New Buell owner, laundry list of issues

[TripleSober]

So for many years I've been a Buell fan. Owned my share of Yamahas (R1 & Warrior), Hondas etc...

I couldn't resists when I saw a 2005 xb12s for sale. Offered the guy $2,700 (listed for $3,500) after about a week he finally called cause he was desperate to get it gone. (workmans comp issues) maybe that should have been my red flag?

Too late now I got her. Its everything I want in a sportbike except for the problems it seems to have...
Here's what she is... 2005 xb12s, 22,800 miles, race exhaust, race ecm, K&N filter, holes drilled all over air box

I'm located in Colorado (Altitude)

The problems...
Changed oil, primary, cleaned air filter... All dirty<-- I hate un maintained bikes!

-runs horrible at 10% throttle, idles fine and when your on the throttle hard it pulls great. There's no gently rolling on this throttle as it pops sputters and wants to die. Very annoying

-After its warmed up it wants to hang at 2k at idle. Warmed it up to operating temp today and adjusted back down to around 1050 rpm's so hopefully that issue is gone

-fuel pump doesn't cycle and shut down with key on, ignition on. it just stays on. After hunting down others having this issue it sounds like it may be some frayed wires or a new fuel pump is needed. Either way it sounds like I need to drain the tank, remove swing arm and pull fuel pump.<-- wasn't thrilled to read that. Sounds like a winter project if it makes it that long

-Front brake vibrates- not sure if this is a normal thing for Buells. Haven't looked that one up yet

Not that I have any money to do it but I'm considering just taking it to a local Buell performance place and having them throw it on a dyno and figure out what the stuttering problems are.

I've looked through all the standard websites that seem to get thrown out for maps but there doesn't seem to be any. Plus I'm guessing for my altitude I'm not gonna find much.

I'm going to invest in the ecm plug and do some research but it seems like its getting too much fuel not enough air? I'm not sure I'm smart enough to start messing with fuel but I have read through ECM spys user guide so maybe I'll play a bit.

Anyway this site seems very useful except it seems I can find a lot of people with the same problems but they don't often seem to report back what the fix was??

Anyone have solutions to issues above mainly the pop and stutter issues I'd be super happy!

 

[neilrl79]

Tps reset may help with your throttle issues and can be done easily with the ecm cable you are planning on getting.

Fuel pump can be changed out without removing the swing arm and you can get a new equivalent pump for dirt cheap on Amazon or a local parts store (Auto Zone, etc).

Front brake shouldn't vibrate, maybe it's warped, if not, put new pads on and flush and fill with new fluid and see if it goes away.

 

[TripleSober]

I tried doing the manual TPS reset today but no change not sure if doing it through ecm spy is better? Sounds like the plug is worth buying either way.

I just want to ride and not spend every waking second troubleshooting but I guess I bought a used bike so it is what it is.

 

[neilrl79]

2005 has to be done through ecmspy or similar program, 2008+ can be done without.

 

[TripleSober]

Ah Ha! Good to know! Thanks

 

[ReadyXB]

I'll piggyback on neilrl79's comments...

On the fuel pump behavior, it almost sounds like pressure can't be maintained. But that wouldn't explain why "when your on the throttle hard it pulls great". The service manual will have you disconnect the ECM to see if there is a short to ground on the BN/Y wire; if the pump still runs continuously, there is probably a chaffed wire. This commonly happens inside the frame. Here is an example.

The TPS Zero procedure is a maintenance item on your model. And with 22.8K miles and dirty air and oil filters, I would bet that procedure hasn't been done either. I sell the cables if you are in need (see my profile). Until the TPS zero is done, all other troubleshooting of engine performance (apart from the potential fuel pump issue) could be skewed. And the ability to see and record live data while the engine is running (or trying to run) is an extremely valuable diagnostic aid.

 

[TripleSober]

Okay sounds like my fuel pump issue is the same as your link. Good to know. Looks like that's a project that needs to be done sooner than later.

I was going to order a plug today. I'll check your profile.

Thanks for the help. I knew if anything Buell support would be awesome through the forums!!

 

[TripleSober]

I just turned it on and I can change the pitch of the sound of the pump just by wiggling the exposed wires leading into the the pump.
I'm guessing that's more clues of chaffed wires.

 

[ReadyXB]

Yikes! The soldering of wires at the fuel pump connector inside are also prone to issues.

 

[TripleSober]

Just ordered your data plug readyxb!

 

[TripleSober]

I guess when I pull the pump I'm gonna have to go over every inch. I'm guessing there's no way to test it unless it's submerged in fuel?

I'd hate to pull it apart put it back together just to find I missed something. [sad]

 

[neilrl79]

$20 Fuel Pump

I don't have any personal experience with fuel pumps but can't go wrong on $20 for a new one.

Check this thread for more info from people who have actually done the job. There are links to all kinds of pumps scattered throughout the thread, I just linked you to the cheapest one.

 

[neilrl79]

Also, to help you find info, the search feature on this site sucks ass, so use Google site search.

For example type this in Google
site:BuellXB.com fuel pump

You can replace "fuel pump" with whatever you want to search.

 

[Chicknstripn]

Great advice all around! Don't sweat the pump removal and rebuild. It's actually quite simple once you disconnect the rear shock to allow the swing arm to swing out of the way. My rebuild took all of a Saturday afternoon.
Just take the trouble shooting and repairs one system at a time. That way you'll never get overwhelmed or ahead of yourself.
I think once you get your pump sorted and your TPS reset properly you'll find the bike to run a whole lot better.
Good luck and keep us posted

 

[TripleSober]

Thank you!!

I know any issues I'm having 15 other people have but I was having a hard time finding the end solution so thanks for the Google tip.

I'm on vacation this week so I may just tackle the fuel pump in the next couple days.

 

[ReadyXB]

Just ordered your data plug readyxb!

Thank you! I was able to get your package to the post office just before they closed, so it's headed your way.

 

[TripleSober]

Awesome! Saw the confirmation. Thanks for the speedy service!

 

[06xbss]

"Hi" from a fellow Colorado Bueller

I would start with the fuel pump problem, mine left me stranded 30 miles from home. Had a wire worn through at the pump, repaired it and have put another 24,xxx miles on without a problem.

Front brake: I just pulled my rotor, cleaned everything very well and used a tiny bit of high temp anti seize on the sliders when I put it all back together. Solved the vibration problems I had.

Low rpm stumble: A breather re-route and NGK DCPR9EIX plugs solved 80%-90% of my low rpm stumble problem.

 

[TripleSober]

Hey Colorado sweet! Are you on the Colorado sportbike club forums?

Yep gonna check the fuel pump. I agree with the above statement to just replace it all together just to be safe but there seems to be some big price differences. Amazon has 1 for $20 and another for $50. Going cheap hasn't worked for me in the past but I guess I'm questioning even replacing it. Just fixing the wires. Spending more money isn't a great option right now.

I'll have to look up the breather re rout as I don't think that's been done to this bike.

 

[06xbss]

Same user name on the csc forum

What part of Co are you in?