| Author | Message | ||
     Jdm1200 |
Well I have had the bike for two weeks now and so far my other two bikes have remained on the battery tenders. No problems with the Uly. I have noticed that until it is fully warmed up, about 5 miles down road the engine complains a little, little throttle hesitations or whatever you want to call it, but after that it runs fine. Had to ride home in the rain yesterday and after reading all the problems with bearings I was a little concerned. The bearings look like the orange ones but I am not sure how old they are or the belt. I ordered a new belt and bearings just in case. I will keep an eye on them as I do not have the 2010 wheel. Thats on the buy list. The fan comes on alot but I am used to it now. There is no comfort kit installed so I purchased one of those. I tried to get ahold of the guy at Spec Ops to get one of the heat shields but so far he has not answered my emails. I love the way the bike rides and handles and I am quite comfortable in the saddle. I need some new mirrors as the stock ones are looking a bit rough. I have read that the Tuono's are the way to go. Recommendations? I also purchased a new windshield and memphis Shades lowers. I think I will go ahead and change the spark plugs and wires as I do not know how old they are. I must admit that the bearing issue has given me a bit of worry as has the belt. I just don't see how these belts break so easily. The Harley belts seem to last forever. I ride to work everyday all year but I do have other bikes. I just hate to break down. I plan on riding to Pennsylvania next summer and I really want to take the ULY. Oh well all for now. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
When I put in the comfort kit, I no longer needed the heat shields. I did tape closed (aluminum duct tape) the opening in the frame where the right-rear corner of the rear rocker cover is exposed. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Glad to hear you're enjoying the bike. The bearings are something of a concern; I'd definitely suggest you drop your rear wheel and inspect yours. If they feel "notchy", replace them. Proper installation of the bearings and the wheel may have as much to do with bearing life as design or usage, so be sure and do it right. There's some good info in this post about the bearings and their installation: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=1505281#POST1505281 I just don't see how these belts break so easily. The Harley belts seem to last forever. Apparently the reverse bend caused by the idler roller (which makes the rear suspension anti-squat) makes this a fairly high-stress belt application. The early XB's which used a Gates belt had a lot of failures. Starting in 2004, Buell switched to a Goodyear belt which was continually improved throughout XB production. Some last 30k miles+, some break for no apparent reason at much lower mileage, although there seem to be far fewer reports of this with the newer series belts. Are the "early" belt failures caused by belt manufacturing variations? Bike variations? Installation variations? Your guess is good as mine. At any rate, it's a very good idea to carry a spare. Buy a new belt, and change it in the comfort of your garage. Keep the old pre-stretched belt as a spare. A used belt is significantly easier to install than a fresh one, especially on the side of the road. (Message edited by Hughlysses on December 10, 2013) | ||
| Arcticktm |
Tuono mirrors will class up the bike, IMO. And reasonably priced, too. Assume you have looked over the New Uly Owner section, but if not, you should check it out. Inspect your bearings well at each tire change and don't worry about it in between. Just don't blast it with pressure washer or hose near the axles. I finally got a 2010 rear wheel after my 2nd set of rear bearings were getting notchy and sloppy feeling. Front is still original. 30k miles on an '06. Have not had a belt fail, but I did replace the original belt a few years ago, and use it as my spare now. | ||
| Jdm1200 |
Yeah I have read just about everything but still checking things out. My best friend owns a machine shop so I have access to that for major work. I usually ride a shovelhead as a daily rider so I am used to working on stuff. Once I rebuilt it from the crank pin out she has been a good reliable runner. I will eventually get the 2010 wheel I am sure. I have read that some believe the spacer may be getting crushed on install. Anyone ever make a steel spacer? Drill holes or not. I see that many drilled holes. Did this make it better long term? | ||
| Uly_man |
Belt life? I would not worry much about it. This is more about your riding conditions than anything else. I have been getting only about 7500 miles on the AKE belts but my riding conditions are not like most. 5000 miles per year is city work which is all gear changes, on/off gas and road humps every 100 yards. That and the way I ride the bike, no cush drive/rubbers and the long rear suspension travel is going to put a lot of stress on a belt. It is not much better on a chain set either. Highway work, like you guys do, should be fine. Get the latest belt as well which is the AKF version. Wheel bearings? I would not worry on those either. If you check them enough, as you should anyway, you will know if they need changing out. | ||
| Ftd |
I bought an 06 in May 2006. My mods/accessories. Some are in response to problem areas that cropped up. Some are for appearance/comfort sake. I don't think I regret any of them. KN filter, Drummer exhaust, American Sport Bike Direct Link MAP, cut up '06 air box Drummer catch can, side bags, front fender XBS), right side scoop (Crinns), Vista Cruise throttle lock, tank bag, black chin spoiler middle section, underseat bag, Aprilla mirrors, moved horn, wired both lights on, dipstick temp. gauge, dash mounted LED voltage monitor (FT Bastrd), 2010 rear wheel, FS belt tensioner, tall windshield with palmer brackets, bypassed "77" connector, Rick Mayer custom seat | ||
| Ramman4x4 |
One thing that I didn't see listed in the new owners section that should be addressed is the wire form clutch cable retainer on the pre '08 bikes. It's prone to failure which lets the exhaust melt the cable and has the potential to let water into the primary. American Sport Bike sells the '08 and later bracket retainer for under $15. | ||
| Arcticktm |
not to get into ANOTHER bearing thread, but if I was going to do something (steel spacer or drill holes) I would go holes, only because my bearings clearly suffered from water intrusion. I saw no evidence of an overload or improper load condition. water got in, did not go out, and bearings began to rust. The second set I don't recall having much rust on, though, but they were noticeably notchy and had excessive play in them, so at that point I got the 2010 wheel. Never pulled the 2nd bearing set out of the stock '06 wheel (still have it). that said, I never felt like drilling holes in my wheel, so I choose to just monitor the situation at every tire change (which is about 5k miles for me). I have always been a believer in water intrusion and lack of secondary seals being the major bearing killer on these, rather than some excessive loading condition. IMHO. |
