Newbie with some basic questions

[Boss250]

I'm working on getting my '03 XB9SL back on the road, I'm pretty close but I could use some advice on the best way to go about a couple things. I have the primary cover off because the clutch was slipping a little bit, but everything looked ok once I got the cover off so I think I can fix the problem with some cable adjustment. I'm just not sure about the best way of cleaning everything beyond the primary cover to get it put back together and re-filled, Its been sitting open in my shed for the last month and the air in my shed is not great so I'm pretty sure I don't want to just bolt it back up and fill it with oil, but If I can avoid taking the whole clutch assembly off to clean it would of course save me a lot of time. I was thinking some brake cleaner or something else alcohol based would work alright but a friend suggested that the oil might not want to adhere to the parts if I use something like that, I was thinking that it evaporates and doesn't really leave a residue, but I'm no expert. so I'm not really sure how to go about it now, any suggestions would be appreciated. also while we're on the subject, anyone know what kind of ams-oil should be going into the cluch/primary?

TLDR: Best way to clean an assembled clutch without a complete tear-down?

Thanks,
Mike

[thrstrmech]

welcome to the forum...did you cover the exposed parts in any fashion? don't think you're in bad shape...had my engine in pieces for 3 months on the work bench and covered well in the garage. the clutch pack was kept in a zip lock bag soaked in fresh oil. disassembled the clutch pack and wiped everything clean with lint free rags and wipes, inspected and measured, then reassembled and installed after rebuilding the engine. added fresh oil to both oil tank, filter and primary. didn't use any solvents to clean, but did use some alcohol to clean the exterior of the engine off after everything was closed up. you may want to disassemble the clutch pack to clean it, the old oil would have been like a magnet collecting dirt. the fiber plates in the clutch pack need to be soaked in oil for 10-15 minutes before assembly. download the manual from the link below the Buellxb header or from buellmods.com which will help you with the process. I have the parts catalog and supplemental parts catalog for the '03 9sl, let me know if you need part numbers.

you want Amsoil 20/50 in both the primary and oil tank

[Boss250]

Thanks for the reply, I guess that was the answer I was hoping not to hear, a month ago the plan was to disassemble and inspect the clutch pack, but I realized I needed quite a few tools that I don't have to go much further than taking the cover off, but the bike does have 20k miles on it, and like I said, I'm no expert but I would like to do it right. So now that I'm back to this stage I have some other questions, the manual says something about a clutch spring puller tool, where is the best/cheapest place to get those sort of specific tools? Also along the same lines, where would the best place to get all of the clutch parts if any need replacing, the obvious place to me would be my local HD dealer but I'd assume they have a decent markup on anything they sell. I know most of the buell parts websites, but I don't think I've seen any with tools like that.

Thanks,
Mike