| Author | Message | ||
     Blackdog |
I'm coming up on 10K on the XB12R. Should take it to the dealer or do it myself? | ||
| New12r |
you got $600 bones to spare, or $100 and an afternoon?? I do all my own work, NO ONE touches my bike unless they build race bikes(and I cant afford them LOL). | ||
| Mr2shim |
+1 on doing your own service. I do everything on my bike except put tires on and change the fork oil(which I'll be doing soon) | ||
| Blackdog |
The guy I bought my bike from had Buell do everything. I have a well equipped shop and I've been turning wrenches most of my life I just don't feel like getting into anything like computer remapping. | ||
| Mr2shim |
You don't have to do that unless you want to. I've remapped my ecm quite a few times with EcmSpy. Every so often if something goes wrong you'd need a TPS Reset. I think it's done at 10k actually. EcmSpy lets you do it. Free = win... If you happen to install a race map or muffler you'd need a tps reset as well. I don't think the dealership would charge a ton. Maybe 60-80 bucks for a tps reset? | ||
| Randomchaos |
The only reason the 10k mile service costs so much is it used to call for the fork oil being changed out. I know they extended that part of the service for the newer Buells, wonder if you could get them to not do that part of it. | ||
| Darthane |
Buy the service manual, do it yourself. You'll learn a lot about the bike and save a bundle of money. The only thing computer-related that is 'normal maintenance' is a TPS reset every now and then, which can be done several different ways, only one of which involves a dealership. The bikes are remarkably easy to work on, and even the fearsome fork oil change isn't difficult, just a little time consuming. | ||
| Retrittion |
I have the service manual and after looking at whats required I have to say I wouldn't be comfortable doing some of the stuff myself unless someone who has done it was there to help -- especially the fork oil -- so I am wondering what the new Buell specs on fork oil changes are and where I can find the official documentation to that effect. I don't mind spending the time or getting dirty I just don't want to F up my bike, and I figure many people out there feel the same way. Heck, I LIKE working on this bike! I can say the TPS reset with ECMspy and a computer is simple as heck, and if you have an '08 or later you don't even need ECMspy. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I'm coming up on mine as well Blackdog. I'm hesitant to do the 10k alone. I can watch at the shop I bring my bike to from time to time. Maybe after seeing it done I'll be able to handle it. I'm with Ret, I don't want to screw anything up. | ||
| Jlnance |
I have the service manual and after looking at whats required I have to say I wouldn't be comfortable doing some of the stuff myself unless someone who has done it was there to help -- especially the fork oil I'm coming up on 50k and that means I'll need the fork oil changed. I'm thinking about changing the fork seals as well, it seems like good PM. I'm not comfortable doing either of those jobs myself, but what I'll probably try to do is take the forks off, and take them to the dealer off the bike. That should reduce the bill. | ||
| Darthane |
I was a little concerned about the fork oil change myself. It was definitely the most in-depth thing I'd ever tried on my own when it came to repair/maintenance. Until I got my Buells I'd never really done any of my own wrenching on anything - but I like to learn. I purchased some specialty tools for it to make things a little easier and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it actually was. The service manual's procedure is very clear and easy to follow. If you've got a 'can-do' attitude and know one end of a wrench from the other, I suggest you give it a whirl. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I just did my 10K service. Engine and primary fluid drain, oil filter change and spark plug change. Only thing I can't do is the fork oil. I don't have the tools, plus I need to see it done so I can learn. Some helpful hints: I use an old metal "vanity license tag" (thin type) with a slight bend longways to put under the swing arm drain, primary drain and behind the oil filter. This keeps the oil from getting everywhere!! The front plug came off with an open end wrench, the rear required a swivel socket. Plug wire pliers would have helped, but I was able to ease the boots off without much of a problem. The front plug wire is a bitch to get back on!! LOL The really good news is, after completing the service the bike runs and the oil light does not stay on!!! I must have done something right!! LOL | ||
| Doubled |
+1 for DIY. And getting some help if you are unsure. I was very hesitant to change to fork seals on my CR250 but am now very glad I did. Learned a lot along the way and saved a bundle. Haven't done anything to the forks on the Buell yet but after reading through the service manual it seems like it would be fairly straight forward. | ||
| New12r |
Paint, the forks are easy once you do it. Maybe we can do it at Buelltober fest. | ||
| Bigredwood |
The Buell forks are easy to do service on. It is just a process that takes more steps then any other on the bike. It makes a mess and takes a bit of time the first go around. But remember all the great things you have learned from wrenching on other parts of your bike. Once you have done the 'evil' fork job, setting up your suspension is better understood. I rebuild forks three to four times a year. (dirtbikes, similar Showa forks) The knowledge of the suspension is worth more then horsepower on the track. My STT has stiffer springs, improved seals/wipers and 15W Motul for oil. It has a much more aggressive feel for the longer travel. P.S. HD fork oil sucks, can be replaced with any 10w fork oil. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
A middle road is to do everything but the forks, then get a suspension expert to upgrade your suspension with heavier springs and perhaps revalving as well. Cost a few bucks more, but you get a better handling bike in the bargain, instead of just a fork oil change. All together, probably won't cost more than having the dealer do the 10K service. The rest of the stuff is very easy to do. | ||
| Theirishbueller |
Do any of you do service your bikes that are under warranty yourself? I'll be hitting 10k soon enough and would prefer to service it myself, but never did because i didn't want mess up the warranty. $600 is crazy. | ||
| Tblasier_mmi |
Ya if you have a warranty i would have to say bring it to the shop just in case something were to happen. Even though you were to do everything correct they still could bring it back on you. With he tps reset i brought mine to a dealership and it only costed me $35 so that was a nice surprise. There is not much to a 10k service. the biggest trouble would be the fork oil change.you would hve to jack the bike up from the bottom and get enough clearance so you could drop the forks out. You also need a special tool that compresses the spring in there to drain the oil then you need a tool that will show if your at the right height level of fluid in the tubes. So ya, it will be a afternoon full of fun if you have the right tools but i dont think many people would at all. That spring compress tool is pretty expensive. | ||
| Jlnance |
Do any of you do service your bikes that are under warranty yourself? Yes. The 5k services amounts to change the oil in the engine and transmission and adjust the clutch. I've always done those myself. I also change my own tires, though I pay the dealership to mount them on the rims. I have a good dealership. They have never given me any problems with warranty claims. | ||
| Hr_puffinstuff |
i posed this question to the service manager at a near-by HD shop. he told me i needed to save all the receipts for the fluids, ect, and document the service in the owners manuel, and i would have no warranty issues. can anybody here back this up? | ||
| Moosestang |
Is there no work around for this expensive spring compressor? | ||
| Jlnance |
Is there no work around for this expensive spring compressor? Yes, Saintly has a post about doing it with a ratchet strap. | ||
| New12r |
he told me i needed to save all the receipts for the fluids, ect, and document the service in the owners manuel, and i would have no warranty issues. They cannot deny a warranty claim because you do your own work, if that were the case no car on the road would have a warranty. Like the service manager said, save receipts, or, like I do is buy all my oil/filters/parts from the dealer. But with that said I do all my own warranty work to, they F'ed up once and never again. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
New12, If I don't get it done before Buelltober Fest I may take you up on that offer. Had a discussion with a mechanically inclined motor head the other night. Here is how he explained changing the fork oil; After removing the forks from the bike and removing the end caps, he turns the fork tube upside down and pumps the fork until fluid no longer is draining. He then refills and reassembles the forks. | ||
| Jlnance |
reassembles the forks. Yes, that would be the tricky part right there.  |
