| Author | Message | ||
     Moonrunrs |
Hi Badweb, I posted something on here a while back and am looking for a follow up. My XB sputters violently. At first I thought it was a problem with the fuel injection and ran the liquid cleaners through the engine. Wasn't that. Next, I changed the spark plugs. That helped but the problem still persists -- not as bad as before but still there. I think it may be the spark plug wires or the TPS. However, at this point, I took it to the dealer (can't reset the TPS myself) and they say they're stumped as well. They've contacted Buell but haven't heard anything back yet. To make a long story short, the bike has been at Bartels for almost a month! I've been travelling for work so haven't had time to ride but this is ridiculous. Anyone with any helpful insight or advice? I'd appreciate it. | ||
| Old_man |
Coil?? | ||
| Slaughter |
Aww CRAP I work with both Glendale and Bartels racing teams. I'd check it out myself but I'm gone til January second. Here's what you do - ask for Mitsu there in Service. Yes, he's Japanese but I've worked with him at Willow and down in Bartels dyno room and he truly understands these motors - and he enjoys Buells. Memphis is the other staff guy who knows Buells. Problem is they're both pretty busy because they're so much in demand. Mitsu is probably the smartest guy they have doing Buells but people are put off because of his Japanese accent - DON'T BE!! He's the coolest guy you could hope to meet! Really! Tell him that Slaughter told you to tell him that he's the EXPERT. It might help. I don't think any of the others there really know the Buells as well as Mitsu and Memphis. We've all worked together for TOO MANY HOURS downstairs in the dyno room. Unfortunately, Bartels is also busy with the chrome barges and much as it pains me to say it, the chrome cruisers are their bread and butter and with the colder weather, seems EVERYBODY drops their bikes by for stupid-assed service they could do themselves. If you get stuck, PM me. | ||
| Moonrunrs |
Slaughter, Thanks so much for the help. Frank is the service guy who wrote up my order and whom I'm dealing with. I'll call Bartels later today and talk with them again. I haven't had much time to ride these past few weeks but I do want the bike fixed and back to me. Like I said, it's been about a month. | ||
| Slaughter |
You need to realize that their RACING operations are totally separate from the normal SERVICE. The mechanics who work on the racebikes are volunteering their time. It has enabled me to get to know who really DOES give a sh!t about Buells when a guy is there and not getting paid for working on the machines. Mitsu was sent over from Sundance in Japan. They have done AWESOME work in custom performance HD and Buell motorcycles. They built the one that Springsteen raced at Daytona:   (Message edited by slaughter on December 21, 2007) | ||
| Sgthigg |
Holy cow!! That is a sweet Buell. I am stationed near Hiroshima in Japan. Where/what is Sundance in Japan? Thanks | ||
| Slaughter |
Sundance is in Tokyo I believe: http://www.sundance.co.jp/index2.html All I can say is if you do go there - take pictures!!! | ||
| Moonrunrs |
Slaughter, Just talked to Bartels and they told me Memphis has been working on it. If I can't get a hold of him and/or if he can't figure out the problem in the next week, I will certainly PM you. thanks for offering your help, this has been a big conundrum for me. | ||
| Slaughter |
Glad at least Memphis or Mitsu are working on it. Like I said, both those guys are really busy because they ARE requested by folks. Don't hesitate to PM me. I'll be down there at least one day after the Holiday on the dyno regardless. | ||
| Xbcrazy |
Have they tested fuel pressure? I've had 2 '03 pumps crap out. Symptoms are very similar to an intake leak; weird idol, choppy throttle, etc. Anyway, just a thought. Pete | ||
| Brumbear |
change the wires they sound as if they are breaking down if not then the coil is but if its an 03 you should change the wires anyway. | ||
| Moonrunrs |
Thanks guys, I'll ask about these things -- the fuel pressure and the coil -- when I talk to them next. I think/thought it was the spark plug wires but hearing about the pump now gets me thinking. | ||
| Interex2050 |
Moonrunrs, I have some personal issues with Bartel's... Thus I would not willingly bring my bike there and let them touch it. I have never been allowed to speak to a tech at Bartel's, they throw away my diagnostic notes, and they are incapable of resetting a TPS. If they break something they refuse to fix it, and they love to scratch XB wheels. I trust Steve's judgment... but I just do not trust anything that comes from the service writers at Bartel's. Not to mention their employees are rude, obnoxious, and overall stupid (well the majority at least, there are a few exceptions). Personally I would just take it in to Glendale and have Erik (is that how his name is spelled?) take a look at it. As for the service writer I highly recommend Andrew. I hope they have changed, and there has been some evidence of that... | ||
| Slaughter |
