Good Grief.

[2Evil4U]

I'm now no longer happy with HDBR. I made an appointment on 6/2 to have the blown fork fixed and the overheating issue looked into. They were aware of the fork seals problem and I told them to check the timing on the motor as I was 99% sure it had slipped. Anyway, I brough the bike in the day before the appointment 6/10 after work. I called on 6/12 and was told that they replaced the engine computer on advice from Buell tech support. But they didn't stock the fork seals so they had to order them and they would be in by 6/17. (Why they didn't order them when I made the appointment is beyond me.) So I waited. I called them Monday to check on it and was told it was finished. Get there monday afternoon and was told, oops, it was stored with the finished bikes but they were still waiting on the seals.

I called back Wednesday and found out the seals had arrived, but they were a mechanic short and the guy who usually works on Buells is out for 2-weeks.
I called Thursday and they said they'd try to get it started that night and finished Friday (today). I called this morning and they were half way through the seals and told me to call back about 1400 to check on it. I just called back and was told that the seals are finished but now it won't stay running with the new computer in it so they're trying to get someone else up to speed on how to work on the engine controls to decipher the trouble codes.

The bike was running fine when I took it in except for the timing being retarded. Now it won't run. My luck, they're going to foul out the platinum plugs I put in it by running it screwed up. This ain't looking good.

32,000 miles in 19 months on a Harley (22,000 of which have been put on since last August) and the first real problem is induced by dealer performed maintenance. Feh. I hope it pours this weekend.:fireangry:

[Juice]

When did Heberts buy out HD of Baton Rouge?

[weave]

Your a patient man Aaron, Assuming you didn't give them a thorough ass chewing

[I_FLY_LOW]

Why don't they just put the old computer back in it, and see if that gets it back to where it was???
What happened to the good old fashioned days of troubleshooting???
Now everybody just wants to throw a bunch of parts at it, and hopes it fixes it... symptoms stop momentarily, and they have no idea what fixed the original problem..
stupid..

[Britton]

Sorry to hear about your problems with HDBR. They sound like a bunch of f-ing idiots!!!

Why do we have such shitty ass dealerships in southern Louisiana? Look at all the examples out there. We all know the issues with Heberts. Aaron is having unacceptable issues with HDBR. I am even having an issue with the Kawasaki dealership in Hammond. I bought my KLR over two months ago and still do not have a plate or my title. When questioned about it, they just get very rude and do not provide a solution. WTF???

[Juice]

Sounds like we need to open a Bike dealer, gentleman's club and tattoo parlor all under one roof...........

[Britton]

Now yer talkin!

[2Evil4U]

It gets better.

Got a call from them about 30 minutes ago. There are three people behind the desk and I like them so I really haven't railed on anyone yet. I'm going to have a talk with them when I finally get the bike back, though.

So, Tommy calls and asks how I'm doing. I said, "You tell me." He said, "You're not doing well at all." I said, what happened now?

Looks like they got the codes to clear and were re-resetting the TPS when the idle adjustment assembly broke off. (Corrosion, they say. which I can actually almost buy as it is out in the open and I'm not shy about water crossings or rain.) So, since it's too late to put an order in today and they can't on Saturday it will be at least next Friday before they can get the parts. My next concern will be that they still haven't run the thing as you have to reset the TPS before you start it if you screw with the computer.

The saga continues.

All I know is I'm getting pretty damned close to calling in a favor to a coupla guidos from back home to fix this so I can get a GSA. (From Shreveport, of course.)

[I_FLY_LOW]

Sorry to hear about your problems with HDBR. They sound like a bunch of f-ing idiots!!!

Why do we have such shitty ass dealerships in southern Louisiana? Look at all the examples out there. We all know the issues with Heberts. Aaron is having unacceptable issues with HDBR. I am even having an issue with the Kawasaki dealership in Hammond. I bought my KLR over two months ago and still do not have a plate or my title. When questioned about it, they just get very rude and do not provide a solution. WTF???


