| Author | Message | ||
     Krueger08xb12s |
Yes, my headers, front and back, were glowing orange from the engine down about 4". Here’s how it happened: I started the bike in the garage and let it set on idle for about 3-4 minutes. It was dark out and the only light on was the headlamp and I noticed the glowing. I killed the engine and watched it die out after 10 seconds or so. No damage (that i can see or hear) and the headers are just purple about 5-6" down like normal; when it cooled completely it faded to a faint blue (again, like normal). Is my bike running too hot?? I have a stock 08xb12s with 5K miles, drummer exhaust, K&N, synthetic 20w50, and no ECM mods at all. Kevin Drum told me the drummer would learn the exhaust so I'm trusting it did. I put the drummer on at 1000miles and have had no problems yet. Any advice?? Is this normal? Am I just a jackass for letting it idle more than a minute in a stagnant 75degree garage??? | ||
| Barnyard |
I think your GTG (good to go). | ||
| Krueger08xb12s |
Really?? This is fairly normal? Maybe I'm just used to the flashy plastic and concealed mechanics my past rice-burners! In that case, it's nice to see how a real machine works! thanks- | ||
| Dmhines |
Free FLow Exhaust + K&N = LEAN and HOT ... I ran my 2006 for a short time with D&D + K&N .. I could feel by how hot my ass and legs got that it was running much hotter than normal. Now with an ECM tune to the the AFR under control it's running much cooler ... | ||
| Krueger08xb12s |
Dmhines, did retuning the ECM make a noticeable performance difference? Approx cost? If it truly is making my bike run lean (hot) then I will need it to be tuned regardless. Just curious | ||
| Dmhines |
Pretty sure you can't tune 2008+ Buells .... Does it feel hotter to you? How long have you had the mods on? Put the OEM filter back in to cut down the airflow and see if your headers still glow in the dark. Was the bike cold when you started it up and left it running? It takes almost 10 minutes before the engine heats up enough to turn off the cold start enrichment ... so after 3 or 4 minutes the engine should still be running 10-30% richer than when up to temp. Of course if the ECM has compensate and overly richened up your fuel ... it would be running really rich at idle ... with the excess fuel being burnt in your headers causing them to glow. YOu should use ECMSPY and pull the AFV ... if the number is over 100 then your bike is running lean ... under 100 it's running rich. (Message edited by dmhines on October 16, 2008) (Message edited by dmhines on October 16, 2008) | ||
| Mikef5000 |
YOu should use ECMSPY and pull the AFV ... if the number is over 100 then your bike is running lean ... under 100 it's running rich. If only it were a pre '08 bike. | ||
| Dmhines |
I thought ECMSPY can still pull diagnostic and runtime data from current Buell's ... just can't tune and hack the ECM .. Am I mistaken? | ||
| Krueger08xb12s |
I really considered ECM Spy but concluded that I only know enough about this bike to be dangerous to it. Is ECM Spy easy?...How do I retune my '08 then if ECM Spy won't work?...do I need a custom map on my ECM? | ||
| Vortec57 |
Exhaust on an air cooled motor let idle will glow even if tuned correctly. We used to have this happen on race quads while at the dunes. Sitting watching others with the motor idling will let the pipe glow, It needs/wants to be moving and have ambient air passing by to keep it cool. I doubt you've got a problem, instead of it idling RIDE it. | ||
| Thedavyboy |
I never seen my pipes glow , pretty sure your running lean . | ||
| Froggy |
The glowing pipes is normal. As for the ECMspy, its really hit and miss as to what works and what dosen't work on the 08s. If the bike is running fine otherwise, don't even worry about it. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I thought ECMSPY can still pull diagnostic and runtime data from current Buell's ... just can't tune and hack the ECM .. Am I mistaken? It is entirely possible that I was wrong then, I was under the impression that ECM spy did not work at all with '08's. | ||
| Jeffroj |
The only time my pipes glowed was when I had an intake leak. Running lean = hotter engine = glowing pipes. May not be the problem, but glowing pipes is one indication of an intake leak. Spray propane around the intake manifold when the bike is warmed up, if the RPMs change it's a leak. | ||
| Bombardier |
The early 08 work with ecmspy but if it has been reflashed at the dealer it wil not. For the sake of a cable($50) and a free download its worth a try. If the diagnostics only work when you try it it will at least tell you what the afv is at. Higher number means leaner condition and vice versa. By the sounds of it you are running quite lean which is to be expected with a free flowing intake and exhaust. When it is connected and the bike running it will also tell you what the 02 sensor is reading at any given point as you cross the throttle position. A good second check to see if the map changes are on the money. | ||
| Reepicheep |
My M2 would make the header bend glow if it idled in the driveway. | ||
| Jlnance |
Really?? This is fairly normal? Yes, this came up when the 06 Uly's came out. People don't generally notice it, because you can't see it if there is any light on, but if you let the bike idle the headers will get hot enough to glow. As far as I know, they all do that. Most people never see it, because you need darkness and idling to get it. | ||
| Boney95 |
They all glow. Heat will make any metal glow, especially the thin metal which makes up the Buell headers. | ||
| Sharkytattoo |
Had the same issue with a customer bike in California. We called Buell tech services. Buell said its normal when sitting, and allows up to 6 inch of glowing pipe. Remember, this a air-cooled motor, if your pipe glows, you're not moving fast enough. | ||
| Xbgeorge |
Mine has done it since day one. The area that glows is the same area that turns blue. | ||
| Nuerburgringer |
Yes, you're worried about a problem that isn't. Even my water-cooled bikes' headers glow in the dark. For that matter, the tractors on our farm too. They glow in the day as well; you just don't see it. As a general rule, I don't let my stuff sit around idling unnecessarily. Not that its bad, but more that its, well, unnecessary. | ||
| Moosestang |
You think you've got problems? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FNVoxPKX78 I've never noticed my headers glowing on my xb9. | ||
| Phoi |
Obviously a safety feature to make you more visible to cagers in an intersection. |
