2009 XB12R Bogging issues/power loss - not same issues as 100 others

[swanthog]

Morning all. First time Buell owner and poster as well.
Great info on here.
Reading through many of the threads, this one in particular, it seems my recently purchased 07 XB12XX with only 12000km on the clock is suffering from the same issues.
On my one and only ride it suffered from bogging issues at low rpm, popping when blipping, but under full throttle would pull very strong.
Aftet taking it to my local HD workshop, 3 months and AUD$1350 later and another AUD$400 for a dyno tune. I finally got her back yesterday and with eager anticipation for my second ride only ever, the problem has in fact gotten worse.
The tune indicated it was running very lean, pointing to a possible fuel pump/delivery issues.
I subsequently found out from the workshop that they didn't have a pressure tester to check, so they didn't replace the FP which is frustrating as they apparently carry them in stock.
I will be taking it back today for them to relook at it.
Would I be fair in assuming it is probably FP in this scenario?
I appreciate your insights and expertise.

I've been researching crankcase ventilation recently and some of your symptoms are mentioned in troubleshooting for this system including the oft overlooked Reed valve.

This may be something to look into after all else fails.

 

[Rotovegas67]

I've been researching crankcase ventilation recently and some of your symptoms are mentioned in troubleshooting for this system including the oft overlooked Reed valve.

This may be something to look into after all else fails.

View attachment 19389

Thanks @swanthog. All the more info the better.

 

[34nineteen]

@Barrett , @Cooter , Thanks for the links and info. I am preemptively purchasing the Barrett's kit.

Does anyone have an idea of the MTBF of the stock fuel pumps? I hear many are failing. How many miles do these bikes with the failing pumps have?

BTW, I could have saved $100 on my front isolator purchase with Barrett over St. Paul HD had I known last week. Dangit!

Thanks!

What is MTBF?

most pumps are failing due to age. At this point, the ones that are driven regularly (that still have original pumps) have pumps that are over 15 years old. A lot of them also sit for long periods of time and sit in rancid gas, or the tank has water in it which settles to the bottom (where the pump is).

It like when you buy new tires and put your bike into storage for 15 years. You now likely have dry rotted, cracking tires with zero miles on them. And someone is likely all pissed off that their tires have zero miles and need to be replaced AGAIN!

 

[34nineteen]

Morning all. First time Buell owner and poster as well.
Great info on here.
Reading through many of the threads, this one in particular, it seems my recently purchased 07 XB12XX with only 12000km on the clock is suffering from the same issues.
On my one and only ride it suffered from bogging issues at low rpm, popping when blipping, but under full throttle would pull very strong.
Aftet taking it to my local HD workshop, 3 months and AUD$1350 later and another AUD$400 for a dyno tune. I finally got her back yesterday and with eager anticipation for my second ride only ever, the problem has in fact gotten worse.
The tune indicated it was running very lean, pointing to a possible fuel pump/delivery issues.
I subsequently found out from the workshop that they didn't have a pressure tester to check, so they didn't replace the FP which is frustrating as they apparently carry them in stock.
I will be taking it back today for them to relook at it.
Would I be fair in assuming it is probably FP in this scenario?
I appreciate your insights and expertise.

Wait, so they sell fuel pumps for Buells, but have no way to accurately test them?

One thing to realize about Harley shops. These guys went to school because they wanted to work on Harleys, not Buells. And most have little patience for them.

Another thing is that the last Buell to roll off the HD factory flood was about 15 years ago. About the same time the 30 year old tech was getting his drivers license... in the US at least.

If you're going to take a Buell to a shop, take it to a shop that is PASSIONATE and KNOWLEDGEABLE about BUELL. I cant tell you how many times we've seem something effed up by someone claiming he or his buddy "works on Harleys". I realize you may not have a shop nearby or in your country that is like that. I'm not being condescending, but if you dont have a shop like that in your area and you are unable and/or unwilling to wrench on your own bike, you're probably better off selling it and looking into something new, from a well known brand, with parts and service support. You're not the only person out there in this jam. Lots of people who own Saabs without any support either. Even if you lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan (where Buell is now based), they likely wouldnt be able to help you... unless you could convince Jacob Stark to help you after hours. He was the one of the few Buell specialists who had a shop that worked on the older bikes. Hopefully you can find someone in your region that fits the bill, because it seems like this shop is not it.

 

[Rotovegas67]

@34nineteen I've come to the realisation the HD fraternity don't want to understand let alone embrace the product and tend to treat it with some indifference putting it mildly.