| Author | Message | ||
     Jcwise |
Today after having only 6,500 miles on my bike the transmission seized up, bummer. Have any of you guys experinced this problem? The bike still runs OK however the bike wont disengage out of fifth gear and so the back tire wont roll. I guess this Xb will need a new transmission, and rear tire because after 110ft skid stop my tire may have a beautiful flat spot. Also guys I want your opinions: Faith for my Buell is almost lost. My riding style isnt to brutal, should these Buells be ridden a certain way? | ||
| Thepup |
Jc,my tranny is being rebuilt for the second time.Hopefully you will have better luck than me. | ||
| Jcwise |
Hey Pup, what exactly happened to your transmission the first time? Was the second time the same problem? Was it an easy fix? Did your transmission seize up like mine did? Thx. | ||
| Thepup |
It started with a grinding noise coming from the trans,I took it to the dealer they were told by the factory that the sound was normal,like I wouldn't know that the noise was not normal after 8 months.I rode my bike to Miami and the tranny started to lock up,I was in the middle of nowhere and kept riding.It freed up and was okay for a few months.I was having problems shifting and was leaking fluid.They replaced the mainshaft and the bearings.This time I was having problems shifting then I felt the bearing go out.The dealer has had it 10 days now and says they will have it 2 more weeks.As i said ,good luck. | ||
| Jcwise |
Thanks for the info Pup. Curious if you had any problems getting it fixed under warranty or not? Also, did they give you a loner bike because my bike is my only mode of transport. Thanks again. | ||
| Fogal |
Mine has constant false neutrals and makes a grinding sound and wont go into second on various occasions. Also it wont go into neutral when stopped without really trying for a minute or too. But i expected that from the HD setup. Just one of the quirks, of all the bikes ive owned the buell has the worst gbox of all, by a long way. | ||
| Thepup |
Jc,it was fixed with no problem under warranty.I am in the same boat and they do not provide loaners. | ||
| Roc |
I find correct primary chain tension and lube volume have a big impact on how well the bike shifts. Sounds like you all have bigger problems though. | ||
| Fogal |
I have always made sure mine has correct oil and qty of oil. But it still seems to be getting worse and worse and when i drain the oil there is all kinds of metal flakes  i guess its only a matter of time before the big bang. | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Hmmm, just the opposite for me. Based on my riding experience with Harleys I thought the Buell tranny shifted pretty good...seem to find neutral pretty easy. I admit it might not be as good as some of the other brand bikes I have, but I thought pretty good though. I hope this is not a trend though for the Buell. I would like to hear if anyone else is having major tranny problems besides pup and jc, and at what mileage??? | ||
| Spatten1 |
Cyko, shifting on the XB is a huge improvement, but as you said, still a bit behind the curve. They have done a good job considering what they started with. What is up with all of the metal on the tranny drain bolt magnet? I almost wish the bolt didn't have a magnet so I wouldn't have to see it. | ||
| Ingemar |
I was worried about the metal particles on the drain plug, but I'm nearing 10,000 miles on my bolt and shifting is flawless. I made a few pics of it back then and everybody told me that was normal. If that's all I wouldn't worry about it. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Thanks Ingemar, that makes me feel better. My shifting is fine, and absolutely increadible considering it is from Sportster origins. None of the CLUNK that I got with the old X1. | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
Shifting was great with mine up until a few weeks ago. Got about 5000 on her now and high rpm shifts from 1st to 2nd often end up in a false neutral. All good besides that  | ||
| Cataract2 |
Wheels, I find that the false neutral from 1st to 2nd happens when I don't shift properly. I need to adjust my shift lever down just a bit. Try doing that and let me know if it helps. | ||
| M1combat |
Same here... She likes it rough from first to second. | ||
| Race_pirate |
Make sure that your front sprocket is torqued correctly(left hand threads) The main output shaft will walk in if you take the front sprocket off, must be set as per manual. Check for excessive play at the front sprocket could be a sign of things to come.... There are a few Buell techs on the list that Im sure have forgot more then I know. | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
Contract: Understood, but never had this prob before, and don't want to rub my toe again thru a hard lean shift, but I'll try it. Racepirate: I'll check it, thanks.  | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
Holling: http://sportrider.com/bikes/146_perf_nums/ | ||
| Cataract2 |
Wheelsleaning, heck I can go all day without going into neutral from 1st to 2nd. Then there's some days I just keep doing that. Best thing I can call it is lazy shifting. It happens most of the time after riding all day and I'm on my way home. I just get lazy and do a half @$$ed shift. | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
