| Author | Message | ||
     Cyko_bob  |
I find the black covers for the pushrods on the XBs kind of funky looking. Is there an engineering reason for them being like they are? Can you install a set of Sportster pushrod tubes on the XB engines? If so, is there a length problem for the XB9? I don't want a show bike, but I want to spice it up here and there to look nice  | ||
| M1combat  |
It requires some machining, but as I recall it's possible. | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Machine the heads is what you mean...right? Hmmm, I don't want to pull the heads just to change the covers. Are you aware of anyone making an accessory item to replace the black ones? This is not a major deal with me, but if there is an economical and easy touch up for those covers I am interested. | ||
| Aaron |
We sell a kit (scroll down to "Collapsible Pushrod Covers" ). No machining required for installation. Removing the old black plastic jobbers will require either pulling the heads or cutting them out. Unlike the old bikes, you can't just slide'em out after pulling the pushrods, the head actually has to come off. | ||
| Anonymous |
The black enclosures have a number of advantages. First, less leak paths. Second, less weight. Third, they drop the velocity on the breathing between the bottom end and head, which promotes oil drain down at high rpm reducing oil carryover. Fourth, they look cooler and different! | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Anonymous: Well, that sounds like Buell thinking/engineering. I wondered why they dropped the tubes. I agree they look different, but I am not sure about the cooler part...know it is all a matter of personal taste, just like the different sounds from the different mufflers. Does Buell have it posted somewhere as to the function and purpose of the covers on the XB series...or in a road test/article somewhere? I will go for technology and function before I go for looks. Aaron, thanks for your input. If I get to the point of removing the heads for an upgrade or repair I might revisit the idea...vice the remarks above versus the technological/engineering advantages of the current covers. I am not in the market to upgrade my engine size right now (want to be back in the States before I do anything like that), but don't you also market bigger jugs for the XB9? I like the idea of the short stroke (oversquare) engine...higher reving. For future reference what jugs do you have to "up-size" the XB9, and what cubic inches would you wind up with? | ||
| S1eric |
I have to agree with with anonymous. part of the reason is, That I just spent last night in my garage fixing oil leaks around the base of my pushrod tubes. S1Eric | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Eric...just took a quick look at your bio...like to sort of know the person on the other end. In your bio you mentioned you did not like having to take your bike to the Harley dealership for the calibration of the TPS...same thought here. However, I think I saw a post by DaveS about having something for a computer that allows you to do the calibration/reset yourself. I am talking to one of my buddies here in Korea about it...thinking he might get one (let someone else buy it, ha ha!) He has an EFI on his ElectraGlide (with 116 cubes). Seriously, this guy buys nearly every Harley tool made, and thought he might be interested in it...assume the program will work on other Harleys too. Anyway, you may not want it for the occasional use, but I think DaveS has a program for it, or can get it. | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Aaron...I think I found the answer to my question to you. I searched the NRHS site and found the section on the XB9 engine mods...reference the 1050CC kit and 1200CC kit. I like the concept of a 1200CC Buell with the short stroke, oversquare engine. It seems to me a big bore XB9 with the 1200 kit should outrun the stock XB12 (with same mods otherwise)...quicker and higher reving with the same CC. Interesting thought... | ||
| Aaron |
Eric, we have a solution for that, too (first thing on that page). It's a very common problem because that pot metal ring at the base is flimsy and with just one bolt holding it down, it doesn't preload the seal evenly enough. We got sick of dealing with it and just made these.   They work slick as hell, we haven't had one leak yet, at least not that anyone's reported. $39.95 a set, with all the o-rings and seals and new bolts. Don't have the equivalent for the XB or Blast yet, just the collapsible conversion kits, which are really designed to allow access to adjustable pushrods. The collapsible kit we sell is the best one I've ever found, in terms of resistance to leaks. There are some pretty bad kits out there. Cyko, we have two different bores available: 3-9/16 and 3-13/16. The 3-9/16 bore kit, which we call the "1050 kit", is a "bolt-on", meaning you just swap out your top end for this one, and gives you about 4% more displacement. Assuming you have the breathing to support it, 4% more displacement generally means 4% more power, although we tend to see a little more because it gives real good ring seal and also because it bumps the compression slightly. The 3-13/16 bore kit ("1200 kit"  is a little more involved to install, it takes a full teardown and boring of your cases. With the stock stroke, it works out to about 1170cc. We've got customers doing it with the the XB12 crank, too, which gives 1420cc or so. Commonly called the 88" kit. We can do a 3-7/8 bore in the stock cases as well, but it's a bit risky, particularly in the XB application as down low on the pushrod side of the cylinder it's getting mighty thin. For most folks I'm recommending staying with the 3-13/16 bore. | ||
| Nedwreck  |
I'd rather have replacement covers in carbon. Anyone making those, yet? Bob | ||
| Slaughter  |
I have the collapsible pushrod covers installed on my racebike (thank you NRHS) I have to admit I like the look - but I have the hydrosolids and adjustable pushrods - so it makes a big difference in convenience - you have to adjust pushrods more often - it does make sense. (and I got 2 5th place finishes at Willow this weekend - yippee - not podium but considering I can't use my clutch hand at the start, I'm pleased) | ||
| Charlieboy6649  |
Cyko_bob, If you want to retain the function but add a little form, you could plastikote them for some color. Or maybe just a touch of color with a paint pen on the pegasus? Plastic can be chromed cant it? Just another option I was looking at. | ||
| Slaughter |
Oh Bob - carbon tubes are trivial but to make them strong enough to handle the vibration and end-loads - they'd probably weigh more than steel. The ends would have to have metal inserts of some sort I'd imagine - the graphite isn't going to give a good seal - and the resin expands more in the heat than the fibers - meaning what is a smooth surface at room temperature gets rougher as it heats up. Generally, small cross-section carbon stuff doesn't go over too well. You can get carbon pushrods. Dunno but I think Aaron might have a line on where to get them - but there's not any "bling" value - though they do theoretically offer slight weight savings over steel. Hey if Aaron wanted to contract somebody to provide them, there are plenty of people manufacturing composite tube stock. He could then buy tubes and machine the ends to suit. | ||
| Nedwreck |
Not the tubes, Slaughter, I'm talking about replacements for the stock Buell covers. Bob | ||
| Slaughter |
oops- misunderstood. Was thinking of tubes. NOW you got me to thinking. Gotta go look in my take-off parts box and see how that might be done. |
