G oog le Buell 1125R Forum | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile


Buell Forum » 1125R Superbike Board » Stator/Voltage Regulator/Charging System subforum » Archive through June 24, 2012 » Fending off electrical gremlins 2009 1125R « Previous Next »

  Thread Last Poster Posts Pages Last Post
Archive through February 01, 2012Zoolander30 02-01-12  12:54 pm
         

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Timebandit
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 - 02:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The way I look at it, every email seems innocent enough, but they seem less innocuous if you consider every one of them as a straw placed on the camel's back. If one guy emails and doesn't get a response, I'd hope that other people don't view that as a reason to try their luck. Just my personal opinion, not anything official.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Timebandit
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 - 02:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Regarding the modifications, I thought I answered the question pretty clearly -- at this time there exists no objective data upon which to draw a meaningful fact-based conclusion. In the absence of factual information, I'm not going to bullshit you by making up an answer.

Until someone tries all the different methods, and directly compares the temperature reduction offered by each, there will be no fact-based answer. Until that happens you're going to have to deal with gut-instinct, opinions, and speculation instead of fact. I'd rather not speculate any more than I have already. I'm a scientist. I want to collect data and experimentally determine the real answer.

If you want to act now, there are several possible solutions. If you act now, you get to be the guinea pig. Pay your money, take your chances, and report back to let the rest of us know how it turned out. If you can measure temperature, that's even better.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Avc8130
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 - 03:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If someone wants to act now...we need an 09 rotor shipped to me so I can try to machine it.

Then we will send it to Time hoping he can get his thermocouple test going.

Then we will have factual data.

ac
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Timebandit
Posted on Wednesday, February 01, 2012 - 06:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I thought about my response to Zoo, and I forgot to consider something:

In these posts we've been talking about real-world solutions that exist right now, and comparing them to proposed experimental solutions that aren't yet available. I have to admit that I've been ignoring the fact that some people may not be interested in experimental solutions that may become available in the future, and they may need something that works RIGHT NOW.

Putting this in perspective, there is ONE turnkey solution that you can buy right now that is guaranteed to work. It's the EBR 2008-style/low-output charging system kit for $895:

http://www.erikbuellracing.com/store/models/1125r/ reduced-output-low-heat-alternator-kit.html

Order that from the EBR online store and in a couple of days you'll have a turnkey solution on your doorstep.

The beauty of this solution is that it's a complete, turnkey solution that's available RIGHT NOW. Every other option involves finding the right aftermarket parts and making them work on your bike (series regulator) or turning your bike into a guinea pig for an experiment.

To be totally fair, it's important to point out that EBR has a complete, bolt-on, real-world solution that's in-stock and ready to ship. If anyone needs a solution and isn't inclined to wait, or doesn't want to become part of an experiment, this is a an option that deserves serious consideration. For $895 and a couple hours of your time this kit puts the 2009 stator problems behind you.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Boogman
Posted on Thursday, February 02, 2012 - 05:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Gday Paul ... its odd for the 2008 to have these issues .. as typically the 09/10s has the problems .. Ive had good results with a stator rewind for my 09 1125CR which was done in OZ ..

if the dealaer is prepared to swap for an 09 id do it .. ( just preference i guess with the frame color and also less KMs + you would have more warranty)

IM in melb au also mate .. pm me if you want some details on the locally done stator rewind ... (done about 7000km now ..and still solid ... )
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hailwood
Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 05:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Boogman..am in NZ how much did it cost to get the stator rewound?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Boogman
Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 05:31 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Bettabikes in South Australia .. was around AUD$290 from memory .. they have been doing stators for bike for many years .. i found them on various other forums when i started to look at a rewind soln locally..
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cravacor
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 04:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Wow, every time I ride my bike I find myself obsessing about the voltage and getting uneasy about the charging system status (third stator). I tell myself I need to get on Badweb and figure out what's what. I then spend an hour or two reading the latest stator posts and end up getting discouraged. There are so many varying opinions and options that it is hard to figure what the facts at hand are and make an assessment based on them. To add to all that, I start thinking about the likelihood that Buell of may not have installed the harness correctly, based on my experiences with their service department.
Seems that my options are:
1)Spend a bundle on the shop manual and elec diag manual, spend time I could be riding in the garage diagnosing the thing, buy an assortment of parts that may fix it, diag some more, then maybe have it as fixed as it can get.
2) Spend a BIG bundle on an '08 set up from E-B-R and ride on.
Meh!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Avc8130
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 04:47 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You forgot 2 options:

1. Ride more, worry less, deal with whatever happens.
2. Sell bike, buy reliable bike, ride more, worry less.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cravacor
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 04:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

AC, I am currently operating under your option 1, the problem with it though is when something stoopid does happen it will likely be in the middle of prime riding season.
Also, I have been seriously considering your option 2. A friend of mine has been tempting me with his very nice XB12R for a fair deal. The problem is the CR and I are in this co-dependent relationship. Apparently we both love it and hate me.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Avc8130
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 05:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I think you know you only have 2 options if you want to improve your odds for a successful riding season: $900 EBR kit or new bike.

