| Author | Message | ||
     Hkwan |
Hi all, I am kinda excited and full of hope and kinda sad. Left my mobile phone at home today and check my voice mails when I came home at night. Bob Young from DOT (U.S. Dept of Transportation) called me in response to my filing of the headlight issue in the DOT website about 3, 4 months ago. He wants to meet up with me this coming Monday. He said in the v.m. that he is making a trip out to California and would like to meet regarding the Buell headlight issue. The sad part is that I am flying to Asia on that exact same day for business! Also, even when I meet up with him (he proposed noon time) he probably won't see the problem since the blistered light housing (with the reflective paint turned into dust) had been thrown in the garbage a long time back. If he shows up at night he can at least observe the horrible light output which does nothing to light up the road. But in the daytime by staring into the headlight he won't detect anything. He left his phone number; I will for sure call him tomorrow!! My plan is to point him to some of the threads in the website so he can see some of the good pictures some of your badwebbers have taken on the light housing. I am also requesting for some of you badwebbers' help - who would want to contact him (I have his phone #) and speak to him or even ship / show him the blistered housing? Please PM me I will send his phone number to you. Hopefully you guys will post up quickly to volunteer to talk to him while I am traveling so when I speak to him tomorrow I can give him couple of your names/numbers for him to gather data. This is very encouraging!! I hope we have enough info for him to force Buell into recalling this POS headlight!! Thanks all. Hope to hear from volunteers very soon!! Henry | ||
| M1combat |
Why don't you just give Buell a chance to solve the problem? | ||
| Punkid8888 |
Is their anyone with a firebolt with the headlight issue in your area that could maybe meet up with the guy to show him the problem, I would hate to see this opportunity not used to get the ball rolling And I think most people did give Buell a chance for the last three years or so since the problem developed. But I don’t think any Buell rep has asked to come visit an owner and his bike to see the problem yet. | ||
| Elgato |
"Why don't you just give Buell a chance to solve the problem?" This has been an ongoing problem for years and Buell has failed to address it! | ||
| Hkwan |
Boys, girls, anyone want to speak to this person? Please email me: }hkwan at yahoo dot com . I am not stopping Buell from solving this problem. They still can go on and have their chance to solve it in parallel to us working with DOT. | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
I have to agree, Buell has had plenty of time to fix this. I didn't even realize I had this problem as I don't ride much at night. I just had to replace the entire low beam assembly due to damage from a rock. First thing I noticed, the reflector in the old housing had several small blisters. When I wiped the inside out with a dry paper towel, the entire silver coating came off! I've seen several threads involving inferior parts, switches, etc and have never agreed with any of them. The headlight issue is another story. These are just junk. | ||
| Beachbuell |
Yeah, drag big brother into the issue! That'll solve EVERYTHING!  | ||
| Hdbobwithabuell |
Beachbuell, what would you suggest? Periodic replacement of the reflector? Keep waiting? (Requires periodic replacement of the reflector) I'm not much for getting "big brother" involved in anything but where do you go from here? | ||
| Hkwan |
Hi all, let's ignore those comments that is bitching how the headlight issue should/shouldn't be handled. I believe those people chime in with their 2 cents in every headlight posts by stating to let BMC have their chance. Just to clarify, I am not asking BMC to stop working on anything here. I have filed a faulty vehicle equipment issue which leads to safety. I think I have every right and responsibility to do so. In anycase, let's not talk about what what BMC should/shouldnt do and argue about that here. The purpose of this thread is to get as many Firebolt owners with faulty headlights to speak to DOT as possible since DOT is starting to work on this. So please(!) let's not argue about if/when BMC will work on this.. we have enough of that already. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I am also requesting for some of you badwebbers' help - who would want to contact him (I have his phone #) and speak to him or even ship / show him the blistered housing? Please PM me I will send his phone number to you. Hopefully you guys will post up quickly to volunteer to talk to him while I am traveling so when I speak to him tomorrow I can give him couple of your names/numbers for him to gather data. Rather than giving other BadWebbers his number, why don't you collect our numbers of those who are willing to speak with him and let Mr. DOT contact us? No sense in having a bunch of us flooding his cell phone. | ||
| Hammer71 |
