| Author | Message | ||
     Ron |
After being chastised for posting a photo in the wrong place but reading the above messages I still wonder if I'm in the right place but will post anyway and hope for the best. I have had an oil loss problem from mile one. At first I attributed it to break in. Then I took it back to the dealer who consulted with Buell and remarked the oil tank dipstick and told me only to top off to the mark with the engine warm. This did not fix a thing. Then I tried routing the breather lines out to a 't'fitting with the single line venting out by the kickstand mount. No fix. Then I tried adding a KrankVent and this seemed to slow down the volume of oil coming out the vent hose but still there was a lot of oil going somewhere! But for a few very small dribbles from the vent line there was no evidence of oil anywhere on the outside of the bike. The other night as I was installing a Borla header and muffler I found what looked like an oil leak into the front exhaust port from the guide. I am including a photo of it here. If any of you 'experts' can take a look I would like to know if you think such a leak could account for 10 to 14 ounces of oil loss in 400 miles of sustained highway speeds. That's Montana highway speeds (55 - 80 mph) with occasional bursts to 120+. The rear exhaust port was clean and dry. Of course I don't know what the intake ports look like in either cylinder as I did not have the throttle body assembly off. To summarize - does the photo look like I have a blown valve guide seal, and can such a leak result in the above mentioned amount of oil loss under the conditions described? Thanks in advance to any who care to comment on this.  | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Probably bad or incorrectly installed valve guide seals. My sportster came from the factory with these seals installed BACKWARDS. Get it checked out. | ||
| Peter |
Has anybody ever fitted a Fisher damper to their Buell? Any good/bad things to say about them? PPiA | ||
| Raticalbuell |
I just sold my ZX-7 to buy a used 97' Buell S1. Being new to the Harley scene I don't know how to adjust the valves. A loud valve tap in my rear cylinder developed after about 80 miles so I parked it. Do I need to take rocker boxes off to get to push rods? Do I adjust valves w/ push rods? Any help would be greatly appreciated. | ||
| Hans |
Raticalbuell, Welcome aboard. Good choice S1. Congratulations. NEVER need valve adjustment because the hydraulic lifters are auto adjusting. After starting you can hear normally some valve tapping before those hydraulic gadgets are again filled up with oil. It are very, very reliable parts and when they fail (leak) you keep hearing valve tapping after a standstill and starting. Strange story. Somebody with more knowledge will jump in here, I suppose. Hans | ||
| Blake |
Raticallbuell: The air cooled pushrod V-twin engine does a poor job of masking valve-train noise compared to a water cooled OHC inline four. Noise sometimes increases as the engine oil gets hot. The rear cylinder gets hotter than the front. You are probably okay, but a GOOD Buell mechanic can tell you for sure. Check your oil (DO NOT OVERFILL as you will risk significant pukage of oil out the breather). | ||
| Jmartz |
It finally happened, my bike's rear rocker box began to leak, just 6000 miles into a new top end. I've had leaks nearly everywhere else but never the rockerboxes. The 1st (factory installed) set went 28,000 miles. Wonder if I goofed on reassembly? Don't think so! Luckily its raining but being the 4th of July I can't run to the store to get a replacement. Guess I'll do a few other things while the dirty bird is laid up. Jose | ||
| Chuck |
Greetings Jose, I know how you feel . . . but 28,000 miles was awesome. My originals leaked around 2000 and 4000 miles; but I don't think they were installed properly (bolt holes were kind of oval shaped --- as if someone forced the bolts through) | ||
| Raticalbuell |
Blake & Hans Thanx for reply. It seems that I am also losing power. Doing power wheelies was not as easy as it was at first. And the valve noise seemed to increase w/ each mile. More like a knocking than a tap. | ||
| Hans |
Raticalbuell, I have not any idea and I would ride not another mile before I knew. Hans. | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
I own a 1998 S1 Lightning purchased new 3 weeks ago. I am having a lot of valve noise which I think is excessive. It sounds like the hydraulic lifters are failing, The noise increases as the engine warms. The valve gear (lifters) sound like they are clacking. Is this normal, can someone please offer some assistance. My nearest Buell dealer is about 900 miles away. | ||
| Blake |
Newfie: Please see my and Hans' July 4th comments on the exact same issue just above.  That 900 miles from the nearest dealer is a bit scary sounding. I hope you are comfortable playing amature mechanic. These bike do require some maintenance every now and again, and rockerbox oil leaks are not uncommon. | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
