Buell Firebolt Brake Disc /Rotor feedback & a couple more questions from a new owner

[evade]

Buell Firebolt Brake Disc /Rotor feedback & a couple more questions from a new owner

Hi all,


Recently picked up my xb9r from an utter scumbag in a deadly state. I've corrected the front brake which was seizing on but naturally a little paranoid; I've fitted a new EBC rotor and buell mounting hardware (new washers, springs and mounts/bushes). Upon riding I'm finding I still get a lot of feedback/noise and a little pulsing - is this normal for these big discs?

The caliper has been serviced and all pistons move nicely, new EBC HH pads went on with the disc. The disc can move side to side on the float although I've noted one side seems to spring back with ease one likes a little encouragement but figured under load/operation this is hopefully a non problem?

Also I'm missing a footpeg spring, does anyone know of any other model bike that happens to fit as buell are a bit scarce? I was also looking at getting some new footpegs, I quite like the idea of the adjustable ones available on ebay, I'm just very aware the design puts all the weight on the integral bolt which would be fun if that sheered has anyone any experience with them or should I just stick with Oberon/static pegs?

Also any recommendations for engine oil? I've read I can use the same in both Primary and transmission - the manual says 10w40. I've always favoured putoline V-twin for my other bikes but have read the buells can be a little particular - will I be okay with that?

And finally does anyone have a source for well priced clutch cable in the UK, they all seem to be £50 by the time they've got here from the US


Thanks in advance!

 

[GregoXB]

http://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?49617-Oil-Poll

 

[mrlogix]

Recently picked up my xb9r from an utter scumbag in a deadly state

Okay, just curious where are you and where did you go to get it?

When you replaced the rotor and pads, did you perform the break in procedure? The instructions for doing this are on the EBC website.

 

[user_deleted]

50 pounds for a delivered clutch cable to the UK not off the mark that much. a quality one here in America is $45....weighs 1.2 pounds shipped to the UK which is $19 via USPS first class air.
Buells are NOT oil sensitive. they are reasonably gentle on oil but i'll tell ya up front: they hate stop-and-go traffic induced heat. Primary: 1 quart 20-50 cycle oil. i prefer Amsoil but over your way Silkolene or Motul work well. any top quality 20-50 cycle specific oil works fine in the primary but i've found Amsoil to give smoothest shifiting...Mobil 1 a close 2nd.
Engine tank holds 2.5 quarts. same recommendation as above if 55 degrees fahrenheit or warmer. if below go with 15-40.
again....any top quality 20-50 works well in the motor.
the EBC pads....specifically the HH sintered take a bit to bed in. they can pulse until then. are you absolutely certain the new rotor and hardware mounted correctly? if so you should have no pulsing. see below link/article. a good read from EBC.

http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/bedding-in-new-motorcycle-pads-and-rotors/

 

[evade]

Recently picked up my xb9r from an utter scumbag in a deadly state

Okay, just curious where are you and where did you go to get it?

When you replaced the rotor and pads, did you perform the break in procedure? The instructions for doing this are on the EBC website.

I'm in Yorkshire, UK. That's state as in condition not a state of america - if that's what you were thinking.

I'm still in the break in period, that's a fair point though hopefully it will settle down once fully bedded in!

 

[evade]

50 pounds for a delivered clutch cable to the UK not off the mark that much. a quality one here in America is $45....weighs 1.2 pounds shipped to the UK which is $19 via USPS first class air.
Buells are NOT oil sensitive. they are reasonably gentle on oil but i'll tell ya up front: they hate stop-and-go traffic induced heat. Primary: 1 quart 20-50 cycle oil. i prefer Amsoil but over your way Silkolene or Motul work well. any top quality 20-50 cycle specific oil works fine in the primary but i've found Amsoil to give smoothest shifiting...Mobil 1 a close 2nd.
Engine tank holds 2.5 quarts. same recommendation as above if 55 degrees fahrenheit or warmer. if below go with 15-40.
again....any top quality 20-50 works well in the motor.
the EBC pads....specifically the HH sintered take a bit to bed in. they can pulse until then. are you absolutely certain the new rotor and hardware mounted correctly? if so you should have no pulsing. see below link/article. a good read from EBC.

http://ebcbrakes.com/articles/bedding-in-new-motorcycle-pads-and-rotors/

Thanks for this, that makes me feel a bit better! I'm finding parts pricing for the buell can vary wildly - UPS are going to make a fortune off this bike

I'll get hunting for some mobil then, I'm finding first to second shifting is a little rough. Much better since adjusting my clutch and topping up the oil a little, but the adjuster on the cable is just a lump of rust and there's a couple of worn areas on the cable so I'm hoping swapping that and a full oil change will also help a bit

The rotor is mounted exactly per the service manual, torque values and everything. The bike was missing some of the mounting hardware on one side when I got it , I'm still a little worried that was a redneck fix to cover up a problem with the wheel - but it could have just been an idiot. I'll see what the brakes are like once they're fully bedded in now I know everything's at least present and new.

 

[Gloomshadow]

actually if it was a "redneck" fix, it would have WORKED !

 

[Cooter]

The disc can move side to side on the float although I've noted one side seems to spring back with ease one likes a little encouragement

Unless the manual wasn't clear, if you put the square washers in the wrong orientation... that^^^ will happen.

Here are some install instructions (with clear pics) for the highly recommended EBR hardware upgrade kit, but the square washers are the same

http://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?48151-EBR-Racing-front-rotor-install-instructions

 

[mrlogix]

Cooter has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space

 

[evade]

Unless the manual wasn't clear, if you put the square washers in the wrong orientation... that^^^ will happen.

Here are some install instructions (with clear pics) for the highly recommended EBR hardware upgrade kit, but the square washers are the same

http://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?48151-EBR-Racing-front-rotor-install-instructions

Thanks for this, do you mean the mounting that slots into the disc 'drive insert' or the washer that goes below those into the wheel?

I put the thinner edge of the drive insert toward the inside and the wider side towards the outside. They look as pictured in that thread...I think

The rest of my mounting kit doesn't look like the diagram in that thread though, it's made up of a 'square washers' the 'drive inserts', springs and bolts there are no circular washers

 

[Cooter]

It sounds like you put the square washers in correctly, there might be a burr in there because it should move smoothly. They do get finicky and like to stick/pulse because they will bind on the burr under torsional load.

The hardware kit looks different in that thread because its the EBR "upgrade" kit. I recommend it:up: Yours is stock and will be fine.

 

[Cooter]

Cooter has decided to clear out all of his PM's.





Cooter has also decided that Cooter likes talking about Cooter in the Third person.

 

[mrlogix]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYmpPkaMPEg

I like the way you talk to boy