| Author | Message | ||
     Barclaypierce |
Good point! ^ | ||
| Dr_greg |
$10 says its the 77 connector like mentioned in previous posts. I hope it is; that's an easy fix. Note that I've checked it before. would have liked to shake your hand at homecoming. Yep, me too. There's always next year... As an academic I'm sure you know all about the point of diminishing returns. Hah, IMHO we academics know the least about most things. Remember, "those who can't do, teach..." Are you sure the CEL wasn't due to the heat? Did the engine quit? It's been in weather much hotter than that. No, battery was completely discharged. Dr. Greg, I would enjoy meeting you sometime but I would really like to meet your wife. She must be one heck of a good woman. Take care of her! If I had as much trouble with my bike as you have had, I would be divorced and bikeless! Don't I know it! We courted on my '73 RD350, so knew what she might be getting into... when that 68 GMC decides to piss you off I'll take her off your hands... NO WAY; my dad bought it new in '68. It has 85,000 original miles, and the interior is gorgeous. It did sit a lot when my dad owned it, so engine needed rebuilding about 20 years ago. Now it's a 402 (originally 396 "porcupine head", "rat motor", whatever name you like :-) GET A TOWING SERVICE!! Duh, that's the best advice I've had this decade. We have "emergency road service" from State Farm on our car (and truck), but they don't offer it on bikes. IIRC, the AMA does if you pay dues via automatic withdrawal. Will definitely get some kind of towing service in place before any more lengthy rides. I know it's not the cure, but it is an earlier warning system. Yes, I'm aware of that indicator. What about simply installing an ammeter? Anyone done that? That's what we used to do on cars... He's had a deposit on a 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 since he did a demo. This is true. Couldn't resist. Well, I know that the one thing I'd do if I was Dr. Greg...not buy another 1st model year bike (I believe he has an '06). I'm sure the 2010 Multistrada (like most new model year bikes) will have its share of glitches...especially with all that new electronic gadgetry. Well, I've thought long and hard about that. Let me give you this perspective: in my academic research area (robotics) the Italians are the top European country. Germany is second. Dunno if that translates over into vehicle electromechanical systems (I still don't like the word mechatronics) but I hope so. Fellas, the worst thing about all this is that THIS SUMMER is the first time I've not worked the whole summer on research, so I actually have some time to ride!! But now no bike. And I've got sabbatical leave during the Fall 2010 semester, so I can ride then, too (my favorite time of year). Surely I'll have the Uly fixed by then (and MTS too?) Having both bikes means I can take some moto-camping trips with my youngest son (17 YO). He needs more time with his dad. --Doc | ||
| Froggy |
I have the AMA towing service, it is great. $50 a year, covers up to three tows, and gets you something like 35 miles per tow. I have used it twice this year, I love the first time I called the phone rep said "What's a Buell?". You are the AMA for christs sake!  I used it again a few weeks ago when my CR ate a stator 2 hours away from home. Called the AMA, they got me a tow truck and it showed up 5 minutes after I got off the phone and hauled me to my dealer. I still had to pay a bit as it was a 45 mile tow, but it still saved me a ton. It should come standard with any first model year Buell purchase.  | ||
| Jim_williams |
Pretty sure most of the electronics on the Multi are japanese. At least thats what I remember my friend that sells them saying. He brought his new 1200 Multistrada over the other night. I told him to expect a deposit on a 2011  Hopefully, my Uly will get me that long. | ||
| Hacksaw |
My bike towing is included in my AMA membership. | ||
| Towpro |
Doc wrote: I know it's not the cure, but it is an earlier warning system. Yes, I'm aware of that indicator. What about simply installing an ammeter? Anyone done that? That's what we used to do on cars.. You have to look at an amp meter. With the light it normally is dim green, then when it starts to change colors it gets bright. On my last ride I had the green light turn red once when sitting still. I had the fan on, the Satellite system running, the Lap Top charger running, and the Hand Held radio charging, etc, etc. It turned out something was wrong with the laptop charger, shortly after that it blew a 15 amp in line fuse. I also noticed that when the light turned red the bike started to run rough. | ||
