| Author | Message | ||
     Emptimind |
Hey all, I picked up a 2000 S3T end of winter with about 13k miles on it, I've got her up to 20k now, and have been dealing with the little quirks along the way. We're onto the rocker gasket, and rear shock now. I'm curious if I can do either of these without a lift. I imagine I can get to the rocker by removing the gas tank, am I wrong? Also, in my searches, I've seen I should get an XB part and throw it in there while I've got it apart. Anyone have an instructional step by step of what I need to buy and replace? Rear shock, I don't imagine I can replace this without lifting the bike, I've got car jacks, but nothing to tether to overhead as I do all my work in an apartment garage with a popcorn ceiling. Lastly, my right side bag latch broke, and I'm having trouble finding the updated part, 0 HD dealers in the US have it, during my searches I found several people talking about a HD part that will work in place of the Buell latch, but not a single part number. Wondering if anyone knows it. I'm hoping my rocker is what's causing all my oil to leak out, but I've lost a quart in a month, breather to the stock breadbox came loose on a long ride, and caused a bunch of oil to blow everywhere, so I didn't notice the rocker leaking until I was able to make it home and clean everything up. Found a pretty big drip of oil on the top of my stock showa from right in front of the belt. Curious if something else could be leaking from that area? I can't track it down. Thanks for the help. John | ||
| Jolly |
xb rocker box conversion, just buy the kit from Al at American Sport Bike, it comes with everything you need, while you're at it but the catch can as well. I did it to my S1 and its a great set up and I have not had a single leak since...now I just need to find the time to do it to my 2 other Buells. there is a great thread here on the step by step process, but have your manual out as well. you will need to cut down an allen wrench for the right rear bolt or buy a rocker bolt wrench... I bought mine from Amazon.com for about 30.00....its free to cut down an allen key...but the correct tool worked better for me. havnt had to replace the shock yet on any of my bikes..yes I am knocking on wood right now as with three tubers that are regularly ridden I am only one pot hole away from a shock change I suppose | ||
| Akbuell |
Re: Picking the bike up ... I made a couple of 'towers' out of scrap 2X4's and put them under the foot peg bosses to get the rear wheel of my X-1 off the ground. Auto frame stands work also. Changed my shock that way. Hope this helps, Dave | ||
| 46champ |
My understanding is turn the footpegs over. Use the rear motorcycle stand http://www.americansportbike.com/shoponline/ccp0-p rodshow/5587.html to get your bike up slide the automotive jack stands under your foot pegs take the motorcycle stand away and viola swing arm is free to work on. Hope this makes sense, | ||
| Harleyelf |
Or you can do it without a jack by inverting the passenger pegs, leaning the bike to the right, catching a jack stand with the left peg while returning to the upright position, and leaning the bike to the left enough to get a jack stand under the right peg. The front can be suspended from a ladder with canvas tie-down straps. Your rear rocker cover may not allow the PCV valve to clear the tank. I reversed my covers, put the front on the rear and the rear on the front. Had to loosen the front motor mount to get the front PCV valve under the frame tube. The rear still hits the tank, but not badly; the tank beat a small dent into the PCV valve's top. Or you could buy two front covers. (Message edited by harleyelf on April 27, 2013) | ||
| Emptimind |
Thanks for the suggestions, guys, didn't even think of reversing the pegs and lifting it that way. As far as the XB Breather install, if anyone can find the post, I'd appreciate it. Been using the google method, and still unable to pull that, or the HD latches up. Maybe I'm just bad at searching. | ||
| Jramsey |
Use the site search function, click the oldschool section,Type "xb rocker box" type 2,000 days in the date box. Hit search. I came up with 202 threads on the subject. | ||
| Emptimind |
Did the search. Found a few things. Also realized there are a bunch of options for which gaskets to buy. I'm probably going to get AmericanSportsBike's XB kit, which has a set of gaskets, but I'm also in need of the two gaskets on the lower side of the boxes, which are really what's leaking. I'm unsure which to order, and my local HD dealer isn't any help. | ||
| Harleyelf |
Just tell him it's a '98 Sportster 1200 and you need gaskets for under the rocker boxes. Remember to support the motor before releasing its weight from the front mount if you need to go that far. I usually remove the front motor isolator first and then the formerly-stressed parts attached to the head. | ||
| Emptimind |
Thanks for the suggestion, was hoping I wasn't going to have to release the motor. I told him a sportster engine, but he gave me several different options, and I told him whatever was newest/best and he had no answer. In searches James Gasket came up a few times, people said to get those. http://www.ebay.com/itm/James-Gaskets-Rocker-Cover -Base-Gaskets-For-Buell-HD-PAIR-/230970439944?pt=M otorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35c6e93908&v xp=mtr These would work right? They only list the Blast for Buell, but they have the HD XL listed as well. Also, curious if the blast rocker covers will work, as they have the breather out the top as well. Someone posted that they did so, but I just need confirmation. | ||
| Smoke |
the blast boxes work but you are better with an xb rear rocker cover. that will put the rear pcv valve at a higher spot. tim | ||
| Emptimind |
Alright, getting the XB covers then. As far as the James Gasket? Is that better, or should I just get whatever HD throws my way? | ||
| Ratbuell |
HD gaskets will work just fine...if you let the bike warm up properly. Start-button-to-WFO will cause ANY gasket to leak. It's aircooled - things are designed to expand and contract. A lot. Start it, put on your gear while it warms up, and be gentle for the first couple miles...any gasket will live longer. It's a gasket. Installed properly and warmed up properly, they should all behave about the same especially on something that's not vacuum-sensitive. Get the one you get a good deal on. | ||
| Emptimind |
Alright, thanks Ratbuell. Yeah, I always idle my bike while I get ready, and always take it easy when I start. But I also ride in 20-30 degree weather, so I imagine going from that even slowly is harmful to them. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Actually, you sound like me - and what we do is actually GOOD for the gaskets. Sitting all winter and not being used lets them dry out and shrink and crack. Regular use is the best thing for them. Used to have guys want to trade their "awesome condition 1,000 mile" four year old HD's on new models. I'd ask "how many leaks does it have?". Uh...none, man, it's awesome. Been sitting for years, perfect. "OK, ride it in on Saturday and we can evaluate it". There's a leak. There's a leak. Here's another. And there's one back there... "Aw, man!! I swear it wasn't leaking before!!! C'mon man, you gotta give me more for it than that..." Twas a day in my life at the HD shop...  | ||
| Onespeedpaul |
just FYI, the blast cover is identical to a front XB cover, so two of those or a front XB and blast cover mixed or two front XB covers will make installing them a bit easier as the rear cylinder PCV won't be able to contact your gas tank. Also, on the gaskets, keep in mind when ordering (unless you're buying al's kit, which he will also sell you just the gaskets) you need just the lower ones or a set for XB or blast since you are replacing two rocker cover pieces with just the one. | ||
| Emptimind |
Thanks for that info Onespeedpaul. I've seen Blast covers on fleabay for dirt cheap. Yeah, I don't like to let my bikes go unused Ratbuell. Guy I got it from had it 13 years, and had 13k miles. I've had it for three months and put on 7k... Question for you, during the winter months you continue with 20w50, or do you switch to a different weight? | ||
| Ratbuell |
I run syn3 year round, engine and primary/trans. | ||
| Airbozo |
BTW: I installed my Works shock with no lift. Had the SO help balance the bike on the front wheel and kick stand while I did the last part of the removal and install. No issues. | ||
| Emptimind |
Hey Jolly, or anyone out there. You mentioned a step-by-step thread, but for the life of me, I haven't been able to find it anywhere. I got my rocker covers, and want to start, but would like to read through everything before I take her apart. So please, if anyone knows the where this guide is, help me out here! Thanks | ||
| Essmjay |
I usually find it in the factory service manual, has pictures even. You do have the service manual, right? | ||
| Essmjay |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/Manuals/S1_1 996-1997_Service/intro.pdf This is for the S1, but very little will be different from what you need to do. | ||
| Emptimind |
Thanks, yeah, I have the FSM, but it's telling me to pull the engine to redo the gaskets. And everyone on here says I can do it by removing my plastics and gas tank. So I'm hoping someone can clue me into the BadWeB way. | ||
| Jramsey |
Seat and tank removal is all that's required..... and a couple hours time. | ||
| Jolly |
+1 to what he said.. let me know if you cant find the thread, Ive got it printed in a file and if you need a PDF copy PM me and I will scan and send to you. I also have the rocker box wrench for the right rear bolt under the frame tube, you can borrow if you want... it makes the job a lot easier, if you let me know I think I can get it to by the weekend...or you can order one through amazon.com... http://www.amazon.com/Kastar-Rocker-Cover-Ratchet- Wrench/dp/B000GTXG9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=136797 3474&sr=8-1&keywords=harley+rocker+box+wrench | ||
| Emptimind |
Got one of those on order, Jolly. Thanks for the offer, sir. I'll just follow the fsm minus the engine removal. At the local HD dealer getting the gaskets now. | ||
| Emptimind |
Ran into a local ADV rider today, who happens to also own a S3. He pointed out all the bolts I need to remove, and it seems I was overestimating how hard this would be. Seems like a breeze. I'll make sure and bug you guys if I need help. | ||
| Emptimind |
Oh, last few questions. Since the XB cover is one piece, I assume there's no umbrella to muck around with, correct? Also, which cover is front and which is back, it seems obvious, but I'd like confirmation. |
