Harley.... question and complaint. 2007 XB12Ss

[TheyCallMe]

After taking my bike to Harley for a recent (and rather frustrating/roundabout/money sucking) 5000 mile service and tire change i have a problem. I was riding the bike down the highway and felt like i was loosing horse power. Then when pulling into the garage it just popped and died. Almost like i stalled it by not giving it enough gas. It did this twice. So before my next ride out i decided to check the most basic of issues.. my oil. It is way overfull. I'm assuming they checked it straight up and down not on side stand. Anyway, what is going on with my bike? Is this a permanent problem or one that will go away when i remove some oil? what all will be involved with fixing it.
Also i would like to express my extreme frustration with Harley, their lack of skill and communication, and their insatiable desire to bend customers over.

 

[ReconLdr]

I'm assuming they checked it straight up and down not on side stand.

My owners manual says to check the oil with the bike on the side stand. Page 62 of the 2003 Buell Lightning owners manual. Am I missing something???

 

[buellxb9rs]

Yes, it is supposed to be checked while the bike is on the stand. Also, remove the excess oil as it can cause problems, albeit it may not be the cause of your current problems but that's a start. Another option is to take it back to the dealer and make them fix their problems if they own up to it. But I wouldn't take any oil out first to show there screw up and explain your current problems

 

[g3stripes]

most harley dealers know less about buells than the owners of them. they understand its a sporty based motor but from there they are usually clueless. if you are mech inclined at all learn all you can and try to tackle some things yourself, it is very rewarding and less frustrating than paying for crappy service.sorry not sure about your problem however ive had similar things happen on buells but they were random problems that i did not address.

 

[Applepooh]

DONT take it to Harley.
lol that is your problem.
idk about you guys, my Buell has ZERO problems, 21k miles out, 15k this year and I just change the fluids/tires when I should. No 5k, 10k, 20k service. (although it's in now getting some brake work **and lol brake light, headlight work)
But ride the bikes, why fix something if it isn't broken.

 

[g3stripes]

i only fix what stops me from riding lol

 

[Applepooh]

i only fix what stops me from riding lol

^^^ [up][up]

 

[FLHP]

I know it's fun to bash Harley, and I have complaints about the last service they did on my Electra Glide. The thing comes back leaking in a couple spots, brake fluid on some stuff, and whatever else.

But, I don't pin that on Harley, it's just tough to find a good wrench out there. No different with any dealership (auto.motorcycle), it's just hard to get good service.

I'm with the the rest of you on trying to do whatever I can myself. I'll take the time to not make a mess of it.

 

[anrkizm95]

most harley dealers know less about buells than the owners of them. they understand its a sporty based motor but from there they are usually clueless. if you are mech inclined at all learn all you can and try to tackle some things yourself, it is very rewarding and less frustrating than paying for crappy service

[up][up]

 

[TheyCallMe]

yes. the thing for me is i know how to do everything required in a five thousand mile service. i just dont have time these days. I had a feeling they would screw something up. First thing they screwed up was forgetting to call me (when they said they would) if they couldn't find a tire to match. So instead of just paying for a rear i had to buy two new tires and pay them to put them on. Went in for a 5000 mile service and rear tire. Came back with 850 dollar bill and more problems. A Harley/Buell dealer ought to know how to check the oil in their bikes!
My question is a technical one... what can too much oil do to harm the bike? Is that something that can be easily fixed. I know the owners manual says it can result in oil and the air cleaner... anyone know how to fix this? (I Will be giving harley a call and dont want to be uninformed as they already lied/overexagerated things to me from this last service).

 

[TheyCallMe]

FLHP, it is not fun for me to "bash harley" not at all, this is rather frustrating. It was an all around bad experience. Communication, extra charges, over priced to begin with, bike worse off then ever. At this point i'm wondering where to go from here.

