| Author | Message | ||
     Tramp |
I have absolutely no interest in an XB engine- I'm simply looking to use the variety of Sportster engine that held up for a quarter of a million miles for me with absolutely no engine work....I never even retorqued a bolt on it. I am aware that current production units are presently manufactured, and am interested in surplus pre-04 mills. Thanks for the sincere advice, though, in any event. | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Tramp, have you tried Craigslist? You never know what some people have lying around the back of the garage. | ||
| Tramp |
Thanks, SOM- I have...and I'm still looking. Hey- we have to put some road time in as soon as I'm up & running. I'll likely stick with this engine for the remainder of this year in any event. | ||
| Brumbear |
The guy I talked to said Craigs List is probably gonna be the best route or a salvage yard sorry Tramp. He said they cost more to rbiuld than to replace but if you do the work maybe not. | ||
| Tramp |
Thanks, BB- I'll likely bench an engine and take a few months to perform a rebuild myself. I only trust my own work anyway, aside form the factory's. | ||
| No_rice |
You can buy new Sporty mills, but only current production units. That's how it's been for years. The 04+ cases are all wrong for tuber mounts. just got off the phone with hd. a dealer(me) can not even buy a sporty motor for over the counter sale. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I only trust my own work anyway, aside form the factory's. I've learned this lesson as well. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Spendy, but a thought: http://www.sscycle.com/product/cart.php?m=product_ detail&p=21207 | ||
| Brumbear |
Here ya on that one there is always repo's  If anything happens to err fall off a truck I'll give ya a jingle | ||
| Glitch |
I'll likely bench an engine and take a few months to perform a rebuild myself. I smell a better than NOS cooking! | ||
| Tramp |
Thanks, Dave. Already cruising ebay and Craigslist for engines, parts, etc. | ||
| Road_thing |
Trampster: I'm in the middle of an "unanticipated upgrade opportunity" myself. My local indy shop is checking out new factory cases for me--I'll let you know what I learn. May not be useful for you if you want all new metal. I plan to re-use my S&S crank/rod assembly and my 1250 top end with the good Nallin heads. rt | ||
| Rick_a |
I went with XB heads (actually 2004+ XL1200 heads - basically fancier XB heads with intake mounts already drilled), nikasil cylinder 1250 kit, '00 up tuber flywheel (requires case machining). It's essentially a new engine with old cases, transmission, and primary drive. Flat-top pistons were used to keep the compression ratio reasonable. | ||
| Tramp |
XB anything is not in my plans. All-new metal is the grail, here. no performance mod.s, just a dirt-simple Evo Sportster/Buell engine for longevity. The right rider with an old stock engine can dust performance-modified machines in the twisties anyhow, which is where it counts. These are, after all, not V-Maxes | ||
| Glitch |
Why the opposition to an XB engine? No worries, just curious. | ||
| Tramp |
Valid question, of course- The stock evo sporty has proven itself to be disarmingly reliable; for me, it's a known quantity. I'm trying to avoid surprises down the line.... after I hear about XB engines going 200K +, and I learn more about what issues they encountered along the way, I may change my thinking on that. I also like the fact that I can easily find S&S et al components for the earlier evo sporty. For me, the Buell was never about being a hi-performance machine- It was always about being a reliable touring scoot- a role at which mine didn't disappoint. I honestly have never even removed the heads on this old mill....or even retorqued any fasteners (!). | ||
| Glitch |
I gotcha. So far I've well over 63K on my 9, not real sure as to actual mileage, I was without a speedo sensor for a year and a half. The only issues I've had are with the stator, one gone at 20K, the other at 40K. I blame it on Mobil 1 Gear Oil.  Other than that, no engine issues at all. May I ask what the price range is? It'll be helpful as I ask around. | ||
| Tramp |
Thanks, Glitch- 2K would be my limit, I think- You've got me thinking about XB mills, now- is it difficult to install them into tuber frames? | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