| Mnrider |
If I had the same bike for 80,000 miles I would be looking for something different also. When I bought my Buell I knew what I was getting into,part of the charm for me. The 77 connector is a well known issue so if you have not replaced it yet-shame on you! These are awsome bikes folks and I plan on hanging on to mine as long as possible. | ||
| Union_man |
+1 to AMA Roadside Assistance!!! It is free if you use a credit card to "auto renew" your membership. Ahhheeemmm.....  I will try to keep this as short as possible. It is in ALL motorcyclists’ interest to stand together as enthusiasts to advocate for our rights and ensure that our safety is protected. In this country the only possible way to influence the decisions of legislators is through advocacy and lobbying. There are many Motorcycle groups/clubs/organizations that are actively working to protect motorcyclists. Most are short on funding and in need of member support. AND... (AMA membership) FREE* roadside assistance, 12 issues of Motorcyclist magazine, many discounts on products and services that riders use. The AMA also organizes many riding and racing events nationwide. $39 per year…money well spent. BTW…I belong to AMA and ABATE. Another member of the AMA. http://www.ama-cycle.org/whatis/board/profiles/ebu ell.asp AMA home page. http://www.ama-cycle.org/ Join. http://www.ama-cycle.org/join/index.asp OK I am off the SOAP box!!!... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I miss the ammeter from my 1977 Dodge B200 van. Center 0 and charge/discharge. Actually, I grabbed the instrument cluster before it was towed off! I never did figure out how it worked since it only has two terminals and no reference point. It was in series with the whole internal wiring harness fusebox. I know this because I burnt the first one up with LOTS of stuff in there. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Good attitude, Dr. Greg. I'd look into AAA as well. You get towing for all of your vehicles, great books on areas you plan to tour, etc. If you become a AAA Plus member you'll have 100 miles of towing included and the AAA cost is reasonable for the peace of mind it affords. Best of luck to you. | ||
| Hacksaw |
The AMA towing is also included if you sign up for three years. It also covers all of your vehicles. | ||
| Hop_along |
Buellerxt, last I checked (a few months ago) AAA still put motorcycles into their special RV category-which is quite pricey-because their belief is that only "special towing equipment" (read: flatbed) is required to tow a motorcycle. Otherwise, I agree that AAA Plus is the way to go with my truck. for the bike... AMA | ||
| Mnrider |
My SafeCo M/C ins. includes towing for crashes.DAMHIK (Message edited by mnrider on June 29, 2010) | ||
| Florida_lime |
Buellerxt, last I checked (a few months ago) AAA still put motorcycles into their special RV category-which is quite pricey-because their belief is that only "special towing equipment" (read: flatbed) is required to tow a motorcycle. I have the 3 year AMA tow pkg, which I signed up for AFTER my Uly stranded me the first time. You HAD to pay for it then, but then they made it free under various renewal circumstances. I did just see an ad for the AAA, they just changed how they handle motorcycles. I didn't pay too much attention to it, but I think it might be an additional $20 if you already have AAA for your car. | ||
| Eulysses |
I found a little 12V battery tester thingie with red, yellow and green light in my stash. Goes into accessory socket. Plugged it into my X dash last night. Now I have an ammeter. It shows yellow when key on and green when running. Sounds like Dr. Greg's alternator is getting tired. Or whatever it is called on motorcycle. We used to carry a light nylon tow strap with our bikes in the mountains of MT when I was young. I would not mind towing in a fellow biker. No sweat. | ||
| Buellerxt |
