| Author | Message | ||
     Kevinfromwebb |
Are there going to be any updates for the FireBolt headlight assys??? Kevin | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Not for 08. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
BE PATIENT....They are working on solving the problem as we speak! They will fix the problem! (so I am told). You just need to be patient for the next...errr...ummm...5 more years or so!  | ||
| Old_man |
You must understand---THEY CANNOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM! | ||
| Mtg |
What's the problem with the headlights? | ||
| Glitch |
The "chrome" used as the reflector flakes away on a lot of the R model XBs. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
to test to see if they work, ride around the track and nite, with the facility lights off. I swear I dont think any m/c does this. The last bike that had a decent set of lights on it was my Trail 90 that I put dune buggy lights on | ||
| Damnut |
at this point I have lost hope that there will be a fix. | ||
| Jaimec |
As far as lights are concerned, the best I ever had was my 1982 Yamaha XJ650RJ Seca. That had an ENORMOUS headlight, and once I armed it with a 55/100 bulb I lost all fear of riding at night. Only other bike I can remember with a headlight that size was the 1983 Suzuki GS1100E. | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
I cleaned my lenses last week before a long ride, I was SHOCKED to see the highbeam missing MOST of the chrome and some of the housing melted away. It still had the stock bulb in it, its never been changed. AMAZING...NOW WHAT DO I DO??? Thats one thing I cant make (YET) | ||
| Spike |
If your bike is still under warranty the headlights will be covered. If not, a replacement headlight assembly (that will likely burn up just as quickly) is about $50 from your dealer. Other options are to look into aftermarket headlights or just deal with terrible lighting. There is currently a thread about it in the "Court in session" section that looks promising . . . until you look at the date of the posts. I hate to be a pessimist, but at this point it looks like the Firebolt will be discontinued before we see any resolution with the headlights. | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
Its under extended warranty till Feb next year. Guess I'll read it and see. Next step is AFTERMARKET!!!! | ||
| Ridrx |
I'll just leave you with a link to the ongoing(onstalling?) discussion and you may decide for yourself how to best handle the situation...http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=17&post=830474#POST830474 I strongly urge you to take the time to read ALL posts as most are of some relevance...good luck and ride safe.;) | ||
| Diablobrian |
I'm still hoping that Buell will do something about this before I have to dump a bunch of cash on parts, but my patience has about been exhausted at this point. I've got a couple of projects in mind for this winter, including a fresh paint job, and 90mm Hella headlights would have to be installed before I paint. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
The 90MM Hellas are worth *EVERY* penny! The low beam alone is better than both high and low beams on a brand new firebolt and lightning. When the high beam is on, WOW! | ||
| Diablobrian |
I remember how much light that low beam threw out at homecoming Steve, and you are 100% correct. | ||
| Paul_in_japan |
i just checked mine today and I have the same problem. The high beam was still ok but the low beam was starting to burn around the bulb. I went to wipe some dust of it and ended up wiping off some of the chrome paint revealing the black material underneath. what to do???? | ||
| Ducxl |
Guys' the onus is on BUELL to rectify this problem! Not us! THey're the engineers of this product. I like this silly quote from someone that goes.. "Buell is light-years ahead of the competition in this regard"  | ||
| Fireflyer |
These Firebolt headlight posts all say the same thing. The headlights are poorly designed. The best fix might be to buy an 1125R. Then again, I wouldn't buy a 1st year run of them either. | ||
| Ducxl |
Then again, I wouldn't buy a 1st year run of them either. Of course not! They're(1125) already obsoleting drive belt designs and they've not even gone into production! And when they do show those gremlins we can expect their legendary "light-years ahead of the competition" support (just like that shown to our headlights) to come to the rescue....RIGHT  bs | ||
| Newbolt |
I would love to wait on Buell, but I see no end. I just ordered some Hella 90mm lights to install. Can anyone give me an idea how the connection is made from the wiring harness to the new H9 bulb? Anyone have a simple mounting solution? Something that requires minimal machining. Thanks | ||
| Unibear12r |
You guys are being a bit simple and short sighted. Don't forget BMC does NOT make the lights but that they are contracted out. With modern contract obligations and legal actions BMC's hands may be tied in this matter even if they wanted to do something. Even if those lights suck by our standards (and they do) it might not matter. It might take far more complaint numbers than what's been generated for Buell to even be ALLOWED by the subcontractor to admit there is a problem. Don't forget this wasn't just turned into BMC but also the safety board. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen manufacturers forced to continue using crummy parts and have their lips zip locked when they didn't want to. All Buell MIGHT be ABLE to do is just change the lighting subcontractor at their first legal opportunity. | ||
