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it seems if I would turn the handle bars left and right, it would catch and start

this is exactly what mine would act like. Just pull the cover at the ignition switch to where you can see the wires terminate in the back of the switch. The IC gets power from the key switch.
 
Bob: as 21st century motorcycles go, Buells are very simple machines. the engine/trans/primary architecture dates back to 1957...the fueling is very simple...charging system robust and simple...braking system common nissin components. wonderfully engineered quirky uncommon charismatic bikes. having said that always keep a few things in mind: they "shake" like hell at low speeds....generate tons of heat inside the frame/tank rails area....and have extremely tight packaging of wiring bundles and electrical components. three years ago i installed a new Deka AGM battery in my BMW R1200RT. i won't even think about it or check it until it decides not to start one cold morning. now divide that time-frame by 12 and you have XB battery maintenance intervals. to date i have owned 15 assorted XB's....one or more of every flavor. in that time a few things have become "givens" if you will:
1-90% of electrical oddities and gremlins can be traced to the battery area and under-seat electrical components.
2-if a problem arises at the handlebar area and forward it's almost always in the switchgear and/or wiring bundles behind the flyscreen and steering neck vicinity.
3-neutral safety switches are inexpensive and fairly easily replaced. a faulty one morphs into a myriad of dumb problems including non-start issues.
4-get familiar with the connectors and harnesses behind the front plastic pulley cover and occasionally inspect them. there is alot going on in that tightly packed area and your bikes' major electrical components are sourced in that vicinity.
 
Thanks for the tips all.
Update: Pulled the seat tonight and it was very obvious the battery connections are part of the issue, if not the only issue. BOTH the positive and negative battery terminals were loose... I find it amazing the bike would start at all, much less that the battery would even charge when running. The seat rail ground seemed tight, but I removed, cleaned and re-tightened anyway. Anyway after cleaning and tightening the cables, the bike fired up right away and seems much better. Unfortunately it's raining here tonight so I did not get any ride time in. Just went through a couple start cycles in the garage.

I'm optimistic that the loose battery cables are the cause of my issues. But because of my experience with moving the handlebars left/right, I still have some lingering concern about the connectors and wires up front. At this point I'm going to leave the wiring up front alone unless the gremlins come back on my next ride.

Lunatic, thanks too for the tips about where you find the majority of issues. That really helps a newbie like me narrow my focus on the most likely culprits. Despite the few small issues I've had, I'm really happy with my decision to buy a Buell. You're right they are well engineered, a little quirky, not very common, charismatic..not to mention downright fun to ride! All reasons I'm drawn to this bike.

New Question: Recommendations for a right side air scoop? Is the consensus that they are worth the money? Any suggestions on the best source for reasonable $?

Thanks!

Bob S
 
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Bob: any air and oil cooled motor loves fresh cool air and tons of it. on XB motors as with every other IC motor the cylinder heads generate and retain the bulk of the heat. you'll notice on your XB that the heads are tucked up between the frame/tank rails and covered by the seating area and airbox assembly. things get damn hot in those vicinities. the factory right side scoop assembly is the single best thing i can think of to help keep these motors cool...particularly the rear cylinder. here's the part #'s you will need and all #'s still active in mother H-D's system. money well spent IMO.
p/n M0851.7AA(outer scoop) p/n M0852.7AA(inner scoop) requires 3 screws, p/n AN1005.3FSS
 
mrlogix said:
damn John, doesn't get any better than that. Part #'s and everything.
Click to expand...

Yep, providing the part numbers is going above and beyond for sure! Found the needed parts and have them on order, $76.00 shipped. Not too bad considering some of the after market ones I saw were close to 3 times that much!

Sure makes sense to put some extra air around that rear cylinder. With that area being as tight as it is, I'm kind of surprised it was not standard equipment on all XB's.

Thanks again for the help!

Bob

(RatherBeRiding)
 
qurtrn10 said:
BTW - pics or it didn't happen. :)
Click to expand...

Finally got around to taking a couple pictures and thought I'd post.

Anybody have a solution for the stains on the frame/ fuel cell?

IMG_1694 (2).jpg

IMG_1696 (2).jpg


Bob S
Eureka MO
 

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