New 2008 xt owner. Buyers Remorse?

[pdksh]

Just purchased a 2008 Buell XT with 12,000 miles in excellent visual shape for $4000USD. I did post earlier about this motorcycle. I have always wanted an air cooled Buell and a number of years ago I seriously looked at a White Lightning. Unfortunately I waited a little too long and the Buell company has gone through some very interesting changes.

My first concern is parts. There is some excellent resources on this forum and on badweather bikes regarding parts and cross-referenced parts. My first challenges are;

- Spare Final Drive Belt. From my research the bike requires a '1.125" x135T 14mm pitch' belt. The only factory belt I can find is on ebay (stpaulhd). I want to have at least one spare belt. I understand a belt can get anywhere between 500kms and 100,000kms. I purchased this xt to do some long touring and I don't need to be grounded because of a pebble.
Any suggestions for a replacement belt? e-bay, local HD stealer or aftermarket. All input is welcome.

- Engine mount Isolator. Any suggestions or are these things pretty stable?

- The sator engine side cover breaking where the clutch mechanism pivots. Is this a problem that I can expect to see or is it pretty uncommon?

- Programming the ECM with the 2009/2010 comfort kit updates. How dificult is it to program the ECM with the new 2009/2010 software. Does it make enough of a difference to bother. Is there a high degree of chance of destroying (bricking) my ECM. Would a race/performance ECM be better than the comfort kit code.

- Wheel bearings and fork seals. Is the all-balls replacement parts any good?

- How difficult is it to obtain parts from an HD stealer?

I look forward to any/all advice you Uly gurus can give!

 

[user_deleted]

Engine mount Isolator. Any suggestions or are these things pretty stable?
yes

How difficult is it to obtain parts from an HD stealer?
easy. use either their microfiche to order or supply part #. tons of XB new and used parts available via ebay. online new consensus of opinion is either surdyke.com or newcastle.com. both offer outstanding mail order service and pricing.

Wheel bearings and fork seals. Is the all-balls replacement parts any good?
very good. also SKF wheel bearings very good.

Programming the ECM with the 2009/2010 comfort kit updates. How dificult is it to program the ECM with the new 2009/2010 software. Does it make enough of a difference to bother. Is there a high degree of chance of destroying (bricking) my ECM. Would a race/performance ECM be better than the comfort kit code.
makes a nice difference and bike runs cooler. either buy a pre-programmed ecm from the aftermarket/EBR....or contact azmidget91 (his name is cole) on here who can fix you up with necessary apparatus to do your own. he's a great guy.

Spare Final Drive Belt. From my research the bike requires a '1.125" x135T 14mm pitch' belt. The only factory belt I can find is on ebay (stpaulhd). I want to have at least one spare belt. I understand a belt can get anywhere between 500kms and 100,000kms. I purchased this xt to do some long touring and I don't need to be grounded because of a pebble.
Any suggestions for a replacement belt? e-bay, local HD stealer or aftermarket. All input is welcom
XB drive belts last an eternity if dirt/gravel road forays kept to a minimum....OEM belt guards kept in place...and both rear wheel bearings and idle tension pulley bearings remain pristine. if rear wheel or idler pulley bearings fail eventually so will the belt. they run hand in hand.

The sator engine side cover breaking where the clutch mechanism pivots. Is this a problem that I can expect to see or is it pretty uncommon?
you're referring to the clutch actuator ramp floor which is part of the outer primary cover. fairly rare to fail. board member from NY has kits to repair same and offers repair service in lieu of replacing entire cover. THE KEY to limiting failure potential is to NOT sit at stop signs and red lights with bike in 1st gear and clutch lever pulled in. THAT is what puts undue strain on the actuator floor commonly referred to as the primary cover "lip".

 

[njloco]

As usual, very good information from a very good buell guru, thanks John.

Buyer remorse? You've only just joined, you have a great bike. ( I have one also ) with the exception of the front isolator mount, I don't think you have to worry about parts at all right now. You can still get the front mount, it's just getting a little expensive. Many parts can be purchased from the local parts store because those parts are also used in different American cars, also when you have time, I would suggest you peruse this sight and you'll learn a lot.So put your concerns aside and enjoy your bike, know that these people here will do everything they can to help you out IF you have any problems.

Good luck !

 

[Cooter]

Just ride it.

A LOT.

Fix what breaks.

Then ride it some more.:up:

 

[buelligan21]

I have only had my bike a little over a year and this winter I started on the "common issue" fixes. I replaced the belt and carry the old one as a spare. My rear wheel is getting new bearings. My idler pulley is getting new bearings. I have ordered the Free Spirits tensioner, hoping that it will aid in prolonged life of bearings and the belt. I am also considering fixing the clutch cover before it breaks as a preventative measure for when I am on a long touring trip. I am ordering a dongle and tablet to use ECM Droid to carry with me on trips for code reading, TPS resets, and flashing maps. I keep fluids changed and an eye on my brakes. I think these bikes are a little more quirky than other offerings, but the fixes seem to be relatively simple and I take pride in working on my own bike. I don't think you should have any buyers remorse, as the problems seem to be few and far between.

 

[pdksh]

Thank you to everyone reaching out! I must apologize for my initial "title". I do not regret purchasing the motorcycle, I haven't even taken possession of the bike yet, hopefully this weekend. I want to get a head of the issues. I am grateful to resources on this forum. I do plan on ordering wheel bearings, belt pulley bearings and a belt as soon as I take possession. I think the advise of changing bearings every other tire replacement is sound, and CHEAP. One interesting observation... the USA websites that mail order HD parts will not ship to Canada. I imagine this is a stipulation in their HD Motor Company contract. The Canadian Dealers aren't to quick on the uptake on HD bikes and basically ignore Buells exist. I have a VRSCR StreetRod and the parts counter Jockey had me so turned around that I forgot why I was even in the dealership. If anyone could suggest a sound supplier of Buell parts in the Toronto area I would be very appreciative.

 

[soups7]

luniticfringe, kind of off topic, sorry. Did all the 2009 models come with the comfort kit updates or was it a mid-model change? Thanks.

 

[Chuckski]

Good questions! I just purchased a 2008 xb12x for the same price. 20k miles. I think it is a fair price. It does have some minor issues I'm sorting out with help from this site! I had and have similar hesitations regarding parts in the future, but its all an adventure, right?

 

[cknapp]

THE KEY to limiting failure potential is to NOT sit at stop signs and red lights with bike in 1st gear and clutch lever pulled in. THAT is what puts undue strain on the actuator floor commonly referred to as the primary cover "lip".

Is this common on all Buells or just the 08 Uly? I have an 06 Xb12x.

 

[Cooter]

Could happen to any of the XB's, but not really common at all. It's just one of the very few things that go wrong on these power plants enough to spark a conversation.

I personally go against the very wise Lunatics advise, and still sit at a light in first with the clutch in (with my eye on the rear view). It may cost me a primary cover fix (like it cost me a clutch cable on my Victory) but it's worth the safety IMHO.

 

[cknapp]

I personally go against the very wise Lunatics advise, and still sit at a light in first with the clutch in (with my eye on the rear view). It may cost me a primary cover fix (like it cost me a clutch cable on my Victory) but it's worth the safety IMHO.

I do this too. Always need an escape plan.