| Author | Message | ||
     Cyko_bob |
Hey Guys, just a heads up in case you get caught in the rain or for some reason ride in rain. Today I changed my oil in the primary. When I drained the oil in the primary it looked milky due to water, plus the clutch cover had a buildup of that white paste from moisture. First I thought maybe it was build up from condensate during the winter. Then, when I went to adjust the clutch at the cable (behind the front tire) I got all kind of water out of the rubber boot that covers the clutch adjustment. Evidently if you ride in the rain, with the little short fender, it throws water right on the boot...water gets in the boot, and it works its way on down the cable into the primary. A word to the wise...IF YOU RIDE IN THE RAIN YOU PROBABLY HAVE WATER IN THE PRIMARY! I was in the rain last weekend, and fortunately this weekend I was doing my 5,000 mile maintenance, so I don't think I had water in it a long time. However, I am going to order a primary gasket from dave, clean out the primary, and replace the clutch cable just to make sure there is no more water (or especially road grit) in the cable that can get into the primary or transmission. This is a real bummer for me, as I hit the road a lot...not just a weekend canyon carver or fair weather rider. Guys this is something you need to know about to protect your investment; this is something Buell needs to remedy by by coming up with a waterproof clutch cable to replace the one that came on our bikes. I would even go for a fender that offers more water protection to the engine components. Cyko Bob  | ||
| Blake |
I had a similar experience and found the boot to be pulled to far up past the ferrule or whatever you call it and so there was no sealing action present, more like a little funnel.  Washing the bike and directing a stream of water unknowingly at that cable adjuster boot area can also lead to a bit of moisture accumulation in the primary. Definitely a good idea to chack and make sure the clutch cable adjuster boot/cover is properly situated and sealing. Since noticing those issues and being attentive to avoiding them, I've not had any evidence of moisture in the primary. That was seven years ago, and I've ridden in a lot of rain since then. I agree that an improved design is warranted. Something with a positive engagement to indicate proper situation of the seal/boot. (Message edited by blake on April 17, 2005) | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Agree with you Blake about making sure the boot covers the clutch adjustment. The adjustment was fully covered. When I pulled the boot back to adjust water came running out of the boot. I have never had this problem on a Sportster or similar bike that had a somewhat decent fender. Imagine my shock when I saw water in the primary. As I said I am going to open the primary and clean it out good as soon as I can get a new primary gasket. I am also going to put a new clutch cable on it (already had a backup). I think I am going to try some type of silicon sealant on the boot that I can also peel back or off when clutch adjustment is needed. Cyko Bob | ||
| Rigga |
short journeys will also not help as the oil in the gearbox will not get fully up to temp and condensation will form,a really good long ride will help to sort that ou...fit a cable or zip tie around the top of the cable adjuster boot to prevent water from entering the cable when the bike is washed or riding in the rain....i had my box rebuilt under warranty and the suggestion was that the bearings were corroded due to moisture build up in te gearbox....ride longer,or change your oil far more frequently than the manual dictates,easy to do,could save you lots of problems | ||
| Ingemar |
Stuff that boot with grease. | ||
| Cyko_bob |
I don't do many short rides myself...especially in cold weather; aware of gunk buildup from condensate. When I crank my bike, it means we are going for a ride and see some scenery or some curves...a trip, not to the corner grocery store. I already change the primary every time I change the engine oil...not a bad deal, one fresh quart of oil or so...synthetic, of course. In 5,000 miles this is my third change. I did the first one for the engine and primary at about 600 miles. Hmmm, ties...fill the boot with grease. Keep the ideas coming  | ||
| Citycrosser |
I just found the exact same problem on my 600 mile old CityX. I thought I was seeing things with all that milky foam in there. I guess I will check the clutch boot mention above. I ride a lot in the rain and having that much water in there is not good! Also, my average ride is 28 miles and mostly highway (I commute to work). Shouldn't that be long enough to warm up the primary (although most of rain I have ridden is has also been with 45 degree temps)? Will the Mobil 75w90 gear lube help with this? | ||
| U4euh |
May not help with the water problem but( i'm assuming you mean synthetic) it will help with the clunkiness of the gear box. | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Citycrosser... Sounds like you have the same problem I found. I bet there are lots of folks out there with the same problem. If the dealer services the bike they probably never know about it. Rain and riddin' does not agree with the Buell primary. If I am caught in rain in the future when I am ridding my Buell I will stop...unless I can come up with a fool-proof method of sealing that clutch cable adjustment...or a better fender. Any suggestions on a fender that offers more engine protection? | ||
| Rigga |
i have an extended version,but i still think spray gets thrown up off the front wheel onto the cable adjuster....im not sure if theres an even longer version available out there?  | ||
| M1combat |
I used a good deal of anti-sieze on the threads. Back it off a good deal, than apply anti-sieze. As you move the adjustment back to where it's supposed to be, the anti-sieze makes a pretty good seal. The other benefit is that it (if applied somewhat liberally) should help seal the boot as well... Double protection. | ||
| Buellj79 |