Contract2: I just don't understand how it shifted perfect a few weeks ago. I don't think my shifting got lazy lately.  | ||
| Redtail69 |
I had read some negative reviews about the Buell trannys i.e. hard to find neutral and difficulty in shifting from 1st to 2nd but I have yet to experience that at all. I find it effortless to shift through all the gears. My bike is about to receive it's 1000 mile service so I will ask the tech to give me a progress report. | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Spatten...as for the metal particles on the magnetic drain plug, I think that is more from the primary chain...lots of metal pieces moving around in the primary, if you think about it...compaired to other bikes. After all, we have to adjust the primary chain from time to time, although I have only adjusted it very slightly once in about 6,000 miles. Comparing Sportsters to the Buell...I have an 03 and and an 04 Sporty. I find the tranny on the 04 very nice also. Of course the 04-05 Sporty lean more toward the Buell than the old rigid mount Sportys. Again, the new Sporty and Buell tranny may not be as slick as some, but pretty good if you have ridden many Harleys from the past. | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
Redtail: Most of us have this issue after a few thousand miles as I stated above "Shifting was great with mine up until a few weeks ago. Got about 5000 on her now". | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
Cyko: Update me on primary tension specs please, cuz I can't find it in my manual. I know how to adjust and check, but shouldn't it be [lift chain with finger thru inspection plate, chain should move up only 2x the width of chain.]? | ||
| Redtail69 |
That's a bummer  Wheels. Makes me wonder if I should just sell her and go back to Japan. | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
Red: Maybe misunderstood. I'm not saying it's common, just that the few of us that have this issue; occured after a few thousand miles. I am in no way suggesting selling her  | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Wheelsleaning... The manual: The initial primary chain vertical free play specification used at the assembly plant is 1/4 - 1/2 inch with a cold engine. The 1/4 inch is only allowed at the absolute tightest point in the drive, as measured with specialized factory equipment. If a chain has less than 1/4 inch vertical free play (with a cold engine), adjust free play to the "field" specification of 3/8 - 1/2 inch. The looser specification will avoid overtightening, which might otherwise occur during adjustment using "non-factory" equipment and methods." Unquote; Also from Manual...freeplay: Engine Cold: 3/8 to 1/2 inch Engine Hot: 1/4 to 3/8 inch It is kind of a learn it from feel thing for me. I have been doing it for years...sorta feel it...make sure it is not too tight, but not loose either. When loose it will cause the bike to jerk a little at slow speeds in first gear. Don't overtighten...believe it causes the primary to get hot...hard on chain and sure makes more wear on sprockets in primary. I lean toward slightly loose...less heat and wear. Again, sort of a feel thing with me...comes with being married to the bike for awhile...just like a woman  | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
Thanks Cyko . Maybe this is why it jerks at low rpms. | ||
| Tpoppa |
For the last 500 miles or so when shifting from 1st to 2nd I would occasionally find neutral. I adjusted the primary chain per the service manual and it hasn't happened since. I believe that having difficulty finding neutral when stopped is also a symptom of a loose primary chain. Personally, I like keep my primary chain adjusted to the tight side of the recommended range (3/8" when cold). | ||
| Deerhunter17 |
I am curious, what kind of oil are you ( thepup, and jewise using in your primary? | ||
| Thepup |
I was using the harley sportrans fluid. | ||
| Tatsu |
Mobil 1 | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Tpoppa...like your comment that when it becomes hard to find neutral when stopped, it might be an indicator the primary chain is loose. I am going to watch for that clue...Thanks Cyko | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
I was checking everything yall said last night. Noticed (with engine not running) when in 1st gear and the clutch pulled there is still resistance from the clutch. In other words; engine off, 1st gear, clutch in, bike is hard to roll. Is this normal? | ||
| Tpoppa |
Wheels, It sounds like you need to adjust the clutch per the manual. It may not be engaging all the way. Try adjusting the clutch set screw (under the clutch inspection cover) and setting the clutch cable tension. It only takes a few minutes... | ||
| Wheelsleaning |
Tpoppa: Been there, done that. But thanks for the help. | ||
| Sokota |
Wheelsleaning.... It is normal for a "wet" clutch to have some drag, residual oil between the seperated plates. Will push easier with hot turned off motor . JCWISE and THE PUP what seizes or "blows", have they given a cause or diagnosis, to much tension on belt ,hard on output bearing ?? | ||
| Thepup |
The dealer told me they had no idea what was the cause of mine. |