I'm NOT pushing AAA guys, but there is a reason I like it and it is the 100 miles!!! AAA Plus isn't very expensive in my book, given what you get. I pay less than $100/year, maybe $79. I'll have to check, and that covers all of my vehicles for 'help' calls, anywhere, and 100 miles of towing. It also covers travel books for wherever we travel and we travel quite a bit. We've walked out of AAA offices with many books for many states, numerous times, and if we're on a trip and decide to go somewhere else there is always a AAA office in the area to get additional materials. Why is 100 miles important? Because tows can get VERY expensive depending on where you break down. VERY expensive, like $600 to go 100 miles! Stay with me here. I had a 2000 Electra Glide with the cam bearing and cam tensioner problems before Harley fixed them years later. Towing mileage IS IMPORTANT!!! I had Motorcycle Towing Service (MTS) back then, a good company, and had a failed rear cam bearing on the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains late on a Sunday evening while on a trip in May, 2000! Errrrr! The tow was reasonably priced and the $100. limit worked. I next used them the next year when I had a blowout in Lamar, Colorado and had to be towed about a hundred miles to Pueblo, Colorado. Again, the tow was reasonably priced. My next 'need' occurred on a return from Sturgis in 2002 when I had a front cam bearing fail in a rainstorm late in the evening as I was about a mile from 'remote' Riverside, Wyoming. Long story short, I was SHOCKED when MTS told me it would cost $600. to take me to Fort Collins, Colo., about 100 miles away! Unreal! They tried to find a better deal but they explained that the tow was coming out of Rawlins, Wyo., a ways north of me, and was charging for the trip to me, the loading, the trip to Fort Collins, and the trip back to Rawlins. MTS told me that they were 'not' shocked. When I told them of my previous towing experiences and costs they said I had been lucky but that depending on where you are, and it can be in many places all over the country, tows can get VERY expensive. I was lucky. I pushed the bike into Riverside, got a cabin for the night, and was fortunate to have a fellow Texan and good friend coming my way with a big truck and trailer. We brought it back to the Houston area but luck like that doesn't happen often. Yeah, I sleep a lot better with AAA Plus and the 100 mile tow allowance! 35 miles with AMA? Better hope you are in the right place when you need a tow. Sorry to go on and on but here's another advantage of AAA. One of our daughters and her family were out in West Texas late at night driving home and they have AAA Plus. They saw a bike and rider on the side of the road and my daughter, having respect and empathy for bikers/motorcyclists, had her husband pull the van over. Long story short, the old guy's bike had crapped out, he had a medical problem and spoke with the help of a voice modulator in his throat, and he had no towing service! He was sh*$ out of luck. My daughter called AAA, explained the deal and they sent a flatbed because he was a friend of hers and she was there! No charge! She waited to see him off and she told me he had tears in his eyes as they pulled away. He was lucky to meet one of my wife's and my angels! I suggest looking into AAA before making a towing service purchasing decision! 100 miles!!! Did I tell you why that is important? LOL (Message edited by buellerxt on June 29, 2010) | ||
| Froggy |
35 miles is fine for me, like stated before I did have to pay for the few miles beyond that, but it was worth it. Good luck getting the AAA to stand up for your rights as a motorcyclist and also give you a discount on stuff from Revzilla and other shops. | ||
| Eulysses |
I found a little 12V battery tester thingie with red, yellow and green light in my stash. Goes into accessory socket. Plugged it into my X dash last night. Now I have an ammeter. It shows yellow when key on and green when running. Sounds like Dr. Greg's alternator is getting tired. Or whatever it is called on motorcycle. We used to carry a light nylon tow strap with our bikes in the mountains of MT when I was young. I would not mind towing in a fellow biker. No sweat. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Froggy's quote: Good luck getting the AAA to stand up for your rights as a motorcyclist and also give you a discount on stuff from Revzilla and other shops.Unquote LOL. Don't need any luck there Froggy! That wasn't my intention. I wanted a good towing service that covered more than a pittance and I got it. You're mixing apples, oranges, and towing services! lol I go to the grocery store to have the best selection of groceries and to a towing service company for the best towing services. If the AMA lured you in with that poor towing service and you are happy with it, cool, but the AMA and a good towing package for those touring on bikes are mutually exclusive! The decision on whether or not to join the AMA is totally separate, or should be, in my mind. Stay close to home!  | ||
| Froggy |
The towing was just a bonus, I look at it as a freebie for joining the AMA. I still would be a member regardless of the tow service. AAA isn't going to save your bacon if you break down in Mexico either. | ||
