We went for a run out today and my lovely wife was riding the XB, luckly we got caught in mega rain The XB then started missing above 3.5k, could it be caused by water getting in somewhere or is it yet another problem?

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Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

Prob either water getting in round the front spark or shorting out through a dodgy lead. Wait until it's dark, fire up the scoot and get out there with a plant sprayer.... and be prepared to jump!

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Good in straight lines
2001 X1 "The Tart's Handbag"
2001 FZS1000 "The Fridge"

Sounds interesting - where do I need to spray it to see the sparks as it seems tough to get to the leads?

_________________
Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

At this point, I know that everyone who knows what they are talking about are settling back to watch me make a complete arse of myself...

Is there anywhere obvious which the frame might rub on the leads?

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Good in straight lines
2001 X1 "The Tart's Handbag"
2001 FZS1000 "The Fridge"

the front lead rubs on the frame or throttle cables. i replaced mine (front & rear) with about 10k on the clock the outer of the front lead had worn away.

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My Smugmug Photos

Wow... it's true.... it does happen and I wasn't dreaming.

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Good in straight lines
2001 X1 "The Tart's Handbag"
2001 FZS1000 "The Fridge"

Norm, it would have been a wet dream then, seeing as it only happens in the rain

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My Smugmug Photos

Thanks - I'll have a good look tomorrow and see if I can get at the leads or find anything obvious.

_________________
Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

Took the XB out today in the dry with no problems so it looks like the missing is water related. I'm going to have to bite the bullet and learn some basics, no help in the owners manual and the How to section looks like real spannering. So where's a good place to look to start at the basics, like getting at the plugs etc?

It really needs to be basic as I've never worked on a bike and a long time since I've done any spannering at all. I just want to have a go at the low level stuff and leave the real stuff to the experts.

_________________
Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

the front plug you can get at from just below the frame by removing the scoop on the left side of the bike. the rear plug will need the airbox cover removing. the plug is then just visible through the gap between the airbox base and the frame. you need a plug socket, and either a universal drive or a wobbly extension

in this photo (stolen from the header how to (thanks ph 4824), you can just see the front plug above the scoop, and below the weld on the frame



this photo (thanks again ph 4824) shows the gap where the rear plug can be seen (at the lower right). just below the slots in the airbox, but above the frame where that hose runs to.



if the bikes done 10k miles or maybe less the front plug lead could be worn as mine was. to change that the airbox base needs to come off

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My Smugmug Photos

A shop manual is incredibly helpful to build up your knowledge of the basics. They are very well written, as manuals go.

If the plug wires show no signs of wear, one of your plug leads may not be well seated on the plug. A dab of dielectric grease on the plug tip helps make the seal once you seat the lead fully onto the plug. Auto parts stores sell a tool for pulling and re-seating plug wires that makes it easier for the rear plug. It looks like needle-nosed pliers with the tips bent at 90 degrees. Depending on mileage on the bike, it may be worth it/high time just to put new plugs and wires in, using the dielectric grease for the tips.

Another basic for starting to work on your Buell: a T27 torx on your 1/4" drive ratchet (some of the torx nuts are easy with a torx driver, but the left air scoop, for example, is where you need the ratchet).

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2006 XB12Ss..... 1998 S1W..... 1996 S2T
We do not need the help of our friends so much as confidence that they will help us when we need it. –Epicurus

Excellent. Thanks for the advice, I'll start to gather my bit's and bobs and have a crack. The bike has done almost 13k so it may well be a worn lead, having said that, the dealer just changed both plugs (11k) so I would have thought they would have noticed - or is that expecting too much Thanks again.

_________________
Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler

the plug lead tends to wear nearest the coil so it wont be obvious. because the throttle cables are in the same area i dont think its possible to see them easily from the plug end.

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My Smugmug Photos

t965m, what year/type is your xb?

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2006 XB12Ss..... 1998 S1W..... 1996 S2T
We do not need the help of our friends so much as confidence that they will help us when we need it. –Epicurus

07 XB12Scg

_________________
Better to Burn Out Than Fade Away

In the garage -

2001 X1
KTM390 Duke
Ducati 950 Monster +
CCM Spitfire Scrambler