| Author | Message | ||
     Svmotoman |
Starting fresh thread to share my pain (hate to see all this therapeutic venting wasted in the Archives) Price: $358 First attempt: - bike was leaking fork oil (they ruined a fork seal in the process of fork oil change though they denied it, but had to fix it anyway under warranty) Second attempt: - 2 deep gouges on both fork tubes next to the instrument cluster... the gouges wrap around the forks (almost looks like they were taken off and put into some kind of giant vice grip but it slipped) - rebound adjuster on the left fork sticks up way higher than the right one and will not turn more than 1 turn in either direction - basically making the left & right fork rebounds uneven and dangerous. What can I say... I can't imagine how they can ever make this right. This is why people don't buy Buells my friends... no service...plain and simple. This is a reputable dealership that claims to stand behind the Buells and has become the area's consolidated dealership as others have dropped the brand... so it's as good as it gets folks. | ||
| Fullpower |
have them requisition a new PAIR of forks for you PRONTO. | ||
| Perry |
Tell them you expect new forks. If they refuse, take pictures and call Buell customer service. | ||
| Pbxorcist |
"This is why people don't buy Buells my friends... no service...plain and simple." No...people don't buy buells because there are sport bikes that are cheaper and faster. The target demographics is both price and performance sensitive, and unfortunately Buell doest quite compare up. What you are sadly experiencing is difficulty with an individual service department. | ||
| Holling |
My XB has 11k miles on it. The forks don't leak and work fine. With stories like these I think I will leave them alone! | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
Let someone else fix your bike....EXPECT someone else to "F" it up for you! Been my modow(?) since taking it to the stealerships and being taken a number of times....live and learn to fix it yourself... | ||
| Pwnzor |
Yep, the 10k service was the final straw for me as well. In my case, they were just charging me for things they never even bothered attempting. What you are sadly experiencing is difficulty with an individual service department. I have to disagree with the tone of this statement. Yes, it is an individual service department, but the real sad part is that it's COMMONPLACE for people to get SCREWED by HD service. Remember you are getting your Buell serviced at a Harley dealer. They like big fasteners that are easy to reach, NON-adjustable forks, no fussing around with plastic panels that need to come off, spark plugs that you can reach without being a gymnast, etc. I hate to say it, but the warranty should only be used in an emergency situation. Get a manual, a mixed up set of american/metric tools and become a mechanic like I've had to. There are good people out there like Al at American Sport Bike who will help you whenever they can. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Fullpower is right. They OWE you a NEW set of forks. Damage to the fork legs is dangerous and completely unacceptable. i misspelled a word dang it (Message edited by pwnzor on November 17, 2006) | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
I agree wholeheartedly about expecting fork replacement. I didn't say anything the last time you posted about this, but I can't in good conscience ignore this. Get with Court to see if he can be any help getting this issue resolved. I wouldn't ride it like that. Besides, even if they won't take responsibility, there's still the warranty. I'm right at 9,000 miles and will do the full 10,000 mile service when it comes time. However, I plan to do everything myself. I have a local dealership with a guy that appears to be a decent Buell mechanic, but I just don't want to take the chance. I've had my bike at the dealership for various warranty issues twice and once to reset the TPS for the race ECM, and two out of those three trips I got my bike back damaged or not running properly and had to go back again. | ||
| Tunes |
Svmotoman, I live in your neck of the woods. There are good Buell dealerships and mechanics in your area. PM me and I'll hook you up. | ||
| Az_m2 |
After my 20k service, I could not adjust preload on my left front fork. I got a new one installed under warranty. | ||
| Nutsosane |
I feel the fork oil change is a bit above my mechanical abilities. Everything else I do myself anyhoo. I have a low tolerance for things going wrong! When my Uly 10k service is due I will be pulling the forks and taking/sending them to a reputable suspension shop for spring and oil replacement. There is a higher cost associated but at least I'll own some peace of mind. NUTS | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
My 10k should be done next week. (Had to wait for a front rotor and fan) Think I'll look it over REAL good before riding out. | ||
| Svmotoman |
Oh, and when I dropped it off for the 10k, I reported my front brake pulsates. The same genius that did the fork service said the rotor is "within spec". hmmm.... do I believe anything he says? Service Manager left a message Friday saying he'd take a look at the bike Monday and call me... they plan to make it right. Stay tuned. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Make sure they use NEW hardware to mount that front rotor. It's in the factory manual, those bolts are a ONE TIME use item. "within spec".... it is to laugh... ask him what the "spec" is... he'll say... "duuhhhh" My front brake used to pulsate a LOT, until I replaced my rotor mounting bolts and torqued my steering stem nut down to spec. Now it only pulses a little. A wave rotor is probably the answer. For me anyway. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
