| Author | Message | ||
     Milleniumx1 |
All, I'm not ragging on Livermore HD/Buell - I'm just saying what the bike is doing since I got it serviced. I bought the bike used with 5,500 miles and took it in to have the 5K done and have the bike looked at axle to axle. It was running great, but since servicing it runs terribly. I noticed when I got it home that it has the 6R12 plugs versus the 10R12's prescribed in the B-029 Service Advisory. But this thing is knocking/pinging so bad on acceleration that I wonder if swapping the plugs is going to solve it. I'm not talking about hard acceleration or little amounts of ping. I'm talking about SERIOUS detonation at almost every RPM level, regardless of load on the engine. What goes?! Besides plugs, is there anything obvious that could have happened in servicing that has made the bike unrideable? Mike M | ||
| Dave |
I looked over the 5k service. It's really nothing too in-depth. Check you oil (warm), put the correct plugs in and top off with some high octane fuel for starters. I had service done at a local dealership where the "changed my oil". I got it home and it was 1 1/2 quarts low. DAve | ||
| M2me |
When I brought my bike in for the 10K service the dealer put in 6R12 plugs too. I took it back a few days later and they put in the 10R12s. To be honest I didn't notice any difference in how the bike ran so I doubt if that's the problem. Maybe the gap is way off on the plugs? edited by m2me on October 27, 2003 | ||
| Djkaplan |
I did notice a difference with the 10R12 plugs. On hot days, my stock 2000 Cyclone would detonate badly with the 6R12 plugs. The 10R12 didn't stop it completely, but it helped. It wasn't until I rejetted (obviously not an option for you) that it went away completely. I would seriously question the competency of a Harley service department that accidently used 6R12s in a Buell. | ||
| Bomber |
Timing and TPS, sounds like, mebbbe . . . .. . . 6R12s could do it too, if the timing was at the upper end of the range . . . .happened on my M2 | ||
| Buckinfubba |
put in the right plugs and could be the tps. Brain Tilley hd buell | ||
| Nevco1 |
Interesting thread...Never had any detonation problems after I put on the Techlusion DFO and dyno'd the bike. Did have a little (read: very little) detonation prior to that, but chalked that up to bad gas and lean running ECU's (both stock and race). | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
In all honesty, Livermore HD/Buell didn't seem to know much about the bikes. They couldn't find the Service Bulletins, and seemed like "oh well" when I mentioned they put the wrong plugs in it. They said it was a Sporty engine, and those always get 6R12's. Okay, whatever... Like I said, I don't think this is just plugs. It sucks to take a perfectly running bike in for service and it come out running poorly. But I'm sure we've all been there a time or two! Mike M | ||
| Buckinfubba |
it gets the 10r12's...their oh well attitude sucks. The bulletin was way back in the year 2000. | ||
| M2me |
I already told my story earlier about my experience with the dealer and the 10R12 plugs. When I took it back and told them it's supposed to be 10R12s they didn't know what I was talking about!  Anyway, they did promptly replace the plugs and the bike has been running great ever since (about 3700 miles ago). I didn't notice any difference with the 6R12 plugs but it was cool at the time and I only rode it for a couple of days with the wrong plugs. I don't know what made me check but I could clearly see 6R12 on the plugs without even removing the cables. | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
In fairness to Livermore, the service manager just called me and apologized for the troubles. She seemed really interested in making it right, and admitted they don't see many Buells there. I'm taking it in Friday and she's said they'll get it right - while I watch. So that was pretty cool. Hopefully the tech that touches it this time will be a bit less Harley savvy, and more Buell savvy! When I said "TPS" on the phone, one guy I spoke to said "What.....??" I need to start asking if the tech is Buell certified I guess! Mike M | ||
| Nevco1 |
Mike...Don't know if you were around when someone posted this info, but it is best to buy your gas at a pump that has a dedicated hose for each grade. The one hose/three grade pumps can give you a substantial quantity of what ever the previous user pumped and that may not be a good thing for any motorcycle due to small tank capacity. | ||
| Iamike |
The thing that bothers me about not knowing what a TPS is, don't Harley FIs have them too? I rode my '99 S3 for 4 years and 30,000mi. with an engine that I didn't think was running right. Three different dealers told me "that's just the way they run". When I was replacing the intake gaskets last spring I noticed that the boot was missing from the EVAP cannister tube on the throttle body. Guess what, it runs almot perfect now. Sometime you just have to find it yourself. | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
