| Author | Message | ||
     Tankhead |
Is this a problem with the translucent plastics. I remember hearing about this on the air boxes but not on the fly screens. I have had the bike since april 2006 new and this is the first time that i have pulled the screen off. I needed to get the gps mounted so I took off the screen....low and behold the two low holes on each side have cracks. Before I go to the dealer I just wanted to know if this is a known problem? tanks | ||
| Jos51700 |
That's the first I've heard of it at that location. Your bike should still be under it's 2-year warranty, so if you hurry to your nearest dealer, they ought to take care of that. But the clock is tickin'! | ||
| Reepicheep |
Never had a problem with the flyscreen, but my airbox does it. On the airbox, it happens if I don't center the hole correctly when I tighten the screw. here is a shoulder on the screw, that is designed to let the head pin but not squash the translucid plastics. If that shoulder catches the plastics, it can bite a chunk off or crack something. Polyurethane glue sticks to it for about a year. Next I'll try that automotive goop stuff. Basically I am just gluing aluminum flashing to the back of the pieces to hold it all in place and give the screw something to bite. | ||
| Jos51700 |
Reepicheep, do you have the updated "top hat" washers for the airbox cover? | ||
| Ustorque |
i have spider cracks around all screws on my windscreen. i have not brought it in yet but the dealer did tell me it was covered under warranty. | ||
| Tankhead |
Ustorque, What year do you have? | ||
| Ustorque |
'06 | ||
| Prowler |
You guys with the translucent plastic parts. It's a good idea to not use loctite on the screws holding those parts on. Loctite reacts with the plastic and when loaded (torqued down) causes the plastic to spiderweb and crack where ever it's had contact with the loctite. (based on experience!) | ||
| Ustorque |
have never used loctite on mine and use very little pressure, and it still happens. not the fisrt and won't be the last | ||
| Reepicheep |
Guess not! There are updated washers huh? I gots to get me some of those  | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
Disclaimer: I did use Novus (now use plexus and think it is superior), use proper torque figures and am just about as anal about upkeep as anyone. Think of me as Monk (TV Show) when it come to bike maintenance. I have had my airbox cover crack three times. First two cracked (into pieces around the bolt holes) under warranty and now the third is cracked (now more like small fractures around the bolt holes) out of warranty. My flyscreen is also fractured around the bolt holes. I have the updated bolt/rubber washer kit on the airbox and it did not correct the situation but does help. By adding the rubber insulating washers it prevented the airbox from being rigidly mounted. With this setup it has fractured but not cracked to pieces like the previous two. This is the one area that has disappointed me with my bike but I am in the minority since many do not have any issues. The first airbox cracked before I ever even took it off so I was pretty much taken out of the equation. Then the second one cracked and I was informed (By a Buell engineer) that Buell had changed the makeup of the plastic to aid in this issue (which is #3 air box that has help up the best). When number three was installed I also received the updated bolt/rubber washer kit and IMO it is the only reason that the air box has not cracked into bit around the holes again. I have thought for some time that my bike's airbox mounting surfaces may be off just a tad causing the problem with the cracked air boxes. The flyscreen could be do to mine being made from the original material that is not as durable. Also I did not have a tank bag until I got the third airbox cover so that was not an issue. My next airbox & flyscreen will be something besides the translucent type material. I really like the see through material but the new parts will be paid for with my check book and I only want to make one purchase. (Message edited by Speedfreaks101 on March 24, 2008) | ||
| Buelltroll |
Stop tightening them so tight ya ham fisted round heads. I'd be embarrassed to even goto a dealer with that for warranty. | ||
| Jos51700 |
"Stop tightening them so tight ya ham fisted round heads. " That's a bit harsh, considering they can come like that out of the crate. Loctite is not required for these fasteners. Novus is recommended, but i couldn't see any polish causing this issue. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Just noticed that a big bottle of super glue sitting on my workbench speficially indicated it works with lexan... so I may try that next. As stated before, I am gluing a small discrete pad of aluminum flashing material to the inside of the airbox to hold all the pieces together. If it breaks worse, I have thought about fabricating a nice C shaped clamp that goes around the outside front of the cover, and gets pinned down both top and bottom. That would anchor a larger surface area, and cover the existing damage. I think something that looks pretty nice could be made pretty easily. Or I could stop being so cheap and accept the fact that once every 22k miles, I can spend $200 and get a brand new clean airbox cover Cheaper then a paint job. | ||
| Tankhead |
I did not put the screen on and torque it. Buell did.....buelltroll....goodwork reading the post.  | ||
| Court |
Chris: Send me a note with the color. I may have a spare. Court | ||
| Tankhead |
No worries Court Took it to Millville NJ Harley and Buell. They took care of me no questions asked. I am starting to get respect there and the mechanic there rides a bagged up ULY with the ADV sticker. It's all good. Tanks sooooooo much for the offer Court. Much appreciated. You are a class act my friend. Chris | ||
| Ustorque |
good deal tank, glad to hear you wern't too embarressed to go to the dealer. i gotta get mine replaced soon | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
Hey y'all if you take a look Buelltroll's website then it makes it easy to forget anything he said. Hell I kinda even like being insulted by the guy so I can have a quick link to his home page. |
