Flat spot off idle

Hi folks, I can't figure out why this bike is bogging so bad off idle. I probably could get it to stall right out on take off. After about 2000rpm it pulls like crazy. When cruising at low rpm, 2nd gear, 25mph it staggers and bucks. I've done the tps reset a bunch of times, rerouted the breather, put the fancy ngk plugs in w/o success. The bike is an 09 xb12ss. It has a jardine pipe, k&n filter, and a night rider o2 sensor enriching device. After I put the enriching device in and turned it up all the way the problem seemed a bit less leading me to think its not getting all the fuel it needs off idle. I don't have a cel because I don't have one at all. The PO put in a motogadgit gauge set up with an m lock. No prevision for a cel. My 1200 sportster never did this with a dialed in carb and drag pipes. Any viable carb conversion for this monster?
Thanks
Ken

Oh, one more thing. On the harley we call them carb farts when the motor backfires through the intake. It does that too sometimes.

Ken

I should have put this in troubleshooting. Can it be moved?
Ken

Whatever I did I'm sorry.

[cool]
Possibly just needs tuned. I'd ditch the night rider, and spend the $300 on an EBR ECM. It is also possible to tune your stock ECM with data logging, and analysis software, but is a bit more involved.

My 1200 sportster never did this

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That's because your XB is tuned to make almost twice the power of your Sporty, and the compromise of this is rougher running at low revs, something the XBs are notorious for.

I agree with jstav that the EBR race only ECM will probably be your best course of action, although you should still be prepared for a little stumble here and there when running under 4000 rpm.

When I got the bike it had a buell race ecm installed. It Idled at 1400 rpm and the fan was on constantly so I went back to the included stock ecm. I feel much better now knowing that the off idle stagger is "normal". Thanks guys!!!!!
Ken

I too am currently running a Jardine pipe and Night Rider adjustable AFR device (ViED) on my XB12Scg. Upon starting the engine, my bike exhibits the same symptoms that you describe: rough idle, surging, and bucking. But then after about 20 seconds, the ViED kicks in and it starts to run smoothly even at low rpms. I get a CEL at the same time, but the CEL goes away after a couple of minutes.

I still don't think that the engine is getting enough fuel since my bike runs pretty hot. I am considering doing the opposite of what you've done by removing the ViED and replacing it with the EBR ECM. I've read that the EBR ECM is programmed to make the fan run more often while the bike is running, so what you experienced is normal.

I will also be replacing the Jardine with a Buell race pipe. If I was going to keep the Jardine, I would probably lean towards programming the stock ECM instead of going with the EBR ECM. The folks at EBR tell me that the ECM they have for the Jardine will not eliminate the decel popping inherent with the pipe. Based on what others have posted, tuning the stock ECM would probably yield better results.

I'm nurvous to tune it. I just started taking it down for an engine rotation and found a bunch of gummy sticky oil coating the inside of the intake mannifold and the bottom of the butterfly it looks like someone cooked a steak on it. I did do a good breather reroute when I got the bike. Think I overfilled it with oil or is my baby realy sick? I'm doing the rotation to change the o2 sensor and while I'm at it, the plugs and wires aswell. I'm also going to run a jumper ground of the coil as I read to do in a different post.
Thanks
Ken

