Hessitant, Near Stalling When Pulling Away

[devonbiker]

I rode my Buell on Saturday and went on a LONG ride. One problem I've noticed is how the bike seems like it could stall intermittently when pulling away. I've always noticed this behaviour since buying the Buell and it was one of my early complaints but the response from harley dealer was "I don't know sir". Well this problem seems slightly different than that but all I can describe it as is that it's feels like it misses beats when pulling away, maybe once per pull away? It's enough to lose confidence in the bike when stopped. Riding the bike at any speed seems OK.

My Buell is a 2009, Iridium spark plugs, performance air filter, Free Spirits plug n ride fueller, stock exhaust.

My first thought is to check the plugs but I changed them about 6000 miles ago. The other is maybe the fueller? I'm hoping it's nothing serious like a failing sensor because it means a trip back to Harley which I don't want or can afford.

So I thought I'd ask here, someone must of had a similar experience?

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

possible TPS reset?? [confused]

 

[devonbiker]

O yeah, I thought of that whilst riding but forgot. I'll do that.
[up]

 

[2004xb12s]

It is definitely a TPS reset and a tune you are after. I had the same issue exactly. Never thought it was out of the ordinary until I did both of the mentioned. It makes a great difference.

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

+1 for me lol

 

[devonbiker]

2004xb12s; What do you mean by a tune? It's long been discussed here in the UK on UKbeg that the later Buells (XB12) couldn't easily be tuned, hence why I had a fuel device fitted to add more fuel.

 

[SETH_TERRILLION]

ECMspy

 

[devonbiker]

Ah yes, thats the program that doesn't work on a 2008+ Buell apparently.

 

[jetlee]

TunerPro is free, does it not work for 08+ XB's?

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Lightning-XB12S-XB12Ss-CityX-XB12Scg/DDFI-3-tuning

 

[2004xb12s]

Start with TPS. Its not too hard. If that doesn't fix it then work at getting a map put on your ecm. I'd bet money the TPS reset would solve the problem.

 

[go cytocis]

It's entirely possible that you've got an electrical or fuel-delivery issue, but the simplest explanation may just be that you just got some shit gas on that "LONG" ride you went on(?). I've ended up with symptoms just like you describe by filling up at independent gas stations in little butt-towns.

 

[devonbiker]

Well a few days ago I did a tps reset. On my bike it's a combination of open throttle 1sec close throttle 1 sec - repeat three times then one/off on/off the ignition.

Well I must had done it wrong or I have a more serious problem. Cause my bike wasn't pulling away at all, kept dying just before a stall. Felt like I was running out of fuel when pulling away. Once the bike was on the move everything worked well until I stopped and it intermittently tried stalling again.

When I got back after a 20 min ride I did a TPS reset again and then a very short ride back to my garage proved better so I'm hoping it was down to a bad TPS setup or something cause otherwise I have a real problem.

PS; when I got back I put the bike on my raise table. For quite some time I had fuel slowly dripping out of an overflow pipe near the engine oil swing arm drain plug. Is this normal or typical based on my TPS problem?

 

[user_deleted]

PS; when I got back I put the bike on my raise table. For quite some time I had fuel slowly dripping out of an overflow pipe near the engine oil swing arm drain plug. Is this normal or typical based on my TPS problem?

reasonably normal but has absolutely nothing to do with any tps unit reset. if you remove your airbox cover you will see a large vent fitting at the 1 o'clock position on top of the frame/tank. it is the frame tank vent and 3/8th thinwall rubber line runs from that fitting over top of air box lid and back to and down along inner left side of swingarm. it is the tank vent/fuel overflow line. if you fill the the warm tank with cool gasoline the gasoline rapidly expands and exits out the tank thru said line. it will drip out the line in the precise location you mentioned. NOT tps related whatsoever.

 

[user_deleted]

Free Spirits plug n ride fueller

i would suspect that piece is the source of your problem. buells typically "carburate" very nicely.

 

[devonbiker]

Have done a few TPS resets on the fly and it seems to sort for a short while. Bike is perfect when running, only when the bike is pulling away it instantly dies and tries to stall. I have to keep the revs up otherwise to overcome. This is really strange cause it's only a recent problem. I'm wondering if the FreeSpirits fueler is adding more fuel or something? Not really sure how to change the settings.

 

[devonbiker]

FIXED - I think! Plug change seems to have solved it.

 

[devonbiker]

These were the Iridium plugs I removed from my bike. I can't remember how many miles I did on these plugs but it can't be more than 6000 miles I reckon. I put back the stock plugs and everything is fine accept that I have noticed the throttle is less sharp under hard acceleration [slightly less throttle response]. Do you think these plugs can be simply cleaned or should I replace?

 

[Cosworth]

Id just replace em, cheap insurance.

 

[08herobolt]

+1. I always replace my plugs. No reason not to for the cost. Clean them to keep a spare set around in case you want to use them for electrical testing or if you need one in a hurry. I have 2-3 sitting on the shelf.

 

[devonbiker]

Hi guys, well my Buell has been sat in a warm garage for a week without running. I just recently fitted new Denso Iridium plugs and the bike has been riding fine. Well yesterday when I was out the bike started playing up again when pulling away from stop. The bike wants to stall. As I twist the throttle to pull away it revs but then dies instantly under load unless I quickly pull in the clutch. Well last night it happened a lot, but not after every stop. I have to over rev to overcome this stalling. At first I thought I ran out of fuell but I then realised I had plenty of fuell. I TPS reset my bike a few time last night but I can't say it was 100% effective.

Three days ago i did change my battery and since start the bike twice to check battery power and quickly switched it off. I wonder if I fouled my plugs? Does this plug clean routine really work or will I have to remove the plugs and physically clean them? At what point in this routine should you start the bike, after the 3rd time?

a spark plug clean can be initiated manually. Repeat the following sequence three times.
1. roll and hold the throttle wide open
2.turn the ignition to ON
3.wait three seconds
4.release the throttle grip
5.turn the ignition to off