Buell Engine and Primary Oil Change DIY, How To

How to change the engine and primary oil on a Buell XB12R Firebolt. It's easy, just take your time and you can do it!

[@markolovedwards]

Nice one pal. Just picked up an XB12X, so it's good to see an adult actually going through the location and process. Thanks for taking the time!

[@hugieflhr03]

Love my XB12X and KZbin is the first place I go for information like this. Thanks!!!

[@moggebe1606]

So satisfying. Your son is the man! Changing oil in your vehicles is so satisfying. Bet he`s doing the oil change next time! Nice bike by the way. I have an XB12s Lightning and never going to sell that one.

[@evangelosiatrou3004]

Thanks dudes🤙. I've got one of these. I agree it's an amazing machine and yes everyone thinks it's a Ducati 🤦 😆. . I used your video as a guide. Very helpful. Nice angles from the cameraman. 🙏

[@peterowlingson8843]

I love my XB9R! It is not young, but still rides well. Why would I buy a newer bike? The handling, the torque, the sound........ Ride for life!

[@hartzland7658]

Thanks for the video John. Something all Buelligans might find interesting is the KZbin clip ' Buell xb12 & xb9 oil change Important information' I always do this now when i do my changes.

[@chasec9197]

Love my Buell! They do require a bit of TLC but totally worth it...

[@devin2494]

Nice video. I just bought an 07 Buell xb12r

[@JohnHammerMedia]

They're great machines; I've owned mine for a decade and other than routine maintenance it's needed nothing!

[@motomoves4807]

i love the fast n loud lic plate! thanks for the vid

[@henrifpv2868]

Thanks for the video mate! Just bought firebolt too and want to change new oils for my baby.

[@roybatty-]

Check the oil when it is hot. Be careful tightening the drain plugs, easy to strip the threads.

[@JohnHammerMedia]

Sounds like a case of "Been there, done that!" Thanks for watching!

[@jadenmarsh1946]

Very helpful video, getting a fire bolt soon...

[@Wolfdane]

Dude. Great video! Lovely bike.

[@JohnHammerMedia]

Thanks! It's a helluva machine.

[@dayriderschat]

Thanks John ....my firebolt is a 2005 and has a 1250cc harley super sports engine....I live in Australia ...mine is blue and gold ... ride safe pal .....

[@JK-bw6js]

Haha your video randomly came up while I was putting Lucas Oil in my XB9. Ride hard & safe man!

[@JohnHammerMedia]

Raoul Duke Absolutely, you too!

[@garycossar3577]

Thanks for a great video! There is another video on KZbin about draining a bit of oil from the crank through a bolt under the exhaust. Is this step necessary? I have thread sealer, is that okay instead of thread lock?

[@JohnHammerMedia]

Gary Cossar Not necessary.

[@JohnHammerMedia]

And you'll be fine with that on the bolt!

[@coachkyleUCLA]

thanks!!! just bought mine today

[@JohnHammerMedia]

Welcome to the party!

[@JRodzTv]

Just got one last week. nice video

[@joelyjowell3]

I have a 2003 firebolt . I love it

[@timdurpos3298]

I have a 2009 xb12s lightning i love it

[@JohnHammerMedia]

This bike is actually for sale right now. It's posted on FB Marketplace in Mooresville, NC if you know anyone looking!

[@TommyW72]

Thank you for the nice video John! I am just about to change both engine & primary oil to my quite recently purchased XB12Ss - even though I have factory service manual downloaded and the procedure is simple, it is always nice to see things happen alive :-) BTW: which exhaust system have you got in your bike?

[@JohnHammerMedia]

It really is straight forward. My exhaust is a modified factory system that matches up with a custom tune from Hawk (Randy Hawkings).

[@TommyW72]

@@JohnHammerMedia Have you modified the muffler yourself? And is it loud? I'd like to have little bit more presence to exhaust sound - but not too much. I already converted one extra stock muffler into Buell XB Race muffler (found the specifications from several forums). It worked like charm together with Race ECM (which was expected), but especially when driving +50MPH, the sound was too loud for me. Of course what is too loud for someone, can be too quiet for somebody else :-)

[@YNLEXPOSURE]

Thanks for a great video! The service manual shows filling the primary so that the oil just covers the gear teeth. But you really can't see the teeth through the clutch inspection cover. 1 qt is good enough level to not worry about seeing level vs gear teeth?

[@manueldelvalle2494]

GOOD JOB... NICE BIKE ...!!

[@TotorMuh]

4:01 is every mechanic when doing any job on a personal car/moto

[@roelfkromhout]

"looks like a million dollars" hell yeah it does

[@thirdgearboogie2210]

You still on it? If so, what miles are on now. Have you had to do any engine work or transmission work. Thank you!

[@user-ru1sm1ij8k]

Ciao complimenti per il video ....mi sai indicare le quantità di olio usate ?....siaotore che primaria??...grazie sei top....