I hate to recommend one place over another but if you are not stuck at Bartels - Peter is basically right. Bartels has very limited enthusiasm for the Buells. If you can get it to Glendale, you'll be better off most likely. Even if you can get Mitsu or Memphis to work on it, you might be there a while. Peter (Interex2050) had definite issues at Bartels in the past which were resolved at Glendale. | ||
| Moonrunrs |
Interex, Thanks for the heads up, I'd like to get this issue resolved. Steve, I PM'd you. If you'd like to get a hold of me, my regular email address is: moonrunrs@yahoo.com If you are planning to be on the dyno at Bartels immediately after the holiday, can you contact me? I'd REALLY appreciate it. I'd like to get this issue resolved, so I'll take action on this ASAP. My bike has been at the dealership too long. Very frustrating. thanks everybody. (Message edited by moonrunrs on December 30, 2007) | ||
| Slaughter |
we'll certainly be in touch when I'm back in CA on the 2nd. I just hate seeing somebody stuck. I just shot you an email. | ||
| Slaughter |
Heading home today. Yeah - Bartels is truly into the "chrome cruiser" crowd. IF you can take it "home" to fool with it yourself, you're not going to piss anybody off there (no worries regardless) I'm actually SPONSORED by Glendale, I'm just at Bartels helping them get their XBRR engine sorted - so I'd RATHER give Glendale the business. We can make arrangements to go to Glendale, introduce you to the Buell techs (4 of them) and hopefully get it sorted out. I'll shoot you an email. Yeah, the guys working on the racebikes at Bartels are cool - but they just can't make the money on diagnosing a poor-running bike that they can when installing chrome pipes and re-tuning. Do you have a truck or trailer to get it home? I'll PM you (still on borrowed computer) Sux | ||
| Old_man |
Moonrunrs - Did you get your bike fixed? If so-What was wrong with it? | ||
| Supafast |
Mine does the same thing! After its warmed up it starts to jump and kick. If I get on the throttle real hard I can even get a few loud backfires out of it. It seems that if I keep the RPM's low it only sputters a little bit..... Im blaming it on a bad tank of gas and when I get is serviced in spring, Im going to have them flush the tank or something? | ||
| Old_man |
Any resolution yet??? | ||
| Americanmadexb |
yeah ive been watching this wondering myself? Mine did this when i first bought it and they blamed it on being new.. your case, your bike isn't new, so im interested | ||
| Vanvideo |
My 03 9R was sputtering and bogging down. I changed the spark plugs, to no avail. I had the temperature sensor replaced and the clutch cable lubed. It works fine, for now at least. (Message edited by vanvideo on January 17, 2008) | ||
| Slaughter |
We were going to meet up down at Bartels but we've switched to the dyno up here in Lancaster HD/Buell (same elevation as Willow Springs - Bartels is sea level) I would like to see this thing resolved for Galen - sometimes these things are just mysterious - could be caused by any number of things from low charging voltage, bad battery, shorted wires, you name it. Problem is that the Service Department always makes more money by installing chrome accessories than in troubleshooting a bike. I would still like to meet him down there and talk it over with Memphis who is doing the service/diagnosis. Galen is caught in the middle - a vulnerable place to be. | ||
| Old_man |
I hate to see the guys bike down. Especially now when we have the bad weather and you're out in sunny California wasting all that great riding weather. Keep us posted on the outcome. It could help many of us. (Message edited by old man on January 20, 2008) | ||
| Slaughter |
Yeah - I'm not really an expert on this kinda stuff. Sometimes these electrical "gremlins" can hide in plain sight - but since I have to be down in that area on business so often, and since I know the Buell guys because of helping with their race bikes, I am more than happy to see if there is ANYTHING I can do to help out... no guarantees. I'm meeting Galen there next Tuesday AM... stay tuned. I'm a moto-hobbyist, NOT a moto-professional!!! (my "day job" has nothing to do with motorsports and hasn't since the early 1980's) so don't anybody go making assumptions that I actually KNOW all about this stuff, it's just that Galen and I have the same year of bike and I know the 2 Buell guys at Bartels. If we find something out, it can and WILL be good to share results with others. | ||
| Slaughter |
We met Memphis at Bartels today and talked a bit. I'll wait til Galen has the last word with him. Memphis had to email the diagnostic codes to HD/Buell and get a specific point-of-contact there to review what he thought was a BAD throttle position sensor. Memphis had it out for a test ride today but we didn't get his feedback yet (though by now, Galen may have heard) If the Throttle Position Sensor went bad, then it's no wonder the engine wouldn't run without barfing. Sometimes it also helps when a customer's face is KNOWN to the guy(s) doing the work on a bike. Not saying it made a difference but it WAS good that we got to talk to Memphis and then see him doing the test run. (Message edited by slaughter on January 22, 2008) |
