| Author | Message | ||
     Mr_cuell |
I was reading the thread about removing headlights and someone mentioned that it is important that the service techs who work on these bikes know them well, even with tires, and I just wanted to second that advice. I wore out the stock rubber and bought some M1's. The local race shop is filled with import race bikes of every stage of assembly, I know the owner and they have been around forever. I asked if they had worked on Buell's and they say "oh yea, no sweat" so out of convenience I brought them the whole bike rather than just the rims. I came to pick it up and there is some kid, and the service manager (who is pretty big boy, 280+) with sweat dripping down their noses as they are hitting a wrench attached to my axle with a sledge hammer, full power. They turn to me panting and ask "is this thing reverse threaded or something?"  | ||
| Cataract2 |
I would go crazy on them. | ||
| Dtx |
 That story made me cringe! | ||
| Klink |
well did you promptly grab the hammer and reverse thread it around their heads? | ||
| Jasonxb12s |
••••!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Fusa21 |
Dooohhhhhh!!! It's sadly humorous, seeing how it is printed clearly in Raised letters on the forkleg. I've seen it happen before. | ||
| Skully |
Hi Jonathan, Are you referring to the front axle? If so, the fact that it has left hand threads is cast into the fork slider. It would seem to me that the shop would be liable for any damage they caused. Keith | ||
| Hkwan |
Oh boy, you've got to be kidding me! This shop is luck since Buell replacement parts are relatively cheap. You might as well starting getting the quote from Buell dealer right now to save time. Just present the quote to them. | ||
| Truk |
Not just the reverse threads issue, but also little things like using anti-seize on the axles, which the SM clearly shows to do. Check out the knowledge vault for those who didn't and the fun they had trying to get the axle off. Just takes a second to do.... | ||
| Mr_cuell |
They surely didn't do that either . . .so now I have that to look forward to next time. This all happened this past summer, and a cursory visual inspection didn't reveal any damage, but of course that's an inadequate way to look for damage. I guess I kind of wussed out - I told em I no idea which way it went and they should check the manual (which they didn't have) The owner saw me, came over and I asked what the deal was with my bike, as it looked liked they were having "issues". He went over and in a couple minutes it was off with no banging, no theatrics. It seems fine, but I suppose I'll do it myself next time and that will tell the tale - (Message edited by Mr_Cuell on January 09, 2006) | ||
| 12r |
This is soooooo true. First time I needed new tyres, every tyre shop in the neighbourhood knew *everything* about fitting tyres to an XB - yeah yeah we've done loads mate - I'm sure some of them would've cut the belt off if I'd trusted them... | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
It's not just Buells that get butchered. While in Nova Scotia this summer, my buddy discovers the chain on his 2000 VFR needs replacing. We are in the middle of nowhere but manage to find a multibrand Japanese bike dealership. They roll the bike into the shop and my buddy takes a walk. He comes back 20 minutes later and they still haven't gottne the wheel off, and it is a single sided swingarm. He sees some gorilla is whacking away with a hammer and punch trying to get the retaining ring off(for lack of a better term and there is a spanner in the tool pouch for this). This guy had mangled the hell out of the thingie, by the time my buddy showed up -now furious- and pointed out that they had just needed to simply looses a obvious pinch bolt. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Reason being why I'm trying to get all the tools to do these things myself. Plus, maybe make some $ on the side. | ||
| Bomber |
many shops look at their techs as "seasonal employees," and lay em off duing the winter -- it's no wonder that the standard issue tech in a MC dealership is less than wonderful -- even worse in indie shops -- more different brands, and, therefor, design philosphies -- techs couldn't POSSIBLY keep that much data in their heads -- any scoots that's engineered differently will likely be mistreated in one way shape or form | ||
| Truk |
Virtually all the work on my bikes is done by myself, or myself and the head mechanic at the Triumph dealer (Ridge Motorsports) here in the Columbia, SC area were I live. They are about 15 miles from my house. I have been going to them for 6-7 years. When I first went, I told the owner they could have my business as long as I could watch the tech. Would sign any waiver I needed, but I wanted to watch and learn. Told him I would stay out of the tech's way. He talked with his head tech, somewhat reluctantly they said OK. By the second or third visit the Mechanic enjoyed showing and explain his craft to me. Now if I don't go back, I think it hurts his feelings Beginning of a great friendship with both the owner and head mechanic. Today we are riding partners. I have learned a ton about one of the passions in my life, motorcycles and how they work. And I give them a ton of referrals - they deserve and have earned it. Now I hang out their all the time. They keep asking me when I am going to retire and come to work there. When i got the Buell, I got a SM from Daves and studied it. When I can't do something myself,I take the book to this Dealer, and the mechanic and I do it together by the book. When I need the TPS reset, I took it to the Augusta HD/Buell dealer. They are about 50 miles from me. Their lead tech, is a big Buell fan , has several himself. Asked to speak to him too, great guy. They took me back to where he works. He did a good job. I make sure he does the work on my bike I know many dealers won't let you do that....I do not frequent them if I do not absolutely have to. Also, if you are familiar with how it should be done, you can point out the unique things that must be done. I am a big advocate of getting the Service & Parts Manual and getting familiar with your bike. Most good dealers would welcome helpful advise, might be more inclined to invite you back to help show them what you mean, if you ask. This will save them time and frustration which makes it more profitable for them I am very fortunate to have a couple of great Dealers close by (Message edited by Truk on January 09, 2006) | ||
