Concerned - XB12r @11,000miles

[LFTDJEEP]

[confused]
Quick Background:
Myself - ridden/worked on motorcycles for 20 years street and dirtbikes but completely new to harley/buell

Bike - 2007 XB12r +/- 11,000 miles (K&N Air Filter & gutted stock pipe from previous owner)
Running 20W-50 Royal Purple in both ends

Location - Dallas, TX (highway ride @ +/- 70mph ~ 90 degree air temp)

Question #1 Today was the maiden voyage for the "New to Me" XB ride to and from work. On my way home I get off highway to arterial street and notice engine fan running. Well, it never goes off until 2-3 minutes after I get home and turned off bike.

Is this normal?

Question #2 Pretty sure the front rotor is bent/warped. Bad pulsing at speed. This bike is going to be my "commuter" so I'm not looking for complete performance, so, what are my options for a new rotor? Price?

 

[thrstrmech]

fan is normal...add the right hand scoop and that'll change lots

have you replaced your brake fluid lately? bleed the system? pads new/old? caliper tightly mounted? any of the pistons in the caliper sticking? reverse bleed the system from caliper to reservoir when bleeding...check these things out before ruling the rotor bent/warped, cheapest route to start

 

[mp587]

It is normal for the fan to run during and after a ride. If it doesn't have the right side scoop I would recommend that as well to help with air flow.

 

[LFTDJEEP]

Good to know this is normal..... I'll start looking for a right-side scoop. I'm assuming that these aren't stock. Aftermarket companies?

I'll also try and reverse bleed the brake. Is there any issue with using the silicone DOT 5 fluid? I know that sometimes it will ruin seals if they aren't compatible. I got new pads but wanted to wait to "feel it out" before I potentially ruined new pads for any reason. I'll check the normal brake stuff and make sure everything is working properly. It just felt like a bent rotor from the lever.

Side Note: I need to get a different front stand. The one I have (Jap Bike Stand) blocks off the axle. I need to find a good steering yoke stand.

 

[stamen]

+1 on the right side scoop or more commonly refereed to as rss. I just added on and def. helps with cooling and fan. Members here will ocasianly sell them or maybe ebay or americansportbike.com or buellparts.net

 

[thrstrmech]

you can get stands from T-rex racing there in Dallas, go for the triple tree front/rear stand combo, the RSS below, item #7 and #8, plus three stainless screws, you'll reuse the original ones from the stock right hand mini scoop to install the RSS

 

[Theycallmecrash]

www.erikbuellracing.com. <--- their brake rotor and hardware kit.
Anything else www.americansportbike.com i know Al and his wife Jo-anne personally ride with um both, play with their dog and dinner. good people to give your business too.
Heres some insight, these bike will constantly, make noises, shake, smell funny, run funny, even **** with you for laughs, and yes youll hear it laugh. But, its all worth it. Most of the time nothing is wrong, just the attitude of these bastard machines.

 

[thrstrmech]

^^^[up], you crack me up crash

 

[06xbss]

Question #2 Pretty sure the front rotor is bent/warped. Bad pulsing at speed. This bike is going to be my "commuter" so I'm not looking for complete performance, so, what are my options for a new rotor? Price?

Might try just removing the front rotor, cleaning everything very well and reassemble with a light coating of high temp anti-seize on the sliders.(floating rotor) Got rid of the pulsing when I first got my bike.

 

[LFTDJEEP]

I didn't realize it was a .....floater..... haha..... This will definitely be on my weekend to-do list.

Crash.... LOL! Thanks for the insight. I'll check them out.

I've always loved the look and uniqueness of these bikes but the cards never fell right to own one. I'm a tinker-er which sounds like a prerequisite for buell ownership. I don't mind. They are just so damn cool (preaching to the choir) and for sure a head turner.....

Should have added this earlier..... Camera Whore.....

 

[MustangGuy]

I just learned something new myself... I thought the RSS was primarily done for performance upgrades. I didn't know it could be added just to enhance cooling. Yeah, I need that cause its hot in the desert!

Jeep- I have the T-Rex stands. They are far superior to the cheap no-name stands and a very good value for the money.

 

[TheFrawg]

Also in Dallas and new to Buell. My new-to-me XB12R has some of the same issues. My first step will be new pads and brake fluid. I've ordered a right side scoop from diesel-moto.com for $96 (incl shipping), but it hasn't arrived yet.

Jeep your bike is gorgeous. I'm working to get mine that nice looking!

 

[LFTDJEEP]

Update:
Process-
took brake caliper of removed brake line and cleaned pistons
re-bleed
removed rotor
Cleaned springs, washers, spacers and bolts
Took coarse SOS type dick in drill and cleaned/ surfaced rotor
Cleaned spring holes in wheel and pads that the rotor rest on
Replaced brake pads

Results-
Front brake is smooth as butter now. Zero pulsing but not that impressed with the brake pad performance. I did do about 5 40mph to gradual stop to try and break the pads in but not great stopping power compared to jap bike front brake.

Yall's thoughts?

Also, bought the stock Ulysses right side inner and outer scoop from superduke.com for less than $50 total and wow what a difference! Im wrapping the exhaust tomorrow. Hopefully thatll give the ole right leg a rest too!

Pics to follow.

 

[Marc]

I'm no mechanic but I did my back brakes right after I got my CR (had about 4400 miles on it) and I swear I had to do 100 miles on it before they started biting good. Used OEM pads.

 

[gtp3800]

yea the pads on my buell will throw me over the handlebars if I lock up. They will break in.

 

[TheFrawg]

I need to follow Jeep's lead and do my front brake. I have annoying pulsing also. Maybe just needs new pads and cleaning.

My rear brake has near zero stopping power. I press it HARD and it slows me very slightly. Since I mostly rely on front brake it's not that frustrating, but at some point needs to be addressed. It should work.

 

[LFTDJEEP]

Frawg, My back brakes suck also. Pads are about 1/2 warn but I'm thinking that maybe the pads are glazed. Cleaning and surfacing the front end really only took me about 2 hours and was WELL worth it! One of these weekend we are gonna have to meet and swap bikes and ride and see how noisy/vibrating/etc the other's is, LOL!

All in all, I still LOVE this bike! I really want to get an exhaust for mine and get rid of the HomeMade jobber that the previous owner left me..... I really want one of Dean Adams but don't have the cash.....

 

[anrkizm95]

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-For...50-Helpful-Links-for-Buellers....and-Growing.

 

[TheFrawg]

Worked on my brakes this morning. Rear brake fluid was so black it was like crude oil. Drained it all and replaced with fresh fluid and my rear brakes will at least do something. If I hit them hard (like all my body weight) it'll lock the rear tire now.

Replaced my front pads and lightly resurfaced my rotor. Front fluid looked good and clear, topped it off and bled them. Read other's posts about mounting hardware, so thought I'd clean up the springs and mounting washers. There were rubber grommets that once held the washers separated from the rotor. They had about disintegrated on most of the bolts. After putting it all back together the rotor now clacks against the washers. The repeated clicking even after braking from 20-30mph makes me think this can't be good. The vibration, etc will most likely damage the rotor.

Ordered new mounting hardware from EBR, hopefully it'll be here by next weekend. Not comfortable riding it this way.