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Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » BB&D Archives » Archive through July 18, 2011 » Front isolator « Previous Next »

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Motorbike
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 11:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Is it possible that my front isolator may be going bad already, at only 6600 miles? My 08 XT has recently gained a small tingle in the handlebars that I'm sure was not there when the bike was new. It is most noticeable at 3K RPM, which is where I run most often. This bike has not been abused, although I do love to accelerate quite hard, with only an occasional small wheelie.

I have checked everything I can get a wrench on and found nothing loose anywhere, including the muffler and straps etc. I looked at the rubber part of the isolator with a mirror and flashlight and it appears that the rubber is starting to crack and pull apart a little. The bike still is under warranty but I'm guessing the dealer will not replace the part until the rubber completely separates. Any thoughts? Thanks guys! (and gals)
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Nobuell
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 11:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Did you check your primary chain? My 08XT has over 30K miles and on the 3K RPM range it is very smooth with the proper chain tension. I notice a little extra vibration and difficulty getting into neutral when the chain gets loose.
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Etennuly
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 12:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yeah, check the chain first. If you have ever had the plugs fouled to where you needed to do the cleaning procedure you may want to replace the plugs.

If the rubber on the isolator's webs is tearing or splitting they should have no problem replacing it. My first two were done under warranty at 7 to 8 thousand miles each.
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Teeps
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 12:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Good isolator should look like this one.



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Ironhead1977
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 12:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hand tingling in mine turned out to be crunchy front wheel bearings.
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Motorbike
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 01:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks for the replies so far. Yes, I have checked and adjusted my chain, a couple times since new. I know it does not need to be checked that often but I figured since it was new it might need a little more adjusting as the chain and sprockets wear in.

Ironhead1977, I also questioned the bearings but when I jack the bike up, the front wheel spins very freely and the only noise is the front pads lightly scraping the disc as it rotates.

I sure hope they keep producing isolators for these bikes if we have to replace them every 7 to 8 thousand miles. It would sure be a shame to scrap a fine bike because of a poorly designed part like that. Has anyone considered a way to remove the stock rubber cushion and replace it with something that might last a while longer? I am guessing that a stronger material would also transmit more vibration, which we do not need. Any ideas?
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Portero72
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 01:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I wouldn't be too concerned about the frequency of failure with the isolator. Seems random, at best. I have 33k on my original isolator.
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Etennuly
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 02:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

To be fair, I have been known to load my bike a bit over the GVWR. And I have also done a little wheelie or two.

I have also had back surgery years ago that will not let me tolerate much vibration beyond what is normal for the bike. There is a chance I feel it earlier than most, but it has always been the cure thus far.

I am keeping my old ones in stock in case I find a proper and functional way to repair them without making more vibes go to the bike.
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Teeps
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 03:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

FYI the part is made in USA:

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/626617.html

Wonder if Barry Controls is still under contract to produce this part exclusively for Buell/hd?
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Ironhead1977
Posted on Tuesday, July 05, 2011 - 08:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Motorbike
When mine failed the front wheel would roll smooth on the bike. I only found the problem when I took the wheel off to change the front tire and rotating the bearings by hand I found the bearings to be crunchy.After replacing them the bike was like new again.
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Motorbike
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 12:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Thanks Ironhead1977, I will check the bearings a bit closer. I am due for a rear tire soon so I will check the rear bearings and I might as well pull the front and check that too, as you suggest. Have a great day!
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Natexlh1000
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 02:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Little tingle in bars = horn is buzzing up against the inside of your flyscreen.
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Motorbike
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 03:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Natexlh1000, One of the first mods I ever did on this bike was to re-do the horn mounting bracket for clearance, because it was hitting. When the bars started tingling recently, I looked up under the flyscreen to re-check and have about 3/8" clearance to the horn. May be something else under the flyscreen causing this though so I should probably pull it and check. Maybe the nuts on the Palmer windshield bracket screws are buzzing against the instrument panel housing?