I'm sure you've surfed the other forums, it ain't just in south Louisiana bro...
It's all over the country, and possibly world, as some of the forums I hit are international...
There's no excuse for the way they treat us... and it seems no matter what, that the bike manufacturers could care less...
You don't hear near as many stories of how the dealerships came through in record time, as you do about how hard it was to get the dealership to own up to their problem, and get it done without going to the manufacturer customer service, only to get the runaround with them...
No one seems to care anymore... and the few really ggood guys, that do really care, and are up to the task, are too few and far between...
Your situation with the previous GS, was one of the few and far between examples, of going the extra mile to make sure your bike was right, and you were informed, and ultimately happy....
rant over...

Good luck Aaron... I hope they get it right... It'd really suck to find out on a trip to Atlanta, that they failed again, to get it right...

[Zeek]

As I suspected, it sounds like I will go to Hammond or Lafayette if I ever need service. However, the Hammond dealer is a sister to BRHD.

[Zeek]

32,000 miles in 19 months on a Harley (22,000 of which have been put on since last August) and the first real problem is induced by dealer performed maintenance. Feh. I hope it pours this weekend.:fireangry:

Man, don't call it a Harley, it is damn near not related, but it does suck that the dealers are the same. We are the bastard step children to most of the HD crowd.

[2Evil4U]

Man, don't call it a Harley, it is damn near not related, but it does suck that the dealers are the same. We are the bastard step children to most of the HD crowd.

I know. It's certainly not a HD. If it were they might have had the parts in stock and been able to get it running without replacing the computer.

Strange thing is, to this point they've been excellent. I think they are being forced to over-book the maintenance shop by the owners. The New Orleans Big Dog dealer (Also owned by these people) has recently suffered a lot of attrition and they had to send several of their people down there to work. I think they're short handed at this point.

Truly, the thing that bothers me the most about this is that I had to wait a bloody week on fork seals that they knew they needed a week before the appointment.

[2Evil4U]

The bike has been running well since I got it back about 2 weeks ago. THis evening, as I was sitting around, I figured, since I won't be going back to Vegas and I've got an Atlanta run in 10 days, I might as well put my spare wheels with the Conti Road Attacks back on the bike.

I started with the front. First thing I see: The friggin' pinch bolts that are supposed to keep the axle from moving are both loose. One is not threaded in at all. I don't know how I didn't lose that one.:RTFM:

Anyway, I mumble something about it being hard to find good help these days and start unscrewing the axle. I notice it's a bit stiffer than normal coming out.

I swap the wheels over and start to put the axle back in. (Plenty of aluminum anti-seize as they require.) The axle goes in about 2 turns easily and just stops dead. :fireangry: I back it out and try again. Same thing. SO I removed the wheel and just try the axle. Same thing. I thread the axle in from the opposite side of the fork. Good until it gets to the same spot on the inside of the threaded area.

I carefully clean and inspect the axle, as it is aluminum. No marks, galls or cross threads. Same with the fork journal end.

So, I put the wheel back on and praying that it doesn't gall, I start threading it in. It plows through the tough spot and keeps going. It is way stiff but not getting any tighter like it's going to seize so I keep going. It finally tightens up. I back it out a turn and torque it as best as I can. (It's kinda hard to ensure you just put 42 lbft on a bolt that requires 40 lbft to make it move.)

The pinch bolts are cranked down and I button it back up.

The wheel runs true and seems to be fine. Brake is not dragging at all so I think I'm good.

After that I hit the rear wheel. As HDBR hasn't touched that one, it swaps with no drama.

After that I think "what else could they have frigged up when they replaced those fork seals? (Only on the left side, I might add...)":stfu2:

So I check all my suspension damping settings. Yep. All cockeyed from where they were. I thought it was riding a bit differently but I figured it was the D616 tires. (It probably mostly was, anyway, but they could've at least checked the damper settings before they tore the fork apart.)

And to top that off, they only did the one fork. That means I have HD fork oil in the left unit and Amsoil 10W in the right. I gotta buy about $250 in tools so I can fix this mess properly next time.

Sheesh.:nopity:

[I_FLY_LOW]

good god, aaron! Can't a brotha get a break??

