| Author | Message | ||
     Hugie03flhr |
Court, many people are trying to reach out and solve this isolator problem. I would like to know what Eric Buell thinks about this and I would think your the man that can get his ear. I was thinking about buying an Ulg. but if this is what I got to look forward too in factory support, than the Kawi is starting to look good IMHO Sorry about calling you out but no other choice. | ||
| Brinnutz |
I'm curious if EriK (not a c, lol) even has an obligation at this point to research a develop a fix for our 7+ year old bikes. | ||
| Court |
It's Erik. You are not calling me out, I don't mind. What front isolator problem? What is an Ulg? I think I dated one once. Buells factory support is better than any motorcycle made. Buells support (and parts delivery) is light years ahead of Kawasaki. (I own two). Buell has consistently, without regard for "in or out of warranty" stepped up the plate and stood by products, some of which have been out of warranty for 12 years. I'm aware of 3 such cases I was personally involved in in the month of June. | ||
| Jramsey |
"What front isolater problem?"  | ||
| Court |
I rest my case as to why I don't monitor all threads. | ||
| Jramsey |
"What is an Ulg, I think I dated one once." OK for some to be sarcastic, but not others. These Iso threads have been going on for a long time and I would guess you participated in many of the earlier ones but us Tubers have had to make do with non OEM products for several years because of sub-par quality. | ||
| Buellistic |
BUELLers: With the EARLY TUBE FRAMES the HARLEY-DAVIDSON Parts Numbering system was used ... It has a -79 which indicates the 1st YEAR used ... "SO" -79B(whch my 1997 S3T had which was the 2nd time this part was up-dates(made better), then the -79C(which is now being sold as the ISOLATOR for TUBE FRAMES and BLASTS ... The last up-date was to -79D which is used on the BIG TWINS when they went to MORE CUBIC INCHES and the would rip the -79C apart as does the TUBE FRAMES ... Remember now that the BIG TWIN sets on the ISOLATOR and the TUBE FRAME "HANGS" from it ... The BLAST is just as hard on the -79C ISOLATOR as the TUBE FRAMES ... "SO" you should install correctly the -79D on your TUBE FRAME or BLAST, "i" will !!! BMC Parts Numbering is what "i" call the "BUELLschitte" Parts Numbering System because you can not look directly at the Part Number and tell anything without the BMC CODE(do they even have one???) ... BMC is not worried about the TUBE FRAME ISOLATOR PROBLEM no more than the were about the DRIVE BELT adjustment problem(FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL "WRONG") ... MAY THE LONG LASTING BUELL BE WITH YOU !!! | ||
| Jramsey |
LaFayette, I have the 79D in both of my Tubers, the S3T for almost a year now. I believe I was one of the first if not the first on BadWeb to do so. Hugie, sorry I killed your thread but Court's response is typical IMO of how some people just wish some problems would just go away. | ||
| Drhacknstine |
Well, The 79D works, it's in my 99 S3T So I'm in agreement "WHAT ISO Problem?" as Court said. And yes, I made it a 1/2" center. Yes I had to go to my NON BUELL stealership to get it and 2 other updated parts. But what ISO problem??? Parts sales person Problem... well I'm not going there.  | ||
| Buellistic |
BUELLers: As rule, but with exception the HARLEY-DAVDISON Part Number will be on the "BUELLschitte" Part Numbered part ... It the FRONT ISOLATOR does not have the -79D part number, "DO NOT BUY IT AS IT IS NOT "STRONG" ENOUGH !!! "SO WHAT" if you have to IMPROVISE a little to get a perfect fit ??? "i" am not going to say HARLEY-DAVIDSON is "DUMPING" all the old -79C ISOLATORS on the BUELLers ... MAY THE LONG LASTING BUELL BE WITH YOU !!! | ||
| Sloppy |
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think the Buell Blast's shock is mounted to the engine - I think it's mounted to the frame. On the Tuber models the shock / swingarm "pulls" on the engine and thus pulls on the isolator. In a Blast I think the engine just "hangs" as a static load on the isolator and thus may not have the same problem. | ||
| Jramsey |
Dr. take a tuber to a authorized Buell dealer and ask to have the -79D installed and see what kind of reply you get. Not every Buell owner is mechanically inclined and I'd hazzard a guess very few work,run or own a fab/machine shop that is required to do some of these modifications . I purchased my S3T for cheap because the seller refused the idea of having to modify a part to fix the problem. | ||
| Jramsey |
"the engine just hangs" Bingo! I've thought that all along. Most Iso failures are on bikes that are ridden 2 up or have heaver riders. | ||
| Hugie03flhr |
Opps! I meant Uly. Anyway I have an 02 M2 and the way the posts are reading I should be ready for a front mount to let loose any day now! I was considering buying a Ulysses but I read on their forum that front iso mount is letting loose too, but they can still get an original equipment mount. It sounds like us tubers can't get an oe mount/iso. This concerns me!!! That's why I called on you Court and I don't want you to pat Buell on the back... I want to hear their is a mount being made somewhere that lasts more than 500 miles as some retailers are forced to say in their mount add!!! | ||
| Bartimus |
Some mounts do last more than 500 miles, but if they are too stiff, they will cause your front mount bolts to shear, and then you will have an even bigger problem. | ||
| Buellistic |
