| Author | Message | ||
     M2_tuber |
To replace the starter gasket is it a job a so so mechanic can do? If not what kind of cost am I looking at? | ||
| Drhacknstine |
If you have ever had the primary cover open, then you were half way there. Change the oil in the primary, check the tensioner, check for loss of insulation on the stator wires, retainer clip on the shift dentant plate... Someone else chime in here and hit the points I missed.... Not a tough job to do, just grab the service manual and go to it. There are differing opinions of the proper tension to be put on the primary chain. The manual is in my, and others opinion to tight. Do a search on primary adjustment. In the grand scale of things, I'd call it a 6 out of ten. Purely because of setting the proper tension on the primary is a pain in the arse, can be time consuming, may require a friend to roll the engine over with the rear tire. But, I will be Dead before some hd chrome hanger works on my Buell !!! | ||
| Smoke |
it looks like you might have some extra time to do this as you are up north. pretty straightforward if you have the service manual and a ball end allen wrench for the screw behind the clutch hub starter ring gear. one of mine was leaking there due to bad threads in the starter. biggest issue is rounded off allen screws in the primary cover and making sure that the right length screws go back in the right holes. punch holes in a piece of cardboard in the shape of the primary cover to keep track. have fun. tim | ||
| Buellistic |
M2_tuber: If you want some HELP "INFO", e-mail me and it is yours ... | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
I watched a highly experienced Buell rider/parts guy/track day junkie crash right in front of me on a tight left hander and fracture his hip because his starter motor gasket on his X1 was leaking oil and it found it's way onto the left edge of his back tire. When he leaned over hard for this 15-20 mph turn the rear of the bike jumped out from under him and an instant later he was on the road, pinned under the bike. If you have your primary off and have never changed this gasket - change it, the new design is much better! If yours is leaking AT ALL change it ASAP! | ||
| Kalali |
"But, I will be Dead before some hd chrome hanger works on my Buell !!!" Maybe I am alone in this but I had my gasket changed by my local Buell/HD dealer over two years ago. They have two full fledged Buell mechanics on site. IIRC the cost was 2hrs of labor @ $60/hr plus the cost of the gaskets (the new types for both primary and starter). They changed the oil and adjusted the chain at no extra charge. Haven't had a drop of oil leak since then. That was two days after I had bought the bike ('00 X1) and before I discovered this site. | ||
| Sportyeric |
You don't need a ball end allen wrench to get the bolts out of the starter but you do have to line up the teeth on the starter ring of the clutch basket. I draw a diagram of the primary on a pice of cardboard and poke holes where the bolts are, then put the bolts in the right hole as I take them out. When my starter gasket failed, I went through 5 quarts of oil riding 200 miles in the rain on twisty backroads to get 'er home. That really focuses the attention. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
The starter gasket can fail big time and make a real UNSAFE mess in a hurry. As Scott mentioned, the new style starter and primary gaskets are FAR superior to the old paper versions. I keep a couple of each on hand for emergencies (I have lots of Buells I keep running for friends...). You will need to pull the header to get the starter out. Make sure to disconnect the battery first! Also as mentioned, you don't need to pull the clutch and such, just line up the teeth on the clutch basket so the allen wrench will fit between the teeth.. | ||
| M2_tuber |
If I wouldn't of wasted my time deer hunting I had plans to move the bike into my basement to work on it....now a foot of snow and wast high drift is between my garage and the basement door....I'll have to wait for a thaw for the move. The gasket went from a drip every now and then to and all out mess. Sprayed oil all over the rear end lost rear brakes. Limped it home very slowly. Of course that was in Early Oct. | ||
| Ducxl |
Are you sure it's the starter gasket? The stator grommet just ahead of the starter can leak as well. I've replaced the starter gasket a FEW times on the X1. What's the matter with me? I also remove the header pipe(and muffler),and the battery to make ample room to work on it and clean the engine case just below the starter.  And the chin spoiler/front sprocket cover come off as well. I must be a dismantling junky | ||
| 5liter |
Had to take my exhaust off to make room too. I also had to take the primary vent hose off for a little more room. | ||
| Sloppy |
The old paper starter gaskets are quite prone to failure. The new metal / rubber gaskets work great. Some folks will try to get rid of their inventory with the old paper - don't accept it! Take your time and do the job right. Get the most important tool - the FSM! I recommend removing the exhaust as it's simple to do and will save your knuckles. You can also replace the exhaust gaskets with the SE type rather than the standard sportster type - another improvement. I typically don't advise this, but sometimes you just HAVE to ride. For a leaking starter gasket, fold a paper towel UNDER the starter. The paper towel absorbs the residual oil and prevents it from dripping under the engine to cause havoc there. You can buy many months of riding by using this method. If you know how to change the oil and filter then you have the skills to change the starter gasket. Good luck. | ||
| M2_tuber |
Tomorrow I'm going to tackle the loose starter. After looking at the bike and reading the posts I can find is this what I have to do. Drain oil Remove shifter inspection cover clutch cover primary cover "placing the screws onto copy to keep them straight" line up the clutch so I can get to the bolts on the starter (how many are there holding the starter on?) replace starter gasket put it all back together! is any thread lock required? or can I just tighten up the starter bolts and see how long it holds? and while the cover is off anything I need to do or check on?} | ||
| Fahren |
Curious how this went. Any update? |
