wondering...

[thrstrmech]

wondering why some are having issues with this, that or the other with their bikes, hmmmm...I have owned my '03 XB9SL since the summer of '06 which it had 2500 miles on it, I'm the 3rd owner, stock factory equipment installed, Pro-Series exhaust, race ecm. the only mods I have done to the bike have been cosmetic. she now has less than 200 miles before rolling 62,000, and still has the original belt installed. had a couple of electrical issues, first was a while back when the clamp holding the battery cables had a screw that was too long and almost severed a wire in the harness below, that has been resolved and no further issue. second was when my fan stopped working and the IAT sensor as well, replaced and no issue since...late last year found the rear cylinder base gasket leaking, milked it out 'til this past weekend with Lucas oil stop leak. she's got new seals/gaskets installed now and waiting for the new spark plugs to arrive, new wires on standby also. once replaced, the bike is ready to be reassembled. so, I wonder why so many are having issues? a handful of forum members have seen my bike and seen how I ride, they can attest to both.

June 2006 when I bought her

December 2011

January 2013

 

[uly luigi]

No wheel bearing issues, or rocker box gaskets? Dam you doing good, those are the only 2 major issues I've had and am rocking 60k on my 08 Uly

 

[squidbuellie]

I'm not sure what your question is. But I will throw a couple of things at you.

I'm not sure why, but I have noticed that California model buells seam to be built better. I'm not sure if it was the staff at the plant or if they just had different quality standards for California models.

I also know that in California we run a better fuel.

I am also assuming that you are in your mid 40's and use your bike for commuting with roughly 8,800 a year.
you are also a aircraft mechanic, so you are on top of the maintenance.

It is also not unheard of for Harley's to get over 100,000 miles on a motor and belt if they are ran all of the time, babbied and maintened reguarly.
When they sit for five/seven months out of the year is when they start to have problems.

It also has to do with just plain luck and how you ride. I have owned my 05 for 7 years and it now has 9,200 miles on it.
I have also replaced wheel bearings, rims and the belt three times. I have not broken one on my bike but they do stretch. I also have a bent shift fork.
But I also ride my bike hard.


Oh yeah...I will bet you a dollar that if quick shift from 1st to 2nd at 5,500-6,000 rpm's and crack the throttle your belt will cut loose.
The 03 belts like slow easy power.

 

[netty2424]

Interesting topic.

I have a buddy who is a car guy and he subscribes to the Ed Wallace school of thought, which is IF you follow manufactures scheduled maintenance then your car will last much longer without issues. I go back and forth with him on this because I do agree if you follow this, it will prolong the longevity of your car/motorcycle, that's simple math. BUT if you don't, it doesn't guarantee that you will have problems.

My job requires me to drive a lot, so I drive 38-40k miles per year. I change my oil every 3000 miles, but I don't do the 50k, 100k, trans, etc and I have not had a single issue with either of my last two cars. Last car I put 130k miles on it, and I'll hit 200k in a couple days on my current one. Problem free. Just regular stuff, oil, tires, etc.

Point being, yes I think there are benefits to scheduled maintenance, but you're not guaranteed to have problems if not. There's a lot of luck in issues/problems you have and don't have. Mass production is not perfect and it will have quality control issues that may pass or may not be seen, and will still eventually cause problems.

 

[nikfleisch]

All I know is my bike is way to damn fun to baby, and if that mean **** breaks then Ill fix it haha

 

[thrstrmech]

uly...no wheel bearing issues, but have a set of All Balls on standby, as far as the rocker cover- had the forward cylinder, left hand bolt showed some leakage, but very minor from what I gather...

squidbuellie...your right, i haven't cracked the throttle out of 1st or 2nd at those rpm's and haven't have a need to, yet there is an upgraded belt for the '03's, latest revision is G0500.02A8R, the original Gates belt has issues. I'm 41 and proud to be a toys r us kid...lmao

netty...I do have a touch of OCD to a certain degree, thanks to the military, try to stay on top, but sometimes I fail and get right back on it, my truck certainly has been driven like yours before, not so much now, she's needs a tune up which is happening this weekend, thank you tax return

I do try and stay on top of the maintenance, but slips from time to time, like my oil change was last week after 10k, **** happens and you move forward
[smirk]

in terms of keeping her clean, yeah, I baby it, in riding 50/50, but I'm not copying "Ghostrider" from the UK on the freeway or city streets either
, but I do hit triple digits often...110-120+

 

[cb750]

Steering head bearings and a rockerbox leak, other than tires, brake pads, and lightbulbs. I'm going to swap out my primary chain and sprocket, just because I'll be putting in the 9 stuff. Other than that I haven't had to do a lot of work to it.I ride like a hooligan, hence the steering bearings and gearing it down. 16k+ on the bike.