Sloppy: "i" have a BLAST and they are harder on FRONT ISOLATORS than TUBE FRAMES ... Yes, the BLAST engine hangs from the FRONT ISOLATOR ... Jransey: AS to trying to have a -79D ISOLATOR installed at a HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALER: "HARLEY-DAVIDSON DEALERS, MAKING MECHANICS OUT OF BUELL RIDERS SINCE 1986 !!!" With the experience and help on this WEB SITE, a FACTORY SERVICE MANUAL(there are a few ERRORS) and PARTS BOOK for the YEAR and MODEL, and the ability to listen you will be find !!! If you are willing to "THINK OUT OF THE BOX" or "WILLING TO IMPROVISE" a GOOD BUELLer you can be with a good running RELIABLE BUELL ... Have 108,062.75 miles on mine as of the last ride ... MAY THE LONG LASTING BUELL BE WITH YOU !!! | ||
| Guell |
Jramsey, Mines torn a bit and i weigh 140lbs dripping wet. I have a ds iso sitting in the package here, im just too damn afraid to run it in my bike since ive seen a few people have major failures since they put it in. Im tired of having to work on the bike. Im about ready to part it out and go to a different brand, and i dont really care if buell is lightyears ahead on parts for older models... I just want to ride at this point and not wrench, its getting iritating... So is my fix buying a 300 dollar peice of billet bling a ds iso and don castos bolts? I dont feel as if i should have to modify parts to have a street bike on the street. | ||
| Sloppy |
Until someone comes up with a better mouse trap, my recommendation is to purchase the -79D, take it your machine shop and ream a 1/2" hole in it, replace the D-washer with a suitable washer and then install it. Total cost - maybe $120? If you don't want to install it then have your local mechanic do it for you. Many of us have "modified" the air box, the vent lines, drive belt, transmission, etc. So we already do quite a bit of "modifications" to the bike already. I admit that replacement parts should not have to be modified, but until another solution is found, this is what we need to do in order to have an isolator last longer than 500 miles (YMMV). Buellistic: Why do you think the Blast is harder on the front isolator than a Tuber? | ||
| Buellistic |
BUELLers: BMC supplied you with assembled nuts, bolts, and parts: YOU REFINE IT !!! The TUBE FRAME run ended in 2002 which was 7 years ago and my 1997 S3T is 12 years old ... You'll better start paying attention to what RETRO FITS from BLASTS, XB'S, SPORTSTERS, and BIG TWINS if you want to stay(little improvising) on the road ... MAY THE LONG LASTING BUELL BE WITH YOU !!! | ||
| Jmkybf |
I have put a DS iso on my bike, and have ~3,500 miles on it so far. Yes the vibes are increased below 3,000 rpm, but it smooths out after that. I routinely do 300 mile or more weekend trips on my bike, and I check the motor mount bolts before heading out. I believe that the failure in the front motor mount that some others are experiencing is due to the bolts loosening up and putting the bolts in shear instead of tension, as others have mentioned. | ||
| Ebutch |
About 22,000 Buell soft iso Last.122,500 mile on S2T Can not use Drage Iso way too much vibes! S3 iso went 62,000 on soft iso, hard iso works fine as replacement(must be that frame brace they added in 97 is why hard iso works)!Yes they may have little quirks.But very enjoyable machines!+ The Bad-Web is our Lab + many other things. I,m very Content and may-be something will come of this to the better!!! Pull Some GGGGGs! Butch  | ||
| Fasted |
please !!! any of you who are tired of this or that, or feel that they are being ignored, shortchanged, cheated, etc. by buell or harley or whatever, PLEASE SELL YOUR BIKES, BUY WHATEVER YOU THINK IS THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION THAT BUELL HAS BEEN UNABLE TO SATISFY FOR YOU. KWITCHERWHININ! the happiest tuber owners grew up having to work on most of the bikes they owned. if you are not happy in the garage sessions, perhaps you haven't made the wisest of consumer decisions. getting things the way you think they ought to be very seldom coincides with the ways things actually are  | ||
| Dpg |
I've always done my own maintenance work, but dealing with factory design errors can be bothersome in the long run. I own a modified 1990 XLH1250 Sportster that has that dreaded stator/magnet issue with the clutch housing and inadequate trap door/trans shaft bearing issue. I've replaced the clutch housing three time @ $400 a pop. I still have the bike. A friend that has a great deal more machine shop experience than I do did a complete frame up re-build on an '88 Sportster. New crank and rods, the Zipper's heavy duty trap door and bearing upgrade ($700) and recently the bearing on the clutch housing itself greneaded! He's done with trying to fix the problem by throwing money at it. I can't blame a Tuber owner who bought the bike with the thought that they were buying a model without any outstanding factory design issues. I know I didn't know about the isolator problem three years ago when I bought my M2L. Had I known that I would be spending almost $500 to 'repair' the broken bolts in the head I may have thought twice. That money could have gone far in buying other upgrades for the bike. Like a nice new rear shock set up for my weight perhaps! Safe ride, Gary, DPG still love the bike, but a Buell powered chopper is always in the back of my mind... | ||
| Buellistic |
IMHO: "THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF BIKE RIDERS, THOSE THAT RIDE BUELLS AND THOSE THAT WISH THE HELL THEY DID !!!" (Message edited by buellistic on July 13, 2009) | ||
