| Author | Message | ||
     Texbb |
Went to Colorado, drove some really nice roads in the mountains, 2 days of solid rain (monsoon season they say), cool tempts mostly, but really hot coming back to Texas. I had installed an Eric Buell Racing ECM and Drummer muffler the day before I left. The bike ran great! My brother has a stock 2009 Ulysses and rode mine to compare. He was amazed at the difference the mods made. He will be making the same mods shortly. My only complaint is a slight hesitation at around 2000 RPM when moving slowly through town at low speed. Not a big deal, but noticeable. On the way home we ran at 80 mph for 2-3 hours at a time. The RPM was about 4000 - 4100. The bike did well. I normally would keep it at 70-75 mph, but the group picked 80 mph. Anyone have experience at 80 mph or higher for an extended time? When I got home I drained the engine and transmission oil as soon as I shut it down. I noticed the access plate for the transmission had a slight film of material that looked like mayonnaise on the inside. The oil that drained from the transmission looked like it was new. There was no discoloration, no emulsion, it was clear. My bike has 3200 miles now. I had changed the transmission oil previously. I looked into the transmission with a flashlight and it was clean. I think it must be the result of moisture from the torrential rains that seeped into and around the access plate. I cleaned it up, filled with HD 'Formula' oil, installed a new gasket and torqued the torx screws to the proper torque. When I had changed the trans oil previously, I did use a new gasket and had properly torqued the bolts. Anyone else out there have a similar experience after riding through torrential rains for 2-3 days? My brother lost a bolt on the shifter linkage. I guess it was due to vibration. We found a replacement and locktite coated the bolt. I'm thinking about carrying some assorted spare bolts with me next time to be ready for problems like this? Anyone else with similar experience? Anyone carry spare bolts / fasteners? Suggestions? My bike has the comfort kit installed and the 2010 rear wheel in addition to the Drummer / Erik Buell Racing ECM. (Message edited by TexBB on August 09, 2010) | ||
| Badrap |
I have'nt had the problem with the mayo yet but I have'nt had the pleasure of riding in the rain for 2 days either. Why do you have the 2010 rear wheel. Did your bearing go out already? | ||
| Tiltcylinder |
It seems to 'breathe' in the humidity when shut down and cooling off. Then when heated it transfers to the coolest surface. Leaving that lovely mayo`on the inside of the covers... no worries. | ||
| Texbb |
Thanks Tiltcylinder, that's nice to know. Since the mayo wasn't anywhere else, I was hoping it was something like you describe. Badrap, I decided to install the 2010 rear wheel as a 'preventive' upgrade. It was installed at less than 1000 miles. The original wheel is in the attic gathering dust. | ||
| Eulysses |
You could put a knobby on that spare! I just came in from a 2500 ride to MT and back to west coast. Ran 80 with xb9 gearing about 43-4400. Xb9 runs 75mph at 4grand. Running synthetic now in my 09. Thought hard about 2010 wheel but have heard no bearing issues on 09's yet. I lost an airbox screw. I notice the airbox vibrates with the engine but frame is still. Interesting design. Only wear was my butt. Euly | ||
| Etennuly |
The bolts you seek are common. I have had a couple vibrate out, but luckily they were nonessential to getting home. I have seen a buddy loose a shifter bolt. He borrowed one out of another bike. Carry extra bolts? Good idea. I'm too lazy to look up what I need I guess. But that is a good idea. The Mayo effect is normal for lots of rain and much more common in winter, many of us get two or three uses out of the cover gaskets. Not that it is a big deal, but a hundred mile round trip or a three day wait sometimes gets in the way. I did a trip to Panama City Fl from Knoxville Tn and back, mostly in the rain, when my Uly was as new as yours. I did a lot of that trip at 100 mph for forty miles at a time. Still going strong at 53,000 miles.  With fresh tires these things are amazing in the rain. | ||
| Itileman |
I lost a shifter bolt on my 09 XT in Colorado last year. Had an RV repair place make a replacement part: bolt, bushing, nut. It's still holding 7k miles later, but I have a new set in the tool bag. Liking the XB-9 conversion. |
