Couple issues i need help with after a crash.

[warsaw1776]

I've been lurking around here for a while but i was in a little accident going about 10-15 where i ended up in dirt and my xb9r isn't running like it used to and i was hoping some of you guys could help me out.

first issue is whenever i turn the bike off there is a whistling noise just after everything seem to shut off but before the fan turns on. it only last for like maybe a second but it is very noticable. I took off the airbox and it is deff louder so i am thinking it has to do with the intake but have no idea where to start.

second issue is sometimes it has issues starting. when i try to turn it on it start to try and idle at like 500rpm but then shuts right off. if i hold the throttle open at about 1500 to 2000rpm for about 10-20 seconds and let off it will continue to idle like normal and i will not have any issues. someone suggested it may be some fauled spark plugs, does it seem likely or could it be something else?

third is it seems kinda clunky. more so than it used to. thinking the valve/pushrods but thats pretty much just a guess due to where the sound is coming from.

the fourth issue, which may be completely in my head, but it seems like it is running hotter, is there a way to check?

the forks are bent and need to be replaced but my can i stick any firbolt fork on it. if i remember correctly later 12r have bigger forks, would it be a bad idea to use them or should i go with the smaller ones?

and last but not least after getting off the bike after a decent ride the fan turns on but it isnt as smooth as it used to be, like there is dirt or something in it, is there a easy way to check it out and clean it, or could it be something else?

thanks in advance for help and suggestions. let me know if you need more info and i will do my best to explain what is happening. I really dont want to take it to a harley dealership and am pretty good with my hands if i know what i need to do.

 

[afinley]

I think your first couple problems are all a leak in your intake manifold

I didnt know the 9s and 12s had different forks, but there was a change in 08 believe

 

[warsaw1776]

i could be wrong about the forks, i just thought at some point there was a different size.

how would i check the intake manifold?

 

[Stevenc150]

With the bike idling, spray Carb Cleaner or something of the like, around it and see if your RPM's jump up.

 

[warsaw1776]

where should i spray the carb cleaner?

 

[dave_xb12r]

Sounds like the fuel pump is dying.

 

[warsaw1776]

how hard is it to replace the fuel pump and is there anyway to test to make sure thats the cause. the bike only has about 17000 miles on it.

 

[12rdan]

you spray the carb cleaner around the intake manifold to check for vacuum leaks.

If thats not it and you need to check the pump, download the service manual at the top of the page. It will walk you through testing and replacing the fuell pump.I would also do a search on here for fuel pump replace, I remember reading in some other threads that a few things the manual tells you to do, aren't absolutely necessary.

 

[dave_xb12r]

You have to unhook the rear shock and tilt the swing arm down to get to the fuel pump. My money is on the fuel pump. It may be covered under emissions warranty.

 

[warsaw1776]

its a 2003 so i assume the emission warrenty is expired correct? i will try the carb cleaner idea first since its the easiest. thanks, anyone have any other ideas or suggestions or the other issues?

 

[afinley]

I would just replace your fan. There really isnt a way to rehab it, and if you're afriad it is failing, the only peace of mind comes from spending money on it.
http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-prodshow/17175.html

You should be able to use ECMspy to check the cylinder head temp. I do not use ECMspy (because I have an '09) but your bike has a head temp sensor, so you should be able to read it on ECMspy.

How do you know your forks are bent?

I would check all your exhaust studs. If you went down on the exhaust side, you could've broken one of more of your studs. That will give you the rattle and roughness you're talking about, as well.

 

[warsaw1776]

i took the forks to a buddy who does a lot of suspension work to help me straighten them out because they were crooked. i had already tried loosening the triple cramps and just putting it back in place and it was working, it would be put straight and just go right back.

so pretty quick we realized the left side of the triple clamp was lower than the right side. after a lot of man handling to get it back up and even(it was jammed over the ring on the fork leg) the bend was slight but noticable. also while removing the axle it was obvious there was an uneven tension on the axle from the difference in the forks.

and last but not least just by eye balling the tops of the forks where the adjusters are the right one looks about half an inch farther back and a little higher, yet the triple clamps are exactly at the same height.

i'm pretty paranoid now and am thinking i should just replace both sides to be safe, but i dont have the money so i am kinda in a bind. i also dont want to report it to insurence because i am an EMT and i need the clean driving record to drive the ambulance. unfortunatly $9/hr in socal doesnt go far.

 

[12rdan]

$9/hr for EMT in SOCAL? WTF???

I have unfortunately had to have myself an ambulance ride, and if my memory serves me correctly the bill came out to be around $1500.00. Thats over $150/mile.

So 2 EMT's for 1/hr($18), 1 disposable neck brace($50), a sheet($5), and a few gals. of fuel($12), comes to $85.Just who in the hell got my other $1415 and for what?[mad][mad][mad]

 

[warsaw1776]

In other counties and states EMTs get paid more. but even paramedics in san diego dont start at more then 15/hr(as far as i know) unless they are at a fire department.

any other suggestions?

 

[12rdan]

Man that's jacked up! For what it costs for an ambulance ride they could def. afford to pay you guys.

Back to the bike, if you've loosened the clamps and lined it all back up, just to have it all go crooked again,I think I'd start hunting some used forks.

Good luck with it, however it goes.

 

[Jon0341]

I have an 09 xb12ss and I have heard the same whistling noise for that split second right after you shut it off. I have just over a 1000 miles on it and nothing seems to be wrong? So is there a problem has been doing for like a 1000 miles now?

thanks, Jon

 

[warsaw1776]

yea......trying to find new and used forks but it aint easy. new ones will go for about 700 from HD. I talked to someone from marzocchi and he is looking into if they have anything that will work and i sent showa an email but havent heard back. i am planning on just replacing both just in case.

I might start another thread on the forks situation to get a little more specific attention on that but would another bike's forks work? obviously i would have to lose the single rotor brake which i dont mind if its significantly cheaper.

 

[warsaw1776]

also as far as the carb cleaner goes do i spray it when the engine is running or do i spray it and then turn it on. also do i spray it with the throttle open? sorry if its a silly question just wanna do it right.

 

[Stevenc150]

Spray it around the intake manifold while it's running (idling) - if the RPM's jump up as a result, you have a leak.

 

[12rdan]

I'm not sure about the fork tubes from other years/models interchanging or not. But I would personally not replace them with a different part#. Unless of course you want to lower it or something.

The principle of the carb cleaner thing is with the engine idling you spray it around the suspected vacuum leak (intake manifold in this case), It will suck the carb cleaner/flammable vapor in through the leak and cause a momentary rise in rpm's. It's an old trick and works well on any combustion engine to locate vacuum leaks.

I've never heard of any accidents with this trick, but use common sense, you are obviously dealing with flammable vapors and hot engine parts. Get too carried away and theoretically you could be painting your eyebrows on with a pencil for a while.[down] But hey! You wouldn't have to shave! [up]