| Author | Message | ||
     Eor |
I posted these observations on my thread at ADVrider and had a couple of Uly owners responded that they have made some similar observations. My previous Buells were XB9 models so I don't know if these a typical behaviors of the XB12 models or if they are unique to the Ulysses. Right now the excessive oil consumption [IMO] is the only major concern I currently have with the bike but I was wondering if these issues are things that can be tuned out with aftermarket tuning and/or exhaust..or if something might be out of adjustment on my bike and perhaps others? I was also curious if some other Uly owners had noticed these things? [snip] I wanted to ride the bike to the dealer Tuesday and the weather may be okay for doing so comfortably, but I have a suspicion that they might be keeping it overnight. I have a few issues I am planning to discuss with the service tech. I might mention the oil consumption "thing" IF I can remember it. There are a couple of minor things I want to ask about, one of which I noticed today for the first time. I tried running the throttle wide open a few times with the bike in third gear, starting at 2500-3000 RPM and backing off after hitting the rev limiter at 6500-7000 RPM. Blake suggested this...I believe as possible way to seat the rings. I have no idea if such a thing will help or not, but the engine is far past break in and I seem to be using quite a bit of oil, so I didn't think it would hurt anything. In the process of playing with the bike under hard acceleration I noticed something odd. Every time the tach got to 5000 RPM the engine would momentarily lose power, significantly enough that my weight would shift forward from the sudden loss of forward momentum. After the brief dropout it would continue accelerating normally. I'm guessing this is a fuel injection glitch or artifact. Perhaps related to this, I have also noticed the bike is surging [for lack of a better word] when the engine speed is held constant around 3500 RPM range plus or minus. I've noticed this in the lower gears at slower engine speeds and accepted it as a characteristic of the stock fuel mapping. But this came up when riding with my wife Saturday. She rides at a much slower pace than I usually do and I rarely get far enough ahead of her that I can't see her in the mirror. So, I spent allot of time in 3rd gear hovering in that RPM range when we were crossing the mountains. When doing so it felt as if the engine was missing or the transmission or clutch was slipping. I never could make up my mind which was happening. I could not hear the engine missing or see any bouncing on the tach, but the sensation reminded me of what a car feels like when the clutch is going. The other observation I have made goes back a while. I haven't mentioned it here before because I suspected what I was feeling might be related to road or tire conditions. I am now convinced it is an engine/powertrain symptom. Whether it is a characteristic or a problem I don't know. When accelerating through 4000 RPM [most noticeably in 4th gear] there is a sudden and significant onset of increased buzzy vibration felt primarily through the footpegs. It comes on as if a switch has been thrown and subsides if I back off and the engine speed drops, only to return if I throttle up through the same range. I have a suspicion that the primary chain requires adjustment . None of these things is significant enough to keep me from enjoying the bike, but if they can be improved though adjustments or repairs, the bike will be that much better and enjoyable. Had I not shared my observations with the service tech at the first service, I would not have gotten the timing set and been able to enjoy the smoother engine performance that resulted. I'd like to be on record as reporting these things to the dealer in the event one of these "symptoms" suggests a more serious problem is developing. Perhaps in mentioning these things, I can validate some impressions or observations that others have had. I'd like to know if these are quirks unique to mine, or if they are common. | ||
| Thunderbox |
I have Uly # 288 and I do not experience any of those problems. It is not a quirck of mine I can tell you that. As far as oil consumption goes I will have to let you know later as I just got my oil changed last week. (first service). Prior to that my bike was using very little to no oil. I put about a 1/4 of a quart after the first 200 and then nothing untill 1500 miles when I had the first service performed. I waited to do the first service until I could get a quart of Formula + for the transmission so I went a little over. Yesterday I went for a fast ride but I didn't check the oil when I got home. I will check it next ride. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I don't have much seat time on a Uly (only a 10 mile or so test ride), but I put the bike through it's paces pretty good. The bike was smooth in all areas. Tranny shifted smoothly, engine was smooth everywhere but idle, and I didn't notice any dips in the power band other than when I hit the rev limiter.  | ||
| Dmcutter |
I banged an upshift at 5000 last night that lofted the front wheel, have noticed no dips on the power band or engine cutting out. Also no funny vibes at 4 grand- it is very happy there. I have a buddy who got one a few days before me, who reported a surge or stumble around 3 grand. He just took it in for the 1k service and they discovered something apparently damaged with the exhaust servo-they attributed the stumble to that. I don't know what it was, he said they didn't have the part(s) in stock so kept the bike and hope to have it back to him this Friday. And I'm embarrassed to admit that in about 600 miles I haven't checked my oil...might oughta do that tonight. | ||