I think, if it were mine, and while I had the time, I would run a torque wrench over every square inch of that bike, looking for missing and loose hardware, as I go... and document it all, then ask them what reference they used to tighten the fasteners by, and where in the manual does it say to do away with the ones that are missing...

I smell liability issues, seeing how your life is depending on their crappy work...

[Britton]

Dude, why don't I just steal the thing from you so you can start over...:D

[mcinfantry]

you need a covered place to work on it? ive got space...

[Zeek]

First thing I see: The friggin' pinch bolts that are supposed to keep the axle from moving are both loose. One is not threaded in at all. I don't know how I didn't lose that one.:RTFM:


A friend of mine bought a ZX14. (Phil, you know Paul)

He rides it over to my house to let me see it. So I'm looking it over, touching this and that and the main nut that holds the front end on is loose! The big one in the center of the triple tree. So I get one of my BIG crescent wrenches and tighten it down as good as I can without making any marks on it and sent him back to the dealer with a WTF question.

Checking for loose nuts and bolts is actually an item on our Buell's maintenance schedule.

I hate to admit this, but, I was washing my bike a while back and afterward was just giving it a good look over when I noticed the nut for the lower shock bolt is missing! Holy crap, the only thing holding it in is the pressure from the spring/shock. Think, think, I was the last one to work on it when i replaced my cooling fan. Did I forget to put it on? I walk over to my tool box and there it is sitting on the ledge. I always keep the parts organized next to the bike and sometimes partially reassemble stuff for that reason. Why that one little nut was put elsewhere I can not explain. But it could have been disastrous.

[ka5ysy]

Sorry to hear about your problems with HDBR. They sound like a bunch of f-ing idiots!!!

Why do we have such shitty ass dealerships in southern Louisiana? Look at all the examples out there. We all know the issues with Heberts. Aaron is having unacceptable issues with HDBR. I am even having an issue with the Kawasaki dealership in Hammond. I bought my KLR over two months ago and still do not have a plate or my title. When questioned about it, they just get very rude and do not provide a solution. WTF???


I would highly suggest that you call Kawasaki USA and talk with someone about that. Not being able to produce a title is usually indicative that they have not sent in the money according to the floorplan contract, and have used it to pay bills elsewhere. They are also violating state law, so you might also give the Motor Vehicle Commission in Baton Rouge a call and let them bring smoke on the dealership.

I would also suggest giving Buell customer service a call; they are very, very good about solving situations like this.

[ka5ysy]

I'm now no longer happy with HDBR.



Here, Quick..........have some more coolaid !Not.Worthy

[2Evil4U]

It's not really a situation, I'm just whining. (I whine, therefore I am...)

The bolts were definitely left loose. I've swapped that wheel at least 6 times since I've owned the bike and the bolts have always stayed TIGHT. Locktite works wonders.

The only pieces on that bike I've ever had loosen up are a couple of the lower fairing fasteners and the shifter pivot bolt.

I've got to pick up some parts today, so I'm going to talk to them about it. I really don't want to drop it off again, though. The last time it took 20 days. I'm going to Atlanta in 10. I'll see how it goes over the next few days if I notice anything else funny.

[2Evil4U]

Here, Quick..........have some more coolaid !Not.Worthy


That's "Buell-Aid" :bow2: :D

[mcinfantry]

I would highly suggest that you call Kawasaki USA and talk with someone about that. Not being able to produce a title is usually indicative that they have not sent in the money according to the floorplan contract, and have used it to pay bills elsewhere. They are also violating state law, so you might also give the Motor Vehicle Commission in Baton Rouge a call and let them bring smoke on the dealership.

I would also suggest giving Buell customer service a call; they are very, very good about solving situations like this.


call DMV. iirc a dealer has a certain amount of time to provide a mso or they can face CRIMINAL charges, and CIVIL, and lose motor vehicle priviledges. i bet they wont be rude to DMV, or at least wont be rude twice.

under state law, if you dont get it straight soon, the police can seize the bike as an unregistered vehicle. so dont feel like you are hurting them, because they are soon to be hurting you.

this is not legal advice, and i am not a lawyer.

