New to group with a 2006 XB12

[user_deleted]

Thanks, Lunaticfringe! I found a bosch 12014 nearby and will definitely follow your lead on the options of sensors and have also located the plugs you recommended. It's likely the fan could be burned out since it couldn't spin and some dummy bypassed the fuse. I'll certainly check it before putting things back together.

Much appreciated!!

my pleasure. the fan is mandatory on any XB. without it in hot temps the motor will eventually melt-down. the ecm triggers the ground side of fan to activate it. if faulty replace. brand is SPAL but housing unique. good ones on evilbay for decent money. here is how you get to the fan and the O2 sensor for repair/replacement. hope that helps.

Remove items as follows:
seat
battery
ecm (unbolt and swing to the side)
rear brake fluid reservoir
rear shock adjustment knob assembly (unbolt and let dangle by hose)

Jack up bike by muffler

Remove rear shock upper and lower bolts
remove shock canister retainer clip
pull the shock/canister/adjuster up through the frame as one assembly
the fan is then right there
the wire is short and can be a pain but with some patience you'll get it
remove fan housing to frame attachment screws...rotate and pull fan rearward and out it comes.
this reveals the O2 sensor as well.

 

[Opie]

Thanks again!! I did some checking and found a sensor that looks like it would fit. The other ones available now are too long, like the one that's in there. SO130.02A8 65970-99Y The wire can run 90 degree's which would give me a lot more room. I think this is the one. E-bay for $57 I wonder is there is a cross to this one that is less $


http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Buell-o...8a2fb88&pid=100040&rk=1&rkt=4&sd=391365020675

 

[Chicknstripn]

Check your local auto parts store. I picked up a Bosch for $18 that fit perfectly. Got it at advanced auto parts.
There's a parts cross reference thread that might help you out.
Google Buell XB parts cross reference thread and you should find it.

 

[Opie]

Thanks again!! I did some checking and found a sensor that looks like it would fit. The other ones available now are too long, like the one that's in there. View attachment 3153 SO130.02A8 65970-99Y The wire can run 90 degree's which would give me a lot more room. I think this is the one. E-bay for $57

This is what the existing one looks like and the ones that come up for the current replacement. They are too long.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Buell-o...8a2fb88&pid=100040&rk=1&rkt=4&sd=391365020675

 

[Chicknstripn]

If you want, I'll send you the oem sensor I removed from my bike last summer so you actually have something tangible to go by. A lot of things look different on the Internet. Actually, I'll get my calipers out and give you some physical dimensions. That should help you with the size issue. Well, at least it should help with the issue of the O2 sensor....
Both my oem and my Bosch sensor do not have a 90 at the wire. They look like the one you have pictured.
And I'm positive the Bosch fits correctly.
So, I just measure the oem O2. 3 15/16 of an inch. That's from the bottom of the sensor to the top of the wire insulation on the white wire.
Hope that helps you find the right length/size sensor.

 

[Opie]

Thanks Chinknstripn!! It's an odd issue. I'm turning out the be a high maintenance member hopefully this will help someone else down the line.....

The sensor that is in there now is what is recommended as a replacement. But as you can see by the pics, it protrudes up into the fan. The fan appears to be installed correctly, seated and tight. I don't see how it could be installed any other way, no room to move it up. Maybe this is unique to 06 firebolts. The pic of the Beull sensor above (65970-99Y) would likely fit since it appears to be about an inch or so shorter (but I don't have the measurements for it but could ask the seller). I have a feeling to o2 sensor was previously replaced with the same part numbers I'm looking at now. Then they just gave up and didn't think the fan was important. The one in there now appears to be about 3" like Chicknstripn mentioned.


I replaced the spark plugs and wires last night. Hope to take it out for a test ride to see if it still cuts out at 4000 rpm.

 

[Chicknstripn]

I think the O2 sensor that is currently in your bike has been modified or tampered with. It does not seem to sit at the correct angle. Can you post some pics of the exhaust header and O2 sensor after you remover the fan. Also post a pic of exhaust header and O2 bung with sensor removed.
I'm curious to see if something else is going on there.
BTW I would not ride it without a functioning O2 sensor or fan! It will definitely run like crap once it gets hot!

 

[RaisinCain]

Is it possible the engine is somehow mounted too far back in the frame?

 

[Chicknstripn]

I too was wondering this but I'm not even sure if that's possible.... .....what do your front and rear isolators look like?

 

[Opie]

Well, the next step is to start taking this apart to get into the details. It may take a few days before I can get to it. Stand by and thanks for the comments.

