'08-'09 XB12 engine bearing issues

[thephluffyone]

I read somewhere on here about a bearing problem with the '08-'09 Buell 1203 engines, can someone elaborate on this? How often does this show up? Is it terminal? Is there a way to prevent this? I just got this bike a couple months ago, and I love it, and want to take any precautions I can to prevent this from happening. Thanks ahead of time for any help on this

[jimijeans]

20w50 or 20w60 Amsoil is best for the Engine changed at by at least by the 3,000 miles oil change time. I have had good use of this oil since I bought it new. If you use a lesser oil Quality, then 2,500 miles is better for changing the fluids. Make sure the oil is for a V-Twin Engine.
Also very important is the Drain plugs on the Bikes are easy to strip out.
Just snug will do the trick for tightening the Drain plugs.Do not kill it tightening wise.
You cannot Torque the Bolts on all areas or things will break or Strip out.
The Amsoil is a good Oil Belray is also a good oil as well and The Amsoil Fluid will work in both the Transmission and the Engine. The heat issues are rough on the fluids. Read up on the Forum here and learn about the New to you Bike.
It is a Different animal as so to speak. Good Fuel with a touch of SeaFoam injector cleaner MEASURED out properly per tank full a bit at a time till used up. Then when the miles reach the next oil change buy another Can of Seafoam and repeat. Pouring a whole can in per fillup in the Tank is a waste of time and money, and will eat the tank of Fuell up Quickly and not do what was needed to keep the Engine and Injectors clean. Good Luck. *Jimi

[user_deleted]

bearing problem with the '08-'09 Buell 1203 engines

virtually unheard of. i've seen XB's with close to 100,000 miles on them and quiet....solid...smooth sounding "bottom ends". i've seen XB's with 7000 miles on them that had motors mimicking paint-shakers.
do as jimi said above and run a quality oil and filter, use the correct viscosity oil for any given ambient average temp you plan to ride in, don't take the motor to red-line at every single shift, add a RSS set-up, and most importantly.....and i stress this often....allow sufficient warm-up time following cold-start. this perhaps more than anything else adds longevity to the oiling system and pump, the cylinder head and base gaskets, and all the engine reciprocating components. no out-of-pocket expense here but often over-looked.

[Chicknstripn]

I had my crank bearing give out at 37k. I was absolutely meticulous about my maintanence. My bike is a 2007 xb12r. I think, and I stress that this is just my opinion, that redlining the hell out of my bike all the time probably didn't help. What can I say, I'm addicted to sound and feel of my bikes acceleration!
It's also rumored, and there is quite an extensive thread to back it up on "an other" forum, that cranks on SOME early xbs were produced with a batch of inferior crank bearings.
Either way, 2008 and up XBs have a larger crank pin then earlier models and those cranks are actually a popular modification for earlier Buells. I know this because I had one fitted in my 2007 bottom end after the 2007 crank failed. Was it absolutely necessary, absolutely not. Does it make me feel more confident about the longevity of my rebuilt motor, absolutely.
ANYWAY.... Follow the above advice about maintaining your ride and your interest in your Buell will probably fade before your engine does. I'm sure that's going to be a lot of miles!
And welcome to the family!

[thephluffyone]

Thanks guys! I feel a little better, but I was freaking out about it. I guess all bikes have a chance of something going wrong. I don't have the money to replace this engine if it goes, but I love this bike to death! I'm not a redliner, though I do LOVE the sound of that beautiful exhaust at take off. Trust me, it will be better taken care of than most everything I own, including my kids! :D

[Dellinger]

My rod bearing went on my 08 XB12SCG. Torched the majority of the internals of my beloved ride. Listen to all the good advise on maintenance... GOD only knows what the previous owners did to this bike for it to go out like it did. When I got it, the bike ran smooth without any of the fabled BUELL noises and had beast like power till the knock.

Oil pump, pistons & cyls, crank, lifters,rods,every bearing and cams were all toast... All have been replaced and the beast is being put back together like new...

Mine went out with 7700 miles on it. I think the rod bearing was bad from the factory by the way the race disintegrated. Enjoy the bike man, I wouldn't have rebuilt it if it wasn't the most fun I ever had with my cloths on... These bikes are known for being as tough as an anvil which is why I bought one. Have fun...

[Chicknstripn]

7700 miles! On a 2008... ...Ouch! That blows my theory about pre 2008 bikes. Good on you for bringing it back to life.

[Dellinger]

I love this bike and couldn't let it go. I've wanted one for 10 years and now I'm hooked. This bike sat for long time and who knows how it was maintained. The rod bearing race fell apart and tore up the crank pin. I got the bike in June with 4k miles and 2 months later it went out. You just never know, these things are like heart problems.