Noob with some quick questions for an '08 Firebolt

[cesper]

Hey all,

I just picked up a sweet '08 Firebolt with only 1000 miles on it. The owner didn't have a manual, so I don't know how far the bike goes once the gas light comes on. Tried a search already with no success.

2nd, what is included in the 1000 mile service? I would be doing most of it myself, unless a special tool is required for something. I have an '09 Nightster that had a pretty simple 1k service, not sure if this one is similar. I'm a former auto/moto tech, but don't have access to a lot of tools and a nice garage right now.

Lastly, the bike appears totally stock, except for a D&D slip-on. I already checked the airbox, an it looks untouched. Should I worry about an ECM mod? I have searched and read several different posts about race ECM's, the Tuniversity, and the ECMspy cables, but can't decide what I need. Not racing or doing trackdays(yet!) , basically just want to make sure nothing's damaged before next season starts. I will be riding it occasionally through the winter, and did notice it idles a little rough(30-40 deg. right now), and the low rpm control kinda sucks sometimes.

Thanks for any info, and I'm glad this forum's here. It's kinda hard to find online info for this bike outside of this place.

-Chris.

 

[c818919]

1000miles=oil change and tps reset. Only "special" tool needed will be an ecm cable and a program like ecmspy.
That exhaust pushes alot of air so I should be logged and tuned for best results. Looks like your on the right track for tuning.
Christopher

 

[JRage]

it is an 08 so please do not use ecmspy to do a tps reset i also have an 08 and was told that it would mess up the ecm due to different drivers but i could of been told wrong. according to ebr the 08's relearn as your riding.

 

[vtech007]

Regarding the low fuel light on the dash coming on and how much gas you have left - I have read a discussion on here about that, and was curious about it myself as a "Buell noob", and what I gathered from the thread was you may have a gallon or so left in the tank. I may be wrong so don't go by that. Everyone was saying your mileage my vary as it depends on how you ride, the tune of your engine, etc., etc., which makes sense, and some people were sharing stories about running out of gas, so were saying they play it safe and when the see the low fuel light they pretty much hit the nearest gas station and fill it up with premium. But here is a suggestion that I have in mind - which I am in the process of going now - (1.) when you fill up with gas, reset one of your trip odometers, (2.) when the low fuel light comes on the next time, note the miles you have ridden since the last fill-up, (3.) repeat steps 1 and 2. This should give you a good idea on helping you gauge how many miles you can ride on a fill-up before the low fuel light comes on, hence you can roughly predict how many miles remain before the light will come on.

 

[jimijeans]

cesper, Welcome to the Forum. ECM Spy needs more than the Pre/ 08+ Bikes. Due to the 2008 DDFI-3 system that is on 08+ Buells There is an ECM Spy program but is more invloved to work with & you will need ECM Read also with/ well LATER on THAT! There is a small relearn area for the 08+ Buells. Later on that!
Lets get you Riding. START with your oil change and Transmission Fluid Change. STAY away from Fram oil filters! YOU then turn it off and 2mins later you check the Oil hot.
AmsOil 20/50 will protect the Engine best. Buy 3 Quarts.Always use Synthetic. You won't need all of the 3rd Quart.About 2.5) Get some O'Rings for the Drain Plugs first. Do Not TorQue the Drain Plugs just Slightly snug or you can Strip those out! 1-Quart of Amsoil 20/50 does OK in the Transmission for your first Change.
Might want to put {Red Line) in After that. It will only take One Quart for the Tranny. If it's done on the Kick Stand slip a small piece of wood SAY 1x4(one inch thick) 4/inches wide etc..about 5/inches long, under the Kick stand and will almost make it level that way nearly all of the old Fluid comes out. There are Manuals at the top of the Page for some of the Information still pertains to Transmission and oil changes and fluid levels.
Careful with the Primary gaskets 3/screws just snug! Put those back in exactly like they came out. When you get that done there is an 08+ TPS reset by using the Key switch. Never Twist the Throttle while the Ignition Key & Injection/Fuel/OR start Kill Switch is turned on while trying to start the Engine. You will mess up TPS and will need to do it Over possibly flooding the plugs. There is plenty of Information on the Forum for Maintaining your New Ride. YOU CAN NOT blip the throttle like a Jap OR Foreign bike we will get to that later. Smooth Throttle for now and study how to set up the Suspension for your weight. While you can find them GET a Maintenance Manual for an 08 Firebolt.Dealer or e-bay. I Have 2 Firebolts 08 street XB12R &-09 XB12R race track bike and the manuals are Worth every penny!
I've been a tech and track junkie for 33years. It's necessary for Manuals.Take your time. TPS reset needs to be done on the 08+ about every 2 fillups the key turn method is Quick and easy once practiced a couple of times. Post up when you are ready for that.Good Luck.*Jimi [up]

 

[Mope]

+1 to Jim above - someone else just posted about stripping out their drain plug threads.

