Fuel pump staying on when running.. Normal??

[onelogue]

So I have a 2004 buell firebolt xb12r. I am new to the buell. So when I initially start the bike of course the fuel pump hums to prime the pistons then it stops. Then once I start the bike the fuel pump stays humming with the bike. Is this normal? Thanks!!

[LeFox]

if it wasn't, how would the fuel get injected? ;)

[onelogue]

K good point and that did run through my mind but my brother has an '08 firebolt and I never hear his fuel pump while its running

[buellboy007]

the older pumps seem to be louder My friends 03 is very loud mine not so much [up]

[onelogue]

Alright I'll take your word for it, thank you!

[Kole_DeWoody]

the louder it gets the closer it is to going out...

[onelogue]

ok so if the fuel pump is supposedly going out do you think it is the reason that my bike didn't start this morning?? It only started after I gave it gas and it was running rough. ONce I let off the throttle the bike died. Any ideas??? Thanks in advance!

[FIDOSOL]

What was the temperature like? When it had trouble starting did it sound like it wasn't getting enough juice as well? Did you let the fuel pump prime itself first?

**** I almost forgot to ask what your bike idles at normally, mine idled at about 850-875rpm from the factory which is a far cry from the 1000rpm which it is supposed to idle at.

[Stevenc150]

It only started after I gave it gas and it was running rough.
Usually giving gas at start-up results in you probably fouled the plugs. Recommend replacing plugs with NGK Iridiums - DCPR9EIX. Def. worth it. Had to adjust my Idle like Fido when I got mine. Manual calls for 1050 - 1150rpm idle speed.

[onelogue]

The weather is about 45 degrees. And yes it seemed like it was out of gas or something. Felt like it wantted to idle but couldn't keep itself going. And mine as well idles a little below 1000 rpm. And I let the bike prime. It has to be simple, I bought it used and I know it sat for many months before I got it.

[onelogue]

Hey Steven I replacede the plugs probably a week ago and I took it for one ride. Could they be bad already?? I'll check them in the morning to make sure they r still good.

[onelogue]

Hey everyone thank you for the advice! To find out after only a week the plugs were fouled BAD!! Replaced plugs and drained bad gas. Bike fired right up and I'm a proud Buell owner:)
Thank you Steven FIDOSOL, Buellboy 007, and Kole Dewoody!!

[Stevenc150]

Thank you Steven FIDOSOL, Buellboy 007, and Kole Dewoody!!
No problem...think I speak for everyone when I say We're here to help. :)[up]

[FIDOSOL]

Most definately, always here to help, because when I needed it, someone was on here helping me out. Just recently actually...

[InTheTurns]

I am having the exact same issue with my recently purchased '04 XB12R. It sat for months and is reacting exactly like Onelogue's. Glad to have found this website!

Onelogue - Is your fuel pump still making a lot of noise?

[onelogue]

Yeah it still does the same thing. Bike had 5000 miles when I posted this and now it has 13,000 and runs GREAT! I think it's just our year. I have noticed that after riding it for a bit the humming goes away.

[Miss_Buell]

i have a XB12S 2004, and the pump hums very loudly when i get low on fuel. It is worst when the bike is on neutral.
I have about 65 000 km on the bike.
Compared to last year, the sound is much louder.

Should i change the fuel pump? or wait until it goes out?

[ridendude]

Miss, the fuel pump is in the bottom of the frame on the left side and is cooled by the fuel it is immersed in. If you regularly run the bike to empty or near empty, the life of your fuel pump will definitely be shorter. It will get louder as the fuel gets lower because the hollow frame acts as a resonating chamber.
cheers

[Miss_Buell]

[up] thanks for the tip, i'll make sure to fill up more often and put less stress on that sweet pump :)