[Britton]

Fortunately (for them) I recieved everything last week. But I will NEVER purchase anything from Southern Motorsports in Hammond again. It is one thing to have a screw up, it happens, but it is another thing to be rude and not follow up with a customer. Another typical, shitty dealership with idiots running it.

[2Evil4U]

The front end seems to be fine. So I guess that'll work.

Anyway....................

When I picked the bike up, I looked over the tech sheets they had from when the work was done. Judging by the several paragraphs of stuff written on them they had spent quite a bit of time on the line with Buell tech support to work out the over heating issue.

One specific note caught my eye. It said "Overheating, possible exhaust valve not opening causing rear cylinder to overheat" or something to that effect.

Now, I had removed the cable when I installed the Micron and I had to reinstall it when I went back to the stock system. It was not easy to reinstall and I used plenty of tie wraps to keep it off the header. So I checked it.

When I test fired the actuator, it didn't move. Hmmmmm. I disconnected the cable and worked it through and it was pretty sticky so I cut all the tie wraps, ran it as smoothly as possible and hit it with some cable lube. It freed up nicely. It has a strong return spring, but no binding.

I reconnected it to the stepper motor and it would barely move it. It was better than before, but still not right. So I ordered a replacement. $103. (HD = Hundred Dollars)

It arrived Thursday and I installed it this afternoon. Problem solved. It cranks the valve open and closed like a champ.

I haven't test ridden it yet, but we'll see how she does tomorrow for certain.

[I_FLY_LOW]

you couldn't nail them for warranty on the motor? or would that put you out of comission with it being at the stealership?

[2Evil4U]

Honestly, I could probably go back and beat them about the head and shoulders for the stepper and the front axle, but all I'd be able to do is drop it off and wait for a week or two for parts. I'll eat it and ride.

[2Evil4U]

Posting this from just west of Bessemer, AL. Sitting in what shade I can find waiting the about 6 hours it will take for Mona to get here and pick me up.

The Uly went terminal.

The day started well. I was using the ride to Atlanta as a practice run for the BBG1500 I want to do in the fall. I started tracking when I gassed up at the intersection of 38+I55. I managed to average 80.4 mph until the gas stop and that included another bout of over heating. Still, a good run. I noticed that the bike was stumbling a bit but chalked it up to the heat.

When I pulled in for gas, the bike wouldn't idle and the throttle grip was way out of position.

So I gassed up, got it running again and plowed on. I didn't make it three miles until the throttle went to idle and locked. I was able to chug it along at idle off the interstate and into an Exxon parking lot with a little shade.

I figured it was something to do with the repair the dealer did to the idle adjuster. So I started tearing into the thing to see if I could do anything about it. I got the air filter off and looked into the throttle body. There is a gaping hole in the throttle plate and one of the screws that attaches the plate to the arm is out and just sitting on top of the plate waiting to get sucked into the motor. I picked it out with needle nose pliers and continued disassembly. The throttle shaft with the linkage on it is totally fubar. No hope.

I think that the throttle cross shaft actually broke at the first screw and allowed the screw to come out. When it finally let go, that's when I lost throttle control.

So. Atlanta is off, Mona's coming to get me and hopefully we'll be home by 2am this evening.

[Juice]

That sucks man and is far beyond just bad luck. You need to trade that baby in on something a little more reliable. The Buell just ain't capable of standing up to the abuse of a true adventure rider. Holla if you need anything..............
Posting this from just west of Bessemer, AL. Sitting in what shade I can find waiting the about 6 hours it will take for Mona to get here and pick me up.

The Uly went terminal.

The day started well. I was using the ride to Atlanta as a practice run for the BBG1500 I want to do in the fall. I started tracking when I gassed up at the intersection of 38+I55. I managed to average 80.4 mph until the gas stop and that included another bout of over heating. Still, a good run. I noticed that the bike was stumbling a bit but chalked it up to the heat.

When I pulled in for gas, the bike wouldn't idle and the throttle grip was way out of position.

So I gassed up, got it running again and plowed on. I didn't make it three miles until the throttle went to idle and locked. I was able to chug it along at idle off the interstate and into an Exxon parking lot with a little shade.