changing pads will eliminate the pulsation you feel. It is the build up on the rotor that causes this. Lyndal or EBC will fix your problem. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
The only service that I have rec'd from the dealership was the 1K service. After dropping $10K on the bike and $200+ for the first service, I asked for a "favor" that they swap out my headlight bulbs (that I supplied). "Sure for $40." Not sure if this would have been the answer if I owned a HD, but I didn't get the feeling like they liked or wanted to work on my Buell. PS, so I saved my $40 and spent it on a shop manual and swapped the headlamps myself. I plan on doing everything I can myself. (Message edited by fresnobuell on November 19, 2006) | ||
| Pwnzor |
So if I polish my rotor with some 600 grit the front brake won't pulse anymore? It's barely noticeable but it's there. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
Yes that will help, But it will begin to slowly return. I went through this also a couple of times then Al at A.S.B gave me the low down on what was happening and why. So I switched my pads to Lyndall's and have not had any pulsations at all w/ my rotor & it looks nice and shinny like new.  | ||
| Pwnzor |
Yeah he told me the same thing, but I still have 50% on my pads, I just can't throw em out! I'm gonna clean my rotor up tonight! | ||
| Frequency |
Sounds exactly like what happened to my forks for the 10k, caps were all knicked up b/c they had to impact them off. but its cool they replaced the cap after charging me for it | ||
| Svmotoman |
Service manager finally called and said "totally unacceptable" (what was done to my forks). Said it looked like they rotated in the special Buell tool that is used for the service (just what I thought). New forks are on order. Wow. I expected a battle, but there was none... absolutely none. It's an odd feeling, though a positive one. Are they redeemed? not yet... let's see what how this plays out... Still deny's original fork seal damage was caused by fork oil change - I struggle with that one, but I honestly don't know enough about it to really know - so I should just shut up and be happy with his response today. | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
Still waiting for parts... Zzzzzzzzzzz Never wait more than 3 days when I take my Ultra Classic in for service... Hmmmm | ||
| Svmotoman |
and waiting... | ||
| Svmotoman |
and waiting.... (day 28) | ||
| Swordsman |
Wow, 8 days in and no parts yet? I don't think I've ever had to wait more than 4 or 5...? ~SM | ||
| Svmotoman |
Got the call. Wrong forks were shipped from the factory, 1 model year off apparently. So they reordered. But then were told one of the forks is on back order (right hand), so they are not scheduled to show up until the 15th of December. OMG! OMG! OMG! It will be 6+ weeks before I get my bike back... and there will be snow on the ground by then. | ||
| Pokinatcha |
Dealership had my bike for almost a month for warranty repair they caused. I complained and they gave me $10.00 a day for every day they had it, in a gift card of course but hey it spent just fine. | ||
| Liquorbox |
I think one of the problems is; These dealers are hiring kids with no experience, who they pay $7., or $8. dollars an hour, then charge us $65. an hour for the labor. | ||
| Svmotoman |
and waiting... | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
You're kidding. Does Buell's customer service have anything to say? | ||
| Svmotoman |
Can't say I've called, not sure what they could/would do for me since it's a dealer screwup, both times. Any idea's what they could do for me? This started on Nov 3rd basically, so we are at 35 days now with nothing to do but wait for the parts I guess. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I hate to say it, but the warranty should only be used in an emergency situation. Get a manual, a mixed up set of american/metric tools and become a mechanic like I've had to. There are good people out there like Al at American Sport Bike who will help you whenever they can. That's not the case EVERYWHERE. I have zero worries when I've brought my bikes in for service at Hals. And it's ALWAYS been done on time, and to my satisfaction. There are good people out there like Al, and there are ALSO good dealers out there. But unfortunately, those good dealers are too few, and far between. Unless you live in Wisconsin that is  We've got two of the best IMHO. Would any of you have a problem handing your bike over to this guy for service?  Yeah, Dan Bilansky is the head Buell tech at Hals, as well as the 2006 ASRA Thundebike champ | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
> Any idea's what they could do for me? They should (at the very least) be able to help the dealer overcome their technical difficulties in procuring your parts. Make sure you explain that this was caused by their screw up in the first place. I would ask for a loaner or compensation. | ||
| Svmotoman |
... and waiting... but I did get a call saying forks are in the mail. | ||
| Svmotoman |
And so it ends... 45 days later. -brand new forks -bike delivered without asking (43 miles) -next major service is free (15k) -can request this experienced mechanic for every service Unfortunately I'm sick as a dog and can't take it for a ride! Dealership redeemed itself I guess. I will forget all about this pain by spring I'm sure. Anyway, thanks for the support and for the ability to share the pain. I promise to add some positive posts. I love this bike! |