| Easy_rider |
So, here I sit with a Barry isolator out of the package but never installed, bought for an S2 that is already over budget and behind schedule. Do I put it on and hope for the best? Put it on and get at least a few miles out of it before swapping to a new one? I hate to have a question mark hanging over my head every time I head out (whenever I head out), but spending $120 never comes that easily for me. Spending it to replace a part that I've never used is even tougher. I'm taking it for granted that putting on the 12 year-old part is not the best approach....even if it avoids telling the wife that I need to order more parts. I'll agree wholeheartedly that "Buell has consistently, without regard for "in or out of warranty" stepped up the plate and stood by products, some of which have been out of warranty for 12 years. " The problem is, the part identified by the manufacturer as being THE replacement part is not lasting for an acceptable number of miles. If I bought this on ebay, Fasted, it might be a different story. But I didn't. Do I try to return the part to the vendor? That doesn't seem like the "right" answer (and I'm not sure they'd take it at this point). I'm just not sure who's fault this is. Buell specs not completely identifying load? A missed requirement by Barry? There is a point where we as a user group take on the support and leave the dealer behind. It may happen more readily with other brands, especially given HD's usual commitment to long term support. For now, the user support is the answer. Some of are going to be burned, I'll probably end up being one of them but can't quite add myself to the masses until there's a true failure on my bike. Anyone buying new should buy a 79D. Maybe by the time I'm ready there'll be a 79E drilled to Buell specs.... | ||
| Fasted |
i'm not trying to be sarcastic, or funny, or disrespectful of anyone's position financially, or their ability or inability to be their own mechanic. i too, get frustrated and/or pissed off just like everyone else. but the fact of the matter is that we are a very small group of owners. any cool machinery manufactured in small quantities with less than ideal amounts of time, money, and corporate support is likely to have a number of problems unique to its singular design. you have to decide if the problems outweigh the many things that endear us to the marque...... | ||
| Easy_rider |
if you are not happy in the garage sessions Just to be clear, that's not the problem. It's spending money twice to replace a part. I don't see where you have a dog in this fight. | ||
| Kalali |
You see, most if not all the folks on this forum are exceptionally emotional about the "experience" of Buell ownership. I owned an Alfa Romeo for 18 years and "lived" with all its issues and gradually fixed most of its "design" issues most of which were "known" issues since 1960s (mine was 1986). To me, at that time, the overall ownership was worth the aggravation. Well, they folded shop (in US anyway) because there weren't enough people like me around.... There are a lot of folks out there who will ditch their bikes after one or two side of the road episodes and we (as folks on this forum) never hear about or from them. Just look at the resale values of our bikes. It's pathetic...'nough said. Sorry about the rant. | ||
| Naustin |
Jramsey - it wasn't just the thought of modifying the part that irritated me, it was the "experimental" nature of such modification and the total lack of any assurance that it would be any better over time. Oh, and not to mention that sheered off head bolt. (wink) I'm glad it went to a good home and I'm glad the -79D is holding up for you so far. Court - you sound like a Service Writer. "what isolator problem?" Give me a break. Search "Front Isolator" in the Old School forum for the last 18 months and you will find 3 dozen threads about it. The point has been made that the Tubers are old and out of production. Sure - OK, maybe Buell has no obligation anymore to the Tubers, but the very least they could do is stop supplying defective parts. And I'd like to be refunded for the 5 defective isolators I purchased over the last 18 months - and the labor for the one I had to pay to have installed in Danbury, CT too. Also, the blast is still in production and using the same part. My Blast - now my wifes - has 9K miles and has blown 3 isolators since I bought it new in 2004(all the L0501.2) part. The bike has not been abused. This is the same part that the S3T burned though 3 of in a week costing me significant stress and putting a serious damper on my vacation last summer. I bought a 16207-79D Big Twin Isolator for the blast tonight from the dealer. My understanding is that the Blast's hardware will fit the part without having to ream the center sleeve - which will be nice if it turns out to be true. I'm sick and tired of replacing this part. When I sold my S3, I though I had rid myself of the problem. And now its back with the Blast. It's ridiculous to have to change a motor mount every time you change the oil. (Message edited by naustin on July 14, 2009) | ||
| Gowindward |
Roger, if it was me, I would use the part you have in hand. It's not like you will be doing two up touring on the bike, and given the blood, sweat and tears you have in the bike, you probably will not be out beating it like a step child. And that's coming from a guy that has a freaking collection of failed isolators. Loren |
