A few problems!!!!

[stewart2]

Well I've been searching the threads to find some good ansewrs but just not able to, soo. #1 the bike does have a slight vib in the front end & when I hit the front brakes the whole front end shakes "bad". Tires good, pads and rotor seem good??? maybe bearings? #2 My head lights just seem to last about 3 days then blow, not so great when they cost $30 a pop! everything is sealed tight& no I dont touch the bulbs??? #3 I replace the sprak plugs & she runs great then after a week shes missing like crazy, even replaced the wires? Do drive it daily about 20mi.? I dont know maybe its just time to brake down & pay the big fee @ the harly shop to get it look at! I just dont trust'em because there aren't that many buells in this area. any ideas guys/girls??? by the way its a 08 xb12scg with 8200miles on it. Thanks

 

[christianmb]

Stewart, let's take these in order...

#1 sounds like a brake hardware problem. I had the same and bought the upgraded mount from EBR, and make it TONS better. Short term fix, take all the hardware loose and soak them in brake cleaner (off of the bike), then brush them off with a used toothbrush. I also tried that, but it didn't last long.

#2 The headlight problem sounds like a storybook loose/bad ground. I would start there.

#3 What do the plugs look like when you take them out? Are they black and sooty or are they nice and tan? If they are black, you might just be fouling them. Have you checked the air cleaner to see if it is dirty? I know it sounds simple, but could be a cause. Anyone else care to chime in here?

 

[jakestolar]

I support everything said above!

Dont break down and pay the stealership. Dig deeper!

 

[BitchinXb]

Bad ground or voltage regulator going out...Im having the same issue

 

[Iamarchangel]

My guess is that 20 mile commute. This bike doesn't do that. I don't care if people say it should, whatever, that's another issue.

Here goes.

1. Disc/pad glazing from constant and held brakes. Probably better near end of day than beginning. Take the long way home, don't hold the brakes on at stops if you can avoid it. But check tire balance, it can go out, it's usually free or minimal.

2. Bike is pretty good for water proof but wires are thin and corrode/wear. Definitely do not want a shop looking for that problem. Look for any wire that touches metal, you can see wear marks on the other part, and put electrical tape on the wire. Slicing up a bicycle inner tube and zip-tie over wire bundles works.

3. Sounds like short run fouling to me. Like above, burnt toast I'm right, nice tan, that's not the problem. A different heat range plug might help. K&N filter would probably help too. Most other issues don't have a "get worse over time" factor.

Take the long way home, try and find a way to open it up for more than 20 minutes. And this time of year, highest octane gas, especially if you're stop and go commute.

 

[punkrider99]

bar shake during stopping can also be from worn out forks. i had a bad shake for a while and i did everything i could think of brake-wise and then i eventually had the forks rebuilt and viola, no more shake.

 

[tallen]

I had the same problem with my headlights. It ending up being a bad voltage regulator.

 

[stewart2]

Thanks guys I'm working onthe the grounding issue now, going through it all and i'm putting better spark plugs in. step by step. I'll give you guys an update later.

 

[Mark XB12r]

My guess is that 20 mile commute. This bike doesn't do that. I don't care if people say it should, whatever, that's another issue.

20 miles not enough? This sounds ludicris...
Just for experience sake... I had a 3.5 mile commute that i did for years with no issues.

 

[freak2180]

download the manual at the top of the page and follow the steps to test ur V/R.

 

[stewart2]

well i fixed a few problems. My oils was way over full, i drained almost a quart from it to be correct. Now some of that is my fault, Ididnt know that the oil had to hot and bike upright when checking it. Replaced the harley plugs with NGK irudims. Then I had a mod that i saw on here were you pull that wire uptight & zip tie it, that goes to the valve in the muffler. To make it louder all the time, soo I undid it and it runs smooth with no problems for 2 weeks now. the problem withit shaking is a bad front motor mount "haven't replaced yet, but have it" I'm still working on the brake issue. Oh I cleaned the K&N air filter too.

 

[Mark XB12r]

Great to hear its comming together. Keep working on it!