| Author | Message | ||
     Joojoo |
Hey guys, Im getting used to the tranny on my XB12, and it seems to be getting better. I have noticed though that it shifts nicer from 1st to 2nd if I keep the revs below the 4K mark. If I bring the revs higher, I can feel the grab of the gear through my foot. Am I hurting the gears/tranny by shifting at 4K plus on the XB's? Is bringing the revs up in 1st gear bad practice for making the tranny last? Coming off of a Jap sportbike, I just cant get used to the XB trannys. Totally different beast. I feel like Im breaking it! Jack edited by joojoo on May 19, 2004 | ||
| M1combat |
America's love of torque has produced some VERY strong transmissions. One must remember that this transmission was designed to work in a MUCH heavier bike. | ||
| Joojoo |
But M1, Does that mean than the tranny is overkill for the XB's, or that the XB's in your opinion, should have a different tranny? Jack | ||
| M1combat |
Well, I think it is probably a good choice due to the fact that many XB's will end up with a LOT more torque than most HD's will ever even dream about. I would rather have transmission overkill than have to replace one. As far as the "clunkyness" of this gearbox I would recommend Mobil-1 Synthetic 75W90 gear oil. Make sure you get the correct level (Page 1-7 in the service manual I think). After making that switch (at 4K miles) the transmission works noticeably smoother. Granted, I never really noticed any trouble before. It's not as smooth as my '82 Honda CB750 but didn't give me much trouble. It's a lot closer with the Mobil-1 though. How many miles have you run through it? Mine got better over time. I guess the only thing I would like to see is a sixth gear overdrive. | ||
| Joojoo |
So far Ive done around 1200 miles. Crazy, the tranny seems to shift smoother when I dont have my girl on the back...I guess weight has something to do with it. Im running the regular HD fluid in the Tranny, and the HD synth in the block. M1, when your normally riding (not ripping), do you wind out 1st gear or shift 1st at a low RPM...I think I may be used to running 1st gear up too high from my Jap sportbikes... Jack | ||
| M1combat |
I generally try to stay as close to 2500 RPM's as I can (I generally shift just under 3K). If I'm getting on it I switch just before or right at the yellow line. I try to stay below 6K at all times but sometimes it's difficult going from first to second. | ||
| Opto |
Joojoo, coming from jap bikes you need to do a positive shift on a Buell - kick it into the next gear, don't go soft and let the gears grate. Make sure you're pulling in the clutch lever all the way too. Yes the boxes are a bit rough around the edges, but they're built like brick shithouses, so change gears with authority. If it makes noises then so be it, mine only changes nicely from 1st to 2nd on a good day. | ||
| Captainplanet |
I agree with Opto, the biggest change going from a jap bike to a Buell was the shifting. My ninja would just ease into gear with barely a touch and there was really not much need to use the clutch to upshift at all. The Buell is different. It takes more effort and more clutch, but once you get used to it, the shifting is actually very good. It also took me a while to get the bike to shift down to first gear without that dreaded clunk, but as with most things, enough experience with the bike and now it goes into first gear smoothly. If you don't have synthetic in the trans, I highly recommend it. | ||
| Joojoo |
Thanks for the info guys, Yeah, the tranny on this bike definately freaked me out! I will switch over to the HD synth on my next service...check out how that goes. Jack edited by joojoo on May 20, 2004 | ||
| M1combat |
I shift up w/o the clutch fairly often. Generally only from 2nd to 3rd and up as the change from 1st to 2nd is pretty rough w/o it. It seems to work quite well. Also, I have the habit of blipping the throttle when I pull in the clutch. | ||
| Fst_tyms |
JooJoo - don't do HArley anything. Get something better. The harley synth got bad reviews! I use Motul Synthetic. Good stuff! | ||
| Xb9er |
Yeah, do any good synthetic, but not Harley!! I use Mobil 1 75W90 gear oil. But, for fun, I am letting the dealer put in HD syn right now to try it out (in the trans only - Mobil 1 20W50 in motor). If I notice a performance decrease as far as trans/primary, I will switch it right out and go back to mobil. Either way, I will switch back to Mobil 1 in the engine and trans at the next oil change. Mike edited by xb9er on May 21, 2004 | ||
| Steviejay01 |
They AINT THAT GOOD. We have a couple of people here on our UK board who's tranny as been shot to bits!! | ||
| Fullpower |
how did they manage to grenade an XB transmission? details please. | ||
| Aydenxb9 |
What blows them apart is shifting with out using the clutch. They weren't designed to do that as many boxes in the jap bikes are. It kills the shift forks and the dog gears. I've found that speed shifting a Buell box is akin to speed shifting an A-833 Mopar or Muncie Rock Crusher. Throttle wide open, smack the clutch while shifting simultaneously. Your timing has to be good, and you have to shift a few rpm before redline but it seems to work. | ||
| Lovematt |
HELLO! If these bikes were designed to be shifted without a clutch then I have to wonder why they were built to include a clutch... | ||
| Dasxb9s |
I run Syn3 totally. I rarely shift below 5K in any gear and often push it up to just below the rev limiter, and it has always shifted smooth. Prior to the change to Syn3 at the break in oil change, it seemed to shift roughly at times, but that went away with the Syn3 change... and the fan came on less often, and shut down sooner after it was parked after the switch to Syn3. | ||
| Slowby |
power goes in and out on the main shaft on buell/h-d's japs run in the main and out the countershaft. the gears are very different also. there is a new sifter shaft and shift pawl follower that are a improvement you guys may want to check out. the shaft's two arms have a little more space to as not rub, and the follower has a bearing on it,but i wouldn't split the cases just to upgrade it. only if your already there. |
