| Author | Message | ||
     Dalx19 |
I just passed the 1k mark and decided to do the work myself on the bike. I changed the oil and transmission fluid. Is there anything else I should do or have done? | ||
| T9r  |
Ya gonna replace the trans fluid with synthetic, NON HD stuff? CHeck nuts and bolts(tightness), ALL over the bike. CHeck oil cooler lines and make sure they are not rubbing against anything. Especially check the screws associated with the front brake line. | ||
| Xb9rski  |
Buy the service manual, & Congrats "Ride it till it seizes" Ski  | ||
| Dasbuell  |
Use the manual... and use a torque wrench. Aluminum strips out real easy. Trust me... the tighten until it strips out... then back off 1/4 turn DOES NOT WORK!  | ||
| Aldaytona  |
You should open up your owner's manual to the maintenance scheduling section and look at the 1,000 mile service table. Then take your XB to the local dealer to perform the items that you can not do. You'll be happier in the long run. | ||
| Dalx19 |
I actually replaced the fluids with HD synthetic. Is this bad stuff? What do you guys do to keep the oil from leaking all over the exhaust (I just covered it with cardboard this last time)? I really don't want to remove the exhaust to change the oil. I'm prolly goin to take it to the dealer for a tps reset and that's all I could see. And I'm going to check for rubbing cables and such.(thanks for the reminder T9r) I havn't put any lube on any lines or anything but they seem fine. Everything else seems to be great. I had an CBR600 before this and am enjoying my XB12R much much more. | ||
| Reepicheep  |
HD Synthetic is good stuff, no worries. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Don't forget the most neglected primary chain. A lot of people do, and I can say that with absolute certainty. | ||
| Dalx19 |
forgive my ignorance, but what does the primary chain refer to? | ||
| Fullpower  |
cardboard makes a fine oil deflector. you will like having a service manual to refer to. glad you are digging the bike. | ||
| Gentleman_jon  |
Well done. Nothing like the first maintenance on a new bike. Sort of like a kissing a new girl for the first time, if you know what I mean:-) The way I keep the oil off the muffler is to take an old clorox bottle, cut it at a 45º angle to make a scoop, and then open the drain plug while holding the scoop under it. Oil drains through the scoop and out the neck of the bottle to a pan below. Nothing the matter with Harley syn, but you can buy Mobil 1 and an ST 4967 filter at Walmart for less than half the price. The primary chain connects the motor to the transmission. The adjustment procedure is in the Shop Manual. The parts book is very nice addition to the shop manual, both for ordering parts and learning how they go together. | ||
| Stealthxb  |
U can also use a gallon milk jug cut in half to keep the oil off the muffler. | ||
| M1combat  |
"forgive my ignorance, but what does the primary chain refer to?" Certainly forgivin... but uh... get a service manual. As I recall, steering head torque, Primary chain tension, Clutch adjustment and throttle cable adjustment are supposed to be done on the first service. As I recall, they also check the static timing and make sure that the TPS is correct. | ||
| Dalx19 |
I'm workin on finding the service manual for under $50. Does the one for the 2003 xb9r work if I have an 04 xb12r? Any of you have trouble turning the clutch adjustment bolts? Mine seem to be stuck pretty tight. Thanks for the ideas for oil draining. (Message edited by dalx19 on December 15, 2004) (Message edited by dalx19 on December 15, 2004) | ||
| Newxb9er |
Dalx19-They are selling service manuals all day long on EBAY. I would recommend buying the actual paper manual, and not the "CD" version. If you do a search here on any topic you might have a question with, you'll find "LOADS" of information. Someone recommended wrapping the muffler with aluminum foil, and using a bottle as described above. I did, and it works great for any drips you might get. What's the opinion on the Mobil Synthetic V-Twin stuff? I used it on the first change, and it shifts like butter now. I know we've talked about this oil a lot, and I don't want to start a whole new discussion, but nobody really talked about that V-Twin stuff. | ||
| Aldaytona |
We all like to work on our own bikes (as you've probably surmised by being on this site), but some jobs require more expertise than we have. The tough part is admitting it. Don't ask me how I know. Clint Eastwood once said "a man has got to know his limitations" Since I've taken this to heart my wallet and I have a better relationship. The first service is probably the most important service of your bike............................. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Lets cut to the end of the oil flame war... The Mobil 1 VTwin is among the best oil you can buy, and priced accordingly. It is also probably overkill for any oil change intervals you would want to keep. And it is cheap peace of mind. Non synthetic oil is about the only "wrong" choice, unless you wish to change your oil every 1000 miles or so. | ||
| T9r |
All I did was stick a funnel next to the muffler to get the fluid to go into it and not on the muffler. There is not a whole lot of fluid to worry about, while holding the funnel. I've heard someone talk about looking at the battery terminals also making sure they don't rub or the nuts come loose. | ||
| Dalx19 |
alright, alright, I'll take it in for the rest of the 1k service. I'm about to buy the service manual on e-bay but am wondering if the 2003 xb9r manual will work for my 2004 xb12r (Message edited by dalx19 on December 15, 2004) | ||
| Reepicheep |
I wouldn't. When you *need* the manual, I don't think you want to be second guessing things (like torque values or adjustment settings). Plus, the 12 manual will likely have corrections from the 9 manual baked in already. | ||
| Fullpower |
Dalx get the right manual. the 2003 will not haVe the specs or wiring diagrams for the XB12, which did not exist at printing time. they sell the correct book at the same store where you bought the bike. if you get the book, then you wont need to pay them to lube your clutch cable. and in regard to "Any of you have trouble turning the clutch adjustment bolts? " i dont think they have such a bolt. please obtain the service manual. | ||
| Dalx19 |
thanks for the vast amount of information | ||
| Briz31 |
Hi all, When I had my XB9s first service, HD in Brisbane Australia, offered a sweet deal.. Service $$ is picked up by the sales department, I only had to pay for the material (oil). Now that in anyones book is SERVICE. Pity they are a little hesitant on advice for aftermarket (non harley) products. Can't win them all... |
