| Author | Message | ||
     Redbat |
Just thought I'd share some pictures. I'll explain each modification in each segment.  Here's the latest left side view.  The air scoop is completely functional. In the next picture you'll start to see how much I modified the inner air box.  Before and after.  I have no before and after dyno charts, but what I like is I no longer am sucking hot air from the radiators. Also in the four times I checked in the last 2000 miles, I no longer get all the the road dirt and sand in the filter because the filter is now housed in the air scoop. I also relocated the Intake Air Sensor to inside the air box. The temp. of the air inside the air box never exceeds ten degrees above ambient air temp. Since I removed, then blocked off the original lower air snorkel, I seem to get better air movement around the engine as well. The frame doesn't seem to get as hot as it used to. (Message edited by Redbat on April 25, 2014) | ||
| Ratbuell |
...you do realize you were pulling air from between the forks, under the headlight, in stock configuration...right? Now, instead of a ram-air effect, you are pulling air from a low-pressure zone behind the instruments. Craftsmanship looks decent, though... | ||
| Redbat |
Of course I realize. I also realize it's not ingesting the hot "dirty air" that the stock snorkel picks up. But it's not as low pressure as you might think.There is a considerable rush of air on the side indents of the CR's tiny fairing at speed. The air scoop opening is nearly four times as large as the stock opening as well. The benefits I've gained in a cooler denser intake charge make sense to me including quicker throttle response, and better low end torque. Sure I may have lost a little top end speed, but that's of little concern to me for the type of riding I do. I don't think I've ever been over 130 mph anyway, Please keep in mind I live in Texas where the summer temps can be brutally hot. (Message edited by Redbat on April 25, 2014) (Message edited by Redbat on April 25, 2014) (Message edited by Redbat on April 25, 2014) | ||
| Dannybuell |
I think you have addressed some valid issues regarding hot summer days. The hot "dirty air" issue is valid anywhere, even more so on a 'brutally' hot summer day! I think your implementation is an excellent proof of concept. | ||
| Stirz007 |
looks like some other stuff going on in the second photo - got a close-up of the oil cooler/rotor/belt drive sprocket area? | ||
| Redbat |
Here you go Stirz007.    This is my puke tank/crankcase breather, so the crankcase no longer dumps oil mist into the air intake. Then I built a unique voltage regulator mount. I designed it so it's isolated from engine heat and it works extremely well. Then I built the chin spoiler which also keeps exhaust heat from the voltage regulator. The billet aluminum disk on the belt cover just matches the hand grip bar ends on the handlebars.       | ||
| Redbat |
I also decided I needed a little extra storage to carry my cell phone, gloves, and any other small incidentals.    I built a very rigid mount, and it tucks in tight. It's a nice leather tool bag I had layin around. | ||
| Redbat |
While I had the engine rotated for my valve adjustment a couple of weeks ago, I removed the headers and exhaust pipe, and had them Ceramic Coated silver for a nice contrast to the black chin spoiler.  | ||
| Redbat |
Dannybuell, thanks for the nice comment about the "hot dirty air" issue. I always hated finding dirt and sand in the air box whenever I opened it. Now, problem solved. | ||
| Redbat |
I meant to post this with the inner air box foto's at the beginning of the thread. Here's the front of the air scoop. It's about four times as large as the original opening.   If you look closely at the bottom picture, you can see the K&N filter which has aprox. the same surface area as the original Buell filter. (Message edited by redbat on April 27, 2014) | ||
| Nvbuell |
The aluminum work is first class. Very nice craftsmanship. Living in NV, I have always hated the dirt debris kicked up into the filter box. Dust bowl.... | ||
| Zew2888 |
Whats up the Breather on the left side? Looks awesome!!! Great work I must say. | ||
| Redbat |
I found the breather on eBay. It's for an early Buell tube frame motorcycle. | ||
| Redbat |
Nvbuell, Zew2888, Thanks for the positive comments. I have limited resources, so it takes me time to fabricate parts for my bikes. The only thing I farmed out was the aluminum welding on the front of the chin spoiler. After all the work of making a part, the build quality has to be there or it won't go on the bike. All this stuff is handmade, but I really enjoy making parts for my bikes. (Message edited by Redbat on April 28, 2014) | ||
| Zew2888 |
Ok so what is the purpose of the breather and what do you actually hook it up to? Any performance gains from it? | ||
| Redbat |
Zew2888, The catch can/breather is plumbed to the rubber hose from the crankcase. The purpose is to keep oil and oil mist from fouling the air box and throttle bodies thus keeping the intake system clean. It helps to keep the engine running at it's peak performance, but does not directly increase performance. The stock factory setup plumbs the crankcase breather directly into the air box. | ||
| Sir_wadsalot |
