| Author | Message | ||
     Obiewan |
Kinda nervous actually. I dropped the bike off on the 15th, they said they would call when they knew what was wrong. As of the 20th, I have not heard from them, so I stopped by to check on it. They told me they would look at it on the 25th.. Dang... oh well. When I told them I had a tapping sound coming from the engine after pulling a wheelie, the mechanic said “sounds like you might have burned up the front end, wheelies can starve it of oil” I said , “Common man it's a Buell that's one of the reasons people buy these bikes.”  Well see how it goes. | ||
| Nightripper |
that shouldn't happen unless you road a wheelie for a long time or repeated long term wheelies. Anything is possible when you ride a bike in a manner it wasn't designed to be ridden in. The only bikes that are really designed to be ridden in extreme angles, tilts and conditions are mx, trials or enduros bike as they are designed for hard use and abuse. First off never tell the dealer you abused the bike or did stunts on it they can record it into the vehicles history and deny any waranty coverage. If you want a bike to have to do stunts on or wheelies, a used suzuki drz400 set up for the street with an open air box and racing pipe is the way to go. You can wheelie it , crash it and stunt it as much as you want and you can buy a good used one for $1500-$2000 | ||
| Obiewan |
Wasn't for a long time, just a second gear pop-up "quickie". I've had many different kinds of bikes for many years and never had one do this. If that is in fact what caused it. | ||
| Nightripper |
it would be hard to damage a lifter or the engine from a short term wheelie. Most v twin engines make alot of noise and ticking form the top end and valve train, it is very common especially on a 1200 with thin cylinder walls. Once you turn a 900 into a 1200 it sounds like the top end it grinding itself to pieces, as the cylinder liners are cut down from almost a 1/4" inch thickness to about .090" when going to a 1200 and the cylinders walls are so thin, that the jugs cut perfectly round holes out of a card board box if you leave them sitting on them at night. The best way to compare the noise of your bike is to have them start up another 1200 bike next to yours and compare the sound. Note if a dealer gives you problems about doing waranty work you can have them do and estimate on it and if you bought it from them. Then take them to small claims court naming the dealer you purchased it at and manufacturer to court in your area or at point of sale. Most companies or dealers will settle when hit up with court papers. Small claims courts handle $100-$5000 cases for only a $10-$20 filing fee. | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
Little wheelies are common with these bikes and don't damage the engine at all. I hope the mechanic isn't prejudiced towards the rider being the cause. | ||
| Obiewan |
Here's a thread of when it all happened, just to get all of you up-to-date as to what happened. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/560551.html?1274444490 By no means is it a normal sound. I've had the bike since 2005... | ||
| Greg_e |
The difference between the 12 and 9 engines is all in the stroke. You can use 9 pistons in the 12 which will raise compression ratios, but the bore is exactly the same. | ||
| Obiewan |
13 days and they still haven't looked at it. I'm hoping to hear something today by noon according to the front desk. | ||
| Nextcorner |
I went to my HD shop to get some gaskets. Apparently they changed the part numbers and the clerk was like "See, this is why we hate Buells." I stated some facts about how some people were really sour about the situation and others just keep minding their own business. He seemed like he really didn't care to help me out at all. Bad experience. Definately NOT customer service oriented. Gonna have to go some place else for my maintenance parts. Suggestions? | ||
| No_rice |
i doubt its from the wheelie, lots of buells, lots of wheelies. many of them miles long. no problems with any of mine. | ||
| No_rice |
but ya, 13 days is pathetic, but they are a little slower down south...  | ||
| Glitch |
  | ||
| No_rice |
lmao  | ||
| Obiewan |
(No Rice), You're right it's not from a wheelie, I've had that bike for 5 years now and pull wheelies all over the place and never had a problem before, nor has my friend that has one also. And yes, 13 days is pathetic. I called today, the service manager said they had changed the spark plugs and had an oil pressure gauge on it. Like it needed spark plugs with all that noise coming from the front end.. I'll pay for that I'm sure. It could all turn out well, I don't know.... If they do a good job I'll certainly give them credit for all of it. I just have a bad feeling about it all. Total lack of communication and they make you feel like you don't know shit and are bothering them. (Message edited by obiewan on May 27, 2010) | ||
| Obiewan |
turn toward the good. The service manager is keeping me posted as to what is going on. So far, the oil pump looks like the culprit. The pinion gear is also bad. He has been very nice and trying to make sure it gets done in a reasonable time. Things are looking up for now. | ||
| Greg_e |
What does it sound like? I've noticed that my front valve train seems a little louder lately and wondering if you might have the same problem that I think I might have. | ||
| Obiewan |
It sounds like something tapping on the right side and sort of the front and would increase with RPM. It did that for a while, then it got bad, sounded like "quarters in a blender" after a while. | ||
| Odie |
Obiwan- the service folks and the tall guy named Tim in particular, have been that way since '97 when I started going there after getting here from Germany. Good luck! Personnel have changed since then but generally the same attitudes...... | ||
| Obiewan |
Odie - The service manager's name is Keith. Not sure of the other guys name in that department, but it's not Tim. I was supposed to get an estimate of the repair before they did anything, I still don't have that, but the parts are ordered and should be here Tue. (Pump and pinion gear). I'll post a full report of my total experience when it's all done and said. Thanks for the feedback | ||
| Obiewan |
I finally got the bike back today. Turns out, the problem worsened after I dropped it off. Apparently from trying to diagnose the problem. Initially I was quoted oil pump and pinion gear for a estimate of $700+. A few days later I received a call with a new total. Come to find out, all the cam gears, oil pump pinion gear, push rods, rocker arms, etc.. The price went from $700.00 to a total of $1515.26, needless to say I was disappointed in that assessment. When I expresseed my concerns to the manager (Allen) he said he would take a look at what had transpired and let me know what he could do. He called me back promptly the following day and I went in to speak to him. He dropped the price some $300.00. I told him that would be fine, but there was more to the story. After explaining some issues that were not mentioned the first time, he said he would take another look at what had happened and let me know what he could do. Allen called me back the following day and asked if I could come in and talk. He went over the entire bill with me line by line and he explained it all in detail. He reduced the price from $1515.26 to $856.00.. That is as fair as it gets. I'm very pleased with the way it all was handled. You can't go wrong taking it in to the Harley Davidson / Buell of Dothan. I recommend them highly!!! Kudos to Allen (Service manager), Keith (Shop manager I think), Shawn and the other mechanic (I can't remember his name but he is a great guy also). They did terrific work and the bike runs GREAT. It's also covered under a full year parts and labor warranty. (SWEET) (Message edited by obiewan on June 18, 2010) | ||
| Yamafreak |
I Love my Harley shop! No parts but Great people. |
