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CarstensXB12

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Joined
Jun 9, 2013
Messages
19
Hi Everybody!

My name is Steve, I live in Cape Town, South Africa and I'm taking delivery of my 2008 Buell XB12Ss on Tuesday. It's the 25th anniversary edition, currently has 20,000km's on the clock and is stock standard besides a K&N air filter.

Was just wondering if there are any common issues on these bikes? I've browsed the forum and I see there are many problems but most with modified bikes. But any HIGHLY common issues?

Also the bikes CEL(orange light that looks live 2 pistons) is currently on because apparently the actuator valve in the exhaust has packed up and he hasnt used his ECMspy to clear the code or replaced the regulator but apparently the bike runs fine as is.
Is it worth fixing/repairing that exhaust actuator valve? Or is there an easy way of bypassing it? It seems very unnecessary in my opinion.

Anyway, can't wait to get the bike in the garage so I can really get to know the bike! Always wanted a Buell and now that I see parts aren't as scarce as I thought I'm really excited to start fiddling and making some improvements!
 
The actuator its self if bad will throw a check engine light, my 08 ive removed the cable put a different exhaust. For the stock exhaust find the valve on the muffler and secure it wide open until you get another sstem.
 
@ rchuff, I wont mod the bike for speed, only for improvement. Do the side stand mod, adjust the clutch cable, sort out the engine light, etc.

@ Theycallmecrash, I will probably keep the stock exhaust system for quite awhile still. Is it not worth replacing the exhaust actuator? Or is it fine to just secure it until the exhaust system is replaced? I dont want the CEL burning all the time, its not safe is another problem comes along and I just think its the exhaust actuator.
 
Id still run the exhaust valve wide open. If the check engine light is on due to a faulty actuator then replace it to not deal with the light. You should also invest in getting a cable for tuning, ecmspy, as well as tuner pro rt to get codes and clear them. I almost suspect the light is on for other reasons. Generally my bike will often have an exhaust actuator code stored but it doesnt set the light not constantly anyways.
 
Welcome to the forum that's awesome you had it shipped all that way just so you can love it! Haha. post plenty of pictures! And any upgrades. Happy riding. Hope you get what you wanted
 
I'm actually getting the ECMspy cable with the bike. But you suspect the light is on for another reason? That worries me now, he assured me it was just because of the faulty unit that sits in the "tank", you can actually see it through the cover. Is that the control unit for the exhaust?

@ John422, I didnt actually ship the bike here, they were brought in by Harley but not many were sold here. Luckily the Harley dealership down the road still stocks Buell parts.

In your guys opinion, if the bike is running fine and the CEL is on, whats the worst possible scenario? Surely if it were something bad I would have felt it when test riding the bike? [confused]
 
Welcome! Nice to have another fellow Cape Townian onboard!

I am in Bellville area.

Can't help you with the CEL issue (mainly as my Uly gives no issues :D), but can point you to an excellent bike mechanic with loads of knowledge on Buells!

Post some pics and we should get together!

Oh, and a bit of patience - major time delay between States and SA. ;)
 
lol yes I see most of the guys make their posts when we are fast asleep here is SA.

I stay in Durbanville so not too far away. Are there some decent Buell mechanics around these areas? Its good to know you're bike doesn't give issues, from what I've read on the forum it looks like there are quite a few small snags on these bikes. :)
 
Give Peter Moller a try - he stays in Kleinbosch, next to Welgelegen, Panorama.

He has owned a few Buells and is painfully precise - which is a good thing.

His number: 083 302 3771

He'll give you the best advice and service - way cheaper than HD!

I have had some niggly issues, but no major mechanical stuff.
I service my own bike - dead easy.

Just ride it and deal with stuff as it pops up. :)
 
Thanks. Will definitely save his number.

Ran into my first issue last night when looking at the bike in the garage. The brake light only comes on with the front brakes, not with the back. Sometimes it works if you push really hard so I'm hoping its just the switch failing to make proper contact, will take it out on the weekend and see whats going on.
 
Hi Carstens. Just making contact as well. XB12s owner in Cape Town (Newlands) I got my bike in about June and have just finished rebuilding it. Thanks Wally, I am going to try Peter Moller as well. Lets see a pic of your bike Carstens.
 
Carstens, XBs are actually pretty trouble-free. Youre just seeing the posts when something goes wrong, youre not seeing all the bikes out there that are going right. Most common problems are sensors and electric stuff. Good thing about that is that Buells were made up of pretty commonly found parts that were used in other vehicles. For example, all of your sensors are usually Ford Mustang sensors, or Chevy truck sensors. You don't really want to buy those from Harley, you want to find the actual part number, investigate what that part is used in and then go down to a auto parts store and say "Give me a 1996 Ford F-150 O2 sensor"... guess what? That part is only 18 Dollars vs. Harley's say. 40 Dollars... Fuel pump is also Ford Mustang, I think 1995 V6... so check with us first before buying anything..a lot of us American riders know how to get around those high prices..
 
as for your exhaust, I would sell the stock one off on ebay if possible. a stock exhaust is worth money to guys who want custom exhausts made.. usually worth about 200 bucks.

Then I would put a carbon or aluminum Jardine exhaust or something like that. You will reduce weight quite a bit, frees up HP and your handling and breaking will get a tad better.. then download a fuel map that fits that exhaust or just buy a used Buell Race ECM for a XB12R. Top speed stays the same but you will get up there a lot quicker and the bikes run better on a race map I think. Then get those EBR solid rotor mounts.. a big improvement for a small amount of money on those new rotor mounts.

Then, get good tires.... either Pilots or Diablos and make sure your suspension setting are set for "race" at your weight. XBs are super unforgiving with suspension settings, wrong settings and your riding a turd.
 
Carstens, I fixed my rear brake light yesterday. The switch on mine was fine, the connector under the seat on the right of the battery has two very small pins which are fairly susceptible to bad contact. Put a continuity tester on the side of this socket which goes to the switch and see if you get continuity when you push the pedal first. If you do, that is a good start. Then check that the other side of the socket is getting power. If that is good, plug it back together after cleaning the contacts with a nail or needle file and check whether you are getting power to the contact at the back of the tail light. If not, the previous connector is still not making contact.

I found that when pushed together, the was a very un-satisfying feel so I ended up cutting away the skirt around the male side so that when I pushed them together, I could feel the contact and that fixed it for me. I then wrapped the join with silicone tape.

Hope this helps.
 

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