluntary by BMC.
And how about that tranny jet recall. Much more labor intensive, thus much more expensive. Even at $100 per bike(which is very conservative), we are talking about $100,000. Not chump change.
So the benefits for BMC will come later in that we will hopefully buy another Buell, but the immediate effect of the recalls is a big negative on the bottom line. |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 12:30 pm: |
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Actually I'd disagree with a good deal of the math and conclusions above.
A couple points.
- Every recall Buell has ever done, since the 1990 rear brake retainer, has been voluntary.
- The "costs" above are some of the more salient but there are many other associated with research, development, documentation, legal, regulatory approval, etc.
- There are many, just as invisible revenues - as an example I went into Liberty last week to get a part and while there I bought >$100 worth of stuff.
Buell is committed to constantly improving their products . . .not just when customers find something or complain.
Court |
Spectrum
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 03:43 pm: |
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I was at my dealer today for some other service and they told me about the 504 update. Asked if I wanted them to take care of it while it was there.
Turns out, they couldn't do the service as they have not yet received the wave shipments. |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 07:06 pm: |
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Actually I'd disagree with a good deal of the math and conclusions above.
Why don't you enlighten us? I was simply making a point that the cost of recalls with so many units affected can be astronomical--even a seemingly simple, cheap recall costs tens of thousands dollars.
(Message edited by fresnobuell on October 08, 2008) |
Court
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 08, 2008 - 10:48 pm: |
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I was involved in one recall wherein the entire recall cost less than $150.
That ought to give the masses something to ponder and speculate on.
HINT: It was not in the USA but I am talking in USD. |
Ducxl
| | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 07:05 am: |
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CHINA
Awesome thread |
Chameleon
| | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 08:08 am: |
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When you get a "heads up" I'd suggest making a very concerted effort to work with your dealer.
That is exactly as I've been doing with Destination H-D/Buell of Puyallup (DHDB) and have experienced very good results.
At first they were somewhat hesitant to accept that a website on the Internet may have valid information, but I showed the service manager my source and the exact info I was referring to and it matched up with official corporate communications.
When I called on Tuesday morning to inform the service manager about what I had discovered over the weekend about Product Program 0504, he relayed that he, too, had just been looking at that info on H-D.net.
I always feel "special" when I go to DHDB or talk to them on the phone, like they are really glad to have me as a customer...
It probably helps that I've purchased 3 bikes, a full set of Vanson leathers and a significant amount of clothing/accessories from them since 7/10/2007. |
Steeleagle
| | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 12:17 pm: |
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I dropped my bike off for the 5th gear recall Tuesday evening. They called me this morning and told me they had done BOTH "recalls". I just got my "official" Buell-O-Gram yesterday in the mail for the dipstick/sidestand issue and my guys have already dropped the pieces onto my bike. Can you see me grinning? |
Ccryder
| | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 12:36 pm: |
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What about the latest ECM Flash? That will REALLY put a SEG on your face! |
Slimdave
| | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 12:45 pm: |
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Hey guys, I'm an owner of a 1125r and salesperson @Latus Motors (Gladstone Or.). My bike is evolving like the rest of yours and our dealership is trying to keep up on all these updates. We also have a lead mechanic riding. With the pair of us working with service and parts, customer service will improve.
I can compare my bike to another Italian brand motorcycle and believe we get a lot better response to customer input. I also believe that Buell with H-D backing will advance this model line to be world competitive.
We are working with an exhaust mfg. to test their pipe with a controller we have developed. Stay tuned. Thanks. |
Steeleagle
| | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 02:43 pm: |
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What about the latest ECM Flash? That will REALLY put a SEG on your face!
That was the PREVIOUS SEG!! Been there, had it done. Yep. Definitely SEG. My cheeks hurt!! (Uppers!!) |
No_rice
| | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 04:42 pm: |
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so the one thing i havent seen much talk of is the new dipstick markings.
does that mean there will be ANOTHER NEW CORRECT OIL CHECK PROCEDURE?! because if not, why change the markings. maybe now it gets checked on the side stand? that would be a great help to all us buellers that have been rigging up ways to get the bike to balance upright for an oil check that takes the better part of 10 minutes to do correctly |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 04:47 pm: |
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No Rice--I have totally given up on the prescribed oil check procedure--the hot is a complete joke and the cold is misleading if you go by the book.
IMO the correct oil level is right at the "min" after sitting overnight and being stood straight up.
We will see if the new dipstick will open a new can of worms |
Bigdog_tim
| | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008 - 12:06 am: |
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Good question on the procedure to check oil. Does anyone know if the new dipstick is accurate with the bike on the side stand? |
Xl1200r
| | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008 - 10:08 am: |
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Why not just sit on the bike and stand it up, then reach down to the dipstick?
This is oil we're talking about - a few ounces here or there isn't going to hurt anything. |
Xbswede
| | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008 - 10:26 am: |
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+1
I found sitting on the bike for a minute and then reaching down and checking the oil works the best and easy. Only takes a minute or two. Never had an issue checking my oil. |
Chameleon
| | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008 - 11:08 am: |
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Why not just sit on the bike and stand it up, then reach down to the dipstick?
Simple, effective, brilliant! |
Bob_thompson
| | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008 - 01:21 pm: |
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My solution with the old dipstick: Change oil & filter, fill with 2.8 qts of oil, run engine until hot, add to bring to middle of dipstick while hot, (this equates to just touching the bottom of the dipstick when cold (but kinda hard to read). Make new dipstick from 1/8 " smooth stainless rod so it bottoms in case when inserted, mark oil level on rod, good to go, positive and easy to read cold,(best time to check before riding). Will fit in tool bag if desired. |
No_rice
| | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008 - 01:52 pm: |
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i usually do check it after a ride while sitting on the bike, but you have to let it idle a bit that way, then you have to shut it off and let it sit, then check.
plus at some point there i have to get off the bike and go in the garage to get a rag while keeping the bike stood upright. |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008 - 10:04 pm: |
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Get your rag while it idles, on the kickstand.
I stand it up straight for the last minute or so of the idle.
Then stand there for two minutes after shut-off to check it.
I only do that 2-3 times a month tho.
Too complex to get anal about it.
Z |
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