[rice_smuggler]

I was hoping you guys could help me out, here's the situation. My GF's uncle got his bike last year from a private sale, previous owner was up to date with all the service/maintenance. I was talking to him yesterday afternoon about bikes and he said the oil hasn't been changed since he got it last year, it was even stored over winter with the same oil (tsk, tsk)! Anyways, just thinking about that nasty oil I offered to help him change it out, only problem is I know nothing about these bikes. I do all my own maintenance on my '04 R6 so I figure these machines can't be all that different from each other. I know the oil is in the swingarm but just how different can changing the oil be from your run-of-the-mill japanese crotch rocket? He said regular bike mechanics won't touch the bike for whatever reasons and only Buell licensed mechanics will do the work. What's up with that? Anyone got a link to a how-to change the oil in an XB9, how difficult of a task is this? Anyone got a microfiche link handy? Anybody do else do their own oil changes on their Buell?

 

[RATyson]

Rice_smuggler,
I have not yet done my own maint., since I had a momentary lapse of reason and purchased the pre-paid maint. contract.
However, changing the oil should not be a difficult task. The only thing to make sure of would be to use the correct filter and suggested oil.
I would suggest going over to www.badweatherbikers.com, and check out the 'knowledge vault' section. I am sure you will find a quick answer over there as to what the best oil and filter would be.

 

[XB12R]

Good tip on going to the Badwebb. It really is a simple process. Since that oil has been in there for so long your should change the primary fluid also. Pick up 4 quarts of Harley Syn3, Mobil 1 V-twin or something of the sort. The oil plug is at the bottom of the swingarm, and you will need to stand the bike upright to get all of the oil out. The filter is partially hidden by the front chin spoiler, and it is just like any other filter. Then drain the primary by using the drain bolt located on the bottom side of the tranny cover on the gear shifter side. Again stand the bike upright to drain all of the fluid. To fill the fluids you just need to put about 2.5 quarts in to the swingarm using the the hole for the dipstick. For the primary there is a black cover just above the gear shifter that you need to take off. Once that is off you will get just under a quart in to the primary. You will see it starting to fill at the bottom of the primary cover when it is full, and have your gf's uncle hold the bike upright so it doesn't make a mess. Make sure everything is put back together properly and tightened, and then start it up and check the oil in the swigarm to see if you need to add. The primary will be good if you put just under a full quart in it. That is about it. You might want to swap out the plugs while you are at it too. The front plug is a breeze, and the back one is a bitch. Once you have the seat off you will have access to the rear plug, but it is tight. Use the vaccum hose that goes over the airbox to hold the new plug when you are starting to put the plug in, and you will need a ratchet with a breaking extension to pull the old one out. Check the brake pads while you are at it. I think that is just about everything.

 

[RATyson]

I would also like to add one more thing.
USE LOCKTITE (but not on your oil filler cap), and buy a torque wrench.
These things do vibrate. You don't want to loose a bolt while riding down the road.

I almost lost my handlebar mounts while riding because I did not locktite them... that could have been REALLY bad.