| Author | Message | ||
     Wordshop1 |
Service manual still hasn't arrived. Got the XB12R stripped down to put on the new Edelbrock race muffler, and want to change to iridium plugs. what's the easiest way to get to the plugs? Thank in advance. Steve H | ||
| Darthane |
The front plug requires the removal of the air scoop. There are a couple of those stupid TORX fasterners holding it on. Then use an open ended wrench to get the front plug out. The rear requires the removal of the entire airbox assembly. It's pretty straightforward, just removing all of the screws, then pressing the breather hose and velocity stack down through the bottom of the airbox. You WILL NEED a swivel joint to get at the rear plug, but it't not as difficult as it seems at first glance. To get the new one in, use a piece of fuel hose stuck onto the end of the plug to guide it in and get it started. | ||
| Jasonxb12s |
It's my favorite thing to do of all time. Getting the rear plug's cable back on snug is a beotch! Be patient | ||
| Wordshop1 |
Darthane : Thanx for the input. The fuel hose trick worked great. And I've created a tool from an old screwdriver which I heated and bent just at the right angle which allows me to now snap on the rear plug wire (after 30 minutes of fighting with the damn thing by hand.) WARNING!! PREPARING TO VENT!! Couple observations: My XB is only 30 days old, and both plug wires already have cracked insulation, and the rear was showing thru in two places. It would behoove you to check it out -- I'll be upgrading ASAP. The font plug came out STRIPPED about two-thirds the way down. It was that way from the factory. Hope it didn't F-up the plughole I've ridden and serviced my own motorcycles since my first Honda, and ridden and worked on Harleys since '72, and never have I had such a friggin &*&%$##@#$# time changing a set of plugs. I love my XB . It is the most fun I've ever had on two wheels, and it’s a beautiful hybrid of the cookie cutter rice burners and the omni-present RUB Hogs. But I have to wonder what Erik was thinking when he came up with the plan to bury the spark plugs somewhere in BFE . Especially for those of us with less-than-tiny paws, this simple project is an hour-long nightmare. I think I can do it faster now, but I still don't relish being on the road when the time comes to do my next service and I have to basically strip the damn thing down to the frame to check the plugs... VENTING OFF! ALL CLEAR!! Oh well, guess I'll go torch some Big Twins for lunch-- I'll feel all better, I'm sure. | ||
| Darthane |
Dude, calm down - LOL! I'm telling you, once you've done it once it's no problem. 15 minutes or so. You want to complain, go try removing the footpeg mounts on a Blast. If you can get that down to 10 or 15 minutes I'll eat one of the lock nuts! | ||
| 2k4xb12 |
Bryan's right -- it gets easier each time. One trick I learned about the plug wires is it's easier to reseat them if you slide the boot up the wire exposing the snap terminal. Using the tip of a screwdriver, you can snap it over the tip of the plug, then just slide the boot down until it bottoms out. Also, the rear is a pain to get off the plug, but I found that pulling it from the coil helps get the right angle. I also agree that the stock wires leave much to be desired. I was at my dealer and he has lots of Buell Pro wire kits, but none are for the XBs. Anybody got a lead on good aftermarket wires? | ||
| Fullpower |
yes i was also very surprised at the very cheap looking spark plug wires on the XB. they do look much like the junk that comes on the sportsters. the screamin eagle sportster wires are good quality, inexpensive, and now i wonder if they can fit the XB? i will give them a try, i had some issues this weekend running in the rain, may have been plug wires? | ||
| Xb9er |
The front plug is much easier for me to remove and replace. I also have found that I can remove and install the rear without removing the air box (just the surlyn airbox cover is removed). When the cover is off, there is a little triangular opening. Once you get the plug wire off with a screwdriver, you can work the plug socket in by itself, then thread a swivel adapter on the end of an extension rod through the triangular opening. To put a rear plug in, use the fuel hose trick to thread it as far down as you can and then, use the same procedure with the sockets to get it torqued down. And don't forget to use anti-sieze. YMMV. Mike. | ||
| Henrik |
I always use spiral cut wire loom to protect cables and wires if they seem to run in close proximity to abrasive edges. Just a few bucks at RadioShack. Good preventive maintenance. Henrik |