 

[Opie]

Got to the sensor and also removed the fan. Tested the fan with the battery and it tries to move till it catches. I'm not sure if the fan is supposed to move freely? I'll likely just get a new one since it does turn very long with the battery. Regarding the sensor. It simply seems too long. Everything seems to be in order and the bung seems factory welded to me. The fan was installed correctly (tried to see if it would mount upside down to see if it was installed incorrectly. I have about 2.5" of space before I reach the bottom of the fan blades. Maybe if has different headers but the exhaust stock and everything seems to be in place, not shifted. Thanks for any input...

 

[Chicknstripn]

Looks like your rear header has been repair. Not a very professional repair at that. That O2 sensor bung is definitely NOT factory. Looks real ugly. I think that's your main issue.

 

[user_deleted]

this is stock header.....your header is not. that is the problem.

 

[buell248]

someone had a header for sale a few days ago in parts section,

http://www.buellxb.com/forum/showthread.php?50612-FS-Buell-XB12-Header-In-Good-Shape-No-Dents

 

[Opie]

Interesting.... and thank you all for the input!! So, buy a new header or buy this O2 sensor that is 2.2 inches and should fit below the fan based on my measurements and the measurements the seller gave me? I have 2.5 inches to work with. I don't know if this is the correct sensor but it was an originally for a buell. Appreciate your opinions? My gut is to go with this sensor and a new fan.

 

[Chicknstripn]

Is that sensor for an 1125r? I would stick with parts and part numbers that you know, or has been proven by the Buell community, to work for your year and model bike.
Otherwise you're just doing what the previous owner did.
Not really fixing a thing and causing more problems.
Post some detailed pics of the rear and front exhaust headers.
You may not need to replace it if it's just a lousy repair on the oem header.
A capable weld shop should be able to fix that mess. Especially if you have pictures and measurements of what needs to be accomplished.
That's my 2cents. I'm sure it worth exactly that.

 

[Opie]

Update: Since my first post, I installed new plugs (NGK DCPR9EIX), and new plug wires. New TPS, then reset it. Installed a new O2 sensor... the shorter one mentioned above that actually fits below the fan, yay! Installed a new fan and air filter. Put it all back together tonight and took it out for a test ride. At first it ran good. I ran it up to about 5k to 6K rpm then the cutting out started again! Argh!! On the way back it started cutting out , back fire etc. at 4K again, just like when I started this whole trouble shooting. Good news: Check engine light is off. The fan now works like its supposed to (came on when I shut it off). Bad news. The problem is still there. I may need to dig into the settings on ECMspy to see what I have then research what they are supposed to be for this 2006 1203. I'm new to ECM.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for reading.

 

[Chicknstripn]

Sounds like you still have an O2 issue.
Are you sure the "short" sensor you bought is compatible with your model bike?
Read up on ECMspy and what the air fuel ratio tells you about the O2 sensors function. I believe if your O2 isn't working properly your AFR will be out of whack. Usually goes out of whack once the bike starts running in closed loop mode.
ECMspy isn't that difficult to use for basic stuff.
Let us know what you discover.

 

[Opie]

I'm pretty sure this is a compatible o2 sensor: I could always go buy a new one (longer that won't fit) for $18 and disconnect the fan and do a short test ride to see if it still cuts out. But the old sensor (that was replaced at some point) had the same symptoms as I have now. I'll look into the ECM settings as you suggested. Thank you!

I'm also wondering if this is an electrical problem. If I keep the throttle open when it starts to cut out it bascially dies. Since I'm in gear and going fairly fast it restarts. But while it's off, I'm giving it gas to get it going which when it finally restarts it back fires a couple of times. When I was a kid I used to have honda that I would turn off the kill switch, crank the throttle a few times then turn the kill switch back on to purposely make a loud bang kids will do the craziest things.... I know the battery connections are tight. Maybe the vibration at high rpm's is causing a lose connection to lose power. It's a frustrating problem at this point.

 

[Chicknstripn]

I've never heard of there being a "short" O2 sensor option for a Buell XB. And your rear header looks like someone jacked it up in the past. Only reason I asked about the O2 sensor. I would
NEVER suggest you run your bike in the manner in which you did when you bought it. DO NOT revert to the stupidity that was your bike before you started attempting to right the wrongs of the PO.
But since you're positive the rear header is just a poorly executed OEM part and that the "short" O2 sensor is the correct O2 then I'd suggest, as I already have, that you start learning how to use ECMspy. At least that way you can see, without any speculation, what the bike is doing at operating temp.
Have you investigated the wiring to the head temp sensor? A faulty head temp sensor could cause the symptoms you have described. Which seems to me, to be a bike that acts up when hot. Which is either when the ECM takes readings from the head temp sensor or O2 sensor.