900 miles is a lot to go, but did I mention the 8 hour boat ride as well. Thats one way too. I have called the dealer and explained the excessive noise and the service manager told me the S1 engine has a high lift cam and is generally noisier than a Sporty 1200 but I have heard them and it is much more louder. The dealer told mt to drive and enjoy the bike. Has anyone else experienced any this problem (loud tick from the cam rocker boxes), I think it is a hydraulic lifter failure. Would I be better off going to a solid lifter/adjustable push-rod setup or just replace the hydraulic lifters? | ||
| X1rs2000 |
Anybody running A Crossroads breather on an X-1? Problems? Likes & dislikes? Was it worth 100.00+. I saw a picture of it on The "X-1 Files" web. What have you attached to the units outlet? A small filter? What? Then, where have you run the outlet. I understand that it is not a closed system, so it must have an outlet. I have a 2000, so no can. But I would like to get the breathers out of the air cleaner. Less mess. | ||
| Sportyeric |
Newfie Buell. There must be a Harley dealer on the Island. Take it there to give them a listen. Its a similar motor, just less stressed. If it's a new 1998 is it under warranty? | ||
| X96283 |
Looking for a good cam to go with an 42 size carb. Andrews is the choice? N6 N4? Bike is a 00 M2. Anyone have problems with Mikuni HSR42 or S&S models? | ||
| Rocketman |
X number: I run N9's with a HSR42. Rocket in England | ||
| Pammy |
Rocket...N9's would be a little much for a stock motor/heads. Wouldn't be advisable. | ||
| Rocketman |
You would know babe, of course. Trouble with me is I'm always wanting more so I'll re-phrase that for X numbers benefit......... I run N9's and a HSR 42, and a few more goodies. Did you see Peaceman's 159mph flyer Pammy ? Can I get an "oh baby" Rocket in England | ||
| Pammy |
Oh BABY! I didn't get details, but 159mph in the quarter mile on a Buell is definitely impressive. I'd like to see his time slip.(and what he has in the motor) Pammy | ||
| Tripper |
Wait a minute, Please define "A Flyer". I don't think we use that term in the American language. I'm assuming a rolling start? From where? | ||
| Tap |
topspeedrun on airfield? | ||
| Empire |
Any tips on how to scrape rocker box gaskets easier. Any solvents or tools. Thinking about using a Dremmel with a wire brush attachment. Would this damage the boxes | ||
| Reepicheep |
I used a good sharp wood chisel, that had been honed smooth with 1200 grit paper immediately before use. Overkill, I know, but I had the paper out to prepare the mating surfaces before installing the new gasket anyway. After that misery (it took forever) and before I replaced the clutch on my Yamaha, and got a can of gasket remover at my local autoparts dealer. I suspect it is simply paint stripper. Anyway, it took the gasket off like nobodys business. And the paint on the clutch cover. And the paint on the crank case  This stuff does not mess around. The rocker box would be easier, because as I recall they are not painted. If you have to do a painted part, get a small brush and a cup, spray the remover into the cup, and brush it on the gasket. Definately worth a trip to the auto parts store though, I found mine at AutoZone, but any of them ought to have it. Bill | ||
| Pammy |
Use a one-sided razor blade(new) when that starts to dull, get a new one.wire brush = no, scotchbrite = o.k. Pammy | ||
| M2fast |
I need a little help here. I'm hearing some bad noises from my engine. It almost sounds like someone shaking a con rod with the piston slapping back and forth. Piston slap, right? I'm not sure. I listened with a cheaper electronic listening rod and the only place it sounded funny was at the intake pushrod area. They sounded quite a bit louder than the exhausts. Maybe dying lifters? The bike has 15k miles Any suggestions or advice? Thanks, Kris 99M2 | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
Hey M2fast, I am having a similar problem with excessive engine noise on my 98 S1. It only has 3000km on it and it sounds like the hydraulic lifters are failing. Read my previous postings. I am taking it to a shop tomorrow, will keep ya posted. | ||
| Raticalbuell |
I found my problem. Here my magneto cover that bolts onto the motor sprocket came lose and transmitted the noise to the cylinders. I feel like a dumb ass but now she is fixed. | ||
| Hans |
Raticalbuell: No dumb ass, SMART ASS: That is the kind of follow up we are waiting for. Thanks and congrats, you saved yourself and maybe some others a lot of damage and money. Hans. | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
I had the tap noise checked out today and the service tech (dealer) tells me its normal for the pushrod engine. However, I am going to check the magneto cover that bolts to the motor sprocket like Radicalbuel did, I could be surprised. This board seems to be pretty good Bill |
