| Author | Message | ||
     Two_Buells |
Man, get over it! The XB9 is what it is period! For the fortunate few that own them, they love the XB’s. I am sick and tied of reading what Buell should have done! Be thankful that we have an American Company that even makes bikes. What if Buell made a world beating bike. Would it sell any better that the Aprilia or Ducati? People would still find things wrong with it. The sportbike market is a tough one to break into. My Buells are not the fastest bikes out there but, they still can get me tickets and scare the shit out of me when I ride to the max. That’s fast enough for me. If I wanted a 180 mph bike I’d go out and get one. There are many to choose from. In the mean time I’ll be draggin the pegs and pulling monster wheelies with the great American Sportbike…….Buell! “Get over it!” | ||
| Kerryx1 |
Hey Mike! Long time no see! Still playin' in York? Kerry AKA 'Ole Baldie  | ||
| Turnagain |
Mike, Sir, 
I know you're good & fast, but are you really draggin' hard parts on the XB? I know the real good riders can, so I'm just curious. Oh & still one of my favorite Buell pics of you:  Steve(2) | ||
| Blake |
That is a load of crap. When will that myth ever be put to rest? How many Buells require catalytic converters to meet CARB emissions requirements? Answer... none. How many UJM and Euro high tech bikes need catlaytic converters to meet CARB emissions requirements. Answer... most of them. | ||
| Rick_A |
If it's not true then why are they still so choked coming out of the factory? Why do they detonate in traffic and on hot days?...fart through the intake occasionally while cruising on a hot afternoon? If it's a myth why are there jet kits and race ecms to fix that? Maybe imports have catalytic converters 'cause they'd like their bikes to run somewhat properly out of the factory. I don't see it as any myth. If it's a myth why is the XB not an oversquare 1200? Tell me it's cause they wanted to test the platform first, I'd tell you you're full of crap. | ||
| Elvis |
"That is a load of crap" I'll give you 1/2 load of crap, but not a full load. According to Erik himself (on the subject of air cooling): "The only thing we can't compete with as well is sound deadening - but man, from every other standpoint there's an advantage." From this interview: http://caferacers.editthispage.com/stories/storyReader$213 | ||
| Two_Buells |
Hi Kerry, yup I'll still in York. Steve, that is one of favorite pics also. BTW I put the lower XB9S pegs on the Firebolt. I might be able to touch one down next year during a BattleTrax event. I'll let you know. | ||
| S320002 |
No response from JQ? Maybe he finally got the point! | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Response to what, that the XB is not related to the XL? As I mentioned earlier, they still share parts and fluids (the only two HD engines that use Sport-Trans Fluid are, you guessed it, the XL and XB). But more important than that, the XL and the XB share their architecture, I'll let Steve Anderson explain it in a way that you might understand:
Improved? Yes. Totally new? NO, they share their architecture and some parts and their transmission fluid. Now this might still not be enough for you Greg, so I'll use one last quote, from somebody that posts here frequently and is very highly respected for his technical expertise. This is what the said about the Firebolt engine on another thread:
He then went on to sum things up this way:
Of course, none of this will change your mind, so that's why I even hesitated bringing this up again, because it's like trying to convince a Democrat that they REALLY LOST FLORIDA. | ||
| Spiderman |
>>>>>Improved? Yes. Totally new? NO, they share their architecture and some parts and their transmission fluid. SO this means that If you were to build hmmmm lets see.... A replica of the Empire State Building But... WIth modern plumbing and digital every thing you know all the works of a modern sky scaper including new construction techniques and materials. Would it still be the same old empire state Building????? NO just cause something looks like something from the outside does not mean it is "Basically the same" Take the new VW Beetle for instance. Is it the same old air cooled POS it was in the 60's Must Be it looks like the old Beetle. >>>>>>The Firebolt motor is a cruiser motor. No the Twin Cam 88 And TC88B are "Cruiser Motors" Unless you tweak them a little. Our A-Tecs are pumping out 103 Strokers with 104 RWHP and Twin cam motors with the 1550 kit and the New CNC heads suplied by Harley with over 110 RWHP. But those motors are for cruising too. | ||
| S320002 |
JQ, You make me laugh! Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Triumph and Yamaha all "share the same architecture" in their 600s, DOHC, in-line four cylinders, fuel injection, crank case and trans share the same fluid, metric nuts and bolts and so on. According to your definition that would make them all the same. Do really believe that or are you letting your pride get in the way of your common sense? Greg | ||
| Kerryx1 |
Any pics of your prototype yet, Jose? Come on! Build us one!!! You'll be worth millions! You could hire Willie G. so he won't bother anybody else within H-D. I still await the first street model! My Buell needs something to snicker at in the garage. 'Ole Baldie  | ||
| S320002 |
José_Quiñones, If you are going to use Steve Anderson's quote to argue that the engine is a Sportster engine perhaps you should read it more closely. "...Buell engine, but capable of being built on similar tooling to the current engine." "I'm not sure what the common crankpin is costing them, power wise, but it's something else I look at as a cruiser thing." I don't know who the person was that wrote this but they certainly don't understand the concept of a rocking couple. The interlocking connecting rods reduce vibration. Something which you are constantly harping about. There are other comments in that quote that indicate the author may not fully understand the XB engine design. As far as Florida goes, let them whine, I'm just happy it turned out the way it did. If you can refute my logic I'll be more than happy to listen. Greg | ||