I'm split on this one- The kneejerk, snarkey butthole sportbike snob in me says- The Harrrleee bag looks awful, and the air scoop...looks awful....and I guess you never transition or hang off, because it's severely in the way for anything but highway trolling. Why didn't you just buy a Harley? Gigantic air scoops and leather look great on cruisers. Conversely, the mechanic and lover of all things moto in me says- The little toolbag was a great idea, I commend your genius little idea there, and am going to figure out how to implement it myself, with a diferent look. That will even work with a passenger, which is why I don't use saddlebags. The Gutted Airbox/scoop is an inelegant solution to an annoying problem, like hitting a fly with a sledge hammer- I like it. I applaud your execution, very clean. While there is no way I could technically terorize back roads properly with that thing sticking up like that, I have NO DOUBT I will be thinking about it as I sit in 110F traffic jams on '66, wishing my bike wasn't so hot. You could even experiment with packing dry ice into the the scoop... Also, shaker scoops stickin' up outta' hoods are just cool. Now you gotta rig up buttefly valves! I don't think it'll help on the dyno, but please do a dyno run and post results, it'll be interesting. Really though, if it makes you happy....keep it up! All the lower work you did is trick and the exhaust looks fantastic. Nice work! Paint it flat black and put a sidecar on it...yeah.... I lovehate it! Schitzophrenically yours, Wads | ||
| Redbat |
Wads, I got a kick out of your reaction to the modifications on my CR. I realize it's very different and not for everyone. It's cool, I'm not offended, but I'd like to try to clarify a couple of things you mentioned. First the air scoop. "It's severely in the way for anything but highway trolling". Actually it's less obtrusive than most average to small tank bags. I can transition and still hang off for the most part. Please realize I have the optional high handlebar kit which allows more room in this regard. Secondly, If I understood you correctly, the tool bag is tucked in tight and doesn't interfere with a passenger. Yeah I kind of blurred the lines between sport and cruiser, but who said there are any hard fast rules? Maybe I should have labeled the thread 'My Buell, different in every sense'. Anyway, thanks for you thoughts and kind words. What do the rest of you think? (Message edited by redbat on May 01, 2014) | ||
| Chitown2014 |
I'd have to say that the craftsmanship along with the creativity are top notch! The "hood" scoop idea and the cruiser style bag are definitely acquired tastes aesthetically. However, anyone of us who is critical of the aesthetics of such mods might be reminded that the 1125R/CR are themselves considered by many to be an acquired taste aesthetically. I commend your creativity and willingness to exercise your ideas, regardless of what some purists may say! Ooh, and the ceramic coated pipes with that Barker is, well, simply Bitchin'. | ||
| Fluffy282 |
So the air box mod... Blocked the inlet, cut the snorkel, removed the filter mounts, added the air ram to the cover... Am I missing anything? What'd you use for an air ram? I hate the stock intake design and anything to cool this little fireball is always welcome! | ||
| Redbat |
The only thing I forgot to mention is, I cut a 5 inch hole through the top of the outer and inner air box (under the air scoop) to let all that cooler air in. The air scoop was originally designed to fit most four barrel carbs. It is a mini scoop which means it's three inches shorter in length than most single quad air scoops.That's why I was able to make it fit, otherwise it would have been too long. (Message edited by Redbat on May 09, 2014) | ||
| Ezblast |
Nice job - I always like a bike that makes you think twice about it. Probably why I like Buells in the first place. EZ | ||
| Matteson |
Looks like a pudgy BDSM she-male. | ||
| Matteson |
I think it's the rivets. I can appr. the workmanship. I don't like sounding like an ••••••• | ||
| Redbat |
I've always been interested in the Industrial Age, so the rivets are there to give it a kind of industrial look. It also ties in with the studded tool bag. I like it and think it would look kinda boring otherwise. If you look closely at the picture of the ceramic coated exhaust, I carried the riveted theme over to the area above the muffler too. If anyone's interested, there are a few more mods that I haven't shown pictures of or discussed yet. Some on the bike, and a couple that only go on if I'm taking an extended road trip It's cool, I knew not everyone would like it. (Message edited by Redbat on May 11, 2014) (Message edited by Redbat on May 11, 2014) | ||
| Jonesgw |
It's different and I love it.. Wish my Buell was still running, I'd have to use a few of those ideas.. Outstanding Work! | ||
| Redbat |
For anyone interested in making their own voltage regulator mount, go to the Charging System Sub Forum and click on "My Floating Voltage Regulator Bracket". (Message edited by Redbat on May 15, 2014) | ||
| Clutchreaper |
Not into the 70-80's hood scoop as I don't think the performance benefits outweigh the loss of form to function. Buell always had a quirky look, which I think can be addressed by cosmetic mods, but the new scoop look is a step in the wrong direction and ads to the misidentification by other riders into a piece of Harley engineering. On the contrary, the craftsmanship is definitely something to be proud of. | ||
| Fluffy282 |
www.twinmotorcycles.nl/webshop/artikel.asp?guid=YX HFSC&aid=1525&cid=5367&s=&a=&aname=Airbox_cover_XB -1125__Top_intake__Fiber_Glass__ Wonder how this would work... | ||
| Redbat |
IMHO I think this would allow more air in, but you'll still have to rely on the stock air filter and intake snorkel which would still be sucking hot air from the radiators. By itself, it may not allow enough air into the air box versus the stock setup. |
