XB12R noise

[Jezuz]

My 2008 XB12R developed a noise the past few days... I was up in the mountains on Sunday, reving it high, and after that ride I can hear a loud noise after around 3k rpm. That sound was not there before, is quite loud and sounds as if a screw is loose and vibrating. I'm not sure if it's coming from the timing chain, crank/rod/motor, tranny... It also does the noise on neutral, I have changed oil and oil filter more than 1000 miles ago I believe.
I know it can be a million things, but since the closest HD service is more than an hours ride away, I've got no free time from work, and they are very VERY expensive over here, I am asking if someone had a similar experience, and what was it on thei bike?
Thanks!

 

[Jezuz]

Wolfo68 was very kind to PM me about this problem, he send me this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oASyVnSgg7s

My bike sounds like that too, after 3k rpm, and when the revs drop theres a aprox. 1 sec delay for the noise to drop as well. Any ideas?

He also send me this thread with his problem:

http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/General-Motorcycle-Chat/heres-where-Im-at

I didn't find any metal on the oil drain cap, or anywhere on the motor when removing the crank side case. And the gears are OK, plus there are no cone gears, things are different on my bike, I'll post a photo.
The bike runs OK, but the noise is still there, wasn't there before. Any ideas?

 

[buellbradski]

ive heard of fuel pump making noise when its on the way out could it be that?

 

[Jezuz]

Here's a photo with the crank side case off

Everything looks fine, sorry for the bad quality photo. Any other ideas where the noise might be coming from?
I repeat, the bikes works ok, but now has that noise that wasn't there before, and it got me worried.

 

[Jezuz]

If anyone actually watched that video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oASyVnSgg7s
the noise I get is like the noise when he's reving it followed by the "sucking" noise from 0:07 to 0:09 on tat video. That noise wasn't there before, and there are no local dealers or service points for buells or even HD, so any help is much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[wolfo68]

I had my primary too tight otherwise and my gear that broke was behind the cams, other things that were suggested to me were like, the stator bolt came out and it was moving around, or I had movement in my rods

 

[Jezuz]

Buellbradski, sorry I missed at first the answer you posted. I don't know, it might be that, is there any way I can check it, or should I replace it or ride it till the pump fails (heh, not really the last one).

Wolfo68, so the conical gear that broke is further in, behind the cams, or my bike has a different system?
Any ideas on how I can check/adjust the stator bolt and rods? Sorry for all the questions but the only engines I've pulled apart were small one cylinder hondas from bikes like this

(I know, LOL) and it's been like 10-12 years since the last time I did something like that.

Thanks to both of you guys!

 

[wolfo68]

Yep mine was the one that lines up with the oil pump and the shard got in between my cams. I didn't even know the cams were damaged til I pulled them. Ill get back to you about the stator and rods when I can look at the manual I'm on my phone right now in a meeting

 

[Jezuz]

When you say rods, you mean the valve push rods? Or the piston rods?
I didn't find any broken metal shards in the oil or inside the cover, so the gears might be ok.
Thanks again for the time and help!

 

[wolfo68]

I found my problem before I went that direction but I assumed push rods having lateral play. If it was pistons id be worried about a lot more

 

[wolfo68]

I found my problem before I went that direction but I assumed push rods having lateral play. If it was pistons id be worried about a lot more

 

[turbines]

start with simple. check the tension of the primary chain. the noise with a loose chain can be periodic... you mentioned seconds in your post. if you were floggin it in the mountains that could make the p chain loose. it will make noise when loose.

 

[jimijeans]

Yes Small things first,Does it Idle Smoothly?How about Sitting and Reving?Noise ONLY in GEAR? Primary Chain See manuals top of the Page, Have you done an air box mod reciently?Which oil are you using and Filter?Check your primary and one thing at a time.Ride it after each.Then the Clutch how does it feel? May have to Remove the 3 screws for clutch,watch the small parts.Engine Off! fingers and HANDS only Push some on the Clutch Basket,up and Down etc.,NO Prying!Thinking of POSSIBLE needle bearing on clutch or ball bearing. Do you have a pitt stand to get her up level?This way you can watch the Tranny action w/ the 2screws primary inspection cover off and gently rev the Engine AFTER you put the Clutch cover on.You can do this with the Clutch Cover off BE CAREFUL,& IN Neutral. DON'T put your finger in there!Just watch to see how much it shakes(Chain)& Clutch Basket before Adjusting. If you put it in gear with covers off be ready for a mess. Only adjust with Engine OFF. Some 75/90Synthetic Valvoline OR Amsoil 75/90 does a good job of protecting.Since I'm not able to hear it or see it I have to just give you some ideas to go from.SAFETY First! Hope it's an easy fix. *Jimi

 

[Jezuz]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll check on these too!
It does idle and run smoothly, the noise in there in neutral too, when I rev above around 2,5-3k rpm. No recent airbox mods or oil and filter changes. A friend owns the local aprilia repair shop and he works on my bike, he changed the oil for me, not sure what's in there, but it's been there for more than 1k miles already. The filter is a HiFlo. I think he has a pitt stand, I don't, I told him to check the primary chain too after your suggestions, gonna drop by tomorow and see if he checked it already, or we might check it together.
Thanks again!

 

[Jezuz]

So, the gaskets finally arrived and the friend that works on my bike put the right side back together, since he didn't find any problems there with the gears and the pump.

He fired the engine and checked the primary chain, as you people advised me here, and he told me it's very possible that the noise come from there, 'cause it needs a little adjustment. Any tips on how to adjust the primary chain properly?

He also told me that the oil pump works and the oil indicator goes off, which means theres enough oil circulating in the engine, but there in no oil circulating the gear box side (!?), I'm not sure what he means 'cause we talked on the phone, I'm gonna visit his shop when I get the free time and see what he means and if there is another problem.

I've already missed half the summer riding period, and the bike is still not eeady, it's driving me nuts [mad]

 

[Iamarchangel]

Probably referring to the two oil systems: primary and engine. Oil light only references engine oil circulating through the engine. Primary oil basically stays in its own area.

 

[Jezuz]

Just came back from the shop... probably you are right, because he told me there IS oil in the crank and everything, but there's NO oil in the sump (if I understood correctly).
Also, there's no oil going down this pipe

don't know if there is supposed to though.
When he removed it, turned on the engine there was air preasure from the motor towards the oil tank in the swing arm, but no oil.
Any ideas?

 

[Jezuz]

Probably referring to the two oil systems: primary and engine. Oil light only references engine oil circulating through the engine. Primary oil basically stays in its own area.

So, is there another pump that would circulate oil to the primary, but maybe the pump or some line is bad you think?
Or is there another oil "tank" for the primary, and so I must add oil to the swingarm AND somewhere else?
Any help is much appreciated because I am at a loss with this motor, I am an electronics guy...

 

[wolfo68]

the primary holds its own oil

 

[Livers]

Also, there's no oil going down this pipe

Normal, that is the vent line.