08+ don't get great gas mileage, I get about the same distance on my S&R and never go more than 25 miles once the light comes on.

Tuning is a bit more difficult on 08+, but TPS resets are easier and don't need to be done while hooked up to a computer. I reset about once a month. For tuning, you probably don't need to worry with just a slip on - if you open up your air box, it'll be time for a new map to keep her running safe.
At that point you can 1) support a member through Tuniversity and learn how to change maps as you change mods 2) order an EBR preprogrammed map (but cant change it) 3) try to learn tunerpro on your own

 

[JOEL9]

'08+ TPS Reset Procedure:

- Turn on the key.

- Set the kill switch to the run position.

- Don’t start the engine. Rotate the throttle from fully closed (gently forced closed) to fully open (gently held open), and then back again to closed (gently forced closed).

- Repeat 3 times. Hold each position (fully open, fully closed) for 1 full second.

- Turn the key off and on

in here: http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-For...50-Helpful-Links-for-Buellers....and-Growing.

 

[ct1200]

Once your low fuel light comes on you have just under a gal left, so it depends what you get for mileage, I ran out once at 36miles after the light came on, late night and no 24hr stations around.

The 1k service is kinda important, the bike has just settled in and everything needs a once over to make sure its all still tight, but oil for engine and tranny at least.

As far as the ECM like you have found there are a few different ways to go.
I went with a EBR ECM just for plug n play easiness, but I plan to someday tune the stock ECM also.

And TPS resets are easy on the +'08s, I reset mine about once a month, when I think of it.

Welcome to the fam!!!

 

[fakameanrepresent]

So bear with me on the TPS reset.

1.) I turn the key from off to on position.
2.) Turn the ignition switch on, but did not start the bike.
3.) Turn the throttle from full off to full open 4 times.
4.) Turn the key from on to off, and then turn it back on again.
5.) Turn key off one last time and i am done?

If this is correct, then I did my TPS reset correct.

 

[anrkizm95]

'08+ TPS Reset Procedure:

- Turn on the key.

- Set the kill switch to the run position.

- Don’t start the engine. Rotate the throttle from fully closed (gently forced closed) to fully open (gently held open), and then back again to closed (gently forced closed).

- Repeat 2 times for a total of 3 times Hold each position (fully open, fully closed) for 1 full second.

- Turn the key off and on.

 

[BuellerDueller]

The fuel light comes on when u hit the reserve roughly .75 gals left

 

[cesper]

Holy crap, thanks everyone! I will hopefully be doing the oil/trans tomorrow, and after some more research, I think the EBR ecm is prolly the way to go for me. For a bit of background info..... I was an ASE certified auto mechanic for about 6-7 years with about a 2 year break in the middle to work at an independent moto shop, but most of the bikes were still on carbs. That being said, now when I do my own work I like it to be as simple as possible, especially since I don't have a garage.

As far a the gas light issue. With my Harley, I remember kinda just listening to the gas in the tank and playing it by ear. Finally one day, I just rode out of gas on purpose to find the limit, but here it's in the 30's so not happening for a while!

Thanks everyone for the info, much appreciated...

-Chris

 

[vtech007]

Buell oil change how-to video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMuEHcP6iws

 

[OldGeezer]

Don't run an XB out of fuel, it could be bad for the fuel pump and injectors

 

[vtech007]

STAY away from Fram oil filters!

Jimijeans, please explain why you say "stay away from Fram oil filters", and hence what filter brand do you recommend. Thank you.

 

[snrusnak]

^fram filters have developed a bad name among many. They use cheap internals that don't filter or hold up as well as other brands. I do believe the expensive fram's are good internals though, it's just the cheap ones to stay away from... OEM is always best IMO with filters...or at least a filter with the same filtration rate and a quality filter(I think I found NAPA was the same filtration rate and generally considered a quality filter by others, the internals are good quality).

 

[vtech007]

Would you happen to know references where that is documented? Thanks.

 

[snrusnak]

Use google, I don't have anything saved or anything like that. The biggest thing I remember is that some of the seals inside are cardboard, not rubber or something better.

 

[Darth Buell]

Great thread. I just got an 09 12R and it showed up sick.something funny with the throttle. I'm hoping something simple like the TPS reset. I assume the 09 is the same as the 08. It will almost die sometime when I give it some throttle.

 

[vtech007]

Welcome to BuellXB.com! I am confident you will find the help you need here.