I'll give an update after my Friday visit to Livermore HD. They tell me they'll make it right - and I obviously hope they do! Mike M | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
Update: She's purring again! I took it back to Livermore Harley today. They swapped the plugs for the 10R12 ones. Thankfully the service manager is an S3 owner, so he knew how to do the TPS reset. After all that was completed, she purred like a kitten all the way home. A big angry V-twin kitten! As luck would have it, we had our first rainfall in five months - of course today when I needed to take the bike in. That was a good test to see if the rain would somehow find a way to disable the Buell on the way home. It passed that one too. Now it's just dirty sitting in my garage, but that's better than running like junk. Thanks for all the tips guys - my sounding like I knew what I was talking about probably got me better service the second time around. Mike M edited by milleniumx1 on October 31, 2003 | ||
| Oldguy |
Mike - Glad to hear that your X1 is now running as good as it looks. You're right about the weather, Monday it was over 90 and today it was cold and rain (with snow in Marin). Have you managed to get it registered yet? I'd hate to have a beautiful new bike and not be able to ride it due to registration hangups. American SportBike Night meets on Monday at the Straw Hat on Washington at Floresta in San Leandro. Meeting starts at 7, but tire kicking in the parking lot starts earlier. Hope you can make it. Glenn | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
Glenn, I've got a perfectly legal Missouri registration and license plate on the fender. Good to go! I was freezing my butt off on the way home (and that rain didn't help any!), but I wanted to get it taken care of today. I won't be out to the Monday things for awhile. I'm traveling on business the next few weeks. Trying to wrap things up before the big holiday rush takes priority over everyone's days. Thanks for the invite, and I will have to stay in town and do it sometime. Do you do these year round (dry weather permitting)? Mike M | ||
| Nevco1 |
Mike...That is great news about your X1. Glad to learn it was a simple solution. I wonder how often a TPS should be reset assuming there is no change to the bike other than a standard service with plugs? Anyone know? | ||
| Chainsaw |
XB owner's manual has TPS listed at 1000 miles and every 10,000 mile interval thereafter. | ||
| Dave |
He's on an X1.... Should be something set and as long as you dont swap out the TPS the Throttle Body or the ECM, i'd think it's a one time deal. DAve | ||
| Oldguy |
Mike - Missouri DMV sounds like it has its act together. You could still be waiting in line here. America Sport Bike Night meets the first Monday of every month. (We've had meetings on 4th of July and Labor Day when they fell on the first Monday.) Understand the work thing as I couldn't attend when I worked swing shift. Come on out when your schedule allows. Ride safe and enjoy your X1. Glenn | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
Glenn, I'll come check in out some Monday. It looks like I may be in town on the 10th - fingers crossed. As far as the TPS, I think it was off just a touch when I bought it. Although the bike ran fine, I can say with no doubt that it runs MUCH better now. The combo of a TPS just a bit off, plus the wrong plugs (on a hot day) just pushed it over the edge of knock. I took it out tonight and rode 50 miles - NICE!!! Mike M | ||
| Nevco1 |
2000 X1 owners manual says check timing every 5,000 miles and see your dealer if something is not right. Any hints on how to check the timing? Didn't see anything about the subject in the owners manual, not to mention I am mechanically declined. LOL Also says use 6R12 plugs. Thanks for the info on the B-029 service advisory. Will check it out and my plugs as well. Just had the 10.0K service done and now I am wondering. | ||
| Dave |
Buell Service Bulletin B-029 (Mar 2000) updates M2, X1 and S3 models to the 10R12 spark plug. DAve edited by dave on November 02, 2003 | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
I had to take a copy of that B-029 service advisory to the dealer. Their books also said 6R12. I pulled it out of my pocket when they asked me why I wanted 10R12 plugs put in. They were like, "Ohhhh....okay." Mike M edited by milleniumx1 on November 02, 2003 | ||
| Nevco1 |
Can someone refer me to a website where I can get print a copy of the B-029 service advisory? The BWB archive did not go that far back. Thanks | ||
| Nevco1 |
Never Mind. Found it on the X1 Files. | ||
| M2me |
The service bulletin can also be found here (you'll need Acrobat Reader): http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/bulletins/Overheating.pdf | ||
| Nevco1 |
Thanks M2me...I went to the knowledge vault and checked the Bulletins and Service Advisories section and it only went back to around March 2002. Oh well, someday I will learn how to use the KV. LOL |