| Eor |
If I went 600 miles without checking my oil, I would be at least 1/2 quart low.  | ||
| Lovehamr |
Eor, So far none of those problems. The only engine mods I've made are the Pro Series muffler and all synthetics. Even with that there are no real dips in the power. If I take mine to full throttle at 3000 rpm in first the front wheel comes up at about 4500 and stays there. In fact I found the rev-limiter for the first time the other day with the front wheel still in the air. I hope you get yours figured out man. Could it be something as small as a partially clogged fuel filter? Just thinking here. Steve | ||
| Chadhargis |
One thing I plan on doing before I ever start the bike is to give it the once over. I'll check the static timing, check the primary chain adjustment, and reset the TPS. Then I'm going to break it in the Motoman way, do an oil change, check everything again to see if any of the settings shifted, and continue the break-in. I'll dump the oil again at about 500 miles. Then again at 1000. One thing I have noticed while reading the service manual is that Buell requires LOTS of Loctite...calling for RED in places (it's my understanding that red loctite is for bolts you never plan on removing). I know the thing shakes at idle, but it looks like I'm going to have to buy stock in loctite. | ||
| Brotherbuell |
Eor, Something is definitely wrong with that much oil consumption. Your posts have made me paranoid about checking mine and, so far, I haven't lost any. I'd put that at the top of your list for the dealer and please let us know what they find. This is pure speculation on my part but I think that the oil consumption issue could be the most important clue in diagnosing the power band flat spots. Good luck. | ||
| Uselyssxb12x |
Not many miles on my Uly yet,~250, here are some observations. After trailering it home, I was'nt able to ride it for a week because of "honey dos" and being ill for a couple days. During that time several friend/relatives came buy to check out the Uly and I started the bike several times w/o riding it. When I finally got to actually ride for the first time I noticed it started reluctantly, like a low battery, but kicked off. I rode it around for a while, went to the bank on the way home and stopped the engine while at the bank, when I went to start it, nothing but clicking from the starter. I tried to bump it off but could'nt get it fire. Gratefully, a guy (fellow biker) came by stopped to help with jumper cables and we got the bike started. I went home and put the multimeter on the battery and it was reading 11.44 volts. I charged the battery to 12.85 volts and rode for the next couple of days. I did'nt lug the bike, and I took it above 3000rpm several times, but after riding 85 miles on the last ride, the next morning I went to start the bike after cleaning it, it was slow to start. I checked the battery again and it showed 11.87 volts. It looks like I may be taking it to have this checked out. Could be the stator, rotor, voltage regulator, do'nt know. I have not noticed any excessive vibrations anywhere when riding, and have not seen any oil consumption. I did change the oil at 100 miles, old habit, and the oil looked good, very clean, drain plug had just a very small amount of metallic particles on the magnet. I have the low rpm stumble described by you and others, and I want to get the dealer to check static timing and zero/rest tps. So far I love this bike! It is very comfortable for me (6'1"-275), I set the suspension up according to the owners manual, and works great. On the second ride as I was getting close to home I remembered a dirt rode/turning row in a field close by, and headed out on it. I went at a slow pace at first, building speed as I felt comfortable, and as I got close to the end I looked down at the speedo and was doing 40-45, faster than I thought. the rode is a mix of caliche and black dirt, and as I got to the end to turn around there was no room to make a big u-turn, just the narrow lane I was on. I slowed, leaned it over, put a foot down, covered the front brake, worked the clutch, gassed it, and the rear came around nicely and off I went back the way I came. I went a little faster this time, got a little air over a couple of bumps and saw 60 at one glance of the speedo before getting back on the pavement. The Uly handled it Very well, tracked straight, suspension handled everything. Tires are great for having to be a compromise for street/dirt. Sorry so long winded, but i LOVE this bike!  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Cool! Check for simple stuff also, like loose battery terminals. Let us know what it was. | ||
| Bienhoabob |
Eor, We have about the same mileage. (2,000+). I have not experienced any surges, at 3000 or 6,000 or anywhere. A couple of coughs in the morning before it has warmed up, but nothing else. I was down about a quart on my last 1,000 miles though, which bothers me. Filled it to the half way point on the dipstick, and will continue watching it. I broke it in according to the manual. Bike will sit for about a week and it kicks right off. No trouble there. Very interested in your oil consumption rate. I'm sure you will keep us posted. Bob C. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
My 97 Electraglide burned oil during the first few thousand and I complained about it to the dealer. They said not to worry, that it needed a few thousand miles to break-in. I've got 41,000+ and it doesn't burn any so that I notice. I've used 20W15 Mobil 1 auto synthetic religiously since 5,000 miles on the odometer. I change oil every 2 to 3 thousand miles. | ||
