| Author | Message | ||
     Werewulf |
im a pretty good auto mechanic, but alas these buells are new to me! i was thinking that while i have my bike apart doing the x-3 conversion, i should remove my valve covers and polish them. i have a 1 hp buffer that i use on the custom knives that i make. i have 10k on this bike with no malfunctions and i hear buell owners ripping their hair out trying to stop valve cover oil leaks. is this a straight foward job? it looks like removing a couple of allen screws or should i leave it alone. i read i should use the harley steel gaskets. is this true? the last thing i need is an oil leak issue. | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
Hey Wulf, Just had my first oil leak at 9383km which is about 5800mi. I have the HD steel gaskets purchased and will be installing over the winter. What is the best way to polish the valve covers & rocker boxes? In the past I have used a wet sanding process starting with about a 600 grit paper and moving to a 1200 grit paper before polishing with a good metal polish. Will this work? Any help is appreciated. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Yes, it will work but it's doing it the hard way. Try using polishing wheels and compound. It's way faster and easier. Try this guy for good quality polishing supplies Bright Works I did both my rockers in about an hour after they were off the bike. I did use a die grinder to remove casting ridges before I polished. Brad | ||
| Blake |
Wulf: Removing/installing the rockerboxes is a fairly simple home project, but much more involved than simply removing a couple allen head screws. I'd strongly recommend that you get a copy of the service manual and follow it's instructions and those posted on this board. Check the Engine - Mechanical and related topics in the Knowledge Vault. The rockerbox assy is comprised of three layers. The bottom piece (the actual rockerbox assy) bolts to the cylinder head. The middle piece is a spacer. The top is the cover. The allen head screw simply hold the cover and spcer to the actual rockerbox. The leaking usually occurs between the cyl head and the rockerbox where you have heard discussion about a new metalic gasket. | ||
| Sportyeric |
By all means polish them up while you're doing the project. Replace the bottom gasket with the upgrade before the one that's in there causes you problems. Kills to birds with one stone. But price out the gaskets needed. The rubber ones for the upper sections probably won't fit back in. Those with a better budget would replace them anyway. I think they're expensive (but Blake doesn't.) | ||
| Werewulf |
yes i know i should get a service manual! thats one disadvantage about living in the boondocks. im 100 miles from the nearest dealer and must do everything mail order. im assuming that i must find out the torque on the bolts? i was hoping it was a straight foward job like on an automobile. when i order the gaskets, should i ask for the buell or the ones for a sportster? once i get the covers off, this buffer that i have will do a fine job. i have an aggressive buffing compoound that i used on hardened steel. if anyone is thinking about buying a buffer, buy a baldor 1750 rpm model. unless you are ready to meet god, dont buy a 3450 rpm model. dont buy an old motor and think you have a buffer. the capacitor start will snatch stuff out of your hands. trust me, it will take parts away from you and hurl them into your face with the velocity of a 45 cal pistol. many people will buy a buffer and let it do all the work. if you want a more quality finish, always use sandpaper first to about a 600 finish. otherwise you will round off corners with the buffer and get a real amateur looking finish. a soft buff will give a chrome like finish, but a hard buff wont grab small pieces away from you. | ||
| Buellzebub |
Sportyeric, heres a trick for us cheap bastards. i heard somewhere that if you freeze the rubber gaskets they shrink enough to reuse, haven't tried it yet myself though. | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Last time I did my rocker (I used the new one piece steel lower gasket) I tried a couple of things with the previously used ruber gaskets. I think the gaskets get messed up when you clean them. I grabbed a clean rag and wiped off the old oil and crud off the rubber gaskets. As I was doing the first one, the light bulb went on. As I was wiping I was stretching the gasket! On the second one I just patted the oil and gunk off without pulling it throught the rag. Second gasket fit fine, first was "too big". I tossed it in the freezer for 10 min and it fit well enough to reassemble. No leaks from either one. YMMV Brad | ||
| Sportyeric |
I have a spare rocker cover set from my buddy, who went to very skookum S&S rocker covers. I squeeze the gaskets back into that one when I have to take them out. Doesn't give them time to expand. Good point about stretching when cleaning. | ||
| Blake |
Does that "put 'em in the freezer" technique work on women too?   | ||
| Doncasto |
Blake: If it does, it will could substantially increase the number of men taking their wives on ski trips. ;] | ||
| Buelliedan |
Guess I need to put my wife into an oven then!!  | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Thanks Dan, I just blew pop all over my monitor! If folks haven't seen your beautiful bride, they ain't a gonna get that last one! | ||
| Werewulf |
im getting ready to trash my x-1 take off parts, mirrors etc. anyone want them? | ||
| Rattler |
Speaking of rocker top & spacer rubber gaskets. When they stretch, just throw them in the freezer for twenty minutes or so. They will shrink right back up & fit well on re-assembly. | ||
| Blake |
Just an FYI... Sometimes those darn rockerbox and spacer rubber gaskets will stretch. Did you know that you can re-use 'em if you stick 'em in the freezer so's they'll shrink enough to reinstall? (Not that I would ever do such a thing!) | ||
| Werewulf |
i had a bike mechanic who works on buells ask me if i had done the O2 sensor upgrade. he said that i should put an O2 sensor from a BMW car on my bike. it is supossed to make the bike think its still not warmed up and run richer and he reported a real power increase. has anyone got any experience with this deal?? | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Werewulf, I think you will get a better response if you ask/post the question here: Engine, Carb & FI Stuff (Your welcome Blake!) |
