| Author | Message | ||
     Spuds |
So....many years ago I owned an'03 xb9r. Loved the bike, put about 67,000 kms on it, but I guess maybe it was that "7 year itch" that crept in, decided to sell and try something else. So I've since dabbled with a couple of Ducati's, battled with a BMW, and currently court a KTM Duke 690. However----I just came into possession of (most of) a 2005 xb12r. This bike had belonged to a friend (who passed away a couple of years ago), and was most recently in the possession of another riding buddy. I say "most of" as it needs at least the engine's bottom end or perhaps a complete engine. I have (and I *think* they're OK) the cylinders and pistons, starter motor, some crankcase covers, etc.... I pretty much have the rest of the bike too... To me, (as much as it scares me) I absolutely NEED to rebuild this machine, and then ..... ride it. So....I've just put up an "engine wanted" post in the classifieds section. I've been watching ebay too for a week or so... If you or anyone you know has an 05-07 xb12 engine, please holler. Thanks, Rod (Ottawa, Canada) | ||
| Audiowize |
YGM. | ||
| Spuds |
Thanks!! | ||
| Spuds |
Progress!! Found an engine, replaced its "top" bits with the "top" bits I had (mine were in better shape), and with the assistance of a couple of good lads yesterday afternoon we now have "the big rocks" in place. Still lots to do....but it feels great to have turned a truckload of parts into what is starting to look like a bike!       | ||
| Teeps |
Looks like you have a nice '75 CB400F too. | ||
| Shoggin |
I count three headpipes on that side but can't see more. CBX?  What a sweet sweet noise they make... | ||
| Spuds |
yup..... Put it on the road this past summer, after a restoration/modification---CB500Four front end with emulators and set up to run dual disks, Koni aluminum 76F's with modern IKON internals, slightly wider rims front and back, reshaped and re-upholstered seat, rearsets, lighting revamped, tanks/covers repainted.  | ||
| Mnscrounger |
I've been ( super slowly) restoring one of those myself. Its my father in-law's. My goal is to get it back on the road before he's too old to ride it. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
I've been ( super slowly) restoring one of those myself. Its my father in-law's CB500K. My goal is to get it back on the road before he's too old to ride it. | ||
| Shoggin |
Dang good eye Teeps! What a nice ride  | ||
| Teeps |
Not so hard to spot; I worked on them back in the day... | ||
| Spuds |
Yup----those headers were so recognizable eh? OK all you eagle-eyes....who's first to spot the Buell bits on the 400F? bwaahaahaaa!! | ||
| Teeps |
I see turn signals. Used them on my VTX1300, too.  | ||
| Spuds |
Sharp eye!! | ||
| Teeps |
The beauty of the Buell XB turn signals is their ability to be obscure; and they were cheap! | ||
| Nillaice |
is your rear pulley flipped? | ||
| Phelan |
Good eye Nill, that rear pulley is definitely backwards. | ||
| Ducbsa |
The front pulley is suspiciously non-rusty! | ||
| Spuds |
hey all, yup....noticed that rear pulley being on backwards....oh....you know....when I sat down to put the belt on. Right. Fixed. Thanks for spotting it and mentioning it!!!! Got the belt on the other night, and the oil cooler. Think I'm ready to put a battery in it and try to set the static timing. That front pulley---ya....the engine I found came from a "show bike".....it had all sorts of red / white / blue paint remnants on it. I replaced all the "top end" stuff (cylinders, heads etc) with parts that came with the bike I received. Looked at that front pulley, and thought...the pulley cover's gonna cover it up.... | ||
| Spuds |