 

[thrstrmech]

Two options: as stated before, take her back to the dealer, it's their F... up! second option: drain the oil into a clean container, measure the required 2 1/2 quarts -minus what's in the filter. Use a large measuring cup from the kitchen(warning don't let the misses catch you). Start from there, get her all warmed up and check the oil level afterwards. Remove and wipe off your dipstick before inserting to get an accurate reading. Take her out for a ride and see how she responds, check oil level again while she's good and hot good luck, bummer you had a crappy experience at the HD shop. If possible try another in the future. My local HD dealer is awesome, no hassle at all, parts and service guys are great, knowledgeable fellas. But I still do my own maintenance at all possible. Buy my tires online and remove the wheels and take 'em to local sportbike shop and out the door in 30/30... minutes and bucks lighter.

 

[TheyCallMe]

Thanks thrstrmech. I plan on testing her out with the correct oil level today.. I'm really hoping there's not extensive damage done by riding too long with too much oil... (first 60 miles or so seemed fine, then i started noticing problems and checked oil) I appreciate the help. I'll post back with my findings.

 

[thrstrmech]

[up]

 

[TheyCallMe]

to update everyone, after removing the extra oil my bike feels as though it's running fine again. (this makes me rather happy) Although now i see i have some pretty bad leaking from the rear rocker box... not sure i want to get into that project. with the amount of time i have these days i may never finish... (chance it with harley again... hmmmm)

 

[user_deleted]

Although now i see i have some pretty bad leaking from the rear rocker box... not sure i want to get into that project

might be something as simple as the rocker box cover breather fitting popped out of its fitting/grommet. only takes about 15 minutes to check. remove seat, airbox cover, airbox lid, filter, airbox base and look. that's assuming you have a few basic hand tools and 15 minutes of time.

 

[mmcn49]

Do not go back to HD unless you’re certain that they have a Certified Buell Technician. Then make absolutely certain only he will be doing the work on your machine.

Two far better options than ever dealing with HD again.

1.Learn to do the work yourself.
2.Find an independent wrench with a good reputation.

Had warranty issues with my new Buell. The dealership where I purchased it couldn’t figure out what was wrong and actually broke more stuff while trying to troubleshoot. I bitched to Buell Corporate. They arranged for a dealership with a certified technician to work on it. All the problems were fixed.

Never have either of my Buell’s been in an HD shop since!

 

[Baal]

+1 with lunaticfringe- check out the breather fitting.

I share your frustration with overfilling the oil. I did the oil change on mine at 600 miles (both holes), and took it in for the TPS reset and other scheduled adjustments. The mechanic, thinking he was doing me a favor, checked the oil while it was upright for the clutch adjustment, and promptly overfilled it by about eight ounces. I was not amused. But, I added it to the list:

XB12Ss: Overfilled
VW Jetta: Overfilled every time the dealer touched it.
Wife's Ford Fiesta: Overfilled at the 5K
My MINI Cooper: Overfilled at the 10K
My R1200GS: Overfilled at delivery!
Wife's Ninja 250R (bought used at dealer) Overfilled at delivery!
Our 1986 Nissan pickup (okay, I don't change the oil on this one, because the filter is a PITA to get to)-- never overfilled: I don't give them enough oil to over fill it! I top it off when I get it home.

 

[go cytocis]

@FLHP: I bash Harley because it's the only part of the entire experience of interacting with them that I derive any satisfaction from.

As a Buell owner at the Harley service/parts counter I wait in line behind a bunch of guys trying to decide between the mirrors with flames or skulls; that's time I could be riding!  Then I finally get to the head of the line to be greeted with an attitude and implication that I am wasting their time with my pathetic Buell.  They fumble around trying to find and interpret the Buell catalogs, charge me ridiculous amounts for parts that will not arrive for 6 weeks, then make me follow up to check when they have arrived!

Bash Harley? Every chance I get!

Typographical errors by iPhone

 

[user_deleted]

I wait in line behind a bunch of guys trying to decide between the mirrors with flames or skulls; that's time I could be riding!

i'll choose flames every time. but they look goofy much as i look goofy on my Ulysses.