An XB9 mill would vibe a bit less too. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Tramp- I'd think most of the changes in the XB plant relative to the Evo were detail improvements- better gaskets, better lubrication (especially on 08-up models), better seals, better crankcase breathing, etc. If you don't run it harder than you've run your existing mill, odds are one should last at least as long if not longer. In addition to Glitch's info, several people have relatively high mileage Ulys. I'm pretty sure there was at least one over 80k miles with no mechanical problems. Then there was that article in a German motorcycle magazine where they tore an XB12 plant down after ~40,000 miles and found remarkably little wear. As to mounting one in a tuber frame, IIRC someone makes a front mount so that the XB front head will work in a tuber frame, but I have no idea about the difference in mounting the swingarm carrier at the back. I searched the Old School Buell archives and found a few posts that indicate the rear mounting is the big problem. Hopefully someone with detailed info will post up. | ||
| Spiderman |
Yes rear mounting is a BIG issue. But as with everything, throw enough time and money at it... The Older EVO based Buell motors that were in Tube frames have a 4 bolt mounting system that a swing arm black will mount to that the swing arm will then mount it. On a XB motor that area the 'bolt plate' as it were is gone and a mount to bolt the swing arm to is there. So the swing arm will mount directly to the motor. If you PM Slaughter he will have some better detail on how to wedge a XB into a tube frame as there is a Blast motored (the blast block is the same swing arm mounting) S1 racing in his area... | ||
| Tramp |
Thanks Hughlysses and Spidey- Yep- definitely sticking with an evo sporty engine. Thanks- Jay | ||
| Court |
Do surrender too quickly on finding a 1995 motor. I can't help but think there may be some out there. I'm of precisely the same mindset . . . it's a known quantity. I rode my Uly yesterday for the first time in a while and well . . it just "works". Headed up your way today to explore a new hiking trail. I spent Saturday at West Point watching the crowds gather at Trophy Point and I envy you . . whatever the instant gig is . . . it's a good one. | ||
| Crusty |
While the XB motor is better in a variety of ways to the older tuber motor, one area that it is deficient is that there is no easy access to the transmission. The trap door was designed out as a cost cutting measure. should a shifter fork bend or a bearing wear out prematurely, the cases have to be split. That means total disassembly of the engine to gain access to the transmission. A bad design, IMO. | ||
| Tramp |
Crusty- thanks- The 'longevity' jury will be out on the XBs until they've had some break the 200k mile mark. That takes many years. Court- Wish I knew you were coming to The Point. Would have given you the 25 cent tour and put you on the guest pullout in the suite where Petreaeus and Gates just stayed. Hey- about the 1995 engine (my dad would have backhanded me for calling it a 'motor')... Can't I use any pre-2004 evo sporty? Let me know if you'd like to see some cool hiking trails up here, plenty of them around. Jay | ||
| Court |
Cool . . on the bike headed to Palisades now . . . I'm in your area at least a couple times a week. Let me know what day you'll be around and we'll sneak into town for lunch. I LOVE riding in hot weather . . . I'm kind of "on call" today . . . we have a "High Alert Day" at work and I'm on call in Westchester County in case of an emergency at Indian Point or any Westchester County Substations . . . . and . . . more importantly . . . my daughter in law is on the way to the hospital in LA to deliver the FIRST GRANDKID! Big day here . . . but I just HAD to ride.  | ||
| Glitch |
(my dad would have backhanded me for calling it a 'motor')... Same here... I don't remember when, but I do remember the conversation wrt engine vs motor. Although he did contradicted himself. Once I asked him why he called it a motorboat, and not an engineboat...once | ||
| Roadcouch98 |
Congratulations on the Grand Baby, Court. May all go well. Sorry for thread hijack. Carry on. | ||
| Spiderman |
From what I have been told an engine can be a motor but a motor can not be an engine... | ||
| Crusty |
It powers a motorcycle. I've also heard the motor vs. engine thing for years. It was an instructor of mine when I was an apprentice Operating Engineer who was most adamant about the term. He also insisted that there would never be a successful five cylinder engine, as it would destroy itself from the imbalance. It all depends on how you look at it. |