So.... a bit of an update. Put this whole thing on the backburner for a while, after I broke the fuel line fitting off the fuel pump (tightening the fuel line on too tightly). Got back at it after Xmas, found a new pump assembly, and learned a few things---the reason the pump/line fitting was leaking was that the fitting on the brand new fuel line was inserted into the line "rotated" the incorrect way...so that the smaller end shoved onto the fitting first...no wonder it leaked!!! Arrgh. D'oh!! So...spun that around, popped the line on the newly installed replacement pump assembly and voila...no leaks. Surprise, surprise! Stood and stared for a long while again to remind myself that I was REALLY ready to test fire this reassembled engine up...and after some coaxing.....she runs!!! Still need to install the airbox, exhaust valve motor, etc...but I'm thrilled. NOW---that said....the engine during disassembly/reassembly, was essentially void of any oil. I used assembled lube on the moving parts as I reassembled, and I KNOW there's oil in the swingarm, and tranny oil in the cases, but the engine oil light is staying on "most of the time" upon test starts/letting it idle for a moment. The harness itself was pretty much all intact upon reassemble of the bike...so I'm *pretty sure* all connections are good... Obviously this is of concern---but before I tear things all apart again, would it "in principle" maybe take a few good moments of running to get some oil anywhere near the sensor? | ||
| Akbuell |
Quick check - Unplug the oil light wire at the oil pressure switch. Turn the ign/stop run switches on and see if the light is still on. If so, the problem is not the oiling system. A lot of auto parts stores loan out special tools. Perhaps an oil pressure gauge kit that screws into the oil pressure switch? That way you can confirm oil pressure, and might show a bad oil pressure switch. Hope this helps, Dave | ||
| Spuds |
This thread deserves an update---long overdue. I am SO close (I hope!). Awaiting some small bits from a really helpful local HD dealer, as well as St Paul's HD, and I'm hoping that it's road ready. Oil pressure light is not longer an issue- wish I could say exactly what the problem was, but it took care of itself. I had the bike "around the neighbourhood" a couple of times...and so far so good.   | ||
| Skipbarberman |
GORGEOUS job man! Nice work. I had a similar experience with the oil pressure sending unit. Often if the oil isn't changed regularly it can set. I flushed mine out and 4k mi later, no issue. Additionally, the sending unit wire is exposed up front. Had issues with that chafing or worn for some reason. You'll know if she has no oil pressure.....those lifters will rap/clatter like there is no tomorrow. P.S. - Thanks for posting this....it warms my heart to see a post finish with a nice end product. So many folks get it done and never close the loop, so THANKS. (Message edited by skipbarberman on May 26, 2020) | ||
| Blake |
Nice work! | ||
| Daegoba |
What a cool story. Nice work dude. I’m sure there’s all kinds of feelings hearing that thing run again. Glad it’s in good hands. Go smash some bugs. | ||
| Shoggin |
Congrats!! Thats so cool. Great job man | ||
| Spuds |
Thanks all!! And wish me luck----still waiting on some "make it street legal" bits, but----taking it to a track day on Monday. Hope she stays all together!! | ||
| Spuds |
Ride report: Took the xb to a track day today---figure----why not---nice safe road to ride it on, towing help at the ready should I need it. Disappointments: That darn pesky oil light was on all day again. Oil levels checked and rechecked----it insists on glowing proudly. Gotta look into that. Shifter shaft seal was seeping tranny oil too----not when it would be just sitting there....but after each session there was a seep trail. Gotta look into that too! 6,000 RPM comes up in friggin' hurry too!! Holy cow!! Overall impressions - I'm reminded of how stable these machines are mid turn. Most of my track experience has been on a cbr600rr track bike---which was SO easy to ride quick. And my most recent street riding has been on a KTM 690 Duke.---so light, so quick-steering. On the xb today, I found it to feel (for sure) a lot heavier than the 690, perhaps (?) a little more work to ride than the 600rr took, BUT----had a total hoot all the same. Certainly---the oil light and shifter seal were CONSTANTLY on my mind, AND I was quite nervous around today being "first chance to ride the bike sportingly"---so while my paddock buddies were out there flying, I was content to just take it easy and do my own thing. Overall---I'm anxious to sort the niggles, and go find some twisty roads.   |
