| Author | Message | ||
     Joojoo |
Hi guys, Question thats been playing on my mind since yesterday.... I ended up accidently starting in 2nd (thought I went all the way back to 1st) when the light turned green yesterday with 120miles on the ODO. Motor coughed/pinged/lugged for a second and then built up power to get me moving. So S&S writes "A common way to lug an engine is to operate it at an extremely low rpm while the transmission is in a higher gear (for instance, leaving the transmission in fourth gear when it should be in second or third where engine speed is better matched to transmission speed). Lugging causes extreme stress between the rear thrust faces of each piston and the cylinder walls. Small bits of piston skirt can break away causing the rear surface to scuff." My question is how do I know if small bits of my piston's skirt broke away like they mention in the S&S article on break in? Would the motor act weird or make noises? Im not mechanically inclined, and dont totally understand what is happening inside my motor....I do however want to make sure that my incident yesterday did not mess up my piston(s).... Any help would be very cool.... Thanks in advance, Jack time to go RIDE. | ||
| Hans |
Hi Jojoo, You have the right mind setting to drive 100K miles without engine problems: Always sick from suspicious thoughts and plenty care for your engine. You will never get serious problems. ( We all did stall the engine once, or twice, or many times more, during the break-in period, cause the long 1-th gearing) Hans  | ||
| Sammigs |
Rest assured Joojoo you did not hurt your engine by starting out in second gear. I wouldn't make a habit of it, but once is not a problem. And I think what S&S was describing is road speed lugging, where your in the wrong gear for the situation. Example: Lugging it up a hill in 5th when the engine wants 2nd or 3rd. Break it in and ride the shit out of it. | ||
| Joojoo |
yeah, I get a little paranoid when I break in new toys....I spent all my coin on this new XB12, and I wanna make sure that keep on going for the long haul. I LOVE THIS BIKE! Jack | ||
| Richieg150 |
Great article on motor break inhttp://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm | ||
| Sammigs |
That's a pretty cool site. Thanks for the link Rich. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
You guys make me feel so guilty! I've thrashed my 9 from day one. | ||
| Noface |
me too Jerseyguy, it just keeps going, and going... I'm in the "break it in like you're gonna ride it" camp | ||
| Boulderbiker |
I did a nice and proper Mototune break in. Can't really make a comparison to other 12's but mine seems to be doing fine. I also changed the oil and filter 3 times in the first 1000 miles then switched to Amsoil at 1500. | ||
| Bigj |
You know when little pieces of your piston break off, when they go through your exhaust port and you hear them rattling around in your exhaust.  edited by bigj on April 11, 2004 | ||
| Joojoo |
Thanks BigJ, Im on my way out with a flashlight to look into the exhaust opening.......Maybe Ill find a neat little animal in there I can name... Jack | ||
| Oneway |
I have new XB9 broke in close to what was suggested have 1000ml in 3 weeks sounds like primary noise is getting louder any suggestions | ||
| Richieg150 |
How about checking your primary chain to see if the tension is correct,easiest fix first. | ||
| Blake |
Oneway, Adjust your primary tensioner per the manual, at the tightest spot.  | ||
| Oneway |
thanks will try that before bitching to dealer | ||
| Curtyd |
Or, if you are emphatic change the oil and filter, cut the old filter in half with a hacksaw and look for pieces. I agree the moto is fine and any problems will turn up long before the 2 year warranty expires. PEACE.  |
