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Archive through September 03, 2011Fltwistygirl30 09-03-11  05:59 pm
         

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Buellerxt
Posted on Saturday, September 03, 2011 - 07:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Best of luck, Rodclement. It is an awesome bike, not perfect, but a joy to ride! This site, as you have discovered, is great. Use it!!! Welcome aboard.
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Rdkingryder
Posted on Saturday, September 03, 2011 - 07:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I think the '06's are the only ones with the kickstand recall as well.
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Rodclement
Posted on Saturday, September 03, 2011 - 07:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks guys! So how do we set up to ride with other people from the forum?? ANy meets, etc?

Rod
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Dcc46
Posted on Saturday, September 03, 2011 - 09:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yes, buy the bike
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Hooper
Posted on Saturday, September 03, 2011 - 11:50 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

He got it...one of us! One of us!

Ulys (especially 2006s) are sensitive to pessimism, so do the needed maintenance, take the needed counter-measures against the known issues, and treat it right.

I've learned more about motorcycles through this bike and this website - things still come up. Like tonight...

I was headed to the Umphrey's McGee concert in Washington, DC tonight...I always take a bike to shows because you can park right out front. I hit a restaurant beforehand...after dinner the Uly wouldn't start...not enough juice in the battery. It's done this before. What's annoying is that I rode it on a long errand today and it started well at every start. Annoying that I stopped for a 70-minute dinner and it couldn't start.

Anyway, my wife came down and I jumped the bike from the car. Dumb me didn't keep the gas on to keep the battery charging...it died as I was pulling on my jacket and helmet. It wouldn't re-jump. I stripped the Uly's luggage, battery, tool kit, owner's manual, etc. and rolled on four wheels home.

I missed the concert.

Anyway, the Uly is fantastic...but it still suffers from the usual "bike stuff", like a battery that needs a trickle charger, tires that lose air (seriously...keep the right amount of air in them), and cables that wear out. The Uly is my highest-mileage (17,800) bike in my 7+ years of riding, so I'm learning what happens to a 5-year old bike.

Enjoy...chime in with your experiences, trips, and observations. (but no new threads about tires or oil)
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Rodclement
Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2011 - 12:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks again guys! Tomorrow morning I am doing some strip down and deeper inspection on the bike since i have the morning off!

Rod
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Reepicheep
Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2011 - 11:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The fans are loud, but you can take comfort in what it is doing. When people ask me what that noise is after parking several bikes after a hard ride on a hot day, I tell them that is the sound of my oil not breaking down around my rear exhaust valve as a result of heat soak. Then I ask them what noise their bike is making. ; )
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Reepicheep
Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2011 - 11:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hooper, check your 77 connector. And if thats an original battery, its just time for a new one... 5 years out of a bike battery (any bike, any battery) is pretty good. Most are in bad shape by then.
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Mnrider
Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2011 - 12:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Welcome Rod.

+1 on the 77 connector issue.
I soldered my wires when the bike was almost new.

Check the Storm Fronts section for stuff in your area.
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Rodclement
Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2011 - 01:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks guys!

Opened her up this morning, removed the hard bags and frame, inspected battery, electric, air filter, oil level and viscosity, brake pads, etc.

Rear wheel bearings seem good I spun the wheel, no catching or noises of any kind, and no vibration to the touch.

Also adjusted the rear shock but I think I made it to hard so I brought it back a little.

I have the comfort kit coming, along with new hand guards (one is cracked). The original owner also had the pipes wrapped in that "heat strip tape thingie" so I am still debating if I should leave it or pull it...

Rode to work today (40 miles each way) and other than the bike running hot on the legs, all still is fine! I am wondering if the "heat strip tape thingie" wrapped in the pipe is not actually keeping the pipes from exchanging heat and actually making them hotter...toughts?

Rod
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Hughlysses
Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2011 - 01:43 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Also adjusted the rear shock but I think I made it too hard so I brought it back a little.

If you follow the suspension settings recommendations in the owner's manual (or shop manual if you have one), you'll be right on the money.
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Rodclement
Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2011 - 01:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I did that but still felt hard to me, I am right in between two weight group ratings...

Rod
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Hooper
Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2011 - 11:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Reep...I'm going to have to do that...I jinxed myself with my post.

I trickle-charged my battery last night, took it down to the bike this morning, fired her up, and roared out of town on I-66 West. By Manassas, Virginia, (28 or so miles), the dials died and the power ebbed to nothing. F! Clearly, the stator/alternator was not good - not charging the battery.

I pulled over and caught a glimpse of my wife flying by in my car (isn't it weird to see someone else driving your own car?)...she was pulling over to get to the next exit. A call confirmed that. In the meantime, I tried restarting (no) and then just pulled the battery and waited.

No one stopped.

Until a dude on a sportbike pulled over and walked back to me. He was very cool, offered help, made small talk, and carried my helmet while I pushed the Uly up the road a bit to the shade of an overpass. Nice - no one else even gave a thumbs-up/down to me. That's sad.

Anyway, my wife and my dog arrived in my car, I loaded everything up, and we drove to an AutoZone. The dude there put the battery on the car charger, which melted it, so they gave me a new battery! We went back to the bike, fired it up, and drove to Whitt's H-D in Manassas (open on a Sunday?!?! YEAH!) where I dropped it off at service (closed until Tuesday). They used to be a Buell dealer, so I hope they'll have some knowledgeable people.

We shall see.

Anyway, kind of annoying, but it worked out.

Sorry...rambling hijack over...
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Rodclement
Posted on Sunday, September 04, 2011 - 11:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

: ) vent away!

Rod
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Pnw_uly
Posted on Monday, September 05, 2011 - 12:08 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Rod -

If heat continues after removing the pipe tape and adding the comfort kit, consider ceramic coating the headers - - I did it on my '08 XT, and it is a significant improvement over other heat abating solutions. . .

I went with the Jet Hot JH-2000 on headers and muffler, by far the best investment on this great bike. . .

Best of luck.
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Rodclement
Posted on Monday, September 05, 2011 - 01:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks! There is a company close to my house that deals with it, I'll look into it if it doesn't improve.

Rod
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Ratbuell
Posted on Monday, September 05, 2011 - 09:47 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hooper - if they don't give you warm fuzzies with their service, send me a PM...
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Towpro
Posted on Monday, September 05, 2011 - 10:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I was just thinking. You have a comfort kit on order. I felt the hardest part of installing the comfort kit is the ECM screw.

You should read up on the threads about relocating your ECM. This will kill 2 birds with one stone : )
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Rodclement
Posted on Wednesday, September 07, 2011 - 05:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for the idea! It shall be done!

Rod
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