G oog le BadWeB | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile

Buell Forum » Big, Bad & Dirty (Buell XB12X Ulysses Adventure Board) » Archive through August 08, 2019 » Interesting Observation on Oil System- 2008-up XB « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Hughlysses
Posted on Wednesday, June 05, 2019 - 04:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

So, this afternoon I set out to replace the crank position sensor on my 2009-engined 2007 Uly. The original sender failed (in Friday afternoon rush hour interstate traffic!) a few years ago. I replaced it with a used unit and the bike died on me again in stop-and-go traffic a few weeks ago. Fortunately, it re-fired once it had cooled off a bit and I was able to ride it home.

Anyway, I bought a new unit and went to install it this afternoon. For those of you that haven't seen this setup, the CPS on these bikes is on the front of the crankcases and reads notches in the left-hand flywheel.

Imagine my surprise when I pulled out the sensor and oil came gushing out! I quickly put the sensor back in the hole and scratched my head for a few minutes.

2008-up owners had figured out shortly after this improved engine came out that oil would drain out of the swingarm back into the engine cases fairly rapidly, making checking the oil level difficult. Most of us now check it with the engine running, which seems to work well.

It had been a couple of weeks since I fired the bike up so apparently the oil level had equalized between the engine cases and the swingarm. I installed the retaining bolt back in the sensor, cranked the bike, and let it idle for about a minute to hopefully push most of the oil back to the swingarm. I immediately pulled the sensor and this time no oil came out.

I was just surprised to see how much of the oil wound up in the cases. The oil level had been at least level with the centerline of the crankshaft. At least I know what to do next time.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Mark_weiss
Posted on Wednesday, June 05, 2019 - 06:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Oil-in-frame XR 350 Hondas will do that too. Sumping, as I recall. If enough oil drained back during an extended off time, you could not kick the engine over due to the lack of crankcase space below the piston.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Natexlh1000
Posted on Wednesday, June 05, 2019 - 11:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The book says the capacity of the oil system is 2.5 Qts.
Every time I change the oil, I put the required 2.5 Qts in and the dip stick reads correct after idling for a while.
Then take it for an actual half hour ride and it reads a half quart low.

This freaked me out at first.
I though it was burning/leaking the oil away.
Nope.
Adding the half quart brings it up to middle of my dipstick. It stays there for thousands of miles.

I think my swingarm is more hollow or something.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Blake
Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2019 - 11:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Nate:

A half quart low reading? That's on the dipstick?

Are you certain of that? I thought the low mark was closer to 8 ounces low, which would be one cup or 1/4 quart.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Blake
Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2019 - 12:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

FYI:

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=3842&post=1256516#POST1256516

And take note of the information at the bottom of that page...
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Tempest766
Posted on Thursday, June 06, 2019 - 01:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I no longer use the dipstick for measuring. I use a flashlight and the horizontally mounted cylinder/nub that is visible by the oil recharge nozzle inside the swing arm. When the oil is touching that nub when hot I consider it good to go.
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and custodians may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration