new guy here, looking at an xb9r....is this just a seal leak?

[blacklisted]

When looking at a 2003 xb9r I noticed a leak and asked about it, here is a pic of said leak:

Is this likely just a seal, or a sign of other issues?

Seller says it only happens when sitting in the winter months when it is cold.

 

[blacklisted]

Fixed the photo, sorry about that.

My name is Tyler by the way.

 

[GAXB9R]

Its hard to tell exactly where it is coming from. One thing you could do is spray that area down with brake cleaner and get it good and clean/dry. Warm the bike up and see where it is leaking from.

 

[blacklisted]

I didnt buy it yet, and if what he says is true, it wont leak when warm. He seems to think one of the seals is getting bad so when it is cold out it is not sealing as well.

It didnt appear to push any out after I had him start it, warm it up, then ride it up and back the road. So as much as his story seems unlikely to me, warming the bike up and running it didnt seem to prove him wrong.

As a side note the guy seems pretty honest and decent. Bike is extremely clean otherwise, he had it painted black and chrome dipped the wheels. No Mods otherwise.

He wants like $3,700 for it though with 15k miles, so as much as I like it I am not sure if this leak is a deal breaker. With these bikes, what would be the most expensive scenario for that sort of slow leak?

 

[Gloomshadow]

$3,700?.. hes trippin' I got a 12R the same basic year and miles for $3,000.
Worst case, thats a Head Gasket but I cant see how.. that looks like main primary seal.. not a big problem really. Id offer him $2000 and then just walk away from it. There are alot of better deals out there right now on Buells. I wouldnt bother with a 9 at those prices... a 9 is only worth 1500-2000 (stock) to me..

 

[buellbradski]

[confused]$2000??[confused]
He's not asking way to much but I'd ask him to take a little less for the leak. Maybe $3200. I don't think it's a major fix anyway.
Prolly just a primary seal.
Don't spray it with brake cleaner that will prolly remove the paint.
A lot of folks prefer the xb9 over the 12 it has a higher rpm band and with a race ECM ,pipe and air filter puts out simular hp to a stock 12. Don't write off a 9 there great engines maybe even better than the 12?
Concider the condition, tires,millage and age into the value if the bike was perfect I'd say $3700 is fair. I'd say if the plastics are in fair shape and tires have life it's worth $3200 easy.

 

[rchuff]

Hard to believe it only leaks when it sits with the amount of oil all over. That means it leaks when its running. I would totally check the head gaskets+rocker box gaskets.

 

[anrkizm95]

I would totally check the head gaskets+rocker box gaskets.

[up]

 

[Gloomshadow]

for a 03.. yeah 2000.. thats just me though. I want that extra grunt.. the only way Im getting a 9 is if it comes cheap and I would make it into a club racer.. the 9 qualifies for "Superstock C".. I dont think the 12 qualifies anymore, its 3cc's too big last I read.

 

[thrstrmech]

top end gasket kit from LSHD1.com $78...primary cover seal $23...looks like the rear cylinder base gasket is leaking, check behind the cylinder and in front of the starter, also look at where the swing arm and engine mate on the left side, if it has lots of oil residue there, the rear cylinder is leaking...my '03 looked similar to the pic above without the primary cover leak though

 

[FlaXB9R]

for a 03.. yeah 2000.. thats just me though. I want that extra grunt.. the only way Im getting a 9 is if it comes cheap

First off- opinions are like ******** everyone has one.

Second- have you actually rode a 9?

Third- I've rode with you once and my 9 was on your ass the whole time while you were heavy accelerating even with the 100lbs or so I have on you.

Forth- I too think that is a high price with a leak but wouldn't be concerned weather its a 9 or 12. If you want extra grunt get an 1125 it even has an extra gear.

Fifth- 2k really? Its not a Blast!



I love my 9 and took that as an insult (not personally but in general, no hard feelings)

Blacklisted-
I personally would pass on that one. Especially for that price. That price would be for a mint 03 not a project (which that could turn out to be).
Good luck finding one, you'll love it! Buells aren't the fastest bikes but are damn sure one of the funnest (that I've rode at least)!

 

[neilrl79]

I agree with FlaXB9R. I'm 245+lbs(tho going down everyday) and my 2003 9SL is never lacking power. Also I would pass on this bike at that price. I paid $3500 for mine last year, it was bone stock with 6700 miles on it and no leaks what-so-ever.

 

[uly luigi]

I agree, low ball him for the leak, see what he will do, I too vote base gasket leak, HD even put out a tech bulletin on it

 

[user_deleted]

blacklisted: i have a 2003 xb9r and really like it but don't like the lack of comfort. other than that they're fine bikes. the leak is coming from the motor...not from the primary side. oil on the primary cover cannot run up-hill and your pic suggests the leak is coming from cylinder area, running towards primary, running down primary and spreading out along the bottom. if you buy it you have 3 choices: live with it and clean the area every so often/reseal the primary cover and hope for the best but longshot that will work/find source of leak on motor and have it repaired. if the cylinder fins are oil free most likely the cylinder base gaskets. look up online what wholesale book price is, deduct what costs are in your area to change over the title, tax if any, and putting your tag on it....and offer him that. good negotiating starting point. poster above stated "only worth 1500-2000 to me" but in all honesty, unless you're the luckiest SOB in the world or you constanly hunt and peck for XB models which ups your odds, nowadays you'll only find absolute junk in that price range.

 

[user_deleted]

a 9 is only worth 1500-2000 (stock) to me

huh?
let me know when you find decent ones in that price range and where they are. i'll buy every last one of them.

 

[WIGGLE2]

My little XB9SX will run with a 12...no problem. As far as price...They vary a LOT depending on geographics. Around the cental Pa. area, A bike like that can see a 3k to 3500 pricetag as of late. (They are NOT coming down in price around here!) .

 

[Infernorodz]

if you buy it you have 3 choices: live with it and clean the area every so often/reseal the primary cover and hope for the best but longshot that will work/find source of leak on motor and have it repaired. if the cylinder fins are oil free most likely the cylinder base gaskets.
look up online what wholesale book price is, deduct what costs are in your area to change over the title, tax if any, and putting your tag on it....and offer him that

Don't the 9's have a different sprocket to make them more comprable to the 12's?

Never hurts to ask... make offer see how bad he really wants to sell it.

 

[WIGGLE2]

Because the '9' is a short stroke engine, it has higher RPM capabilities, and therefore the PRIMARY is geared slightly lower than the '12' to be able to take advantage of that. It does make them snappy at lower speeds as well.

 

[blacklisted]

In negotiations on the bike now, thanks for all the thoughts.

As someone stated these things go for way too much in pa. $4000 is typically a "low" price.

 

[wolfo68]

the primary gearing is lower, the pulleys are the same provided he updated to the 04+
I would check the belt if it is the little brick style it isn't updated and it should've been.

the leak looks like a base gasket leak to me, if it's an 03 you'd probably be smart to change the gaskets anyway.

Personal opinion, I would offer 3 here (in nebraska), depending on where you are, mileage, and if he has documentation about maintenance are really the key factors.

I almost bought one for 1900, but it was really beat up.