| Author | Message | ||
     Chorizo |
My bike has developed a slip in fifth gear when RPM is about 5K to redline. Seems like engine whines but just not getting to the rear wheel. Bike runs great otherwise. Front wheel lifts in three gears with XB9 gear and is a hoot. Maybe I didnt notice it with XB12 gear. I did the old school test- from a stand still pull in front brake and try to make clutch slip. But engine begins to stall. No real big deal as I hardly ever ride real fast. Just wondering if I should be thinking new clutch soon. And will it go slowly or leave me stranded tomorrow. Just to eliminate this thought, its not ECM related is it? | ||
| Hughlysses |
How many miles on the bike? Are you sure clutch and primary chain are adjusted properly? Did you use the right lubricant (Formula + or 20W-50 motor oil)? If you can stall the engine in first with clutch and brakes it seems unlikely that the clutch would slip in 5th gear. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Seems like engine whines but just not getting to the rear wheel Do the revs climb (as shown on the tach), and the speed does not? If the needles keep pace with each other...you're not slipping. +1 on correct fluid, and on proper primary/clutch adjustments. There is no ECM connection to gear position or transmission control at all. The ECM controls fuel, and that's it. I don't think it's even aware there *is* a transmission...nor does it care. | ||
| Froggy |
His 06 doesn't, but the 08+ know what gear you are in and if you are squeezing the clutch. | ||
| Bikelit |
At about 30mph in top gear, pull the clutch in, pin the throttle and slowly let the clutch out. It it slips, you'll know then! Unlikely the 08+ bikes know what gear they are in. I suppose the speed and crank sensors could together calculate what gear you were in, but why?? | ||
| Ratbuell |
I don't think any XB's got that feature...I know the 1125 has it, but can't remember if any aircooled bikes got it. I don't think they did. They may have a clutch status switch (1 or 0 values) to help the AIS motor up the idle...but I don't think there's a gearbox reference at all. AFAIK, the 1125 is the only one that makes use of the "speed versus RPM" math to figure gear position... | ||
| Hughlysses |
Let me get this straight- the two of you are questioning the Frogster's knowledge of Buell electronics? | ||
| Desert_bird |
Brains on '08 and above XBs are integrated with the tranny. Quick verification is raised idle in gear, and a reduced idle in neutral. DB | ||
| Ratbuell |
That's "integrated with the clutch switch, and neutral light". Light off, must be in a gear, must up the idle when clutch switch changes state (said switch is mounted to the lever, just like the front brake switch). Doesn't know or care *which* gear, just as I noted above. And yes...Frank has been tainted by all his miles on 1125's and his growing disdain for our beloved air-cooled bikes. Sometimes he...mis-remembers a bit. Besides - it's fun poking him with a stick!  | ||
| Chorizo |
35k miles. Not exactly sure on the 20w-50 band but I know it cost about $15/qt. Revs climb and no increase in speed, thats what got me thinking clutch. Weird thing is it rides great in all other conditions. Thats why I thought maybe a mystery electrical issue. | ||
| Chorizo |
On the primary adjustment, wouldn't you notice the noise if slipping? I think it'd sound gruesomely effed up. And if I the oil is wrong would a change do the trick or is it several changes to clean things out. Just curious on that. Thanks | ||
| Tootal |
In my experience, I've found that if your clutch has been in one type of oil and you switch oils it can cause slippage. The new oil might be alright, it's just not what the clutch packs are use to. If you have decided what oil you want then remove the clutch pack and either buy a new set or completely degrease your old ones using brake cleaner etc. Once they are dry then soak them in the new oil and install back into the clutch. I have done this on dirt bikes before and it works. My Uly does the same thing as yours because I changed the oil. It only happens in higher gears over 5000 rpm so it doesn't happen very often but next time I'm doing any business in the primary I'll take my own advise! | ||
| Chorizo |
Tootal, I was afraid someone was going to say that. | ||
| Arry |
It would be worth trying Harley-Davidson Formula+ (the recommended oil), if you don't know what is in there now. I believe there is a reason they specify different oils for the engine and primary/tranny. The clutch plates need some friction between them. Some oils might not allow enough friction. | ||
| Ratbuell |
...or you could run Syn3. Also a 'recommended'/'acceptable' fluid, and I run it in all areas of all my bikes - engines, transmissions, primaries. One bottle to top anything off, no clutch slippage, no stator cooking. It would make sense that if you are just starting to slip, it would be in fifth. That is when you're putting the most load on the clutch - the lower gears allow acceleration, as opposed to loading the drivetrain. I bet if you put it in third, dropped down to 1500-ish, and grabbed a fistful of throttle...you'd feel it slipping there too because it's out of the bike's "power band", so to speak. | ||
| Chorizo |
It maybe unfair to ask but if I just noticed it and its still running fine at legal speeds, probably OK to ride a while longer? At least tomorrow eh? | ||
| Ratbuell |
Like the doctor said to the patient: "Doc, it hurts when I do this..." "Well, don't do that." If it only slips in 5th...ride in 4th. Worst that can happen is...you'll have Neutral even when the light isn't on  But you should have some good warning...a clutch wearing out isn't a "flip a switch" failure. You'll see it coming. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Pretty sure I remember somebody asking Erik straight up what to put in the primary and he said Formula+. Of course, he was still with H-D at the time... As I see it Chorizo, the worst you can do is get some glaze on your disks. When you get a chance, pull it apart and brake-kleen the steel and fiber disks. Soak the clean & dry fiber disks in fresh primary juice. If the steels are discolored, some wet 600 grit should clean them up. if they're warped, replace them. Feel free to scream if this sounds dumb... Zack | ||
| Froggy |
They have it, it just ain't used for anything useful on domestic bikes. Might be used on Japanese exports for emissions the same way it is done on the 1125, but I don't have an eeprom to confirm. | ||
| Tootal |
The EBR bikes are all running Amsoil now. I guess Erik changed his mind! I wouldn't worry about the clutch, mine's been doing that for a couple of years and only happens at wide open throttle over 5000 rpm so I stay away from doing that in higher gears. All Amsoil engine oils are good for wet clutches but like I said before, if you change to Amsoil, or any other oil, it could cause slippage until you clean the clutch disk. Ratbuell is right, just don't do that and it will be fine for a long time! | ||
| Chorizo |
Rode it 100 miles on mountain twisties today, NO problems under 5k in 5th. Thanks guys. |