The Off Idle is not normal for your Bike. The Race ECM may have been Altered improperly or maybe the owner
previously not known much about the Tuning methods!
The Idle done properly Especially when using the Stock ECM will help but the Decelleration Poping is still going to be present with the Cheap Muffler. When EBR is done tuning their ECM with a good Muffler will go back down at Idling 1050 for a great Street bike
It is also possible that the TPS sensor needs to be reset or Replaced. If it was Intake gaskets the bike would act altogether differently!..
The Fan running all the time could be a result in just turning it on another way to help cool OR programming error with that Race ECM you had on it.. There is a possibility that even the Dealership tried to put the Newer 2010 buell Fan Run Program. Which runs the Fan by Temperature as well as by Speed The Fan will come on once the Bike takes off from a dead Start at about 12 to 15 miles an hour..That was H/Ds way of trying to cool down the Engine. Serious overheating issues were happening to these bikes. It does help but it will work by Temperature just fine wrapping the Headers OR installing the Right Side Air Scoop and Rear Header Heat Shield from American Sport Bike.com
The Kit is called the Ulysses Comfort Kit. just make sure to install ONLY the Scoop and Heat Shield.
In Time You will grow to understand the Things needed from Being on this Forum.
A lot of Previous Owners Throw parts at whatever is said OR just get rid of the bike not Really willing to Learn what it takes to be a good rider and maintain a proper running Engine.
Once you really get into it, Will ALL start coming together.
There is some different pieces of Knowledge needed to be Absorbed. .
I believe you mentioned you have a 2007 bike,. the Pipe you have leaves no easy task for tuning the D & D is the same way.
Those Exhaust Mufflers are just to keep the bike from getting you a ticket well Maybe ! AND WILL make the Engine an OIL Burner early in the Engines Life Cycle. Now, ECM can be tuned for many Exhausts but you can also call or e-mail Erik Buell Racing.com for a preprogramed ECM. BUT will need to still do a TPS reset upon installation, and maybe try to find Stock Exhaust Modded of Course and you are riding. !
Tell EBR the Air Filter Type the Exhaust etc. for the new ECM and make sure to tell them the changes you have made.
A Drummer or Stock Exhaust without the Active Butterfly Valve inside OR have it removed, it is a good way to get a better running Engine make tuning easier for 2007 bikes and older. OR newer.
The Stock Muffler when done correctly (INSIDE piping) really sounds good You can find the Videos for Ideas and Knowledge on You Tube [Buell Exhaust Videos] Listen to some of those Videos and also this site in the mods section. IF gutting or modifying your Exhaust is not your working skills try a couple of these.
K D Fab .com can make you a long lasting muffler called Econo Drummer looks good and sounds great. KD Fab,. Uses the Stock can. Bolts right back up properly with little effort The Stainless Drummer is the better but most won't pay that type of money for a muffler and pieces for the chin fairing. I DID and it is still on my 2008 XB12R.Shines right up and never rusts.The Voo Doo muffler uses the Stock outside can Housing check out the Videos on that, & talk about great sound and easier to tune. I use the Voo Doo Muffler with a couple of small Changes for my 09- XB12R race & Track day bike.
I use Eriks Programmable ECM and Software..
I figure you might need to at least invest in a Cable From [ Xoptiinside .com] and get the latest version of Drivers from them Too! ECM Spy can be downloaded and BAM !- you are on your way to at LEAST being able to do easy TPS resets and help Diagnous your bike when you need to!
Look UP [Daves DIY videos all in one thread] worded just like that HERE on the Buell Forum. Have you checked the Forum also in the mods section? .
The XB bike you have takes less than 3 Quarts of oil including the Oil Filter. Over Filling can be dangerous for your engine. There are Specs in the Manuals up at the Top of the Page to look at or Download .Well this will get you started. There is so much you can do to make this bike your own. welcome to the forum. *Jimi...

Thanks bro. Sound words. I have an 09 xb12ss now the 07 was smashed to bits. I've done 3 stock exhaust mods myself drummer style each less restrictive. I went with a jardine because it was a nice clean install. I've done a few tps resets and noticed no improvement leading me to think a new tps is in order. Sounds like I just need to get some guts and get a spy cable and tune this sucker myself to get rid of the stumble off idle. I just did an oc and put 2.5 qts in. I'm going to get it up to temp and check the level. When I get it hot I'll bring the level to half way up the stick. That's what I did with my sportster and I had no oil in the carb after that. Anyone have the tps part# handy?
Thanks
Ken

TPS sensor for stock part is P0279.5AA for an XB model bike.; unless H/D has changed it you can always call the Dealership just in case. Usually a BMW part TPS sensor will be the same price & is the same part also. (Napa) I fill up my oil to 2.75 and it is usually just short of the Top cross hach area on the dip stick.The Breather reroute you did is the 2 pcv valves open? Sometimes I have found on customers bikes the PCV slipped out a bit causing what you described. kinking the hose. Rare of course. .*Jimi