| Buellerxt |
'A'lberto's 'A'lways 'A'round Froggy! Hey, Greg got the towing service message and that's cool. Froggy, on another matter, is there a recommended list of spare parts for tourers anywhere on badweb? I've been searching without success. I'm putting my own list together but would like to compare. Thanks. | ||
| Froggy |
Yes, a belt. Anything else is probably going to require a shop anyway. | ||
| Buellerxt |
I agree I'll need a shop, Froggy, but I'm thinking of buying some spares for things that fail fairly often on 08+ bikes, keeping most of it at home, and having my wife overnight it if a dealer can't get it. If I get the 2010 wheel and carry a spare belt what are the next 3-4 parts I should have to prevent being stranded for days or more, if any? I was thinking stator and rotor, fan, front eng. mount(maybe can wait till I get home), and clutch cable. Not necessary in your opinion? I'm also thinking ignition coil. I have the extended warranty but if a dealer has to wait on back order parts that won't help me. The less the better but . . . Your thoughts, having been close to these issues, would really be appreciated. And I know, JUST RIDE!!! lol Hey, I'm riding but I'd like to 'try' and be prepared before heading out on a long trip. Thanks. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
"is there a recommended list of spare parts for tourers " In my opinion, you need to balance portability with accessability....that is to say, since if you rip out a tire, you'll have a difficult time getting another right away, but carrying a spare tire isn't very practical. On the other hand, carrying a belt is very reasonable. I'd also throw in the standard stuff, a tool kit, a patch kit, a pump. That stuff I all have. I'd also throw in a printed list of the interchangeable bearings...since if your bearings crap out in the middle of nowhere, it seems there are substitutes, if you have that compatibility list. Further, I'd probably get a spare ECM. You could flash it with your current settings. It doesn't take up space and if your current one craps out, you'd be up the creek without it. Maybe a voltage regulator as well. That's the top of my list. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Thanks, Skifastbadly. I definitely carry tools, the large Buell kit is great, tire repair stuff, small compressor, etc. I have an 08XT and was wondering, besides belt and bearings, if anything, was suspect. A spare ECM! Wow. I hope that isn't necessary. Thanks. | ||
| Froggy |
Stator/rotors don't spontaniously fail, and the 2008 models use a different one vs previous years, and I am not aware of any failures off hand. Fans are the same thing, plus losing the fan isn't going to strand you. Same for the front motor mount. Clutch cables usually will give you warning, as they stretch and then slowly break the threads, but also even if it breaks it isn't going to strand you. I would keep a spare set of brake, clutch, rear brake, and shifter levers especially if you are going off road. While losing some of these in a spill won't strand you, it sure as hell can be annoying offroading in BFE. | ||
| Mnrider |
I have the # for American Sport Bike written down in my owners manual,I'm hoping he could save me with overnight shipping. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Thanks Froggy, good idea on the levers. Good to know about the stators! I had one fail on a Harley in far West Texas back in 04'. I 'almost' made it to El Paso from Van Horn, a hundred+ miles, and with the voltage gauge I knew I was cratoring when I fired it up. Mnrider, every time I see your handle I remember you helping out with suggestions when I was buying tools back in Nov.! Cool, and thanks again. VERY good idea on American Sports Bike and the phone number. I'll do that also! 'Overnights' look very reasonable when looking at an indefinite stay waiting on parts. They are nice and helpful folks. Thanks. | ||
| Dr_greg |
It IS the "77" connector!! I'm very happy! I've still got a little bit of free time left this summer. Gonna solder it tonight and I'm good to go! First ride of the year into northern New Mexico coming up tomorrow. I am sooooo happy. --Doc P.S. Don't think the Ducati Multistrada 1200 will be here till the end of summer. That's all right...I LOOOVE riding the Uly. Um, that's RIDING, y'unnerstand  | ||
| Skifastbadly |
Rather than solder, you may consider stopping at Home Depot and getting what they call a 'submersible pump connector' which is a couple of crimp connectors and waterproof shrink tube. Works like a million bucks. |
