How to: Rotate your engine : With Pics!

[GregoXB]

What about.....

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-For...MOVE-HEADER-NO-ENGINE-ROTATE-NEEDED-with-pics

 

[303xb]

Wiz, can't thank you enough for this walk through. Rotated in and out in about 6 hours to change my rocker gaskets. Took my time and cleaned everything along the way. Rep +1

 

[SageCloud]

Truly thanks! I am also using this great tutorial to dismount en reinstall my painted headers! It's perfect!

The question I have though is what the V bracket thingy does... I could understand why you would mount a bracket between to points to reinforce something...but why the steel wire!? What's up with that?

 

[user_deleted]

The question I have though is what the V bracket thingy does... I could understand why you would mount a bracket between to points to reinforce something...but why the steel wire!? What's up with that?

XB's are 45 degree V-twins. the lower the angle of the V in an engine configuration the more inbalance is created in both primary and secondary balance. a Ducati with a 90 degree V-twin for example has perfect primary balance characteristics. the XB 45 degree V-twin with a substantial amount of primary inbalance generates both vibrations and what's known as "rocking couple" which can be quite substantial at certain rpm's. the left side bracket accomplishes several things and one of them is quelling this "rocking couple" characteristic. the bracket also assists in tying the frame and motor together at multiple attachment points.

 

[marten1]

Just did this and it took me les than an hour. Easy job. Just have to have the gut to go for it.

 

[303xb]

[up]

 

[BuellRonin]

I thought I could get my intake seals replace without dropping the engine. But I could not, but your post helped me out greatly and I thank you much sir!

I saw that there was also a leak come for the top cover, and would have had to do it anyway to replace the gasket. Your time and effort helped me take on the task myself.

Cheers!

 

[Orests]

Perfect !!!

 

[tazwolf]

I am in the process of rotating my engine on my Ulysses and i have a question
does the rear engine mount center bolt have to be loosened?

 

[Chicknstripn]

If you're talking about the rear isolator, yes. Loosen it do not remove it.

Go to www.buellmods.com and download a service manual. With the service manual as your instructions and these threads as a guide you should be able to accomplish a trouble free rotation.
Just make sure you follow the manual. Can't go wrong using what the factory technicians used to maintain your ride.

 

[wally]

I'm planning on replacing rocker cover gaskets this weekend with the James gasket set. I'm sure I will get it waxed with this thread! ��

 

[tazwolf]

I have the service manual and hence my confusion as the rotation description in this thread seems a lot easier but there is no mention of loosening the rear engine mount/isolator center bolt as there is in the service manual.

 

[Chicknstripn]

The service manual is your Buell bible.
Write ups aren't sacrament but are good Buell life guides.

 

[tazwolf]

Ok, Chicknstripn thanks for explaining. Loosen but not remove center bolt, will do.

 

[wally]

Did it over the weekend and it was easy as pie!

Thanx to the great step by step pics!

Installing the engine was a mission, but fully because of silly mistakes on my part!
Like forgetting to fit front breather tube after I had torqued v-bar and isolator in place and once again after realising the coil wasn't in the correct spot.

Won't be making those mistakes again!

James gaskets fitted, plugs changed - although they were only due after another 5000kms.

All ready for next weekend's trip.

 

[tazwolf]

Hi all
just wanted to thank the OP, chinkstripn and everyone else who has contributed. I rotated the engine, changed the exhaust gaskets (used James copper ones) and replaces the rear tiebar. Unlike some others i thought it was quite a harrowing experience with the engine creaking plus the fact that i was so concentrated on making sure nothing got trapped that I did not notice that my scissor jack became misaligned with the bottom of the engine, lucky I was wearing dark coloured trousers but it was easier for me to use two scissor jacks, alternating between them.
I did loosen the rear isolator bolt.
I had to loosen the strap securing the gearbox vent tube on the frame as i was afraid it might become disconnected due to stretching.
otherwise, it went ok, I will do it again without hesitation if I have to, but I would not say it is easy, for me at least with no experience of wrenching.

thanks!

 

[njloco]

Well, you now have experience ! Feels good, right ?

 

[tazwolf]

Well, you now have experience ! Feels good, right ?

Yes it does feels very, quite proud of being able to do an engine rotation.Before this i had a Triumph Thunderbird sport 10 years ago and managed to change the oil and brake fluid and thought that was pretty advanced at the time ha ha.

In addition, i changed all the other tiebars, the rear wheel bearings, changed the idler pulley to a free spirits with new bearings, fitted muller power clutch, new grips, new brake and clutch levers, new clutch cable, new spark plugs + cables. Feels like I know the bike now (with the exception of the engine internals).

Could not have done it without BuellXB and UKBeg websites.

Thanks!

 

[TPEHAK]

Unlike some others i thought it was quite a harrowing experience with the engine creaking plus the fact that i was so concentrated on making sure nothing got trapped that I did not notice that my scissor jack became misaligned with the bottom of the engine, lucky I was wearing dark coloured trousers but it was easier for me to use two scissor jacks, alternating between them.

I used a piece of wood to support the engine and to realign the scissors jack on the way down

 

[tazwolf]

I used a piece of wood to support the engine and to realign the scissors jack on the way down

Thats a good idea with the piece of wood but i had misalignment several times during the rotation down, at one point the scissor jack was at a 45 degree angle.