For the mechanically challanged

[GregoXB]

What would you do if your Buell broke down in such a way that you were not skilled enough and/or did not have the ability to repair it yourself?

 

[williegoat]

I would learn how to fix it. No one takes a wrench to my stuff but me. Period.
Isn't that what this forum is for?

 

[Chicknstripn]

I agree with williegoat. My crank went out. I figured out through this forum and a service manual exactly what I needed to do to fix it. 5k later my transmission, third gear, starts skipping and I repeat the above.
I don't get things done in an expedite manner but I do get them done myself... ...with a lot of help and advice from the knowledgeable individuals on this forum.
For that, thanks fellas!

 

[GregoXB]

Alright, but lets just say you had a very demanding schedule, worked night shifts and you did not have time to research and tinker. You had no tools, work shop or garage. You lived in the city and your Buell's only home was by the curb where you had to relocate it everyday to comply with alternate side parking, you lived on the 9th floor in a studio apartment, and you were the type of owner who only knows how to ride, fill it with gas and change the battery. What do you do if your Buell breaks down then?

BTW, I in no way just described myself......

 

[Chicknstripn]

Sell it.
And buy something that's known to be reliable and easy to find dealer/mechanics to work on.
Would be way too much of a PITA to own my Buell if I didn't have a garage.
Or I'd hope I would win the powerball jackpot so I could just write checks to HD dealers.

 

[user_deleted]

You lived in the city and your Buell's only home was by the curb where you had to relocate it everyday to comply with alternate side parking, you lived on the 9th floor in a studio apartment, and you were the type of owner who only knows how to ride, fill it with gas and change the battery.

that's what Viragos are for.

 

[mrlogix]

Call out for help. This forum is not only a place for knowledge , but a place for brotherhood. What exactly are you dealing with and where are you?

 

[williegoat]

Call out for help. This forum is not only a place for knowledge , but a place for brotherhood. What exactly are you dealing with and where are you?

This. Someone on here will be able to recommend a competent mechanic in your area.

 

[buell248]

First thing would be to check the basics and ask yourself if you just made a change on your bike...new battery, new plugs, etc... double check the connections if possible on the side of the road... then if still no good you call a friend or wife and get them to bring your truck or trailer so you can get it home or a tow truck... then recheck the basics again. If still having an issues you log on to this website and do a search or start a thread with your problem. Everyone on this site posts great info quickly and has very detailed info to fix everything Buell related, Now if you are still over your head I would try to contact a local member for some help, there are some great members in my area and I'm sure they would help...If all else fails... the bike would go to my local HD/X-Buell dealer and I would hope my pockets are deep enough to get it fixed. BUT that will never happen because I know you guys will walk me thru any problems until its back up and running!

 

[Cooter]

I'd start dating a Buell mechanic.










But don't tell my wife!:hororr:

 

[Cooter]

If you're someone who doesn't know the basics and can't (or don't want to) learn them. You are going to miss out on all the cool stuff.

I have a good friend who isn't mechanically inclined, but she loves old Jeeps, café racers, muscle cars, etc. She's had a bunch of them and always gets frustrated when she spends way too much money having stuff fixed, or them being less dependable, or less comfortable than something new. I keep telling her to go to the local community college and take a basic mechanic's class, but those are even hard to find! Pathetic. Even if you NEVER work on your car, you will save $$$ by understanding the diagnosis and not getting ripped off at the dealer. Hell, even the dealer doesn't 'fix' anything any more. They just replace stuff that the computer told them too. No real diagnosis, no real fixing.

There's a reason people don't give new cars a name. Its because they don't have a soul.

An old car is always Shelly, Big Green, The Heap, or Ol' Zippy McBean n' Franks. It's because you always have a story of being mad at it, or happy with it, or some emotion. But a new car? Nope. It's just an insulating, character-less way to get somewhere

I blame the people from Planet Engineer who are trying to save us from things that aren't even a problem. Can't parallel park? LEARN HOW, or get out of the city! Rear end someone? LEARN ABOUT A SAFETY BUFFER, or risk your life! A 'performance car' with an auto trans?? Don't get me started Next time some A-hole in a self-braking Volvo thinks it's OK the tailgate me in my truck, I'm going to test their system.

I always thought the best 'safety idea' would be a super sharp dagger mounted in the middle of the steering wheel, pointed right at your forehead. You'd drive carefully then wouldn't you!! Haha! There would be a bunch of people walking around with scars on their face, and you say "Yep, there's another bad driver...":black_eyed:

Sorry about the Rant. I'm old and grumpy. Now wheres my 8-track collection and diapers??

 

[BuellyBagger]

I let people work on my buell, my boat, and my truck somewhat often... I work 10 hour days, have 2 kids, a wife taking night classes, and plenty of work to do on the house! There are SOME skilled people, better trained than I to fix some things on my vehicles than I am. Kinda like most of you guys can paint a car, but I've spent 11yrs getting real good at it.

 

[Cooter]

That's a good point BuellyBagger. Just because something is within your skill set, doesn't mean you are the best at it. The tough part is finding someone who is.

If I need a real nice paint job, I'm not going to buy all the equipment and learn the whole art of it just to do one. If I just need to spray a tank and fenders, then I'm the Krylon master!

 

[Chicknstripn]

I know some people will poo poo and boo boo a rattle can paint job but I think your work looks awesome. I would have never known it was a rattle can job. I love that you did what you had to do with the materials you had readily available. Isn't that what the whole purpose of wrenching and what not is all about?
Anyway, I agree with a lot of the opinions and what not that are in this thread. And I'm very greatfull that I have the time, mental faculty and physical facility to work on my own stuff.

 

[Cooter]

Thanks I won't last as long as a 'real' paint job, and I wouldn't spill gas on it, but I wasn't so sure about the color until I got the whole thing done. I like Krylon Cast coat iron

Working on my own stuff sure gives me satisfaction as well. Not always DURING, but after I've done is successfully for sure!