[@CommentingTheTruth]

I see some people use HD oil in the primary. I suppose that's not needed?

[@evangelosiatrou3004]

Unfortunately I found quite a bit of metal on my drain plugs.

[@paulfiore7083]

My primary plug had some big filings on it last change. No idea why. Been running fine so far but I didn't like what I saw

[@ingokonietzko4853]

Sehr gut impremiert! 😁😀

[@adamschreiber3570]

Hello great video, I noticed you put lower footpegs on it and was wondering does it really make a difference in comfort rather than the stock pegs? I ordered an inch lower footpegs for her because felt to cramped with the stock pegs

[@JohnHammerMedia]

Great question! Honestly, the previous owner put them on... He was a tall guy and they helped him. I don't know any better, but I find the riding position with them VERY comfortable.

[@adamschreiber3570]

Ok that’s great to know because I just bought some as I’m 5’10 😃, and yes the firebolt xb12r is an awesome bike as I just bought mine 2 weeks ago and love it and I love how it’s a 1200cc and gets such great gas mileage

[@TheDieselman17]

John, can you find out where the lower foot pegs can be purchased? Thanks

[@TheDieselman17]

Hi, what kind of muffler do you have? I have the same bike but black/Amber and my muffler only has 1 out and not 2 like yours.

[@JohnHammerMedia]

It's been modified by Hawk Performance. Randy Hawkins opens it up, mods the guts for better flow then welds it back up. The bike also has a Swiss cheesed air box and the Hawk custom tune to make the most of it all. Runs like a champ!

[@TheDieselman17]

@@JohnHammerMediais there a website or contact number?

[@JohnHammerMedia]

@@TheDieselman17 sites.google.com/view/hawkperformancemufflers/home

[@zooksv1k]

That looks like lowered foot pegs on your bike. What footpegs are those and where can I get them?

[@JohnHammerMedia]

They are, 2" drop. They were on the bike when I got it, honestly no idea what brand they are. Really comfortable though.

[@shaunlemire5084]

Does the chin fairing have to come off do do the oil change?

[@JohnHammerMedia]

I've never tried to do it with it on. The filter is hidden up underneath there and you're going to leak some oil that'll need to be cleaned up...but it's only a couple bolts. Easy.

[@paulfiore7083]

I've done it by just removing the right side and front bolts. You can move the cover plenty to get the filter on and off

[@paulfiore7083]

Why not inspect the primary chain

[@badedit2512]

hey mate thanks whats the specs for the trans oil? and how do you know when the trans oil is full? i am going to run genuine harley 20w 50 oil in the swing arm, any suggestions ?

[@JohnHammerMedia]

I use Mobil 1 VTwin 20w50. It's designed specifically for engines and primaries. It'll treat you right. Trans takes 1 quart from empty, easy!

[@badedit2512]

@@JohnHammerMedia hey mate thanks just checking i can use 20w50 vtwin harley oil in my trans?

[@JohnHammerMedia]

@@badedit2512 If it's rated for primaries & clutches you'll be fine. It will be written on the bottle.

[@badedit2512]

@@JohnHammerMedia thanks and is there a way to check the trans oil level? sorry to be a pain just wanted to check, we live in Australia so we dont use gallons just litres

[@JohnHammerMedia]

@@badedit2512 There really isn't, just dump the old stuff out and refill with 1 quart.

[@CyberGun1992]

Hey. I ride 2007 Buell xb12r firebolt in Florida. What oil would be best to use or should I still stick with 20w50 Lucas as well?

[@JohnHammerMedia]

That's what I use and it's been great.

[@CyberGun1992]

@@JohnHammerMedia thanks 👍😄

[@andrewolson728]

Where do you find the Buell brand oil filters?!? I understand not giving away the secret, but would absolutely love to get even one for my '03 Firebolt XB9R

[@JohnHammerMedia]

It's been ages since I found any...I grabbed 4 or 5 back then, but I've been using Wix lately.

[@navyseabee7245]

I have a 2001 Thunderbolt I like the newer XB models but the thing that worries me is nothing in the engine is Harley proprietary and what happens when that engine needs to be rebuilt can you get all the parts to rebuild that engine mine has the 1203 Sportster engine which is all Harley except for some mods from Buell so I'm not worried if the engine ever needs to be pulled and rebuilt but the newer ones I would worry man that pisses me off Harley cut Buell

[@JohnHammerMedia]

This is the exact same 1203 V Twin and 5 speed from a Sportster. Reliable, powerful, torquey. This bike sounds more like a Harley than a lot of Harleys!

[@navyseabee7245]

@@JohnHammerMedia the engine cases and primary cover look different on that engine.. are they different cases but you're saying all the internal parts are still Harley Sportster parts

[@wretch2638]

All the oil?? 4 quarts is way too much

[@icemanpatriot6622]

Teaching ur son to be a sissy with those gloves. Engine oil is men's lotion.