Buell Firebolt problems? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Quaijai · 10-04-2006, 08:16 PM

Hello Buell owners,

My son just purchased a used 2004 Firebolt XB12R last saturday from the dealer. The bike runs great! He moved up from a Buell Blast. He went riding last night and after turning off the bike, he went to restart the bike and the bike wouldn't start. The bike only cranked but would not kick over. We towed the bike home and the battery voltage was down to 11.4 amps. We put a battery charger onthe bike and after about 45 minutes, the bike started. Has anyone had any problems with the Firebolt? The bike also died on him twice while sitting at a stop light. He said that the idle was alittle low when it died. We are new to the Buell family and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Rockbiter · 10-05-2006, 01:57 AM

could be just a dead/dieing battery....buddy of mine just had a similar problem on a diffrent bike...new battery fixed him right up.

Quaijai · 10-06-2006, 05:06 PM

Rockbiter,

Thanks for the reply. Since the battery has been fully charged, the bike has started everytime. I will have the dealer check out the charging system to be sure. Maybe even purchase a new battery. Thanks again.

khollister · 10-09-2006, 11:00 PM

A quick check you can make if you have a meter is to see what the voltage across the battery terminals is with the bike running - it should be 13.5 - 14.2 VDC. If it's only about 12 - 12.5, you have a dead voltage regulator or alternator problem. How many miles are on the bike? There were some problems with bad stators, especially with certain primary oils which tend to either coat the stator windings with crap that increases heat or attacks the insulation on the wiring. Do not use a GL-5 gear oil - they contain sulphur which corrodes copper based metals. Redline Shockproof gear oil contains solids that precipitate out and coat everything with goo (including your clutch plates). Stick to HD Formula+

If you want to troubleshoot it yourself, I can look in my service manual and tell you where the connector is for the regulator to alternator connection. You can then unplug it and check the alternator output with the motor running to isolate the alternator or regulator.

Keith

sportysrock · 10-22-2006, 07:55 PM

I would disconnect and clean the battery connections and give it a full charge.

Quaijai · 10-26-2006, 05:26 PM

Thanks everyone for your info. We took the bike to the dealer and they changed everything. The Stator, Rotor, Voltage regulator and installed a new battery. The bike ran fine for about a week but guess what? The bike broke down again by not starting. Low voltage readings again at the battery. We are taking the bike back to the dealer again for a 2nd time for the same problem. Any suggestions?

bcrichard · 10-30-2006, 08:54 PM

you might try researching at www.badweatherbikers.com it is a Buel specific web site forum and it could be helpful

Buellbomb · 11-08-2006, 09:11 PM

I'd look at the wiring, where the loom goes near the neck. I've heard of more than one problem with chafing. I put some conduit on the wires under my seat, also, where they run beneath the shock canister.

I looked mine over, very closely. '04 XB12S