I figured it was something to do with the repair the dealer did to the idle adjuster. So I started tearing into the thing to see if I could do anything about it. I got the air filter off and looked into the throttle body. There is a gaping hole in the throttle plate and one of the screws that attaches the plate to the arm is out and just sitting on top of the plate waiting to get sucked into the motor. I picked it out with needle nose pliers and continued disassembly. The throttle shaft with the linkage on it is totally fubar. No hope.

I think that the throttle cross shaft actually broke at the first screw and allowed the screw to come out. When it finally let go, that's when I lost throttle control.

So. Atlanta is off, Mona's coming to get me and hopefully we'll be home by 2am this evening.

[Zeek]

Posting this from just west of Bessemer, AL. Sitting in what shade I can find waiting the about 6 hours it will take for Mona to get here and pick me up.

The Uly went terminal.

The day started well. I was using the ride to Atlanta as a practice run for the BBG1500 I want to do in the fall. I started tracking when I gassed up at the intersection of 38+I55. I managed to average 80.4 mph until the gas stop and that included another bout of over heating. Still, a good run. I noticed that the bike was stumbling a bit but chalked it up to the heat.

When I pulled in for gas, the bike wouldn't idle and the throttle grip was way out of position.

So I gassed up, got it running again and plowed on. I didn't make it three miles until the throttle went to idle and locked. I was able to chug it along at idle off the interstate and into an Exxon parking lot with a little shade.

I figured it was something to do with the repair the dealer did to the idle adjuster. So I started tearing into the thing to see if I could do anything about it. I got the air filter off and looked into the throttle body. There is a gaping hole in the throttle plate and one of the screws that attaches the plate to the arm is out and just sitting on top of the plate waiting to get sucked into the motor. I picked it out with needle nose pliers and continued disassembly. The throttle shaft with the linkage on it is totally fubar. No hope.

I think that the throttle cross shaft actually broke at the first screw and allowed the screw to come out. When it finally let go, that's when I lost throttle control.

So. Atlanta is off, Mona's coming to get me and hopefully we'll be home by 2am this evening.

Sorry to hear that. The fact that it overheats makes me think the ECU or something electronic was not right, probably running lean. Could be related to the shaft messing up and the tps may not have been registering properly. I wonder how you break a throttle shaft? I wonder what the dealer guys did to it. I cant stand the idea of someone else working on my stuff, because in the past it always seems like they mess up other stuff. I hate to even use a warranty, but some stuff I am not willing to work on, like the POS VW Jetta we had for eight years. That is another story that could go on for pages.

If I can help with anything let me know. I would definitely send a note to Buell corporate and list all of the problems you have been having with the bike and the dealer. I hate to say it, but it sounds like you have the Buell equivalent of my VW. Other people have one or two issues and you get the one that has them all plus some new ones. I know exactly how that feels and it really sucks. My extended warranty company lost their ass on the VW.

[mcinfantry]

yep, i know of a dealer that will warranty parts and hand them to you over the counter and let you do your own work..... not bad imo.

[I_FLY_LOW]

damn dude... that sucks... good luck out there...

[2Evil4U]

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/?action=view&current=IMAG0129.jpg

[BBBANDIT]

I talked to the people over at Sly Dog Cycles and they said that they also work on Buells. They do a better job than the Harley place. I know of several people that have had their bikes screwed-up by the Harley place and taken them to Sly Dog and they fixed them right. They do dyno tuning, tires warranty work and just about everything else. Terry is probably the best Harley mechanic in this area. He worked at the Harley place for about 20 yrs. and got tired of the way they do things, so opened his own place out Florida almost to DS. He said that he would treat you right. Nice people and they give discounts on parts.

[2Evil4U]

I appreciate that. If they do warranty work, I'll probably end up there shortly.

I'm going to give HDBR one more shot as I can't attribute this ridiculous failure to anything they might have done. This one is a function of an overzealous assembly mechanic over-peening the screws that hold the throttle butterfly to the shaft. Worst part is they can't get it in until 8/1 at the earliest, so even if I hadn't already canceled the Vegas return, I'd not have a shot anyway.:fireangry:

[2Evil4U]

I need a GSA.:gay:

[Doug]

Sorry for the bad luck bro...