I cashed out. I didn't want to have to put another $1k into a depreciating asset just because Buell screwed the pooch on the stator design.

I (and hopefully the new owner) was lucky, once the harness was in and operating properly my stator problems seemed to disappear.

Do yourself a favor, join the AMA for the roadside assistance. Then keep your cluster set to AT/Gear. Ride more, worry less.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Cravacor
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 10:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"Then keep your cluster set to AT/Gear."
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Avc8130
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2012 - 11:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I thought you would like that one :-)

ac
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fireboltxb9r
Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2012 - 01:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Timebandit quote:
"Putting this in perspective, there is ONE turnkey solution that you can buy right now that is guaranteed to work. It's the EBR 2008-style/low-output charging system kit for $895:

http://www.erikbuellracing.com/store/models/1125r/ reduced-output-low-heat-alternator-kit.html

Order that from the EBR online store and in a couple of days you'll have a turnkey solution on your doorstep."



Timebandit - The EBR kit specifically states track day or race applications. $895.00 + tax + shipping + labor is a lot of coinage! Is this the fix for normal street riding with lower RPM's and Main St. traffic involving prolonged periods of sitting at idle? Why does EBR not mention this scenario? On my '09 I've had the wiring mod done, with a warranty stator replacement after being left stranded. However, my bike still does not charge adequately during Main St. riding or low RPM riding. I'm not as technically savvy as many on this forum, but with all the aftermarket options for voltage regulators and other purported fixes, I just want to get this bike to a reliable state so I can enjoy carefree riding like I got with the 20K+ miles on my XB9R. Quite honestly I'm uncertain which direction to turn or who's opinion to believe. I'm becoming increasingly frustrated and truly want resolve. Thanks!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Timebandit
Posted on Sunday, March 18, 2012 - 11:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Physics tells us that charging system output is dependent on RPM. It doesn't matter what parts you might hang on the bike, they all have to obey the laws of physics; if you ride at low RPM your charging system isn't spinning fast enough to produce decent output, so your charging system output is going to be compromised.

The ONE thing that you can do to get decent power out of the charging system is to ride the bike at higher RPM. That's a guaranteed solution. 5000+ RPM is what the designers had in mind for the bike.

It doesn't surprise me that EBR isn't offering a solution that's targeted at lower RPMs and prolonged periods at idle. They aren't free to violate the laws of physics and that's not what they built the bike to do. They built the bike to go fast. If you ride it that way, there aren't any problems.

I know that I should duck for cover as I say this, but the sad truth is that this superbike isn't a good choice if your needs involve prolonged idling and low RPM street traffic. I know that's not what you wanted to hear. Sorry.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Fireboltxb9r
Posted on Monday, March 19, 2012 - 10:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Timebandit - I have put over 5000 miles on this bike, and you are correct...keeping the RPM's over 5K and the air flow cooling that goes with it, has not been my problem. Trust me, I prefer the high spirited rides, it's just that maintaining continuous 5K is not always possible, and encountering congestion and/or in city driving always triggers the battery light and a plummeting volt meter. Getting back to higher speeds and RPM's usually reverses this trend, but it never seems to recover to the higher output volts as when I first start my rides.

Last year at the Indianapolis Moto GP, while riding to the track to partake in our ticket price included "parade lap" around Indy, we encountered slow crawling traffic on a very hot day. Invariably my volts began to drop as the bike heated up, and I made it as far as the track itself where I shut her down in an attempt to cool down. Nothing has been quite as embarrassing as attempting (unsuccessfully) to bump start the 1125R as hundreds of other bikes passed me for their turn at the track. Luckily a track pickup jump started me to complete the lap, only to have the bike fail again (low battery) in downtown Indianapolis later in the evening.

I'm afraid after 10 years of Buell owner and ridership, if I cant have a more reliable bike I may be trading for a new KTM or BMW or anything that wont give me this heartbreak. If EBR ever releases a "working man's" priced 1190RS with a dealer network to accept an 1125R trade, I just may be able to continue my Buell/EBR pride and ownership. Time will tell.

(Message edited by Fireboltxb9r on March 19, 2012)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Dannybuell
Posted on Monday, March 19, 2012 - 10:42 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Fireboltxb9r ~ Are you using your harness? My bike was battery lights all the time. I reversed the harness and no battery lights in the last 6K miles.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Timebandit
Posted on Monday, March 19, 2012 - 11:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I know what you mean about traffic in Indy on race day. I lived in Indy for over a decade. Race traffic is awful. I rode my FXR to the track once. Once. Getting stuck in traffic is MURDER on an air cooled bike on a hot day, and the constant clutching that it takes to get down 16th street or Crawfordsville road is a hand breaker. I learned through experience that navigating Speedway traffic on race weekend is best managed in a car with an automatic transmission. It's bad enough in a car with a stick, and it's brutal on a bike. The funny thing is that I also suffered a battery failure at one of the downtown bars on race weekend. Too much low speed driving in traffic. I don't take my bike there any more. There are some places that are just not good for bikes and Indy on race weekends is one of them. Now I take the Suburban.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Password:
E-mail:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration