| Author | Message | ||
     Mojave_mike |
Had my XB12R for just over a week and noticed a couple of oil streaks on top of the muffler..the bike has 300 miles on it. Sunday I go a 200 mile ride with some friends, and halfway thru' the ride I notice more streaks. I checked it out when I got home and there is a definite drip, albeit very minor. Above the muffler is a clamp securing an oil pipe..there were 2 drips on this clamp about to fall onto the muffler..couldn't see where they were coming from. Anyone had this happen to them ? 1000 mile service will be coming up shortly, so I'll let Buell of Glendale sort it out. Mike | ||
| Sped214 |
I had something similar, and it took the dealer 5 tries to get it fixed. What had happened was a pebble or something had flown into the oil pressure sending unit (i think that's what it is), and made a hairline crack in the top of it. Not visible to the eye, but after riding, there would always be traces of oil. The oil would drip down, making it appear that the oil line fittings were the culprit. Not sure if you have the same issue or not, but something to keep in mind... | ||
| Ccemn1 |
Mine does the same thing with 240 miles on it. I just attributed it to the junk Harley motor. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Everyone else in the Motorcycle Industry wishes they made an engine as reliable as the Harley-Davidson engines. Just check warranty claims. | ||
| Chainsaw |
First, I'd check the oil hose fittings on the ends. I had an oil leak from the fitting on the oil pump (by the oil filter). It was about a turn too loose from the factory and weeping on my muffler.. | ||
| Mr_cuell |
CC - Why did you spend money for junk? I notice you are not a fan of the push rod technology - are you faster than this bike? Is the junk holding you back from your true potential as a rider? Are you offering any classes in the Mid-Atlantic states on engineering we can sit in on? I'd love to hear how you have improved upon the XB series - the factory can use guys like you! Step up! | ||
| Doon |
I noticed this last night. Mine XB12S is weeping a bit of OIL from the Primary inspection cover (I think that is where it is coming from -- black cover behind shifter). It is just slightly sticky on the bottom of it. There is a ring in there right? I am thinking perhaps that is a bit out of alignment or something. It is new with only about 350 miles on it. | ||
| Perry |
Relax guys. He likes Buell, and voted with his wallet already. He doesn't have to design the next XB engine before he can wish for a better one! I have my gripes with my XB too, that doesn't mean I've designed the solution for Erik or that I hate Buell. I love my Buell, in spite of a few warts, and that's why I bought it, and that's why I am smiling after every ride! Okay "junk" may be unfairly overstating the issue, but let a guy vent a bit when his brand new bike is dripping oil... | ||
| Typeone |
Doon, mine does that when the gasket is shot. should be replaced with each fluid change but i get lazy sometimes or dont have a new gasket on hand. make sure those three bolts are secured properly too, if you dont hold the plate you could screw them down a tad crooked. (unlikely but fyi) i would look at replacing the gasket first. grab a bunch (along with the primary inspection gasket) from your dealer, you'll need 'em each time you change fluids. | ||
| Mr_cuell |
Okay "junk" may be unfairly overstating the issue, but let a guy vent a bit when his brand new bike is dripping oil... Fair enough. It must be very frustrating to have a new bike leak, especially a new Buell leaking oil, because it is just a cruel irony to have that happen even as the company has come so far. Its still silly to criticize one's own ride though, if you're the guy that paid for it . . .  | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
i check my fittings a couple times per year. i actually check every nut and bolt (re-torque) if time allows. i've had 2 lines that became loose..both under motor above muffler. just tighten them up and all was good. leak stopped. give it a try and see what happens. these motors do shake and tend to get a little loose.. just my .02 | ||
| Doon |
Typeone: Well the engine is brand new. Been ridden 3 times (350 miles). It could be that it was borked at the dealer, as I haven't touched it yet. I am guessing it isn't too hard to change that gasket? Just take that cover off, replace the gasket and screw it back on? | ||
| Peanut_man |
Have similar oil leak, dealer replaced the oil lines and teflon. All covered under warranty. And that seems to hold up now. Only issue I've had. I guess I'd say that this is not an uncommon issue. But it's also quite minor. I have however, heard the phrase "It's not a true Harley if it doesn't leak oil." Other than that, the engine / bike has proved to be quite reliable so far. | ||
| Typeone |
Doon: you never know  mine was weepy in that spot after a few hundred miles and no fiddling by me yet, too. yup, very simple... cover off/remove gasket/install fresh gasket/cover on. done! sometimes if the gasket has a little oil on it from a change it will 'stain' or look like its weeping there too. i never sweat it, just clean it up and install a fresh gasket. they're cheap. | ||
| Mr_cuell |
I guess I should contribute to the actual thread - mine leaked the tiniest bit from the oil filter after I changed it at the first interval. I cinched it a bit more and it went away. Took me a sec to figure where it was coming from, as the first thing I noticed was streaks on the muffler. | ||
| Bigbuell |
Hey guys. This is my first Buell too. I to have had issues with my bike and it only has 279 miles on it and its at the shop as we speak. The very first day I went to pick it up I noticed that there was a big oil spot under the bike, and this was at the dealer. So I started to look at the bike and followed the oil dips and found it to be coming from the oil cooler line at the cooler it self. I got one of the mechanics to get a wrench and he tightened the fittings on the cooler and it was fine, no more drips. Now I have a check engine light on and the bike idles poorly. Came to find out that the O2 sensor is bad and it has to be replaced. In order to do this they have to drop the motor out of the bike to take the exhaust off to get to the O2 sensor. That sucks, the bike only has that 279 miles on it and the bike has to be taken apart to change a sensor on the headers. Well the good thing about it is that I'm going to have the header jet hot coated while its off. Should get the bike back Wednesday. Will see.  | ||
| Indy_bueller |
Everyone else in the Motorcycle Industry wishes they made an engine as reliable as the Harley-Davidson engines. Just check warranty claims. Aldaytona, do you know where to find that data? I'd like to get my hands on it. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Motorcycle dealers get that information, I saw it when I worked at Ft Lauderdale Buell. Once when I worked at Daytona Harley-Davidson. The first time I read that I could almost picture some Japanese motorcycle corporate executive pulling a Homer.....  | ||
| Dooley |
I had an oil leak in that area too, I had taken the muffler off, & the pulley cover to try and find the leak but after tightening everything...still leaked. I found that it was coming from the top of the case area under the starter and seeping down behind the primary. I opened the primary cover and removed the starter, I thought it was the starter gasket, from oil being slung up there, but after a few R&Rs I figured out that it was the starter itself leaking.....yea the oil was going by the O-ring that sealed the front bearing of the starters gear drive and leaking out of a hole on the stater itself...replaced the O-ring and no more leak!!!  | ||
| Xb9 |
In order to do this they have to drop the motor out of the bike to take the exhaust off to get to the O2 sensor. That's not true. Remove the shock, fan, and there it is. | ||
| Redster |
I got an XB9SX,did get the bad O2 sensor.No oil leaks at all,800+ miles on it.Love it,but I do keep a watch on the lubrication side of things. | ||
| Mojave_mike |
It's a bit disconcerting that 4/5 other new Buells are leaking oil within the first 500 miles. I have 2 other bikes, a '05 Honda VTX 1300 and a '05 Suzuki SV650, and I frequent those boards every day. I don't recall hearing about any oil leaks, even though the volume of sales is probably far greater than the Buells. If it was just my post, I would put it down to my bad luck, but hearing others with the same complaint is a bit much. Mike | ||
| Xring |
Mine got a leak at about 7500 miles on the engine side of the oil cooler line. Mostly a nuisance, though. Nobody likes oil leaks, but even if I hadn't taken it apart and Teflon-taped and tightened the lines, it really wouldn't hurt anything. Just an annoyance. If that is as bad as it gets, I'll buy Buells 'til the day I die. Bill | ||
| Isham |
I have an 03 and as soon as I bought it (used) I noticed a leak around the oil pump and lines. Either tighten the fittings on the lines more or put pipe thread on them. When you tighten them make sure you have a wrench supporting the other end or the elbo/fitting will snap. I learned that the hardware. I heard they advise against pipe thread but It works for me so I don't see what the big deal is. Now my bike doesn't have a dip of oil. | ||
| Xb9 |
The oil line fittings don't seal on the threads, they seal on the tube flair. Teflon tape on the flair connections are useless. OK on the pipe thread side of a fitting, but better than Teflon tape for those pipe threads is a good silicone sealer. Good mating surfaces on the flair / taper of the fitting and proper tightening is all they need. Then check them periodically or better yet - safety wire them. I think a lot of this problem is just poor prep from the dealer. They should be going over the lines (among other things) and checking everything for tightness. I'll bet a lot of dealers don't do much more than the bare necessity needed to get it running and out the door. Sad.  | ||
| Typeone |
same thing here, oil mist from both fittings at the cooler around ~800mi. snugging them up didn't help for long. Teflon tape and a snug by the dealer stopped it for 'good'. 5K+ on her now. | ||
| Ccemn1 |
I'm sorry if I'm a "realist"! I always have called a spade, a spade. I'm 55 years old and have owned over 30 bikes. Anyone with even modest mechanical knowledge would have to agree, that the Harley engine is a 60 year-old design akin to tractor, or lawnmower technology. For instance, one of my other bikes is an ’04 Aprilia RSVR Factory. Any of you guys who think that Buell is the “be all & end all” of motorcycling, I strongly suggest you take an Aprilia for a ride. Better yet, try a new GSXR 1000, it will literally blow your mind! Why do you think it is that 1200 Buells race against 600cc I-4’s, because it’s such a great motor??? I bought the Lightening primarily because of the exceptionally cheap price and upright, hooligan riding position. At 55 & arthritic, the “play pretend” road racer position is killing me. Especially riding here in Florida, one of the worst states to ride in, with nothing but straight, flat roads and drunken kids & old farts all over. The Buell handles relatively well (Compared to all other Harleys I’ve owned!), but above 130 MPH, it’s all over the road. Mine now leaks oil at less than 300 miles on a new bike and it shifts like an International Harvester. It seems I’m constantly bouncing off the rev limiter, but that’s because I’m used to the Aprilia, where at 6500 RPM, I’m just starting to make real power, not redline! I like my Buell and it has it’s place & purpose. It’s very much like comparing an F-16 and a Sopwith Camel; Both would be a gas to pilot, but don’t try and tell me how much more wonderful and technologically advanced the Sopwith is! I’m sorry if I offended anyone who lives, eats & breathes their beloved Buell, but I always will & always have expressed myself openly & honestly. | ||
| Aldaytona |
You knew all this before you bought the bike didn't you? I don't particularly like eating at Burger King, so I just don't go there. I don't like General Motors vehicles, so I drive Fords. Why would I buy a Chevy and drive to Burger King to eat, so I could bitch about it? I do like Harley-Davidson/Buell products and farm tractors too. Ride your Jap and Italian bikes and have a good time, then you won't have to bitch about bikes most of us here cherish. Don't go away mad, just go away! That's as open and honest that I can be. | ||
| Sokota |
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| Mr_cuell |
For instance, one of my other bikes is an ’04 Aprilia RSVR Factory. Any of you guys who think that Buell is the “be all & end all” of motorcycling, I strongly suggest you take an Aprilia for a ride. Better yet, try a new GSXR 1000, it will literally blow your mind! Hey lucky us! The One Who Knows All is among us - he knows what will blow your mind! Man, do share your wisdom with the board - you own an Aprilia RSVR, that means you must be a very fast, very capable rider who can teach us many things about our tractors. Surely you have much to teach us! FWIW, no one in this thread has tried to do any convincing that the bike is this or that, I have only questioned why someone would deride their own choice of bike. You surely knew what you were buying, as you are clear about the fact that you know many many things about motorcycles that most do not. Lastly, Camel vs. Falcon does not hold up on a street comparison of these bikes. A run down the dragon or any local racer road will have the XB's hanging with the Aprilia or the GSXR. Rider ability is the separating factor in the real world. "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that Buells' provide and then questions the manner in which they provide it. I would rather you just said "thank you" and went on your way. Otherwise I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand at post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to." |
