| Author |
Message |
    
Gearhead
| | Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 10:35 pm: | 
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I don't know about sabotage but someone was sure asleep at the wheel when they built my XB12R engine!
It started leaking oil immediately upon delivery that was eventually traced to a stripped starter bolt thread that required a new starter (warranty).
We then discovered an incorrectly installed cam positioning sensor, as the bike kept dying at every stop light, my tech couldn't believe the bike ran at all.
Later in the season as it got colder the bike fouled a few sets of plugs so it was then discovered that the engine had not been correctly timed from the factory.
FORTUNATELY, I have a great dealer that took super care of me and I understood that this was not a Buell factory problem.
This bike is now just over one year old and now has 8500+ trouble free miles  . As I've told others, I've been a hot rodder for many years so I understand that mechanical things even if new can tear your hair out. Actually I could have been really soured by this incident but I have super people at my dealership who took great care of me and the bike has been trouble free since. |
Dale
| | Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2004 - 10:58 pm: |
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Timing, if I remember right, is supposed to be checked at set-up by the dealer. |
Gearhead
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 06:35 am: |
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Dale,
I don't think a timing check is part of the dealer set up but now it is at my dealership on all XB models.
To my knowledge mine has been the only one that had so many issues. |
Budo
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 09:11 am: |
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Gearhead, I am glad you have such a great dealer, good to hear that you are enjoying your bike.
For some reason I thought all bikes were test run before they left the facotory. I remember seeing a show on TLC or something where a employee's job was to test ride the bikes on a 'rolling road' before they were shipped. |
Jlnance
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 09:31 am: |
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Budo - I have no idea if Buell testrides their bikes or not, but it wouldn't supprise me if they didn't. The last time I looked, the trend in Quality Control was away from inspections and tword stastical approaches. |
Daves
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 10:44 am: |
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They do test them on the "rolling road" most come in with about 3 miles or so on them.
Gearhead's was just a fluke, going to happen once in awhile.
Dave |
Outrider
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:00 am: |
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Budo...My "Cheap shot" and "Land of the Tiny Minds" comments were not directed at you.
In this instance, you were just the messenger reporting a discussion on another Buell oriented board. My comments were directed at the individual(s) that think up such dribble.
If anyone wants to pick on HDI, Harley or BMC, I suggest they start with the decision makers among the Top Management at HDI and not with anyone from Middle Management on down through the Rank'n'File. Those are the most loyal folks you will ever run across. |
Hans
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 05:20 pm: |
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4 Years ago, you could make a tour through the factory at Buell`s website.
The movie was not very slick, even a bit primitive, but proud and dedication of the employees splashed from the screen and that was real, and absolutely convincing.
Budo, I don`t think you are a troll yourself, but you took the bait.
Trolls are attracted by upcoming, excellent, products.
Good sign, that they start to show up at last.
Hans |
Newfie_buell
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 06:17 pm: |
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They do test every one coming off the assembly line.
I saw it myself when I attended the 20th Anniversary Event
Pretty impressive that every one get to go on the dyno or whatever it is, TPS is then set and the bike is rode for a certain time going up through the gears or to a certain speed. Not exactly sure but they are all checked.
With respect to reliability "The bikes are designed and assembled by humans, until that piece of the pie becomes 100% efficient or perfect there will always be minor problems
In my opinion Buell has come a long way from the early tube frame bikes and reliability it much better. Then again not everyone has ridden a 98 S1 halfways across a continent without a tool kit either. I do admit that an isolator did fail but was repaired in about 3hrs which in my opinion not a big setback. I got to enjoy another part of the country with very pleasant company. |
Oldguy
| | Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 08:38 pm: |
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Newfie nailed it. Each bike is run in on the dyno and must pass before it is crated. If memory serves, they are started and run up through the gears and held at 60 mph for a minute. I recall seeing a couple that were sitting off to the side awaiting rework before being put back on the dyno.
Hats off to Buell for a great (and enlightening) tour of the plant for the hooligans who showed up for the 20th. Everyone on the line seemed to be enthusiastic and very willing to answer any questions we had.
Glenn |
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