Buell XB12S Transmission Repair

I bought this project bike for $600 and in pieces. It was stuck in third gear after a low side and the previous owner tried to repair it. The farthest he got was just about to split the cases. I bought the bike as is. I split the cases and replaced a shift for that was mangled. After going for a test ride, the shift lever felt vague. After the bike warmed up the shifter would sometimes lock up and not shift. I decided to drop the engine and see what the issue was. The shifter detent being bent was my issue but I also clearanced the shift fork pins for extra insurance incase that was a issue as well.The bike now shifts great but I found another issue on my test ride so the engine is coming out once again.

[@steverollins4690]

Certainly admire your persistence.

[@marcfulgencio7228]

Thanks. At this point, I invested way more money and time into this bike than buying a used running model. But I'm too stubborn to let this bike beat me and win.

[@claywebb8199]

When you joined the crankcases You didn’t show how you held back that thing that rides on the selector drum, the thing you messed up the first time. How did you pull it back so it engaged on the star shaped part of the delator drum?

[@marcfulgencio7228]

I had a second person use a 3/8" extension through the hole from the outside to hold up the roller tensioner. Pause the video at 8:55 and you can see how I accomplished this. Then I mated the cases together. There is a special tool you can buy but this worked for me.

[@my95buick]

Mine is notchy going into 2nd sometimes. Never hangs or anything just won't always go in. It chatters then I'll juts hit 3rd . I'm not capable of doing an engine out. I just start in 2nd or hold my toe up til I am ready for 3rd.

[@coleabbott2568]

Hey man! I have a 09 buell xb12r and my bike locked into gear 3-4 and wont leave i am pretty sure i have a bent shift fork.... im thinking im going to take on dropping the engine and splitting the case. Do you have any pointers you would recommend? Did you get a shop service manual for disassembly/reassembly? About how much all together was the time to do all this work? Hope you see this, thanks for the great video!

[@marcfulgencio7228]

Definitely get a service manual. You're also going to need some specialty tools, but I was able to make do with what I had. The only tool I had to buy was ring compressors for the pistons. To hold the clutch basket, I cut a curve into a 2x4 to wedge it still with the chain assembly. No need for the tool the manual states. I also used a socket extention to hold up the roller tensioner for the shift barrel while mating the cases to not bend it again. This took me a weekend to do, just under 24 hours of actual working time but don't rush and take your time. Let me know if you have any more questions and I'll try my best to answer them. Good luck.

[@coleabbott2568]

@@marcfulgencio7228 thanks man I appreciate all the info im hopefully it will all go smoothly.

[@tyso69us]

Same problem same bike. Aluminum shifter barrel was never a good idea.

[@Red-mf5uq]

nice good video 🤘

[@marcfulgencio7228]

Thanks for watching!

[@jeffc3336]

How did you remove the rear engine mount / isolator?

[@marcfulgencio7228]

I shortened the tip on a allen wrench.

[@jeffc3336]

@@marcfulgencio7228 Thank so much!!!

[@mattsloop2736]

My bikes doing the same thing. Guess im selling it. This will be expensive repair cause i cant do all this

[@Ed-ty1kr]

Am I the only guy that is so overly anal about not getting even one grain of sand or one tiny speck of metal shavings into an engine? Probably just waisting my time but, I live in Florida and I swear its a constant battle fighting sand away. LOL