| M2nc |
The only complain I have is that my Uly stumbles off idle and sometimes coughs. Not what I expected out of a fuel injected bike. The M2's CV carb has better feel. I did not add any oil in the first 1000 miles. The bike picks up the pace at 5000 rpm but no surges or loss of power. Very smooth once you get off idle. Lifted the front tire at 1/2 throttle and between 4000-5000rpm. The bike really can stand up on demand. I've asked the dealer to look into the off idle performance during the 1000 mile service. | ||
| Chip |
Guys, please check your exhaust servo adjustment...it's under the painted top air cleaner cover and the servo cable runs right up to a small half-moon shaped wheel. The cable needs to be adjusted so that it is taught (see service manual). What happens on some units is that the servo cable is loose and the bikes aren't opening up the way they're designed....I adjusted my cable and it made a huge difference in the "stumble" problem...what the heck, try it, it can't hurt! | ||
| Eor |
Thanks Chip... I had the filter out looking for signs of oil blowby and noted the cable...don't have a service manual so I don't know how to adjust it. I thought my wife ordered one for me as a gift, but I've never gotten it...I don't know if she forgot, or has it and is holding onto it till Xmas...so I've been reluctant to order one. I'll have the service tech look at it tomorrow.Its going in for a new rear tire and I'm getting an oil change while it is there. The Buell guy seems pretty sharp and we'll visit about these things. | ||
| Lovehamr |
Better yet, put a pro series muffler on it and tuck the cable out of the way. Of course you could remove it and its associated hardware and install a plug to fool the computer. | ||
| Redne_dab |
Eor, Like many others, I've been following your Ulysses experiences closely. After giving the matter a lot of thought -I believe my next bike will be a Ulysses. Good luck at the dealership tomorrow -how it goes will affect the future of this bike far more than that dealer can imagine. Regards, Brad | ||
| Lowflyer |
Eor, My bike is bone stock and has exhibited none of the characteristics you mentioned. In fact, mine is as smooth at 5k as it is at 3.5k. I tend to find 3.5k in first gear quite regularly on side streets and notice no surging at all. At 1700 miles, (1200 after the first oil change), I noticed my first dip in oil level. It moved a little more than 1/8 inch lower on the stick. I have not added oil to see how much that is in ounces, but it couldn't be much. I don't discount other methods for lack of expertise on the subject, but I broke mine in by the book. | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
Dealer set-up is real important, just like Chadhargis states the Static Timing and TPS are important, also have the dealer check the AFV. It should be approx. 100% + or - 10. I noticed on the dyno that the muffler valve cycles during the a WOT run and you can see it on the hp and tq print out and you do feel it also. ... Terry | ||
| Branebanger |
first 5k+ my bike was a bit jumpy, more so at lower speeds. But now at ~11k the bike is smooth all round. not sure what's been done to my bike but if you're curious you can ask the techs at Liberty, Vallejo, and Appleton - where I had my 1k, 5k, and 10k services done. if you have the time I suggest riding over to any of those shops and have them take a look  | ||
| Blake |
Eeyore, The surging at 3,500 makes me suspect an issue with the muffler valve/servo system. | ||
| Brat |
We've got a race kit installed from new, now near 2,500 miles, minimum oil consumption, throttle progression is good though I'd like a really low first gear for rough stuff, pulls like a train though I haven't really taken it to the redline yet, I have too many remote miles to do to risk any long-term damage during run-in! My partner loves the pillion position/seat, she's still to get over newbies butt though!  | ||
| Uselyssxb12x |
Checked my exhaust servo cable...did'nt seem that bad (loose), but adjusted it according to the service manual, and started it up in the garage and it is idling better, (at or near the recommended idle speed), which it was'nt before, and throttle response seems crisper. Will have to take it out to see if it really made a difference. Thanks Chip for the tip! I'll let yall know how it turns out! | ||
| Dragon_slayer |
How many other Ulysses owners have the quirk of the tire mark on the chin spoiler? I think this happened on mine while crossing a rough section of railroad tracks (not at a crawl but at low speed). I think when the front forks extended, they also flexed back. A off road/all road bike, yea right!  | ||
| 2_spuds |
Dragon Slayer, I have the same mark on mine,on the right front corner of the chin spoiler.It looks like a tire rub for sure but I can't see how it's possible, the tire is at lease 2 inches away from it at it's closest point.I can't see the forks bending back that far without a crash.I thought mine might of come from some rocks or something but it definitely appears to be a tire rub. | ||
| Uselyssxb12x |
I've got a scuff mark on mine too. Noticed it after the first ride, do'nt know how it got there though. I have a lot of scars, and I guess my Uly will too.  | ||
| Bosh |
Check it out.  | ||
| Eor |
Wow... | ||
| Lowflyer |
Mine has the scuff mark too. I don't see it as anything to worry about. The engine will keep the forks from bending back far enough to break. Maybe the factory will come out with a wheel-brake assist attachment for the chin spoiler. | ||
| Eor |
Isn't it dangerous for the front wheel to contact the chin fairing during hard breaking like that? |
