| Author | Message | ||
     Imaposer2 |
Ok, so some of you may have notice a new guy asking questions around here lately. I had a sudden mad urge to pick up a Tuber a while back and was directed to this forum as a source of information. And I need LOTS of information since this is my first foray into the world of Buell or HD engines of any type. So, I found a promising prospect up north of Charlotte, NC. So, I talked to the owner a few times and then decided it was worth the trip. So, in preparation for the trip up to get the bike I decided it was prudent to ask the experts here for specific things that I should be looking for when inspecting the bike prior to purchase. So, I started this thread: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/476 23/679370.html?1336742857 So, I get a PM from Akbuell telling me that he lived in western NC and that he had a lot of experience with HDs and Buells, dating back many years, and that he did all his won service work on them. Turns out that he lived around 3 hours from the bike, so that was a no-go. I replied that his expertise was what I needed and that I wished he lived closer to the bike so he could check it out for me. I told him a bit more about the bike and my travel plans for going up to check it out. I also sent a couple of pictures along with my cell phone, asking him to call if he thought of anything else that I should know to check. So, I left at 6:00am this morning and headed to Mooresville, NC (a little over 5 hours away)with my trailer in tow. Along the way I stopped for gas and while at the station my phone rings from an unrecognized number. I answered and it was Akbuell. He asked if I was on schedule and I told him that I was. He then said that he didn't have anything better to do today and he was about to leave for Mooresville!! Well, I would have NEVER asked anyone to do that, but I sure as hell wasn't going to say no! So, we meet just down the road from the bike owner's house. And, yeah I did forewarn the owner that I was bringing an expert, and he was cool with that. SO we head on over and the bike was sitting outside when we pulled up.  Long story short, Akbuell offered his advice (knowledgeable guy too) and gave me his thumbs up on the bike, saying that it was a good thing he already had 3 Buells and didn't bring his checkbook!  Then as soon as the deal was struck he cut out. I offered several times to at least buy him a lunch but he declined. How many people would volunteer to drive 3 hours, one way, to do such a thing for someone they've never even met? Anyway I just wanted to give him credit for being such a great guy in a public way and say THANKS AGAIN!!!    Oh, and I don't want to forget all the others that offered their advice and experience. Lots of really helpful folks around these parts! (Message edited by Imaposer2 on May 12, 2012) | ||
| Hogluvr |
Awesome!! That's what this place is all about! Congrats on the "new" bike! | ||
| Tbolt98 |
We're a special folk.. us Buellers! Good luck with the new ride but be warned... they are addictive! | ||
| Imaposer2 |
Tbolt98, That's what's got me worried.... I had no sooner got it unloaded and into my garage tonight when I was thinking two thoughts; 1, Why did I wait SO long to pick one of these things up, and 2, I wonder how long it'll be before I get another... | ||
| Jim2 |
What better excuse for a nice ride? Congrats on the new Buell. | ||
| Imaposer2 |
Oh yeah, if it had been a nice ride I'd understand. Thing is though, he took his van and it was all interstate.  Nah, he didn't get anything out of it, other than to be a nice guy and help a fellow motorcyclists. AWESOME! | ||
| Nwrider |
That awesome right there. | ||
| Court |
Yep . . I know how you feel. I saw my first Buell in 1987 and sat on my butt and waited over a year to jump in. The good news is . . . what you saw was . . well . .pretty much the norm. These are bunch of GREAT folks and it's continued to get better and better since 1987. Congratulations and welcome, Court | ||
| Mcelhaney14 |
Welcome to the club and awesome job Akbuell! Any pics of the new beast? | ||
| Moxnix |
Decent, real decent. | ||
| Road_thing |
Need pictures... rt | ||
| Imaposer2 |
Well, I haven't had a chance to get decent pics yet. It started raining about 10 minutes from home last night and has been since. Wouldn't you know? I get a new bike and CAN'T WAIT to at least take a short ride, and it's going to RAIN!.  So, I just unloaded it in the rain, pushed it into the garage and used my air gun to blow most of the water off. I do have one pic that I took of it on the trailer on the way home. I suppose I can post that and then add more later when I get a chance to get them. My new baby:   | ||
| Reepicheep |
Nice looking tuber! | ||
| Dwrecked |
Very good looking bike | ||