+1 on collecting numbers. Saintly would be the perfect person to speak with him, 2 bikes same problem 03 and 07 and the fire while riding was nice too. I'll have him send his number | ||
| Hkwan |
Xl1200r, sure, that will work perfect as well... at this point no one from BabWeb has stepped up yet. I am waiting for at least one person to volunteer before calling Bob. I will also collect your phone numbers for Bob Young. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Hkwan - i think it's a more civil way of going about this. If I got 30 phone calls about this I''d probably get tweaked when I could just be handed a list of folks to contact, you know? I'd give you my number because I really want to see this issue resolved, but my bike is still so new and I haven't experienced the problem first hand yet. I hope something comes of this. | ||
| Hkwan |
Thanks Xl1200r... Let me clarify on my earlier statement regarding I got no one volunteering yet... well, actually I got one person but he is outside of the U.S. so DOT might not think that is valid. Also Xl1200r, I don't know how far Bob Young can get by talking to someone without the issue though... hmmm... hope it helps. I will wait for your PM with your # and offer up to Bob. I am still waiting for those who has the problem... I will search old threads and PM those who voice the issue the most to this thread and ask them as volunteers. | ||
| Ridrx |
Alright, I'm going to shock you all...I say let BMC have at least until the middle of next month before bringing the DOT in, fact is these complaints should have been addressed by DOT soon after filing, they were not(likely because sooo few even bothered to file), and now Buell is within a stones throw of having a solution for us. I think getting Gov't involved this late in the game is counterproductive. Court has hinted in another thread that this issue(supplier problem) would be resolved by mid-August. I think we can at least give them a couple more weeks to make good on that, after all Court doesn't usually throw a time frame or date around without pretty well knowing in advance what's gonna happen. Give'em a couple more weeks...I think we'll all be pleasantly surprised. Maybe we'll get some SERIOUS lights for our wait,the 1125 is sporting some serious wattage,maybe there will be some trickle down? We've waited this long...what's a couple more weeks? X | ||
| Hkwan |
Couple of questions with waiting for BMC, Ridrx. 1) are they going to let existing owners have the fix for free (in a form of volunteer recall)? 2) even when DOT gets involve I would think it will take DOT forever more to get things rolling so BMC will have more time...I think 3) even if the solution from BMC comes out.. how long would it take to have that rolled into production, and then later be available for existing owners? Probably a lot longer if no external force pushing them a bit... | ||
| Ridrx |
Hkwan, 1) I very much hope so. 2)To quote Court..."That is an accurate statement" 3)As few as have complained, I don't see getting retro-fits being a problem after the new part replaces the old one on the assy line. Mind you, this is ALL opinion(mine) and speculation. I want this to come to fruition as much or more than the rest of you, however Gov't involvement this close to an alleged solution will likely stifle what is already in motion. | ||
| Hkwan |
UPDATE.... Just spoke to DOT. The gentleman doesn't have to meet with me anymore since he found couple of Buell owners locally (local to him.. in D.C.). Apparently he called up other who have filed the issue and selected those who live the closest, YEAH!!! In anycase he would still appreciate very much if I can forward more owners' name/contact info as well as pictures of the issue to him for his investigation.... Looks like it is not up to me to stop DOT's action at this point. So either BMC acts quickly and come up with a program or just let DOT make the calls for them. On a side note unrelated to the headlight issue - there is an existing investigation on Buell's gauge unit coming off(??) Dont know much about this issue but it is one that he is also working on... | ||
| Diablobrian |
I've never heard any mention of gage problems other than the double bubble melting them. The firebolts have the magnesium fairing bracket supporting them and I don't see what would fail there. Any lightning owners have any idea what they are talking about??? I have not yet filed with the DOT over the headlight because of my personal experiences with Buell and I trust them to make good on the problem. I'm a patient guy and Court assures me that the fix is in the near future. Thats good enough for me. All I wanted was some sort of time line and we have that now as Ridrx noted. The DOT has an important function in keeping our highways safe, but it is rarely an efficient process when the govt. gets involved in ANYTHING. I'd much rather see this taken care of "in house". | ||
| Saintly |