| Ducxl |
Don't forget BMC does NOT make the lights but that they are contracted out. All Buell MIGHT be ABLE to do is just change the lighting subcontractor at their first legal opportunity. Buell MC is a certified member of QS-9000.Look up the standard.It says their Headlight supplier is in violation of quality controls.Thats a serious violation involving the safe operation of these motor vehicles.NOTHING to take lightly(no pun intended?).This headlight supplier can also be held financially liable in the event some poor "R" model rider crashes as a result of poor lighting.Very serious liability.The headlight supplier must be issued an "8d quality non-conformance report" and the supplier is obligated to respond with an immediate corrective action to PREVENT any recurrence as well as to supply enough units to satisfy a recall.Otherwise,BMC risks losing international Quality certification,which could also lead to loss of market. | ||
| Ducxl |
BMC doesn't make these nice shiny wheels either.They're made in China.If all of a sudden wheels began breaking catastrophically in the field causing death and dismemberment you're not saying BMC would put their hand up and say they're not responsible because the wheels are made by someone else.Surely you aren't making that statement...right? | ||
| Kevinfromwebb |
I appreciate all the responses... I haven't been on the board much the last few months... I"m going to install new headlight assys on my '04, are the correct numbers still Y0435.02A8 ??? I was going to go with both high beams... The reason I started this thread was that my assys have deteriorated to the point of hardly any light being produced and I'm planning on getting new assys and HID bulbs for more light production... Thanks for all the previous and future help... Kevin | ||
| Zac4mac |
Simple solution that will work for 95% - don't ride in the dark... Saw a bike in Phoenix AZ once. Beautiful chopped panhead, no oil cooler and temp was hitting 116˚F. I asked and he said"I don't ride it in the daytime..." Seriously. You bought the bike. It's yours now, BMC doesn't owe YOU anything. If there's something you don't like - don't whine about it like a Nancy boy - FIX IT YOURSELF. or don't. JEEEEEEEZUS end of rant OK, more constructive... haven't looked at the reflector, I rode my 03 XB9R for 3 years with no trouble. Since the reflective coating is going away on these, either make a new part out of polished aluminum, buy someone else's projector setup or live with it. These bikes are old now, repairs are your responsibility if you're out of warranty. Worst case scenario, do a sand cast or lost wax of your plastic reflector. You can melt aluminum with a Bernzomatic, or use zinc (new 1982 and later, pennies are all zinc with a thin copper coat), pretty sure it melts lower and flows better; finish it with a dremel and polish the reflector.Taaaa-daaa major accomplishment. Z (Message edited by zac4mac on October 28, 2007) (Message edited by zac4mac on October 28, 2007) | ||
| Glitch |
Seriously. You bought the bike. It's yours now, BMC doesn't owe YOU anything. If there's something you don't like - don't whine about it like a Nancy boy - FIX IT YOURSELF. or don't. So you think it's ok to go out and buy a vehicle with something wrong and the onus is on you not the manufacturer? Come see me the next time you need to buy anything. I'm sure I'll be able to set you up. | ||
| Mesafirebolt |
Well, if its something you do to it, yes its your fault, no blame to Buell (MFG) if someone produces a product that is faulty, its there fault, they are responsible. When I mod a muffler, if I do something wrong, I have to fix it. If the company that made the headlights for our 'bolts, they need to fix it. The airplanes I deal with are constantly having issues (like all jet aircraft) these planes are 8-10 years old and the manufacturer of the aircraft STILL helps us maintain them as well as push the manufacturers of any component of the airplane to keep it updated, provide technical support etc...so YES Buell needs to lean on the original mfg of the headlights to provide us with a fix. Even if its just sending ours out on an exchange basis to be re-coated... | ||
| Zac4mac |
No, not for anything new... I just blew up because people are still bitching, wanting BMC to fix their 6 year old machine. BS This is a great site with lots of excellent info. There's also the ubiquitous whiners that show up on a fanboi site. Buell is NOT going to fix your 2004 XB12R headlights, get over it. I never had any trouble with the lights on my 9R, but my baby brother(43y.o.) has it now and I'll be working with him on a resolution, if he sees the need. If you're still in warranty go for it. I got my 9R used with ONE WEEK of warranty left. I also didn't pay 10k for it like the first owner did. Old parts that fail need a fix - a place to buy something or a way to make something. Not a bunch of hand-wringing and tears. e.g. Steve's 90mm Hellas look like a good, bolt-in fix. Z (Message edited by zac4mac on October 28, 2007) | ||
| Diablobrian |
I wrote a long post in reply to Zac4mac, but I deleted it because I don't have to convince him of ANYTHING. If the DOT/AHTSA is the way we are going to have to resolve this so be it. For some reason THEY think that there IS something worth investigating here. They must be whiners too. |