I know this is not a major problem but it is annoying to me.
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7873jake
Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2011 - 10:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My Palmer bracket came with little rubber isolators that stick on to the back of the instrument pod housing (I assume everyone's did).

When my bars became buzzy recently, I noticed that the little rubber pads had finally given up under the contact with the mounting nuts. Despite looking like they were ok, they weren't. Replaced them and all is well again.
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Lastcyclone
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 06:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I've found three part numbers for an isolator.
Which is correct?

L0501.02A8 ISOLATOR, FRONT, XB Retail Price:$50.00

L0501.02A8A ISOLATOR, FRONT, XB Retail Price:$53.00

L0501.02A8C ISOLATOR, FRONT Retail Price:$53.00
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Someday
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 06:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I would think the A8C would be the latest update. Froggy should chime in on this.
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Motorbike
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 12:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My next question was going to be "Does anyone know the part number for the front isolator on an 08 XB12XT?" You guys beat me to it. I still would like to know the correct part number before I call my dealer. I may try a new isolator, even if I have to buy it myself. I will pull it off the bike and inspect it this weekend and post pics to see what you guys think of it's condition. Last time I checked it, it appeared that it was starting to fail, as I could see small splits in the rubber cushion. Thanks!

7873jake, yes I installed the rubber pads also, just haven't had time to look at them yet.
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Etennuly
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 12:17 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I think those are old part numbers. Somewhere in '07 or '08 they changed it to a "kit" to include the large mounting bolt that tends to rust into place. Don't forget anti-sieze on these threads.

I have part number L1501.02A8 If I recall it was like $81.00. Check with Al at American Sport Bike. They have them.

(Message edited by etennuly on July 07, 2011)
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Someday
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 03:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The #'s above are for the isolator alone. Etennuly's # is for the isolator and bolt.
I'm still thinking the A8C is the latest update of the isolator. Don't know which isolator would be in the kit.
Best bet, call Al at American Sport Bike.
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Swampy
Posted on Thursday, July 07, 2011 - 09:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dont' forget the two mounting bolts and washers.

I believe they are single use bolts.

And muffler straps.
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Motorbike
Posted on Friday, July 08, 2011 - 10:45 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Dont' forget the two mounting bolts and washers.

I believe they are single use bolts

Really? Great. I have had mine off and back on once already with the original bolts and washers. Thanks for the tip! I will change them if I replace the isolator.
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Union_man
Posted on Friday, July 08, 2011 - 01:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Motorbike PM sent
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Motorbike
Posted on Saturday, July 09, 2011 - 10:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I pulled the front isolator off and inspected it last night. As you can see, it has a few small cracks in the rubber cushion but was not as bad I suspected it would be.

What do you guys think? Is this normal wear? Do they all look like this at 6750 miles?

2008 XT, 6750 miles




2008 XT, 6750 miles




2008 XT, 6750 miles


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Etennuly
Posted on Saturday, July 09, 2011 - 11:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That is the way mine have looked. Check through the length of the hole to see if the webbing is cracked in there. Mine have been cracked all of the way through.

It is tough stuff to have torn that far and not just given up to tear completely out, as I have seen on some others.
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Motorbike
Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2011 - 01:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Etennuly, I checked the isolator earlier this year and, as far as I can tell, it looked exactly the same as it did yesterday. Keep in mind though I have only put 1500 miles on since then.

I did look down inside, as you suggested and saw no cracks whatsoever. I know the dealer would not warranty at this point so there is no use in me wasting my time, as they are 90 miles away. I might as well run it until it fails completely. My warranty is up Oct. 30, 2011.

Thanks for all the replies, you guys are what makes this website as great as it is!
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Etennuly
Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2011 - 01:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The engine cannot fall out of place if the mount fails completely. It will just vibrate like a garbage compactor everywhere.

If you want to make sure this is your problem, install a new one and save this one for later.
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Tootal
Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2011 - 06:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That looks like mine. Been like that for a long time and it's still good. I did order a spare from Al just in case.
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