Okay guys well I am new to this board, and new to XB's. I've been on badweatherbikers for a while and have owned a Buell tuber for a few years. I have a whole slew of questions and things. Instead of making a ton of threads I decided to just compile them all into one. A response to any or all of these would be greatly appreciated.
My bike: 2003 XB9S with 33k miles, previous owner up to 25k miles was a harley mechanic, owner from 25k miles to 32k miles has owned buells and built them since the 90s, the bike looks like new and runs like new and been very well maintained. Within the last 1k miles he replaced the tires, replaced the belt, replaced the idler, replaced the steering head bearings, new brake pads and rotors, and replaced the front and rear wheel bearings. Also has a custom exhaust (factory muffler, cut, gutted, new baffles and packing and exhaust tip, rewelded and recoated and sounds great. I plan on adjusting the suspension for my weight this weekend as well as adjusting the primary chain and clutch and replacing the spark plugs (have 8k miles on them). Already chopped off the cheese grater, the bike has an LED tail light, headlight mod, handguards, and the buell Select seat. It looks like the "white wire mod" has been done as there is no white wire running to the ECM and a little white rubber plug in the whole where it would have gone.
Oh and I am a vet student on student loans so funds are limited (but I buy/sell/flip bikes, guns, etc to help fund my toys just can't afford any high end parts or expensive upgrades)
So here we go:
1.) I know the 03 XB9s were the early models and a lot of improvements were made over the years, are there any easier not too expensive upgrades that I can do to my bike? I know the pulley conversion upgrade to the newer style, thats on my list for later down the road since its got a brand new ASB belt and pulley on it now.
2.) I just got me an ECMspy cable today and am about to download the software. I am going to do a TPS reset for sure. I've got a custom exhaust on the bike and stock air filter and was suggested to do some logging and fuel maps on it as well. Does anyone have a link to a good writeup on how to do this (as I know nothing about this kind of stuff), I found a writeup and video about the TPS reset and some on race ECM/maps but haven't found anything good yet about doing logging and fuel map mods to the stock ECM.
3.) Whats the best way to detail these engines with the black wrinkle paint?
4.) The exhaust has an exhaust wrap on it, I hit the wrap with some black engine enamel (white looked bad) and somehow my tape/aluminum foil had a gap and a little spot got on the silver paint of the motor. What's the best way to remove it without messing up the factory silver paint?
5.) Exhaust air box mod- I found a writeup and am going to remove the snorkle tube into the frame and drill some holes in the bottom of the box to get better air flow. It's currently got the factory air filter. I know from other vehicles that the K&N filters let in more particles which leads to quicker engine wear and with 33k miles already I am thinking its best to stick with the stock filter and get a little less air flow and protect the motor, any other good mods to improve air flow?
6.) Recommended oil/primary fluid? I saw a lot like Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w50 for both, but also had some guys saying that Amsoil and others are better for the primary (Not trying to start an oil war, just looking on suggestions on what works best and provides the smoothest shifting in the primary from guys who have used more than one type of oil).
7.) On the frame pucks, are they just glued to the side of the frame? One of mine has a few scuffs on it and I'm a little OCD and would like to replace it eventually
8.) I have noticed when letting off the throttle and slowing down (when I'm not on the powerband and in lower RPMs like when slowing down for a stop light) I get a fair amount of vibes from the motor. Now my tuber vibrates like a SOB and I know that's normal but since the XBs are more refined I wanted to make sure it was normal and not something I need to look into. (Front isolator looks good to me compared to online pictures of what a good vs bad isolator looks like, doesn't vibe much at idle or under acceleration).
9.) With 33k and being well maintained, and with the previous owner having replaced the tires, replaced the belt, replaced the idler, replaced the steering head bearings, new brake pads and rotors, and replaced the front and rear wheel bearings within the past 1k miles. Are there any other things that typically go out or need replacing, adjusting, inspecting around this mileage?
I know that is a TON of questions and a long post, but any response to any of the above questions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Spencer
My bike: 2003 XB9S with 33k miles, previous owner up to 25k miles was a harley mechanic, owner from 25k miles to 32k miles has owned buells and built them since the 90s, the bike looks like new and runs like new and been very well maintained. Within the last 1k miles he replaced the tires, replaced the belt, replaced the idler, replaced the steering head bearings, new brake pads and rotors, and replaced the front and rear wheel bearings. Also has a custom exhaust (factory muffler, cut, gutted, new baffles and packing and exhaust tip, rewelded and recoated and sounds great. I plan on adjusting the suspension for my weight this weekend as well as adjusting the primary chain and clutch and replacing the spark plugs (have 8k miles on them). Already chopped off the cheese grater, the bike has an LED tail light, headlight mod, handguards, and the buell Select seat. It looks like the "white wire mod" has been done as there is no white wire running to the ECM and a little white rubber plug in the whole where it would have gone.
Oh and I am a vet student on student loans so funds are limited (but I buy/sell/flip bikes, guns, etc to help fund my toys just can't afford any high end parts or expensive upgrades)
So here we go:
1.) I know the 03 XB9s were the early models and a lot of improvements were made over the years, are there any easier not too expensive upgrades that I can do to my bike? I know the pulley conversion upgrade to the newer style, thats on my list for later down the road since its got a brand new ASB belt and pulley on it now.
2.) I just got me an ECMspy cable today and am about to download the software. I am going to do a TPS reset for sure. I've got a custom exhaust on the bike and stock air filter and was suggested to do some logging and fuel maps on it as well. Does anyone have a link to a good writeup on how to do this (as I know nothing about this kind of stuff), I found a writeup and video about the TPS reset and some on race ECM/maps but haven't found anything good yet about doing logging and fuel map mods to the stock ECM.
3.) Whats the best way to detail these engines with the black wrinkle paint?
4.) The exhaust has an exhaust wrap on it, I hit the wrap with some black engine enamel (white looked bad) and somehow my tape/aluminum foil had a gap and a little spot got on the silver paint of the motor. What's the best way to remove it without messing up the factory silver paint?
5.) Exhaust air box mod- I found a writeup and am going to remove the snorkle tube into the frame and drill some holes in the bottom of the box to get better air flow. It's currently got the factory air filter. I know from other vehicles that the K&N filters let in more particles which leads to quicker engine wear and with 33k miles already I am thinking its best to stick with the stock filter and get a little less air flow and protect the motor, any other good mods to improve air flow?
6.) Recommended oil/primary fluid? I saw a lot like Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w50 for both, but also had some guys saying that Amsoil and others are better for the primary (Not trying to start an oil war, just looking on suggestions on what works best and provides the smoothest shifting in the primary from guys who have used more than one type of oil).
7.) On the frame pucks, are they just glued to the side of the frame? One of mine has a few scuffs on it and I'm a little OCD and would like to replace it eventually
8.) I have noticed when letting off the throttle and slowing down (when I'm not on the powerband and in lower RPMs like when slowing down for a stop light) I get a fair amount of vibes from the motor. Now my tuber vibrates like a SOB and I know that's normal but since the XBs are more refined I wanted to make sure it was normal and not something I need to look into. (Front isolator looks good to me compared to online pictures of what a good vs bad isolator looks like, doesn't vibe much at idle or under acceleration).
9.) With 33k and being well maintained, and with the previous owner having replaced the tires, replaced the belt, replaced the idler, replaced the steering head bearings, new brake pads and rotors, and replaced the front and rear wheel bearings within the past 1k miles. Are there any other things that typically go out or need replacing, adjusting, inspecting around this mileage?
I know that is a TON of questions and a long post, but any response to any of the above questions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Spencer
