| Author | Message | ||
     Tripper |
I agree. The one I rode had no balls.  | ||
| Blake |
Neil, I have to disagree. Preload on a linear rate spring simply adjusts ride height (sag) and the relation (ratio) between compression and rebound travel. Of course adjusting sag can significantly affect a bike's geometry and thus handling. But preload of linear rate spring(s) will NOT otherwise affect the softness/harshness of the ride. Only damping directly affects smoothness of ride. Now, it is possible to have too little sag (too much preload) and on the street have the rebound stops com einto play thus making for a harsh ride. Let me try to convince you...  The force (F) exerted by a linear spring is simply the spring constant (k) times the distance (x) the spring has been compressed from its relaxed length. In mathematical terms, F=kx. Let's say you set your preload so that you have a sag of 35mm and your springs' rates are each 1Kg/mm (2 Kg/mm total spring rate). Let's also estimate that with you on the bike, the forks are supporting a total (guesstimated) static load of say around 330 LB (150 Kg). Now let's do some math... How far do the springs need to be compressed before they will suport all of the 150 Kg static load? Simple, use F=kx to solve for x.. x=F/k x=150Kg/(2Kg/mm)=75mm (total static spring compression) Since we know the sag is 35mm, we can find that the springs must have been pre-compressed (pre-loaded ) within the extended fork tubes through a distance of... 75mm-35mm=40mm (preloaded compression) which equates to a preload force of... F=kx F=2Kg/mm*40mm=80Kg (preload force) This is the total combined spring preload force that the end caps must resist inside the fully extended fork tubes. The forks will not begin to retract until they are acted upon by more than this amount of preload. Once this amount of load is applied each fork leg will retract 1mm for each Kg of additonal force applied, so for the two forks together, 2Kg for each mm retraction. What is the load required to compress the springs through the 35mm sag distance? Simple... F=kx F=35mm*2Kg/mm=70 Kg Check the results... The 80Kg preload plus the 70 Kg sag load does indeed total to the 150Kg front end load. Now, for a minute, eliminate damping from consideration, and apply via braking or a bump a force of 100 Kg. How much further will the springs be compressed before equalizing the 100Kg force? It's simple... x=F/k x=100Kg/(2Kg/mm)=50 mm Check the results: The springs have been compressed from their relaxed state a total of 40mm(preload)+35mm(sag)+50mm(applied load)= 125mm How much load does that equate to? It better equal 150Kg(static load)+100Kg(applied load)= 250Kg(total load). Check using F=kx... F=2Kg/mm*125mm=250Kg Does that make sense? Hope so. Now consider the case where the static sag is set to 50mm. Will this result in a softer ride? A softer ride would mean the suspension moves further in soaking up applied loads. Let's see if that is the case. Same springs, same rider, same static front end load, same 100 Kg applied load... How much were the springs preloaded to end up with a 50mm sag? Since we have the same 150 Kg static front end load we can use the same 75mm total compression distance previously calculated for that load, so... 75mm-50mm=25mm (preload compression distance) that 25mm coresponds to a pre-load of... F=kx F=2Kg/mm*25mm=50Kg (preload) The 50mm sag spring compression results in a spring load of... F=kx F=2Kg/mm*50mm=100Kg The math checks. We have a total of 150 Kg of spring compression. Now add the additional 100 Kg applied load. What happens? The springs compress and additional amount equal to... x=F/k x=100Kg/(2Kg/mm)=50mm Same as the first case. No matter what the preload, if the damping is unchanged, the springs will moved EXACTLY the same distance in reacting to an applied load. If anything, you are feeling the difference in your damper settings, or possibly the effect of altered geometry (changes in front versus rear ride height). Either that or you have progressive rate springs. Are you convinced? | ||
| Darthane |
LOL...we won't go into the whole vehicle gender discussion. As for Firebolts not having any balls, when you only weigh in at 135 lbs you don't need 90 ft/lbs to get your fat ass off the line. Bryan | ||
| Sarodude |
Interesting Firebolt / Parts Anomaly- The XB specific part numbers end in 02Y meaning 2002 Buell. Where's the 2002 Firebolt?  Is that year number the first model year the part appeared? The first calendar year the part was produced? -Saro | ||
| Hootowl |
I think it was supposed to be a 2002 model bike, but it got slid. Hence the title of this topic... | ||
| Sarodude |
Right - but does that wind up blowing the part number scheme? -Saro | ||
| Hootowl |
I guess they figured it wasn't worth renumbering everything. I still don't know why they didn't call it a 2002. So it was a few months late. Better than being eight months early. | ||
| Darthane |
Them not calling it a 2002 screwed me out of the Ride Free For A Year program with my Blast. While I'm glad I can keep them both and monkey with the little single-cylinder, I was still pissed. Bryan | ||
| Court |
The parts were numbered LONG before the bike was released. | ||
| Anonymous |
The sufix number indicates the year the part number was assigned to the part. nothing more, nothing less. | ||
| Sarodude |
Thanks Anony! -Saro | ||
| Tripper |
...and when you weigh 230 you need a ballsy motor to get your ass rolling... Busa Tripper | ||
| Mikep |
My first post: I am the new owner of a '03 Buell XB9R 'Firebolt', ~900 miles as of 7/3/02. Last Sunday 6/30/02, I ran over some debris in the road and dented my front rim, tweaked the front brake rotor, and dented my muffler severely! Kudos to the designers of the front wheel assembly, since it held air and allowed me to ride the rest of the way home (~15 miles). I am now working through the Insurance stuff. At any rate, my opinion so far of the 'Firebolt', its a GREAT bike! I cannot wait to get back on the road. mikep | ||
