| Author | Message | ||
     Mbohmann |
Newbie here, so I don't know if this has ever come up before. I'm seriously considering purchase of an XB12S, preferably in black, but I don't like the "amber" wheels. There's a place in MKE that can strip them. Anybody ever polished a set of wheels. How about bead or baking soda blast and clear coat? | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Mbohmann, if'n ya ask Kevin, the service writer at Hal's HD, he stripped his wheels on his XB9R last winter. Dunno HOW he did it, but he did say it was a pain in the but... Give him a call and ask how he did it... | ||
| Cwby8383 |
http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes_gear/accessories/index.asp?Menu_ID=4&ID=80 black on black would look nice | ||
| Odie |
HUGE pain in the rear end! I was going to powdercoat over mine to make them black and the powder wouldn't stick. So I figured I would beadblast them down to bare metal. Not happenin' (not with the pressurized blaster I was using). Used 4 different types of paint remover until I found some that worked (Tal-Strip Aircraft remover). Even then I had to scrap and steel wool the paint gunk off the wheels. What I thought was going to take two days work including removing the wheels, disassembly, powdering, and reinstallation took 2 weeks and much stress and frustration. Save yourself tons of pain and just send them to someone to do it.....trust me.... | ||
| Cyko_bob |
Rather than all that trouble, why not just get another set of wheels? I know, expensive, but if you ever sell the bike, you will have some options...can keep whichever wheels you like and use on the new bike...assuming it is another Buell  Cyko | ||
| Kuddyxbs |
There are some that would like to swap for the amber wheels, myself included. Let me know if anyone might be up for a amber for silver swap. | ||
| Tattdbueller |
If you like black and might consider an R, check this out. (I know...shameless plug) $9500 OBO. 2005 XB12R. 1600 miles. Purchased 4/22/05.  | ||
| Mbohmann |
Black w/black looks awesome! I love the "R" models, but they're too hard on my wrists. I'd consider trying to fit a Firebolt nose onto a Lightning just for the look. Aluminum wheels must be chemically stripped, not blasted. I did some research on this when I bought a Jeep with scuzzy wheels last year. By the time you get through the powder coat with the blast media, the aluminum will be ruined. The shop in MKE does wheels for "a major motorcycle manufacturer". Wonder who that could be? I was quoted $25/wheel. Otherwise, I've been told NAPA aircraft stripper will work. The $25 seems pretty reasonable. The trade suggestion is good, I'll keep that in mind. Or even the purchase of a set of silver wheels and keep the stockers. Damn, that black looks nasty! Thanks guys! | ||
| Bbstacker |
If you don't mind me asking, Tatt, Why are you selling? | ||
| Tattdbueller |
My son is due at the end of the month. I thought I would go ahead and try to sell her so I could have a little extra cash each month. I put her in the classifieds under "2005 XB12R Black on Black" if you know anyone interested. (Message edited by tattdbueller on August 01, 2005) | ||
| Darthane |
Black wheels are all that's missing from my 9R. I finally got the Jet-Hot coated header installed once it warmed up. People comment on it a lot. =D I agree, those amber wheels just don't do it for me, but considering the cost and down time involved in stripping/polishing/recoating the original wheels, you may be better off, as suggested, just buying a new set. | ||
| Ronlv |
what is the place called in mke? what is mke? | ||
| Dsergison |
oh my god I love that firebolt. I would sell my left nut for that bike. alas, it's too late. my son is due in december. I'm the one crying now! | ||
| Black_sunshine |
You can always just paint over them. I had mine painted (XB9S). Rub it dowm with some etching primer and clearcoat with a wheel acrylic that is hard to prevent chipping from road trash.   | ||
| Tattdbueller |
Thanks, Dsergison. I've also got a rigid bar-hopper i'm trying to piece together, so that will give me something to tinker with if she sells. | ||
| Tattdbueller |
BTW I painted my wheels also. I put about 900 miles on them so far. They've held-up great. | ||
| Mbohmann |
The stripping facility I referred to in MKE (Milwaukee) is Adams Industries. They are on N. 30th Street (or close), near North Ave. If you can't find them on the web, I've got their card at work. |
