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Randlepmcmurphy
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 11:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

A while ago my Buell started to knock a little (January time frame). It was slight and I thought it was more of a ping so I tried to fix it as a fueling issue. TPS reset the whole 9. The knock got worse and I didn't ride it very much and never took it to the dealer because at the time I lived in Colorado 50 miles away.

After moving down here to Phoenix I dropped it off at the guys at Arrowhead. The checked everything I asked then told me there was something major wrong with it and I needed to leave it. I was about to take the bike home and figure things out myself but Andrew (good guy)convinced me to leave it.

Find out that a bearing went out between the rod and the flywheel shaft. Since I had been riding it it scored one of the cylinders. Initial estimate to fix it is just over $3k. I'm already looking at the 1125r but I'm still upside down in payments on this one. It's a hard pill to swallow...


Oh yeah and the warranty ran out in march!

Lesson never over estimate your ability as a mechanic take it to the dealer under warranty.
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Zoedogg1
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 11:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Man, that is a tough one to swallow. Sad to hear that. Maybe part it out and make what you can, or plan an accident and total it..hmm? Just make sure its "their fault".
Sorry, I dont know. Just tryin to help. Good luck buddy, I do hope it works out.
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Mikexup
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 12:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I can't see any reason it should be that high of a estimate to fix it. I would think a bore job, a bearing if it didn't score the crank, and two pistons. In my mind I would be thinking in the 1200.00 dollar range and even that would be high. I would get other estimates and opinions. If it was a Ducati or MV Agusta I wouldn't be shocked, but come on, people have been tinkering with these engines forever. Good luck..since it's out of warranty you won't have to take it to a dealership to get the rebuild and that's probably a plus.
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Randlepmcmurphy
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 01:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Also the seals went out on the valves so the heads need to reconditioned, pistons replaced, plus the cost of the tech exploring what the root cause of the problem was. I might have been better offto take it to a non harley dealer shop but... I just moved here and dont know the good ones
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Flatliner_dnr
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 01:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Randle: I'm in the same situation, warranty not covered because of exhaust modification in my case, but same result. Shops telling me $2.5k to fix, bent rod maybe more damage, although they haven't cracked the case. Basically a new engine sans cases and cylinders. I figure since I'm coming out of pocket I'm going to shop around before I commit.

Anyone have suggestions on good shops in the southern California area? Doesn't have to be a factory shop obviously.
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Ginzero
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 01:55 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Randle.. Flatliner.. how many miles you got on your XB?
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Randlepmcmurphy
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 02:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

25k a lot of those were straight up 75+mph freeway miles daily commuter style which I don't think is to good for these engine especially in the phoenix heat.

(Message edited by randlepmcmurphy on June 13, 2008)
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Gearhead998
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 02:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Just my opinion, but pay the dealer for their time, then take the bike home and pick up a motor off of ebay. You will still come under what they are quoting. Just a thought.
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Randlepmcmurphy
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 03:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Too late they already started the work. One problem with doing the work myself is I live in an apartment complex and don't have the luxury of tearing the bike down at my own leisure.
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Flatliner_dnr
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 04:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've got 15k the same style as Randle, paid the shop for their time yesterday and brought my baby back. The stuff I've seen on eGay doesn't look so hot, so I did a little looking around. Found an established father son shop here in long beach, they're going to take a look and do an estimate for me, plus if I want performance upgrades they'll do them unlike a HD shop that "can't do illegal modifications", whatever, those pipes on every bike in their service shop were totally not "epa" compliant, they just don't like working on buells.
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Randlepmcmurphy
Posted on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 05:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Arrowhead harley would do the mad scientist thing to my bike but I weighed my options and realized I would just have a faster version of a my XB when within the next year and a half I want to get an 1125r. An maybe maybe keep my 12 as a track or stunt bike.
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Roadkingtrax
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 12:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The only shops I know about are on the other side of the valley here in Phoenix...sorry I couldn't of gotten to you sooner.

Trax~
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Retrittion
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 02:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

"Not covered because of exhaust modifications" -- what kind if you don't mind me asking. Just asking because I have had friends get that from a dealership when it is bunk because at least here in Washington a mod can only void your warranty if it can be proven (as in hard evidence) that the mod directly caused the malfunction. Simply being installed doesn't meet the standard. Just thought I would mention it since that sounded eerily familiar.

3K does sound high, then again it is a HD dealership and they are expensive so no real surprise -- I would go to an indie shop personally, no warranty = time for cool mods!

Hope it works out for you -- sorry to hear your having problems.
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Jos51700
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 08:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Try having the dealer contact Buell and request a "Goodwill" engine. I've gotten engines warrantied under this when the bike was just beyond warranty before. Also, a batch of 9's went out that had similar crank longevity issues. What year is yours?
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Flatliner_dnr
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 12:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've got the force header/can setup, not the ti-force but the other one. I was hoping that the dealer would work with me, but as it happens they are the final say on warranty issues (the dealer) so screw it. I'm going to a non dealer service shop and then I can also get performance mods done, like improved lifters pushrods and rocker arms, which harley won't touch with a 10 foot pole. Funny though that they'll do that if you own a harley.
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Slaughter
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 01:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If Lancaster isn't too far out of your way, there are two really great options for independent shops here in town. One guy does all the work on my racebike (bored out XB9)

PM me or post up here. I can get you the info.
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Randlepmcmurphy
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 01:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Mine is an 05 but it is a 12r. It's a little to late to go to Buell for the donor engine. The work was supposed to take 2-3weeks so it should almost be done. I say should but we all know this is a harley dealer. And they would have put the performance parts in it to my hearts content I just didn't think it would be money well spent not that I have money to spend.
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Froggy
Posted on Monday, June 16, 2008 - 08:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Time to bore it out to 1500cc, bolt on 2 turbochargers and a nitro system, and do 5th gear wheelies right off the line : )
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Randlepmcmurphy
Posted on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 10:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If money grew on trees I would definitely do that. Probably go with the entire carbon fiber body set while I was at it. In actuality I am going to pay off the loan and buy an 1125r (hopefully they bring it out in blue or at least not black) and then either stunt or track bike the 12r. More likely stunt, and not the pulling it up in traffic crap either, legit find a safe parking lot or other space of unoccupied black top and have fun.
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