Hi there, if any of you folks have read my introduction then you will have seen that on Friday I am swapping for an XB12R. Bike is standard apart from a Corbin seat from what I can see, needs a bit of a clean but is in otherwise good condition. Comes with an upright bar conversion and a quill pipe (which based on the reaction to them on this site, will go on E-bay) as extras.

Bike is a 2005, with 10,600 miles and has done very few miles since going through the MOT last. Slightly worryingly, when I test rode the bike it became blatantly obvious that the front disc was utterly bolloxed, with the lever pulsing and the bike being relatively unstable (could feel bars trying to wobble) when the brakes were anchored on. This would lead me to believe that the previous MOT was either not particularly in depth or maybe just carried out by an utter pants-on-head. The present owner maintains that the disc is fine from 'looking at it' which would also lead me to believe he wasn't the most clued about Buells or bikes in general. Fortunately he has only owned it a short while so hopefully damage will be limited . Other than that, the bike runs beautifully, got torque, active valve is working, new tires, very few marks on the bodywork, all electronics are alive and well... Like I said, just needs a bit of a clean for my standards to be met.

In order to remedy the disc issue, I have already purchased a EBR 6mm disc along with the EBR mounting kit and new pads. Bike also has the stock tensioner, so I have also ordered an FS tensioner to go on her for piece of mind. Got a few crash bungs while I was at it and a couple of spare oil filters to boot, but held off on the oil as I wanted to ask a few questions of the tech head on here first.

If you had just picked up a 10,000 mile Buell with relatively unknown history, then would you flush it through by doing a couple of oil changes with varying grade oils? I was just going to plump for the expensive 20-50 stuff that Trojan Horse recommend but I don't know. I think for piece of mind I'd like to do a couple, one with the treacle that Harley do, then with the performance stuff... Any recommendations?

Also, any areas on the bike I should be looking at given that it is a stock 10,000 mile bike? I know with that stock tensioner the bearings are probably going to be junk every few thousand miles... I've learnt quite a bit off this forum with the search so far but any in depth knowledge will be supremely appreciated.

Oh, and I already have a Stealth pipe coming to replace the stock can. I know they split opinion but to me they look awesome.

Steering head bearings. Should have had new ones at 10k (if they lasted that long). Anyway, if it hasn't, they'll definitely be fecked. Jack the front end up off the ground and see how the bars turn.

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Wear the fox hat

Thanks for the tip, I'll check as to whether or not they have been done. I take it there is a service at 10k then?

Yes, and it's a biggie. I doubt it's been done, or the seller would have been bragging about it. For Maz it's a 3 day job, for a dealer not so long (and it's not because Maz is slow ). If it hasn't been done, budget for it now, it will need it

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Wear the fox hat

Without turning it into an oil thread, the HD 20/50 or a HD approved oil such as the Motul 3000 equivalent is sufficient for an XB, anything else would be more expense for not necessarily any gain...

The disc issue can be addressed by scotchbrite and brake cleaner, it is normally a result of brake pad material sticking to the disc, common with the standard Nissin pads where the brake is maintained on a hot disc with the bike stopped. Braking or EBC pads do not tend to cause this problem.

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08 Specialized Langster

How much we looking at for this service then? Can anyone give me a quick run down of what it entails? Won't have too much issue doing it myself probably but I might see if I can screw a bit more cash out of the chap to cover some of it.

Thanks for the help so far guys

Did you buy this bike on the IoW?

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08 Specialized Langster

Aye, it's a bit of a Buell gulf down here, but there are a few. Swap doesn't take place till Friday though, so nothing set in stone yet.

Is it black? On a private plate?

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08 Specialized Langster

Uh-oh. Yeah lol.

Good Turbo-Diesel oil is all you need.

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Sept 2017. Email will find me.

C'mon Pash! don't leave me hanging man, sounded like you had some experience of this bike. If there's anything I need to know about it tell me... pllleeeaaassseeeee.

He is a good friend of mine, worked with him for two years, he was probably responsible for me getting a Buell.

Give him my best wishes.

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08 Specialized Langster

Mike? You used to work at Trucast then?

Confusing, he doesn't seem to know much about Buells is all. He's only had the bike for a few months.

On the other hand, if it's been owned by someone who knew what they were doing then that makes me feel an awful lot better about buying it

Must have changed owners already

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08 Specialized Langster