Running Lean

[Thaloc]

I have a 08 XB12R, It really seems to be running pretty lean. About half of each header is blue, I live in central Washington state and its in the 100's here on a daily basis but the bike still seems to be putting off quite a bit of heat. I Havnt done anything to it yet(K&N Air filter, Exhaust) in fear that I might make it run even leaner. Any suggestions? Woulda tps reset help?

Edit: I also havn't modded my airbox yet, or done a re-breather reroute. Any suggestions/help would be very welcome.

 

[zoedogg1]

Hi, the '08's dont have to get a TPS reset. As far as it running hot, the XB's all run hot. I live in Tri-Cities and know exactly what you mean about heat. Their isnt alot your gonna be able to do about the bluing. Its the way the Buell lives...HOT. You can do some things to redirect the heat from your legs and ass. Special OPs makes heat deflecting mats to put under your seat and airbox. You can wrap your pipes or get them ceramic coated to help with the leg heat.
With air cooled bikes in heat like this you should check your oil a couple times a week also. Most important you dont want that disappearing in our climate. Other than that stuff, your hands are bound. Stay on the highway as much as you can...lol. That stop and go traffic is a killer.

 

[Thaloc]

Oh ya, I dont mind the rider heat so much. I just dont wanna put any more ware on the bike than should be. I got this in a search about resetting '08 TPS, BPG could you confirm please?

'08 models the TPS resetting is accomplished without the need for a plug-in diagnostic tool:

Have the Run/Stop button set to Run.
Turn the ignition key to the On position but do not crank or start the engine.
Open the throttle fully to the stop and hold it there for one second.
Close the throttle fully to the stop and hold it there for one second.
Repeat the throttle open/close procedure a total of three times in succession.
Turn the ignition key to Off/On/Off/On/Off in succession to complete the procedure.

They said this was confirmed in the owners manual, but when I bought mine they didnt have a manual. When I went back they gave me the '08 Lightning Manual and said it covered both models cuzz the engine was the same and that Buell didnt make a '08 XB12R Manual. Is that true?

 

[typeone]

do you have a pic? bluing of the XB headers is completely normal after a series of heat cycles. you wouldnt be able to tell if your bike is running lean just by looking at the header... unless they're REALLY, really bad.

heat is just a part of owning an air/oil cooled bike. they'll run all day in 100+ heat but definitely prefer cool temps. if you dont like the blue that appears on the header you can polish them out with something like Mothers but eventually the blue will come back.

TPS reset isnt going to help a lean condition. have you had the bike on a dyno to check the A/F? how does the bike run?

 

[Thaloc]

Ill try and get a pic up soon. And No, I actually like the blueing as I have the arctic white and Blue firebolt so it fits my bike. I havn't done anything to the bike as of yet. Wanted to get a feel for the bike in its stock form before I went upping the power. The bike runs great, My fan rarely ever comes on while riding unless im riding hard on the freeway/highway, or im in prolonged stop'n'go traffic. And no I have put it on a dyno yet. I had planned on doing that after I dropped a drummer/K&N/Airbox Mod/breather Re-route. Kill a flock of birds with and Uzi is my motto.

 

[typeone]

if it runs great and the fan barely comes on i'd say she's running tip top!

take it to the dyno before AND after your mods so you can evaluate the changes properly. keep in mind the top numbers mean jack, you want to study your hp/tq curves and the A/F. also wise to use the same dyno on days with similar weather.

 

[Thaloc]

Thanks for all the advice Typeone! Ill get Her on a dyno here pretty soon and ill try post before and after on here for anyone interested.

 

[zoedogg1]

Wow, where do you live? A dyno here is like 300+ bucks. I say theyre freakin crazy and I'll just guess my output...lol.
By the way, that TPS sequence is correct, but like typeone said, its not gonna change your a/f ratio at all.

 

[burnteyes]

Hey i have a pic of my xb12 08' headers for comparison.

 

[zoedogg1]

Them er purdy

 

[typeone]

Wow, where do you live? A dyno here is like 300+ bucks.

yikes, thats a ripoff. do you mean full-on tuning or just dyno runs?

ive got a local shop that will do $25 for a couple of runs, another shop charged me $100 for a few pulls and some tuning.

look around, all you need is a capable tech and the right equipment to get basic runs recorded. that should be WELL below 300 clams.

 

[1001yos]

I heard once apon a time, long ago when I bought my first bike that "racing the engine" caused the headers to turn blue. (reving the engine whilst not moving) That being said, nearly all BMW chrome headers go blue shortly after purchace; regardless of racing or not.