| Author | Message | ||
     Buellxb9s |
OK.. I Have put about 80 miles on my BRAND NEW 2003 XB9S (Hold over for demo rides) and it only has 190 miles on it.. Here are my questions. Oh I dont' have the Owners manual yet but dealer called and stated it was in. 1) I also notice the Front braking issue (Today dealer told me that was normal.. His 06 Does it?? I have seen this discussed a bunch on here, does it totally go away?? 2) How does the 'F' work in the odometer reading. I am assuming this has something to do with the Fuel 3) How do you all Jack it up with the exhaust on the bottom.. I wanted to check the tips you all suggested for the braking.. Other than that, I come from riding Sportys (Always been in the Harley family) and wanted to try on of these so I found this New 03 left over. So far very happy except the Clicking when I am slowing down. Thanks all and your input would be great | ||
| Tpoppa |
What is the Front Braking issue you are having? | ||
| Buellxb9s |
I have a clicking sound as slow speeds and a small pulsation. | ||
| Tpoppa |
The Front brake is fine. Most likely you need to have the steering head bearing re-tourqued per the specs in the service manual. This was a common issue on the 03 XB9s. There is a small amount of 'play' in your steering head bearing. When you apply the front brake at slow speeds (under 30 mph) it clicks back and forth. Re-tourquing the steering head bearing will eliminate the 'play.' I had to do this to my 03 XB9s an the clicking completely disappeared. | ||
| Buellxb9s |
Thanks Tpoppa-- I will do that.. What about the other topics? Any idea.. about the "F" gauge that always says 0 or Jacking it up | ||
| Dmextreme |
And Welcome to Badweb, this place is your all in one spot!! | ||
| Tpoppa |
F--This is how many miles since the fuel light goes on. Tip for the steering head bearing...it's easy to do. The front wheel must be off the ground & You will need a torque wrench. I have never used a jack. I use a rear wheel stand and ratchet straps in the front (hung from the rafters in my garage. I see you are also in Ohio. | ||
| Buellxb9s |
Why does it always say 0. Yeah I am in OHio what parts are you from? I am west of COlumbus (45 mins) | ||
| Buellxb9s |
OH Nevermind.. It has never registered a number because the light has never came on right?? Makes since since it's new.. | ||
| Tpoppa |
Once the fuel light goes on, you have 35-45 miles until you need to push. The counter resets to zero when you re-fuel. | ||
| Eurotwins |
My XB12R made the same clicking noise when new and went away after 400 miles...John | ||
| Daves |
The dealer must have really gone over the bike well with you.  Welcome to the Badweb! Feel free to call me with any questions 1-866-757-1651 ask for Dave in the sales dept. Did they set the suspension up for you? This is very important on XB bikes. | ||
| Jlnance |
I believe the muffler is designed to be a jacking point. You might want to wait for someone else to confirm that before you try it. | ||
| Buellxb9s |
Daves- The only thing the dealer showed me was to wait for the engine light go out before I push the button and where the oil stick was on the swing arm.. I will read the manual front to back when I get it.. No suspension was not set for me .. Is there any guidelines I can use to set them? | ||
| Redbull |
There are two locations on the bottom of the muffler that are reinforced for jack placement. The factory service manual has a diagram, but I think there are indents on the can itself, too. Look about 4" or so from the front and the back towards the sides. I would highly recommend getting a copy of the manual, though, as well. Welcome aboard! | ||
| Superbee24 |
When your "FUEL" warning light comes on your odometer will AUTOMATICALLY switches over to the "F" reading. It will then start counting the miles you have been riding with the LOW FUEL light on. I guess it also tells you how many miles you have been riding to get to the point where you will be "F" ***ed and have to start pushing the bike. When your refuel your bike, the "F" counter will automatically reset itself to 0.0 after a couple of miles. | ||
| Buellxb9s |
U guys are awesome.. The Dealer called me today and stated that the manual in on the way to my House.. Thank god.. Anyway thanks again everyone.. I have also ordered a service manual which should be here anyday.. Last question.. Stock what is the top speed anyone has been too.. Thank you and hopefully someday I will be able to help someone else with dumb questions. Great SITE!! I will be in contact | ||
| Skyguy |
Buellxb9s, Welcome! My XB9r has shown 138mph but I suspect this to be optomistic. Oh and after a long push (uphill both ways) I no longer push my reserve past 30 miles. When riding back down the I-5 I never got past 100 miles before reserve kicked in. Of course averaging 95mph is not the best way to get good mileage. | ||