| Kootenay |
I posted this past summer about changing my own tires, and was asked in that thread why I would go to the bother. Mr_cuell's post illustrates one reason I prefer to do my own work, especially on a bike like the Buell which is a bit "different." I may take a bit longer than a tech, but I also RTFM and make sure I understand what needs to be done. A tech will often use experience to guide his actions--he's removed hundreds of wheels, for instance, no reason for this one to be any different. He's often being paid a flat rate for the job, and wants to get it done ASAP so he can go on to the next. Unlike myself, he won't be riding the bike... Unless. On another board, there was a posting a few summers ago about a guy who got a call from the police regarding his bike. He was curious, because the bike was in the shop. Turns out, one of the techs was out for a "test ride" on it--during which ride, he was stopped for speeding and reckless driving (apparently several wheelies were involved). To make matters worse, the tech was unlicensed. Yeah, you gotta be careful when you consign your bike to the tender mercies of the average shop mechanic. Give me a manual and a set of tools anyday... | ||
| Fusa21 |
TOOLS, is the word of the day. I have the same dilema. I work in the Investment business, so my day job is not conducive to acquiring lots of tools. I have however learned from reading the SM, and borrowing lots of Tools and knowledge about Buells over the years that its all about the Tools. Ever try to remove the rear rockerbox cover of a Tuber without a cutdown 3/16" allen? Or remove a countershaft Sprocket without the massive 3/4" drive Socket, can't remember the size of that thing but it is Huge. I remember first racing my S1 in '99 and asking all the guys at the track if they had something that size and they just looked at me with disgust and amazement that a Bike, not to mention a Racebike, had such a monster of a nut holding the sprocket on. Seems to me they didn't know what Red Loctite was either. I showed them that year...losing airboxes, brake caliper bolts, footpegs and the toe pegs off the shifter. Ahh, I still love my Buells. | ||
| Mr_cuell |
You sure are truk - Short of having the sufficient time tools and know how that is about as good as it gets - I have none of the above, or apparently, a decent shop within 50 miles . . . | ||
| Rashika |
I'm in a bit of a dilemma along this line too. I dont know much about my Buell..YET...but am always willing to learn. The guy I bought my bike off imports HD and European bikes, and services them himself...he's pretty good at it BUT he lives aprox 2 1/2 hours ride away. The local HD (amongst other bike types) dealer has just got the Buell dealership as well. And by just I mean last Dec, so wont have a mechie yet that knows anything about Buells. My Boyfriend is a good mechie, has to be he rides a Guzzi  and is keen to learn how to service my bike as well. I guess what i really need is a good service manual...is there such a thing for the XB12R? Would I have to send to the USA for something like that? | ||
| Fusa21 |
# 9099 from AmericanSportbike.com is what you're looking for. They have a section dedicated to Service Manuals (SM) You will need to check if they can ship to New Zealand. The dealer you purchased your bike from should have them in stock, or they might be able to order it too. Hard to say who will get it to you sooner. Hope that helps. | ||
| Re5rotary |
Hi Rashika another Firebolt owner in Christchurch..me too. Buy a manual from Daves or off ebay, much cheaper than buying one from EW. The parts dept there has given me good service mind you, dont know about the w/shop as I do all my own work Terry | ||
| Truk |
Rashika - If you order from Daves (i did) also seriously consider getting the Parts Manual along with the Service Manual for you bike. The Service Manual is the most important, but the Parts Manual helps too, giving pictures of how things go together and their ordering part number if you need to replace. Neither is very expensive and the Parts Manual even less so. Just a suggestion.... | ||
| Lovematt |
I second the parts book...I use that when working on more complex things or when I screw up and can't quite remember how something goes back together. I put the torque settings next to the important fasteners so they are right there. | ||
| Kootenay |
Rashika, Buells are not difficult to work on, but they are different. I'm thinking Moto Guzzi might be the same kind of thing...your BF would probably be just fine, as long as he has a service manual to give him the specifics (such as the fact the front axle is LHT, as commented on in the initial post in this thread). There are a few things you can't do on your own, such as the TPS reset (which requires a special computer), but otherwise the XB is pretty straightforward. Some special tools will be required (like a #27 Torx driver). | ||
| Daves |
The service manual is 52.20 Parts manual is 43.20 I have them in stock most of the time. No problem to send them anywhere on the planet! | ||
| Surveyor |
If they overtightened your front axle (when they thought they were loosening it) they may have damaged the wheel bearings and that may not show up for a while so be careful. | ||
| Blackbelt |
Can you send it to gilligan's Island? sorry being a Smart Azz | ||
| Raymondt |
Ive' got another one for you, when changing tires they often stick the front wheel in a vise which will crack off the amber paint on your wheel!! They the dealer, bought me a new one!! They damaged it doing the break in maintenance. I bet it could chip off on tire mounting machines as well. Make sure you inspect and have them verify that there is no damage before they start their work. I always do and just bring them the wheel. Buells have the most simple tire change of any bike I have owned. | ||
| Diablobrian |
also don't forget to use grease pencil or similar to mark the direction of rotation. Otherwise they'll try to mount your rear tire backwards, since most bikes are left side drive. | ||
| Daves |
If you have the address to Gilligan's Island I can send it there. Of course the UPS driver would be willing to bring them all back to the mainland but something would happen and he would end up leaving them there. |