| Rick_A |
The XB and XL motors are similar. How about that? Everyone happy now?  Just an evolution of a proven platform. About the reliability thing...look to the people with high mileage Buell and Sportster motors that are still running beautifully. If everyone (for the most part) kept their rides maintained the same, they wouldn't be complaining about reliability. A simple minor problem that's not found and fixed quickly becomes a $$failure$$. Seems like manufacturers are really just trying hard to build more idiot proof engines. About the "cruiser motor" thing...I'd define a cruiser motor as any engine in a cruiser. | ||
| Jrh |
What the XB engine is or is not makes no difference to me anymore,but as Jose said,Steve A. wrote the 1st paragraphs and the rest was posted here a while ago by someone else(hint,he's this sites hero engine builder who may be surprised to learn he "certainly don't understand" Oh well | ||
| Bud |
I don’t now if anyone started a bearing story yet, But I find it most important that you read about my findings ; I’ve read on The Borg forum ( German ), about a guy who got a serious crash on his bolt, The chose off the crash was an rear wheel bearing failure. Normally I don’t relate to panic story’s , but I kept it in mind. As I removed my rear wheel, to clean it . I always check the bearing’s, it’s a good thing I did because the bearing’s where really bad ( 8000 km on them ) as I brought the wheel to my dealer to let them now my finding’s the said “ I just cot a demo bike in with a real bad handling problem, the problem where the bearing’s front and rear.” The point is, if you check theme with the wheel’s in place you can’t feel that there almost gone, There ‘s no play in theme, but with the wheel removed you can feel that the turn real heavy & feel some bad points in theme. My dealer is putting in new one’s from Skf Gr, bud. | ||
| Chainsaw |
Bearings: Anyone know how long a sealed bearing should last? I know XB9 had changed both of his by 12,000. I just crossed 5k on my Firebolt, and am curious. | ||
| Timbo |
Thanks Bud, I'll keep this in mind for future reference. Timbo | ||
| Shazam |
I've got 11,xxx miles on mine and both sets are shot. Replacing them this weekend. anyone else? | ||
| Ar15ls1 |
A good set of sealed bearings should last a long time unless the are in a very corrosive enviornment. Buell probably should recall thisand I will go outside and check my wheel bearings now! Thanks Bud | ||
| Cyclone1 |
Bud is right. I tried checking them on the bike this morning, but there was no play to speak of. Once I had the wheel off, and rolled the bearing around with my finger, I could feel some serious roughness. It feels like there's not enough grease on the inside anymore..just rough. Oh, also..for anyone that has lost or broken or just doesn't have a tool to get the front axle out : I took a 13/16 spark plug socket (with the rubber removed, and one that has the square all the way through it) and put an extension in the opposite way. Works great cause its a 13/16" opening  (remember its left-hand thread, too  ) Frank | ||
| Xb9 |
I got 8K out of the front, 12K out of the rear bearings. When I noticed the front, the left side was rough and had play, the right side was still OK. Wonder if the brake is offsetting the load on the frt. bearings? | ||
| Roc |
Are the XB's bearings Chinese? I ask because the replacement bearings, from Buell, I bought for my S1 were. Not to say that makes them of poor quality, but perhaps they could be improved upon. Xb9 - how did you modify your muffler? | ||
| Jim_Witt |
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| Anonymous |
It’s nice to now , that Buell is supporting the 3e world, But not for my wheel bearings thank you. gr,bud | ||
| Xb9 |
ROC, Here's what I did. Only made it a little bit louder, but seems to have helped the midrange alot. Took out the dip for sure. Cut an "H" pattern in the top of the muffler (looking at it from the side) just a little wider than the jack point markings. You will see there is an inner canister within the muffler. Cut that open and peel it open the same way (H). Within this inner canister, cut out nearly the full length and half the diameter of the second and third pipes (based on flow direction). The halves you cut out should be facing each other. Weld up the inner canister, then the outer canister. I've only been able to put about 30 miles on it like this, and it was freezing ass cold, so I haven't been able to fully evaluate it. | ||
| Blake |
China is a 3rd world country?  I agree though. Please Buell, give us American bearings! | ||
| Shazam |
didn't know if this info was readily available here yet or not...for knowledge vault? XB9R / 9S? front wheel bearing replacement SKF #6005 2RSJEM approx. $18 ea. rear wheel bearing replacement SKF #6006 2RSJEM approx. $21 ea. | ||
| Xb9 |
Thanks, Shazam. Does anyone know what the aftermarket bearing replacement is for the Drive Belt Idler Pulley? Buell will only sell the complete pully & bearing assembly. The numbers on it are 5203-RS, although it could be a 6203-RS. (Hard to read) Approx. 17mm X 18mm X 40mm. I think it is a double row angular contact bearing, but not sure. | ||
| Xb9 |
My original Frt. Wheel bearings were FAG, I think that is a German Company, but who knows were they were actually produced! The new front wheel I received recently under warranty has different bearings ( the seal color is different). Can't see the Mfg. on the new ones. |