Bessemer, AL tried to eat our bikes too and they were on the trailer!

http://i3.tinypic.com/vxciok.jpg
http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.com/forums/showthread.php?t=798

Glad y'all got home OK.

[Shaq Diesel]

Wow... Sorry to hear all the bad luck. That poor Buell...

[2Evil4U]

i'm hoping to get some better pics of the carnage later today.

[2Evil4U]

Here they are. The first pic is the screw that was sitting on top of the butterfly when I first opened it up in Bessemer at the Exxon.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_2521-5.jpg

The next several are pics of what's left of the intake manifold. YOu can see the threads in the broken ends of the shaft as well as how far out the butterfly has dropped. I'm also not too excited about the amount of metallic debris. I'm shooting for a new motor or a rebuild from the bottom up unless they can prove there has been no damage to the bearings.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_2515-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_2516-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_2517-3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v121/2evil4u/IMG_2518-4.jpg
:nopity:

[Fitty]

Holy crap Aaron! I just saw this. Don't know what to say, other than "Good luck". I know where there's a low mileage 1st gen FZ1 in Florida that you can get for a little over $4,000 if you're interested and it's still available.

I hear they make pretty good adventure bikes. :D

[2Evil4U]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. A set of Strom wheels, TKC80s, and Jesse Bags on an FZ1. Couldn't be any uglier than the Uly....:D

[I_FLY_LOW]

How about a dualsport bandit? hmm....

[2Evil4U]

One more whine.

I called last Monday on my way to Atlanta to make the appointment. The EARLIEST they could even look at the bike was 8/1. I asked them why they were so backed up when I dropped it off yesterday. I was told that there are tons of "accessory installs" getting bikes ready for Sturgis.

Perfect. I ride about 1500 miles/month and I'm sitting in line for two weeks so some schmuck can have new pipes put on his 500 mile/year trailer queen so it's loud & shiny at the rally. There oughta be a line-jump rule if you can prove you actually ride the damned bike.

[Fitty]

There oughta be a line-jump rule if you can prove you actually ride the damned bike.
Agreed.

[I_FLY_LOW]

Amen!

[Rocky]

Freaking unbelievable.
One more whine.

I called last Monday on my way to Atlanta to make the appointment. The EARLIEST they could even look at the bike was 8/1. I asked them why they were so backed up when I dropped it off yesterday. I was told that there are tons of "accessory installs" getting bikes ready for Sturgis.

Perfect. I ride about 1500 miles/month and I'm sitting in line for two weeks so some schmuck can have new pipes put on his 500 mile/year trailer queen so it's loud & shiny at the rally. There oughta be a line-jump rule if you can prove you actually ride the damned bike.

[I_FLY_LOW]

Maybe you could explain it to them that way... it has become your sole source of wishfully reliable transportation... Wouldn't a warranty trouble come ahead of accessory installs anyway? I can't see where the depicted throttle shaft failure could be considered normal wear and tear maintenance...
Thank goodness it wasn't stuck WFO, when it broke... that looks like another liability issue...

[mcinfantry]

is it something you are willing to do on your own? ill volunteer my time, and shop. HDBR screwed me in 96 when the only thing i had was a harley. same way.

[2Evil4U]

If it wasn't under warranty I'd be all over it. Mainly needs a new intake manifold. Not all that bad to swap out.

[2Evil4U]

Maybe you could explain it to them that way... it has become your sole source of wishfully reliable transportation... Wouldn't a warranty trouble come ahead of accessory installs anyway? I can't see where the depicted throttle shaft failure could be considered normal wear and tear maintenance...
Thank goodness it wasn't stuck WFO, when it broke... that looks like another liability issue...

The way I figure it, I'm a boil to dealers. All I do is cost them time. Obviously, they get reimbursed for the work and parts, but there is no potential upsell. I'd have better luck trying to cut in on a spindly blue-hair at the Foxwoods High-Stakes Bingo Hall than say they need to "lose profit" and fix my bike.
:nopity: