| Author | Message | ||
     Benm2 |
Frustration. That's what I feel when I work on my Buell. While I appreciate the effort that goes into making a mass-produced product, I can't help but look at the compromises within the cases and wonder if Erik would run things differently if the reigns were loosened. Erik has such a long history of rebellion, and this seems to be coupled with a passion for racing. Buell seems to have maintained this focus for racing, but it also seems to be controlled by the mothership. I wonder if this is a good or bad thing. As I work my my way through the top end rebuild of my beloved M2, I have discovered many discouraging things. I wonder what accountant has dictated that certain choices be made, to chrome that part versus making this part perform better. Where in the engineering hallways was the decision made to use a one-bolt pushrod cover seal, for example? There have been many things that made me question the ways of Buell. Air cooling. By all accounts & modern progression, these technologies have seen their time. The big companies, car and motorcycle alike, have abandoned this simple method in favor of water cooling. Reason says that the coolant's ability to be circulated through the engine discourages the development of "hot spots." And, the energy required to actually boil coolant is much higher than the amount required to merely heat it up is also floated as progress. Sound suppression rears its ugly head as well. Yet, Buell perserveres. Pushrods? Are you kidding?! This technology is archaic. I'd bet that there's a pound of mass between my cams and my valves on my M2. Why does Buell persist in their use of this valve actuation method? The world-class engines of today are overhead cam. The OHC arrangement allows for sharper valve timing & higher rpm. For goodness sake, valve float on these engines starts to become a concern at 7,000 rpm. Yet, Buell perserveres. Customer service. How pathetic. The harley dealers I've been too are commercial marketplaces; reminding me of the suburban malls. The harley image, that has been marketed to perfection, touts the coolness of looking like a member of ZZ Top while riding a BIG TWIN with a bandana wrapped around one's head. The image is what sells, and while the staff have generally been friendly enough, their knowledge of products inside the cases is limited. While the walls are decorated with chrome plated parts, the simple matter of header nuts requires a debate about what engines may use the same nut??!! I've had the winter at my disposal to reassemble my M2. While I marvel at the genius of the trellis frame and underslung suspension, I wither at the sight of the upper rocker box assembly. Erik, what a field you've been left to plow. Why do you want this Sisyphusian task? If I'm guessing right, then Erik is someone I'd much like to meet. The modern standard is easy to conform to; the exceptional take their limitations and make the most of them. If I had to guess, I'd say our friend Erik was given direction about what he could and couldn't do in the engine. Air cooling & pushrods were part of the fun, its much more exciting to be in-yer-face than to produce another DOHC four. I've even heard that Erik turned down the V-Rod engine. True or not, I believe such a decision matches the spirit of Buell. The new technologies and risks of the XB series seem to display this resolve. I can't help but wonder where this company will go. Under the direction of an organization who's focus is on selling shiny bits, where does this ex-racer fit in? While the mothership seems to have an interest in attracting at least a few of the sportbike crowd, they seem very uncomfortable in such company. I think Erik revels in it. I also believe that Erik wishes to flip off the standards of technology, and to take the road less travelled. Do I believe that Erik would change the XB engine if given free reign? Damn straight, I do. Do I believe the result would be another DOHC four. NO! I think, that if the checkbook were opened, that innovation would flow from Buell like the Johnstown floods. Where? Within the challenging constraints that Erik would place on himself, in a direction not similar to those used before. I think that Erik would improve reliability, power, et al.; ad nauseum. I believe that he would follow the path of rebellion, combined with the path that engineering inevitably leads to: the constructive elimination of varaibility, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Is this where Buell is heading? I can only guess. From what I've seen, enough has been done already. Well done, Erik, my hat is off to you. My M2, from a dying breed, will remain in my possession for as long as possible and within my memory for as long as I can remember. If nothing else, for me the damage has been done. You are, to me, an american Icon, to be regarded with the likes of Henry Ford or Arthur Davidson. Keep the faith! | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Wow. Here Here. I Concur... Well said Ben. If it's upside down and on fire, you've gone too fast!  | ||
| Roc |
PBR and on line - dig that air cooled engine and the high MPG it gets me. | ||
| Court |
>>>>My M2, from a dying breed, will remain in my possession for as long as possible Wise choice. It's one of the best motorcycles EVER made. I can prove it. Court | ||
| Turnagain |
>> I can prove it. hopefully that will be detailed in a chapter of 'I've Been Reminded To Tell You'  | ||
| Evaddave |
Ben, I hear ya on the customer service issue. I live about 5 miles from the servicing dealership in your profile, yet when I need dealer service, I go 40 miles to get it done. I'll visit the local dealership for easy stuff like oil, tires, and promotional items like sling bags and stamps for t-shirts.  I agree, they are very friendly, but when it comes to Buells, they are usually less than enthusiastic, and don't have a lot of product knowledge. Like the guy who told me it would take a whole quart of oil to go from the "add" line to the "full" line in my Blast. |
