| Author | Message | ||
     Kingwing |
Had my first experience with my local HD dealership today. Purchased a '02 M2( my 1st Buell- 1st anything other than a Japanese bike for that matter) two weeks ago. Leaving work this afternoon, get on the bike, press the starter and nothing. Battery is brand new, appears to be no current to the starter. So I walk down the street to my local HD dealer, all the while thinking how lucky I am that they are just down the street from my workplace, explain the symptoms and ask if they will take a look at it if I push it in. Response- we don't work on Buells, we cannot even get parts for one. What!? My response- Well, can you work on a 1203 HD sportster engine? I guess the fact the engine is mounted in a different frame and the tank has a Buell sticker somehow confuses and mystifies their techs. I guess I am going to be a "do-it- yourselfer" in the future. Just as well, at least I will know the job is done right. Happy ending though- walked back to the bike, jiggled some wires around the starter while depressing the starter button and it fired up. Apparently one of the wires just has a bad connection with the starter. I already have the factory service manual, so first thing tomorrow morning... | ||
| Aeholton |
First, congratulations on your purchase. The M2 is a great bike and is pretty easy to work on with the factory service manual. Glad to hear you got it going. Check the ground strap from the battery. Let us know what you find. | ||
| Kingwing |
Thanks Aeholton. I am enjoying the bike- it has alot of, um, character. I could not wait until the morning. The culprit appears to be the green solenoid wire. It was loose at the connection with the solenoid. go figure. | ||
| Xring |
I guess I am going to be a "do-it- yourselfer" in the future That is a popular way of thinking around here. Me included. Good luck, Bill | ||
| Pwnzor |
Do yourself a favor and check as many electrical connections as you can. Get them all nice and tight, it will save you "mysteries" in the future. The only problems I've ever had on my XBR were from loose wires. Here and there, it happens. The bikes tend to shake a bit. Go figure. Welcome to your new life! | ||
| Nevrenuf |
excellent choice in bikes. bought mine less than a month after we got back from sturgis where i test rode one for the first time. then my daughter got hit from the rear a few months ago so i went to louisiana to get a replacement. then i saw the one up in jasper georgia for sale and talked my buddy into buying it. he got such a good deal that if he decides to ever sale it, i want first dibs on it. he's the type that he likes to tinker with his own stuff so i got him the parts and service manual for his birthday. anyhow, it's a great overall bike and i'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as i do mine. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"I guess I am going to be a "do-it- yourselfer" in the future. Just as well, at least I will know the job is done right." I doubt you'll have much more trouble with the bike, but you certainly have the right attitude to be a Buell owner. I just wish I was as sure about my own work as you are about yours! | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I guess I am going to be a "do-it- yourselfer" in the future Is there any other way? Stops all the finger pointing when it comes to maintenance issues -- you know exactly who to speak with about your concerns. You'll also find that if you follow the book it's not a complex process. | ||
| Jayvee |
I wonder if you had a Sportster engine in a "Custom" frame like Redneck Engineering, or some kit from Drag Specialties, if they would work on it then? Might think about the Parts Book, in addition to the manual. Sometimes it helps just seeing the drawings, sort of like an 'exploded' view (no pun intended.) (Message edited by jayvee on November 01, 2006) | ||
| Interest |
Just put a piece of masking tape over the Buell logo, then take a sharpie and write Harley-Davidson on the tape. That should teach them. | ||
| Bullseye |
My 01 M2 does the same thing from time to time I keep the tools to clean and reattach the battery cables at all times, they vibrate loose on mine. Good luck on service! | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
I've had a loose positive cable give me problems once. You've got the right idea though. Part of the fun is tinkering on it yourself. I think the more I learn about my bike through maintaining it myself, the more I enjoy riding and owning it. Congrats on your new toy! | ||
| Kingwing |
I should clarify that I am not really complaining, as I was aware that other Buell owners have had issues with HD Dealerships( I familiarized myself with this forum prior to taking the plunge into Buell ownership)and was fully aware of what I was getting myself into. I just had presumed that my local dealership would be able to assist since they have a large Buell sign attached to the exterior of their building. I just needed to vent b/c of the apparent absurdity of the dealerships position. | ||
| Light_keeper |
What a dealership with a Buell sign that can't help. Caution the next thing you know Court will want to know which dealer it was. Just kidding he has solved many problems in the past.  | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
Vent away Kingwing. Sometimes that's the best way to get past a problem, and we're the best audience to do it with since we know where you're coming from. Besides, you've got a good positive attitude. Take it easy man. | ||
| Jlnance |
I just had presumed that my local dealership would be able to assist since they have a large Buell sign attached to the exterior of their building. That actually explains some things. About a year ago, Buell decided to reduce the number of Buell dealers. The theory being the remaining dealers would give better service if they had more business. Since your dealer has a Buell sign on the building, but can't order parts, I'm guessing they used to be a Buell dealer but got "dropped." There are perhaps some hard feelings. | ||
| Court |
Tell me more about that. I was unaware of that. | ||
| Ducxl |
MUST be an "inaccurate statement",HE-HE   | ||
| Naustin |
Regardless, if they have a buell sign attached to their building, and are treating buell people that way, HD should fine the snot out of them. | ||
| Blake |
Court, Come on, that was decided right after their "we're going out of business" realization. Sheesh. Try to keep up would ya? | ||
| Blake |
We shoudln't pick on Jim though as he is a good man who just misunderstood or heard a misinterpretation by someone on the issue. Jim, the scoop is that HDI ceased providing extra big twin inventory incentives to ALL Buell dealers. Those that weren't interested in Buell motorcycles other than for the extra allotment of Hogs then dropped them. So it was the dealers themselves who chose to week themselves out.  | ||
| Blake |
I meant "weed". | ||
| Captpete |
Rogers on the weed.  | ||
| Ezblast |
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| Thespive |
And that is why there are no Buell dealerships in "The OC" and why I bought my bike in the San Diego area from a dealer that cares. --Sean | ||
| Reepicheep |
Been enjoying the web site Cap, hows the fishing? | ||
| Fullpower |
The H-D dealer up the road from me ( Kenai Peninsula Harley-Davidson) made the claim that (in order) to sell Buell he was required to send one tech to Buell school at a cost of $14,000 annually. It was this General Manager's view point that an investment of that nature was unlikely to be cost effective. His opinion was that selling 2 or 3 Buells per year wasnt worth training a tech to work on them. So I had to get my XB from Bellevue washington, bring it to Alaska by boat. |