| Mikej |
MikeP, Please keep us updated on your repairs and the timeframe. Nice email addy by the way.   Sorry about the dent. Nice to have you aboard. | ||
| Rd350 |
Just wanted everyone to know that I was down at the local Barnes and Nobles reading a Brit Magazine. It had a big article on the Firebolt. Well...they ripped the firebolt apart. Saying that it didn't have enough power and it was a dinasour engine dating back to the 50's and so on.. But they ran a test against a 2002 Honda CBR600 sport and the Buell beat it around the track by a full second. And this is being down on 18 bhp from the CBR.. So if the firebolt is so bad how did it beat the best handling 600 sportbike???? | ||
| Court |
>>>So if the firebolt is so bad how did it beat the best handling 600 sportbike???? Easy. "bad" and "good" are a matter of perception and what is important to a UNIQUE person or magazine. In YOUR opinion it is "good", having beat the CBR600 in a circle. That sepaks to what is important to you. Track times. In THEIR opinion, it is 'bad", having used (at least in the motor, anyway) what they see as dated technology. Each person and organization has criteria based on attibutes of the motorcycles and external issus (ad revenue, perhaps). From now on, when you read, think of it as a "data collection" mission rather than a "drive through fast food style conclusion". When you are done, evaluate the facts. Look at the writers conclusions and ask yourself if there are obvious "whys" involved and then draw the conclusions that suit your needs. The Firebolt does not appeal to me to own, but it fascinates me in terms of what Erik & Co. have done with build quality and innovation. In addition, concurrent advances in the customer service area have provided Buell with the opportunity to use the XB9R platform as a springboard to recovering from a repuation tainted with reliability issues. Court | ||
| Paulinoz |
"I ran over some debris in the road and dented my front rim,I ran over some debris in the road and dented my front rim." Can you explain what caused this damage in more detail mikep. Welcom to the world of Buell. PaulinOz | ||
| Pilot |
My XB9R has arrived.My XB9R has arrived.My XB9R has arrived.My XB9R has arrived.My XB9R has arrived.Oh did I tell you my XB9R has arrived.  Yep the slow boat from East Troy has docked and hatched an XB9R one of only 2 white ones the rest are blue.It will be ready for delivery Wednesday and then sent up the highway and will take delivery Tuesday night.Talk about worth the wait this one was ordered on 31st July 2001.The dealer show is soon and if a better version is released I will spit I will report back once I am in the saddle. | ||
| Pilot |
What's that dearest you have a new White jacket to go with my new White bike, but dearest the sleeves are a little to long,do not worry as they tie up at the back,but how will I be able to twist the throttle, and what was in the water you just gave me, a sedative you say ,gee everything is slooowing doooownnnn,just to protect myself from myself you say,only till I can control myself you say,but this is what happens when your new Buell arrives(falls into deep sleep)Wife mentioned there is medication for people like me. | ||
| Peter |
Do you get it on Tuesday or Thursday? Whatever, congratulations! Race kit ordered yet.... or are you going to pick it up when you are in the US? PPiA | ||
| Pilot |
Chronological order of events:Monday July 1,phone call to Morgan & Wacker Australian distributor of all things Buell,enquire about bike.Thursday July 4,phone call I have been waiting for,bike will be in today,bike will be ready for delivery Wed/Thur,has to be predelivered ,single seat complianced(cheaper rego)Friday July 5 ,organise freight co to pick up Thursday July11,Tuesday evening July 16 bike delivered to workshop in Ayr.Can You say EXCITED. | ||
| Raymaines |
I don’t like what I’m seeing on e-Bay. There have been a few Firebolts up for auction and the demand isn’t very high. Bummer. $8200 (two bids) “Reserve not yet met” $8300, (two bids) “Reserve not yet met” $8900,(Fourteen hours to go) Bidding starts @ $8,900 No reserve, but no bids either. Maybe it's the color? | ||
| Jrh |
The third one is listed by an H-D,Buell dealer,0 miles,white or blue.HUH?Why new Buells on E-bay? | ||
| S2no1 |
Ray, I think what we are seeing is the market setting the price. Most have agreed that the Firebolt price was high for a bike that was supposed to compete in the 600cc category. Don't know how that will play with Buell in the final analysis. Dependes on how much profit per unit they, and the dealer, wanted to book. Arvel | ||
| Aaron |
Very interesting, a new Firebolt offered for $8900, choice of colors, and no takers. At $8900, the bike isn't too badly priced. It'd be a good value at $8K. Damn, I need another Buell like a hole in the head. But it has me thinking. | ||
| Anonymous |
I know the profit margin and it is huge there is plenty of room to change. | ||
| Imonabuss |
Anonymous is full of it...there is no "huge" margin. I know what the dealer cost is; my dealer showed it to me when I bought mine. And, E-bay is just an experiment for the dealers; it's an auction and you never know what you may get. That's why you put on a reserve. I've seen the same thing go for 50% more after not reaching reserve and then being relisted. If you want to see RC-51's brand new fail to even reach $8000, that's the place to go. | ||
| Aaron |
there was no reserve on that $8900 bike. All anyone had to do was pony up $8900 and it was theirs. | ||
| Court |
>>>>I know the profit margin and it is huge there is plenty of room to change. Thanks an inaccurate statement. | ||
| Raymaines |
A post on ATC -- FWIW |
