Engine/Oil Trouble

[Pegasus]

I have an 04' XB12R that came into my posession. It has about 9100 mi on the clock and I'm not sure when the last oil change was in it, I'm thinking the 5000 mi maintenance. Recently I've been getting a rapid tick from the engine and it's not very loud but I know it doesn't sound right, I figure it might go away after I give her some healthy oil and the rest. I know the oil, oil filter, spark plugs, and air filter all need to be changed but I'm not sure what oil is it, but I'm asssuming it's HD oil from the dealership maintenance. Would it be alright to switch to a syn like RP 20w50 at this many miles or should I just let the dealership put their crap in it? It's coming awfully close to the 10K maintenance and I would like to change all the easy stuff myself like the above listed, but should I have them do it so they'll check all the little stuff like the forks and grease this and that, ect? The brakes probably need new pads too and I'm just not sure what I should do myself, let them do, and what that noise is coming from.

Thank you for any opinions. No need to start an oil war here, just wondering if there are any well known problems like leaks from swtiching assuming it's running conventional.

 

[Bossanova]

Get a manual and do it all your self. Brakes, oil and filters. Synthetic in all the holes is fine/better.

 

[Pegasus]

I also have oil leaking from the hose running to or from the oil cooler fins, a suspect it's just a gasket at the mouth of the fitting?

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

welcome to the best BUELL forum by the way.

Recently I've been getting a rapid tick from the engine and it's not very loud but I know it doesn't sound right

please explain more detail in sound and exactly where about on the engine is it coming from ??
is it a ticking sound or knocking sound?? is it a pre-ignition or detonation knock or ping or more of a valve train noise.

pre-ignition and detonation knocks/pings;
excessive carbon deposit on piston &/or combustion chamber, - plug heat range wrong,plugs not firing each time, timing advanced,intake manifold vaccuum leak, bad fuel or low octane fuel


Daves-DIY-videos-all-in-one-thread

120-Helpful-Links-for-Buellers...and-growing

what oil do you use

-what-oil-would-you-recommend-

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and yes it would fine and better to switch to synthetic oil like Royal Purple MaxCycle 20W50 in both hole.and like you said YES go ahead now you would be a great time to change your oil(engine & pirmary oil), oil filter, spark plugs, and air filter all need to be changed. while your at it make sure to reset the TPS. with ECMSPY & cable it's very easy to do.

oil leaking from the hose running to or from the oil cooler fins

check if the fittings are loose or if there if a hole in hose or crack in the oil cooler lines.

 

[jimijeans]

Pegasus,On your oil Amsoil does a good job,& stock oil filter,make sure you lube the filter gasket, also fill the filter up 3/4 let it soak in, tighten by hand first then about 1/4 more w/ a proper oil wrench. Till you know more about the jewel you bought take it a little at a time.Watch about the drain plugs they strip out if you get them too tight, theres an o'ring on each plug.Might want to pick up one each. lube them.Check the magnets for sediment & stuff. If you can't find Amsoil/50 weight for engine.Screaming eagle will do for oil & Primary case for your first service. This w/ keep the cost down till you are ready for your next steps. GET a Manual there are lots of tips on this forum . The manuals always handy. Some Buells tick depending on whats been done before you purchased it. If it starts good & idles good ride gently till you get the feel of it esp/ the suspension check her front to back set it up for your weight ,the leak on the oil line/or cooler can be checked easy enough . Welcome, and let all know how it turns out.

 

[Pegasus]

Just an update, got the 10K maintenance done and everything is great now. The only problem is the engine is slow to return to idle. Other than that it's great and sounds amazing now!

 

[rrh481]

Don't use synthetic alot of people on this forum and myself have used synthetic and have had ticking noises coming from the motor until I switched back to regular oil. And deffinetly don't use royal purple theirs been talk about how it ruins gaskets and bearings. Just from what I heard I may be wrong.

 

[1fastxb12]

well i had that problem and stopped using synthetic oil and no more problemo !! homie kick the synteshit and go with ... non synthetic

 

[Stevenc150]

The only problem is the engine is slow to return to idle.

Set idle speed as close to 950 rpm as you can after a ride to get the bike fully warmed up. Below is the idle adjustment screw located behind the LH Air scoop.

 

[Pegasus]

Thanks a lot for that diagram! I'll try to adjust the idle with the idle screw tomorrow.

 

[mowgoli84]

I was always paranoid about the noises that my motor makes. Took it to multiple people and even just last weekend after having my rocker leak fixed i asked him if he thought it was noisy and he said hell no, yours is quite compared to most.

Its a big twin, its going to make all kinds of noise.

homie kick the synteshit and go with ... non synthetic

weird.. dont studies recommend synthetics?

 

[1fastxb12]

they arent always the answer man thats for sure and a study aint done on your exact bike done on a brand new how it should be not beat bike so just my opinion but some swear by it some dont i run it but had a bike once was to thin and made noise with non it had no noise so i was cool with the noise and ran synthetic and knew noise was okay and its better for motor but youll never know the dif your not gunna lose a noticable amount of miles on your motor life but just trying to say

 

[mowgoli84]

they arent always the answer man thats for sure and a study aint done on your exact bike done on a brand new how it should be not beat bike so just my opinion but some swear by it some dont i run it but had a bike once was to thin and made noise with non it had no noise so i was cool with the noise and ran synthetic and knew noise was okay and its better for motor but youll never know the dif your not gunna lose a noticable amount of miles on your motor life but just trying to say

haha fair enough.

A little confusing.. some periods in your sentences would help haha