In a related note, My 2007 firebolt just had Both headlamps replaced under warranty. I realize that this does not fix the problem, but it does buy me some time while providing me with a rideable(at night) bike in the meantime. While I no longer posses the failed housings, I did photograph and post them here on a few occasions. I truly hope that this means that BMC has acknowledged the problem and that they are not just attempting to "hide bad samples". I would be remiss if I didn't give a huge THANK YOU to Jeff and the crew at Danbury Buell for getting this accomplished for me. A class act that Mr. Watson is. He always comes thru for me! | ||
| Hkwan |
In regards to have DOT involve and how inefficient they are... well, once again I don't think that DOT will stop BMC in making their current faulty design of the light house functional again. If say DOT contacts BMC with such issue and BMC can show that they have a program a confirmed release date and recall plan then all is well. DOT action will just be an insurance to make sure BMC make good with what we have heard from "Court". Note: I didn't see Court's note and I am not familiar with him/her.. sorry about that. That's why I put " " on Court... Is Court a rep for BMC? | ||
| Diablobrian |
On a thread entitled: "Question for Court or Anonymous re: 08 Bolt headlights" Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 06:51 am Court said: the headlight situation will be fixed prior to the mid-August production date You'll be fine. Court is no longer a Buell employee, but he is still a conduit into the inner circle of Buell. He remains friends with Erik, Abe, and many others on the inside. He has helped many Buellers stuck in Dealer relations "hell" when all other options had failed. He's "Just a construction worker"...yeah, riiight. | ||
| Damnut |
But in actuality that statement was made to someone, I believe, who was questioning buying a new Firebolt. I believe that the way Court worded it, that the problem would be fixed prior to the 08 models being produced............ I don't think he mentioned a fix for older model Firebolts???? That is IF I am reading his statement right, if not then I am wrong. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Yes it was in response to the 08 model, but if the problem has been identified and fixed all we should be waiting for is parts availability for distribution to the owners at large. I'm CERTAIN that Buell won't let us down on this. I just hope that they come through before I go and do something drastic...like install a pair of Hellas. I was amazed at how much light Steve_mackay's bike was throwing with them. | ||
| Hkwan |
Well, only couple of weeks away for the fix from Buell, not bad at all. But I also read it from that thread Court was referring to the 08 model's timing, not fix for us existing owners. Now if the fix is so near, how come dealership doesn't know about this and how come the solution can't be revealed. Not much of a secret anyway. | ||
| Ducxl |
But in actuality that statement was made to someone, I believe, who was questioning buying a new Firebolt Go to any car dealership.Negotiate a new car.State you're aware of a defect.And listen to the salesman reassure you the problem's been fixed.They'll tell you ANYTHING to "seal the deal" | ||
| Diablobrian |
Court has more integrity than that. So do Erik and the Elves. I know that you're frustrated Ducxl, but that's no reason to imply that anyone is being less than honest. Evasive maybe, but not dishonest. | ||
| Buellshyter |
I believe that the way Court worded it, that the problem would be fixed prior to the 08 models being produced............ I don't think he mentioned a fix for older model Firebolts???? 08's were going out the door at Homecoming with the same old headlight assembly. I specifically asked an engineer about it and was told it was the same. Someone somewhere is not up to speed. | ||
| Towjam |
08's were going out the door at Homecoming with the same old headlight assembly. I specifically asked an engineer about it and was told it was the same. Someone somewhere is not up to speed. It may be the same assembly but with the reflective coating problem fixed. I say this because Court specifically told me just a couple of days ago (in an offline conversation) "...All 2008 Buells have headlights that should exhibit none of the past problems." But that said, it'd be nice to get an "official" acknowledgment from Buell that the problem has been identified and fixed - along with details on how current owners are going to be taken care of. If I were a betting man, I'm thinking that Buell will extend the warranty on the headlights and assembly as opposed to issuing an actual recall. On the other hand, if the DOT gets involved, Buell may end up having to issue a recall. (Message edited by towjam on August 05, 2007) (Message edited by towjam on August 05, 2007) | ||
| Ridrx |
I don't care if Buell admits to anything as long as they provide us(current owners) with a QUALITY light, either under warranty or recall.SOON I am however disappointed that the new part is available...ONLY if you're willing to buy a new bike? Which seems to be the case since Buell (allegedly)has the improved units on hand but there has been no word to current owners about a recall/warranty issue, or even to let us know the problem has been rectified...much less that a new part is available. |