| Indy_bueller |
My 2003 XB9 had the front brake clicking/shudder problem, they replaced the brake rotor bushings and it went away. I would get it checked if I were you. | ||
| Buellxb9s |
Well I think I might of found the problem maybe.. When I turn the handle bars I hear the clicking.. It sounds like its right underneath the handle bar clamp.. Where the big Steering Head cap is? Are the Bearings under that as well? I am pretty convinced that is where it's coming from.. | ||
| Buellxb9s |
Anyone agree that this could be the problem? | ||
| Diablobrian |
yes that is where the head bearings are. Yes, that would indicate a problem. | ||
| Xbmick |
Buellxb9s Congrats on the new bike!! What did you pay for your new leftover xb9s,I found a new leftover xb9(03) also and have no idea on prices for this bike. | ||
| Olinxb12r |
I've had my 12R bouncing off the rev limiter in 5th at 145 according to the speedo. | ||
| Buellxb9s |
XBMick - I paid 6900 for it?? I thought it was a good price.. Used the KBB value was about 5500. I put about 1500 down I think I got a good deal.. I got my service manual in and I am not sure if the bearings are the issue or not.. I am going out tomorrow for my second ride on her and I will see if I notice any thing other than the brakes clicking.. Every dealer I talked to said wait until the first service and see if it is still doing it then have us (the dealer) fix it for you.. I found a dealer that will do the first service for 215 bucks.. is that a good price.?? After that I will do everything on my own (Hence that is why I bought the manual.. Although since I still have the 2 year warranty I may just take it too dealer until that's up.. What you you all think and thank for the great info. | ||
| Donutclub |
I'd take it back to Farrows to get the "clicking front brake" checked out. It's under warranty, let them fix the problem. I took my 04' XB12 into Farrows for a transmission shifting problem and a month later I got it back with essentially a rebuilt motor. I've been very happy with their service. Now that the warranty is up, I'm now a DIYer. We'll have to hook up this summer to do some riding. I'm in Galloway, about 20 minutes West of Columbus. | ||
| Buellxb9s |
yeah I just looked at that.. So you say you were happy with there service?? I am still skeptical but hey if you have already taken the buell there.. They were then ones I talked too about the clicking.. The honestly told me that should stop after about 400 miles and it was called Glazing.. If it didn't to bring it in and they would look at it.. I just don't want them to keep it for several weeks. You know what I mean. I live about 40 mins from columbus.. I would love to hit 270 on her though.. HEH | ||
| Donutclub |
They had mine for a month because they rebuilt the motor. It started out as a transmission problem, but it developed into a rebuild. The cases had to be split to get into the transmission. Glazing of the pads doesn't create a "clicking" sound. It will create a squeaking sound when the brakes are applied. I'd suspect the steering head bearings may need to be adjusted(as indicated by above postings). | ||
| Saintly |
I had a frt brake noise/pulsing on my bike when it was brand new. It felt like a stone was stuck in the rotor, and it occured once per wheel revolution. Dealer played it off as normal. It is NOT normal and it will NOT go away! What it will do is blue your rotor & tear the a$$ out of your brake pads. Get it fixed, insist thay they fix it, call buell if neccesary. Mine was fixed under warranty with a new rotor & mounting hardware. I had to eat the cost of pads though, because they are "wear" items, even though they were clearly ruined by the "bump" or "pulse" | ||
| Buellxb9s |
UPDATE: I put 86 miles on it today and it seems like once the brakes and rotors warmed up I really couldn't even tell there was anything wrong.. Once I stopped to eat and went back out I noticed it again.. I am going to have the dealer look at it.. I just want to wait until it's nice so they can ride it and don't give me the "We checked the Steering bearings and the brake rotor looks fine , that is normal" I am just fearing that is what I will here. With me wanting to wrench on it myself I would like to wait until the warranty is up so I don't void it.. Due you have to pay for labor if it's a warranty claim? Thanks all and I love the bike.. Man I do | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Here's a pic of my '06 XBSs jacked up on its Drummer SS. I made some cradles that fit the contour of the muffler. I did the same thing for my '03 XBs  | ||
| Donutclub |
Your concerns should be covered by warranty work. | ||
| Old_man |
Under warranty, you should not have to pay any labor charge. |
