| Author |
Message |
    
Mesozoic
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 04:39 am: | 
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Yeah, I knew that by buying a Buell, I'd be doing all the work myself. That's half the fun for me, anyhow. I like tinkering with stuff and this is a great bike to be doing that. I like the fact that I can plug my laptop into the bike and datalog for next to nothing in cost. The massive amount of engine upgrades available because it's running a Harley-Davidson Evo engine. Love the sound of the Micron exhaust because it sounds like a V8 musclecar. The only reason I shelled out around $500 for the 1st 1000 mile service was to maintain the warranty. After that, it's all me. |
Jaimec
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2008 - 08:34 am: |
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A little perspective here. I see you guys complaining about a $600.00 repair bill, and I'm envious you can get your bikes serviced so CHEAPLY!! |
Arctic_firebolt
| | Posted on Friday, July 11, 2008 - 09:34 pm: |
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My 1K XB12R service just cost me $400.00. And like others I did it just to keep the warranty instated.
The 10K on the Night Train is listed at $800.00!!! After looking through a friends Service Manual I am dumbfounded by why they even think that what is called out at 10K is worth anywhere more than $250 - $300.
I plan to learn and do everything I can and only pay for things that can't be done in my own garage. At the rate i am starting to rack up miles for the first time in my life, commuting, I just can't shell it out like that. |
Mesozoic
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 01:11 am: |
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I'm glad you're coming to the realization that you can do these things yourself. I haven't paid a mechanic to do much in the last 15 years of my life because I chose to learn how to do it myself. Of course, being close friends with mechanics has helped me a lot, as has making and learning from some big mistakes, but in the end it's ME who can rebuild any machine and who benefits from knowing how to do everything myself. Knowledge is power, man... be liberated! A good mechanics toolset is an invaluable investment for the DIY mechanic. |
Oddball
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 01:42 am: |
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Pretty bad when Ducati service prices are cheaper. |
Mesozoic
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 04:09 am: |
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Ducati service prices are cheaper because they require service so much more often! |
Arctic_firebolt
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 09:51 am: |
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Hey Mesozoic. Any specialty tools you would recommend for the first 10,000 miles?
I have a great hydraulic fork jack for my down tube Harley but now I need one for the Buell.
Thanx. |
Mesozoic
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 02:14 pm: |
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I'm somewhat new to Buell ownership so I can't say for sure whether there's any specialty tools that I need to buy yet, but I do own a fairly extensive tool repertoire as a result of assembling many cars, trucks, and bikes and their engines over the past years. A few things that don't generally come in a basic 300 piece mechanic's toolset which are certainly handy to own would include, but not be limited to the following items:
- torque wrenches (1 for less than 20 ft-lbs and one for over)
- Torx bit socket set, including T27
- swivel head socket set for 3/8" ratchet
- a good digital multimeter (expect to pay around $100 for a good one)
- a decent creeper for crawling around on the shop floor
- a decent hydraulic jack
- telescoping magnet
- quality rolling toolbox
If you're not a hobby mechanic yet and you're interested in becoming a decent one, that should get you started. Over time, you'll find a need for more specialized tools and you'll slowly acquire them. Anything you don't have, you can always borrow from friends and it always helps to make friends with real mechanics! As for me, I find it almost as much fun to wrench as it is to ride. |
Prof_stack
| | Posted on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 08:18 pm: |
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I stopped by Downtown Harley/Buell of Seattle today and snapped this photo:
On the left is the $690 cost for the 10K servicing, even though the sign says 15K above.
There were LOTS of Harleys for sale and about 8 Buells, one being a Blast and another an 1125R. Slow day at the shop but the (donations asked) meatball sub sandwich was sure delicious. |
Corporatemonkey
| | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 06:50 am: |
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Professor, do you know when the move is happening?
Do we know what is happening with the service department? Is RMC taking over the work, or are they combining operations? |
Prof_stack
| | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 10:28 am: |
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No I don't, as I forgot to ask. But I'm planning to not follow them to Renton. Up north at Cycle Barn or east to Bellevue (or maybe a ferry ride to Silverdale...) is closer.
The $690 bill for 10k service is one reason I jettisoned my XB9S. By the time I would have reached it, the bike would be worth not much more than that! Not all of us relish wrenching the forks off the bike and doing the work. |
Jslayton70
| | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 10:31 am: |
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those prices are insane. |
Xb12mel
| | Posted on Monday, July 14, 2008 - 04:18 pm: |
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 $95.00 per hr labor? they make my stealership look like a bargan!
(Message edited by xb12mel on July 14, 2008) |
Mr2shim
| | Posted on Monday, July 14, 2008 - 04:53 pm: |
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woooooow 95 an hour! Jesus. Stealership indeed.
Not sure how much the local HD/Buell is here. I should check one day. |
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