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY PRIMARY IM GOING TO TRY THE GREASE TRICK AND SEE IF THAT HELPS LATER J | ||
| Blasterd |
I had water in the boot of the clutch cable on my cityx and I never even rode in the rain. It only had 200 miles on it when I found it. I put a zip tie on the top of the boot. Ken | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Zip ties seem to be the cheapest and easiest cure, along with some liberal grease or anti-seize. It costs more, but I am thinking about getting one of those chrome cable adjustment covers and using some rubbery silicone on the top hole so I can peel it away, or using something inside the cover to divert the water. Blasterd...You said you have not ridden your bike in the rain yet. I bet the dealer or someone washed the bike before you picked it up resulting in water in the boot. | ||
| Truk |
I have had no water in the primary, not yet at least. But as a precaution I have placed a couple of tight wraps of electrical tape around the top and bottom of the boot. The added a small tie-wrap around the top. (Message edited by truk on April 18, 2005) | ||
| Bomber |
sprayed some white grease into the boot on my madeuece -- seals well (fron teh lack of water in the primary) and make the adjuster nuts easy to rotate | ||
| Fullpower |
i put a small sized zip tie snugly around the top of the clutch cable adjuster boot. i have ridden 600 miles on a very wet day, without water entry. i did stop at a laundromat, stripped down to under wear, and read a magazine for an hour and a half, while all my gear went through the dryer. then we went right back out and rode 200 more miles, still raining. | ||
| Blake |
I detect real intelligence. How can you stand to associate with the rest of us?  Bomber, Never heard it called that before, "white grease." You should know that rotating your nuts is a bad thing, testicular torsion, very painful. And please, the love affair you have with your bike and what you like to do with it... well... TMI!!! | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
I had milky oil... Used zip ties. No more milky oil...  | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Charlieboy...did you notice any difference in your transmission afterwards...shifting or getting into neutral? I think I caught it soon afterwards, but obviously water was in the primary for a bit. Again, I think this is something we need to all be aware of so we can protect our machines., whether we use zip ties or some other ingenious remedy that the factory cannot seem to think of or engineer. Water in the primary is not good  and I think it is applicable to all our XBs and maybe the tube framers too. Cyko Bob | ||
| Midknyte |
...when I went to adjust the clutch at the cable (behind the front tire) I got all kind of water out of the rubber boot that covers the clutch adjustment... Picture please? What am I looking at / for? Thanks. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
I ride mine enough that it was gone the next time I opened the insp. window and did my oil change. I believe it's only a problem for those who don't ride enough to get it hot enough for it to evaporate out... Moral, get on that bad boy and ride!!!! LOL! I'll post a pic when I get off work Midknyte... | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Charlieboy: I was on a trip and got caught in the rain. So, the engine was plenty warm and it had plenty time to vaporize if that was a player. Riding in the rain for an extended time was what got this whole thing started. Plus, the next weekend/Saturday I was off to a motorcycle rally, then on Sunday I was doing my 5,000 mile maintenance when I discovered the water. So, not riding the bike or riding it short distances is not the problem. I am "going somewhere" when I crank my baby up! Midknyte: Hopefully Charlieboy will post a pic, but if you follow the clutch cable, it goes down in front of the engine. There is a bellows type boot that covers the clutch adjustment. It is also located directly behind your front tire where the fender ends. That is the source of the problem. Water is thrown from the tire onto the rubber boot; water gets inside the boot, then drains down the clutch cable to the primary (the other/bottom end of the clutch cable). I was in the rain nearly my whole ride home, so without realizing it at the time, my tire and that rubber boot was feeding the water to the primary. If you have a service manual for the XB9S, it is on page 1-24. It shows a picture with the boot pulled up, but it is not a very good picture of how it looks on your engine if you are standing in front of your bike. Help us out with a picture, Charlieboy! Thanks... Cyko Bob | ||
| Bomber |
blake -- wellsir, that's what it's called on the can (actually, white lithium grease) ;-} I'll attempt to cut down on the amount if Info in the future, to spare those of sensitive dispositions and unruly imagininations! | ||
| Bomber |
blake -- wellsir, that's what it's called on the can (actually, white lithium grease) ;-} I'll attempt to cut down on the amount of info in the future, to spare those of sensitive dispositions and unruly imagininations! | ||
| Blake |
What you call your "white grease" when you are in the can is again... TMI! | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
Sorry I didn't post guys. I'm a jarhead so even when I'm off I'm not OFF if you know what I mean... I'm on shift again so I'll try again tomorrow. | ||
| Sarge |
hey guys and gals iam glad i check in every chance i get. i did not even think about this.. i am going home tonight and check on my xb. | ||
| Midknyte |
I hope this is what yer talking 'bout  cuz it looks like this now...  | ||
| 12bolt |
Anyone had the rubber boot get melted by the header pipe? That little piece of wire that holds it out away from the pipe broke and let it sit against the pipe. Not good. | ||
| Paulson |
It sure pays to check out the badweb when you're having an issue. I saw this foamy white buildup in my derby cover and was baffled. Figured it was caused by water getting into the primary somehow. I had NOT even once thought about the clutch cable. Thanks badweb!! |
