| Author | Message | ||
     Smow |
So, on the way to work this morning, all wrapped up in my heated gear . About 25min into the ride there was this sound coming from the front of the bike. At first I thought that I had picked up a weed that was rapping aginst the spokes as it sounded like a piece of paper buzzing against a box fan; or perhaps a playing card in the spokes of a child's bicycle. Pulled over and the engine died. Tried to restart it but it didn't want to. Then when it did start, more of the same rapping sound. Waited to get picked up... ...long story short: The insulator from the sparkplug cracked and fell into the piston it got smooshed and blew into little pieces. The exhaust valve got stuck open and so no compression. Not sure on the total dammage but it looks like the valve guide got cracked and I'm still waiting to find out if the piston was affected. Best case: I get a new guide valve and I'm back on the road Middle case: The valve and valve guide are replaced Worse case: Piston is cracked, and the valve and valve guide need to be done. Its better than the first assessment, which was I ate a valve and the whole front would need to be rebuilt. Thus far I am happy with the Harley Dept in Coeur d' Alene (lone wolf)the one working on the bike has owned an XB and now has a 2008 Buell. I know, I know its not the cheapest route but I'm just not set up to tear a motor down in my shack of a garage. Wish me luck boys! John | ||
| Maxbuell |
How old were the plugs ? What type of plug do you run ? | ||
| Smow |
Since I just got the bike 10 days ago, I don't know if the plugs had ever been switched. I will check the type when I go see the bike this afternoon. The X1 has 17,000 miles on it, if they are the original plug (which would be my guess).... | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
This is the first time I heard of a failure like that. is there any evidence of the piston poking the electrode? I hope not because that means lower end bearing or something else horrid. | ||
| Smow |
Nope the gap on the plug was still good... ...I would guess that there was about 1/4 of an inch of 'glass' that fell onto the piston. It left a distinct white mark on the piston where it squished against the head of the cylinder. When the guy showed me the two spark plugs I couldn't tell which one had failed till he pointed out the missing insulator. I'll make sure that they keep the plugs so i can take a pic. I'll post up later this evening, as I am going to see the bike this afternoon. John | ||
| Smow |
Well it appears it all doesn't matter anymore... ...the lower bearing on the rod is toast (nothing to do with the origonal problem) and so they rough quoted me $3000 to fix it. Perhaps I will trailer it up steep hills and roll down it. If anyone has thoughts let me know, otherwise I'm going to part it out. JOhn | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I've stopped using Harley plugs due to multiple failures I've personally seen. The plugs are made for HD by Champion. I'm done with them as well due to odd failures on at least 3 different sets of plugs. I've had multiple plugs have the porcelain seal fail and allow combustion gases to stain the porcelain and MELT the lower edge of the plug boot. Swore by Champions for 30+ years, now I swear at them. Brad | ||
| Snowbees |
the crank pin on my x1 was worn in the center where the front rod bearing sits, luckily i stripped the motor down before it was too serious, the front rod big end had not become oval. I had a new crank pin made, rods honed and new roller bearings fitted,, re assembled and balanced. (done in the UK)Cost was 230 uk pounds. So its not the end of the world especially if you strip the motor yourself to save bucks. You could fit a set of S&S rods if yours are toast. | ||
| Smow |
I may go another route... ...fix the topend get the bike running and ride it into the ground. Then make some nice yard art out of it. I'm thinking a planter for my catnip, or hanging tomato set up. There is a really great harley guy that does custom work and I may get some pitty work from him and get the job done for $1500, which would be worth it. I do love this bike damn it, and I was just getting use to the power and handeling. I'll keep ya all informed! John | ||
| Jos51700 |
I'm betting that the rod knocking is responsible for the broken insulator, and not the other way around. FWIW, I've changed thousands of OE HD and Buell spark plugs, and never seen one with a broken center porcelain or electrode. I've seen many in NGK's from Japbike world, and changed far fewer of them. I did see one HD plug that was overtorqued and it broke off with the threaded portion still in the head, though... | ||
| Smow |
I was given the 'run, run away and don't look back'. So I guess I will craigslist the bike for someone who is setup to do the work (aka a heated garage) and sell the thing for what I can get. Lesson learned. | ||
| Smow |
http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/2023444119.html To craigs list it goes! | ||
| Foximus |
Sigh... so far away... | ||
| Serialk |
For that price you should really take the time and part it on ebay or here on badweb. you can defiantly get more then 1750. | ||
| Azrael_cervale |
Man If I had the cash I'd drive from Seattle today. | ||
| Smow |
I would agree with you on the selling the parts off, but I'm a busy dad with three kids and a full time job that is almost an hour away. I'm not made of money but it comes down to a time is money thing, and time is not on my side... I have thought about contacting the guy that was going to work on my bike and see if he can 'rebuild' the motor for $2000. His main concern was for the races ( for the bearing) in the case being shot as well and I would be out quite a bit of $$$ if that were the case. I have seen a few on Ebay and there is one going right now from a buel. I really am torn over the whole thing. Otherwise I may just break down and get this Duc. http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/mcy/2022539535.h tml | ||
| Guell |
that duc is very tasty, its not helping my urge to sell my cyclone and buy one either... | ||
| Smow |
I fell in love with the pic of the engine. It reminds me of an old self winding Enicar Automatic watch I still wear on occation. (yes I know the above statement is redundant) That, or with a bit more gold added, something very 'steampunk' about it. That Pic may become a background to one of my computers! http://arb.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/20090110-new-oil-lines/IMG5525/503121965_QkZes-M.jpg (Message edited by smow on October 26, 2010) | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
thats not a nice way to end with Buell  I say go look for another engine! but whatever you decide to do ,i wish you better luck with it! | ||
| Kalali |
I have to confess that Ducati looks real bad ass. | ||
| Smow |
To answer the question about the sparkplug, it was an HD plug. It could have been as simple as someone dropped the plug on the ground and stuck it back in there. I know I've done that with out much thought to an outcome like this. |
