Repair Tranmission in-Frame?

[KB02]

Hello All.
I am new here. I have been a fan of the Buell bikes ever since they came out in the 90's, though (the Thunderbolt was my dream bike for a while). I fell in love all over again when the XB's came out. I was PISSED at Harley for killing Buell. Elated when EBR started up. And now I am heartbroken over the bankruptcy. All this without ever actually owning a Buell motorcycle.

This brings me to my question: I have found a '06 XB12r for sale on Craigslist local (enough) to me for only $1800. The ad says the main bearing in the transmission is shot and needs to be replaced (hence the low price). Is this something that can be serviced with the engine still in the frame, or would this be a motor-out job?
I'm no stranger to turning wrenches, I have rebuilt two CB750 SOHC café bikes, but my facilities are now a little more limited (as are my funds - so a shop job is out), so pulling the engine is not the best option for me at the current point in time.

Granted this also makes me wonder if this bike was abused vs. just a bad bearing - what else might I find when I dive into the work?

What do y'all think? Might it be a worthy investment, or should I stay away and look at the garage kept bikes I have found for just twice the price as this one?

 

[UMDterp13]

$1500 job

 

[Chicknstripn]

You will have to remove the motor from the frame and split the cases. The repair pretty much requires a total over haul.
I would just keep looking. Like you said, there are better examples out there for around 3k.
Good luck

 

[konarider94]

I've blown the output bearing on the transmission before and it wiped out several gears as well. Not catastrophic but after taking it apart they were worn enough to need replacing.

Some people have replaced the output shaft bearing from the outside. It is a pretty cheap thing to try, but the only guaranteed fix is taking the whole engine out and splitting the case. Unfortunately the buell does not have the transmission trap door like the sportsters. Have to split the case to service it.

Probably want to do new piston rings, fresh hone, and lap the valve seals if you take apart the engine. Its not too hard to find a good used transmission set. This is the route I took. I removed the engine myself, and tore the top end apart. I brought the assembled bottom end to an independent shop with a used transmission set I bought from a forum member. To lap the valve seats, hone the cylinders, and rebuild the transmission he charged me about $900 including some new transmission and crank bearings he had to buy. You can spend more or less depending on how much work you do yourself.

Easy way is swap out the bearing from outside and hope everything is fine. Cost of a bearing Maybe $30 idk

Best way is to remove engine and split case. Best case probably $500 up to $3000 depending on how much you do yourself/where you decide to take it and what gets replaced.

I think for $1800 its pretty safe if its a clean bike. Unless you cant do any work yourself. If you put $1k into it you have a good bike for under $3k with internals you know are good. How many miles are on it?

 

[KB02]

22k for miles. I think I'll pass on this one and keep looking for the "right" one. I could probably swing the $1800, but the extra repair bills sound like its not the right choice for me... currently. I've got a Ducati Monster with an oil leak I've got to tackle first anyway.

Here's the ad: (My mistake, it is an '05, not an '06)
http://potsdam.craigslist.org/mcy/4974171424.html

 

[KB02]

Hopefully I will be back on here soon with a Buell of my own.

Thanks for the info, all!

 

[UMDterp13]

That's old news, bike needs a complete motor swap.

 

[EricZ]

You can't swap the bearing from the outside since it is a 2006. The 2003-2005 bearings can be done from the outside but definitely not the 2006+ bearings.

 

[konarider94]

I think I'll pass on this one and keep looking for the "right" one.

Probably a good choice. That one looks a little rough.

 

[XBBrad]

That one might turn u off on buells witch would be sad because they are great bikes and great fun.