| Road_thing |
Sweet! rt | ||
| Daveswan |
Sweet! Has the newer swingarm and looks like the race header too... Someone may chime in but I would suggest at some point getting the updated front exhaust hanger. It has a "Y" on the end where two bushings support the weight rather than the one. For now, just make sure that the bushing isn't collapsing etc. | ||
| Imaposer2 |
Ok, thanks for the tip on the exhaust hanger. My first order of business is to go through the bike and make the upgrades that it needs for reliability. I plan to check the primary adjuster and the oil pump gear before long, and now I guess I'll be ordering a new exhaust bracket too. Speaking of which, is there any way of telling if it has the upgraded primary adjuster, without removing the primary cover? If not then I assume it would be best to just go ahead and order a new one so I'll have it on hand when I open things up. And, as far as that goes, what all gaskets am I going to need to order before tackling either of these jobs? . | ||
| Ducley |
Buelltiful bike. Congrats. | ||
| Geedee |
That's nice! They look so good in any colour. I'm jealous, but I'll have one someday. Look forward to the photos. | ||
| Hootowl |
Unfortunately, no, you'll have to open up the primary. On the other hand, if it was going to go, it would have gone already. Also, given the fairly major effort of replacing the swingarm with a 99-02 one, I'd guess the PO has already replaced something as simple as a chain tensioner. You could also call him back and ask Nice find, by the way. Factory race headers are fairly uncommon. | ||
| Imaposer2 |
Well CRAP! That's what I figured though, really. Although I was hoping that there was a tell-tale on the adjuster bolt or something Unfortunately, I bought the bike from the second owner and the original owner did the swingarm. I guess I could call the guy I got it from and see if he has contact info for the original owner though. I'd really like to be able to ask him a few things actually.... like the primary adjuster and the oil pump pinion gear. Well, the more comments about the bike I get on here, the more happy I am with my purchase. Seems like I picked up a few choice bits without even knowing teh significance of some of them.   | ||
| Buellistic |
Hope you turned the gas "OFF" ??? If these items have mot been done, you should consider doing them "ASAP": Remove "GRENADE PLATE" in clutch pack ... Up-date oil pump drive gear to the -06 gear ... Correctly adjust the PRIMARY CHAIN and DRIVE BELT ... The above HELP "INFO" is available upon request, just PM me for the related copy's ... | ||
| Imaposer2 |
Yes sir, I did think to turn the petcock off. I also adjusted the belt last night while I had it all apart to put my brake caliper bracket back on correctly. Seems the PO or someone didn't get the bracket's "nub" into the slot on the back of the swingarm. I discovered that while doing a preliminary once over on the bike yesterday. The "Grenade plate" I don't know about, although I plan to inspect the oil pump gear for wear when I change the oil next. You have sent me a lot of good info already though Buellistic. I have it all saved and just haven't had time yet to go through it all. The info on the clutch may very well be among the tutorials you've sent. If not, I'll let you know. I guess a good time to address the "Grenade Plate" would be when I take the primary cover off to check/change the primary adjuster shoe, and install the Easy Pull Clutch that you told me about. I guess I need to get a list together so I can order all the parts and gaskets that I'll need. So, other than the adjuster shoe, the Easy Pull Clutch thing, the clutch replacement parts, the primary cover gasket and the oil pump gasket, what else will I need to order to address the stuff under the primary cover and inspect the oil pump gear? Any other gaskets or needed parts that I'm omitting?  | ||
| Ustorque |
Along with the wealth of wisdom found among everyone here, also go thru This, http://www.doncasto.net/DonCastosS2ConventionalWis dom.html Between my binder full of Lafayette's 101's and Don's info, it's tough not to have everything you could ever need! | ||
| Imaposer2 |
AWESOME! Thanks for the link to another great resource! | ||
| Jim2 |
Order a new shift-shaft seal (get an extra or two to keep in the tool box). If you're pulling the primary cover there is no better time to replace the starter gasket if it needs it but if it's not leaking already you should not need it just check the torque on the two starter bolts when in there. | ||
| Mtjm2 |
TUBERS RULE !!! WELCOME to the SICKNESS ! | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
congrats on the buy! Im not familiar with AKBuell, but good to know of another local (im about 40m from Mooresville) bueller thats knowledgeable |
