New to Buell on Uly 2009. Front wires broken.

[Tbone]

Just returning from 23 years w/o a motorcycle and landed on a 2009 Uly this last Oct. Really enjoying it! Test drove several bikes, Triumph, Suz, Kaw, etc, always kept coming back to this one.
Since the short time owning this bike, I have had alot of broken wires in the harness at the front of the frame and behind the flyscreen that messed with the turn signals, instrument panels, clock, trip odo's, Glad It did not short out anything and that the brake lights are on separate circuits.
I think the problem is the cable is too thick between the trees?The bend is too tight with the bars all the way to the left that the cable folds on the frame cable guide. Also the cable is too short that it stretches when the bars are all the way to the right.
Has anybody sorted this problem out? Seems like there are a lot of blogs already about how to troubleshoot the broken wiring, but not a lot on how to prevent it?

 

[thrstrmech]

haven't read about this, but interesting...short of possibly rerouting and or splicing wires, couldn't say what your options are...is this problem only affecting Uly's?

 

[djohnk]

Does the bike have handlebar risers on it? That can give you some of those problems you mentioned.

Also, On my '07 Uly I have had the ground break several times where it attaches to the steering column under the flyscreen. I just snip the wire and attach a new connector, then resolder it, it doesn't bother me, but if you don't like soldering etc. I can see where it can be a PITA.

Another thing ... I removed that plastic routing thingy that all the wires and cables go through by the steering column. I just loosely zip tied the bundle ... it seemed to free up the movement a little. I've been keeping an eye on the situation for chaffing, etc.

 

[Tbone]

I literally have not noticed a Buell until I test road and then purchased this 09 Uly from a dealership 2 months ago. Been a great bike until less than 2 months after owning it the instrument panel, turnsignals, clock, trip odo's, and the engine idle was also surging as the needles on the gauges were sweeping back and forth.
I immediately took it back to the dealer and they found a few broken wires under the fly screen as well as several more broken wires under the cable guide on the frame. Everything seems to be working except the clock still does not stay set and trip odo's reset when restarting the bike. Not sure if there is something else or more wires are broken?

 

[Tbone]

Ok, that plastic guide I think needs to go. Should have been a rubber one. One blog said that the guide was added to prevent pinching of the cable? Wonder if it can be modified with hoop like on the older dirt bikes?

 

[user_deleted]

Everything seems to be working except the clock still does not stay set and trip odo's reset when restarting the bike.

that's generally a sign of either loose battery terminal/s or a battery on the way out.

 

[Tbone]

Thanks, I will look at testing the battery or replacing it.

 

[Tbone]

Put a trickle charger on it, no more clock or trip odo resetting problems. I guess riding this bike in 20 + deg weather with the Grips on hi heat has not given the battery time to recharge on 10 to 15 min trips.
Loosened the cable guide as opposed to removing it. Thinking of getting some longer bolts and rubber bushings on the guide to give the cable more leaway to flex? not much room there though?
So far going on 6 weeks and 3800 miles, 2 oil changes, I trans fluid, spark plugs, and a breather re-route. Engine appears to be very dependable, economical, easy to work on.
What was Harley thinking by dropping the Buell's? Very practicle bike that uses a completely redesigned sportster engine that took it worldwide? What gems! I live in Dallas so it is flat, I would think this bike in the mountains would just tear them up with very little rider effort. I would love to take it to the timberline road in the rockies, 2 up even.
Somebody deflat me, I'm I thinking 2 highly of this motorcycle?

 

[SlyFox]

Ride mine with luggage (son says take them off so it would look better) and it is still nimble. Many times during a ride my wife will call with grocery orders.

 

[Tbone]

Wow, Glad I landed on a Uly without even knowing anything about the B.S. that Harley pulled and Buell being shutdown.
The bike speaks for itself, either it is Loved or not so well liked, either way it is emotionally invoking to people one way or the other. Personally I would not have bought a motorcycle like this one until riding it, nothing else compares to its uniqueness.

 

[steve92106]

Well, the best revenge is probably to bypass HD and buy a new Buell. Oh wait, I can't afford one. I'm not saying I wouldn't like to take a dump on Mr. Wandell's front lawn but if he was brought in to be the hatchet man, blame the Board at the MoCo for making that decision.

I've enjoyed my two Harleys and will probably buy another at some point but it does frustrate me that HD had a chance to breathe new technology into the product line and broaden their appeal to an entirely different demographic, one that Eurotrash and Japanese manufacturers seem to be able to make money out of, and they ran out of balls.

My wife and I went down to one of those dealers that sells every brand under the sun last weekend and sat on Ducatis, Triumph Tigers, Super Teneres, Vstroms---. HD weathered the recession very well and could now be in a position to grab market share but they continue to look backwards for inspiration, focusing on paint jobs and new headlight nacelles while the competition is pushing the technology envelope. One day it will all catch up with them.