| Author | Message | ||
     H2owerker |
I've begun undertaking a few ambitious projects recently and thought I'd share them. It started when the price of gas $ky rocketed this summer, and I figured I could have some fun while saving $. That's where things began to go sideways...So on August 1st I bought an '03 Buell Lightning, and took it's picture the very next day. 8/2/08   It came into my possession needing some maintenance (front tire, damaged front wheel, dented frame, and 10k service) and I figured I'd just fix that stuff. It didn't take long before I was wrist deep into it searching for the cause of a misfire. Which turned out to be a worn through front spark plug wire (common apparently) requiring the replacement of the wire, 2 nut-serts (?), and the 2 bolts I had to grind/drill to get out. Then came the front tires replacement. With some delicate tapping I was able to do a decent job of straightening the wheel lip and it balanced w/o any weights. I didn't need much seat time before realizing that a couple things could be improved upon. First were the mirrors, the one remaining shook like a queer in a bologna factory, and bar-end's look sooo much better. A quick look on http://www.badweatherbikers.com and http://www.buellxb.com sold me on purchasing moto-delux mirrors off fleabay.  I had planned to fill/repair the frame dent when the season up here came to an end. Now that I've had the bike for a couple months I have a few other ideas for winter projects, and hope I can get most of them done before spring. So off w/ the bits in my way. 11/23/08   11/30/08  I have just a bit more to do to get that frame off. You can expect some pics w/o forks and less one tail section soon. (stupid snow is slowing me down)  | ||
| Skinstains |
Where is the dent in the frame ? | ||
| H2owerker |
"Where is the dent in the frame?"-Skinstains Under the left puck. PO filled it w/ some sort of epoxy and painted that side gloss gray. He also over-sprayed onto the intake scoop so the black scoops (right, left, and oil cooler) will probably be be painted metallic black. I'm not looking forward to pulling floss through the adhesive tape behind the pucks. Any ideas where I can get new sticky stuff to re-adhere them? | ||
| Skinstains |
Buying new pucks would probably be best. Or find out where Buell gets the adhesive. | ||
| H2owerker |
As I stated earlier the snow is slowing my progress a bit. But I did find enough time to prep/paint some of the smaller parts that have been removed. 12/3/08  Rustoleum Silver Metallic if you're interested...  | ||
| Bwesky |
hmm tht looks kinda sexy! i got my 03 back in february, dirty as balls, ended up having to get new headers, repair brakes, redo all wiring on the wiring on the bike, new clutch and thats not even the half of it, loooking good so far, keep us updated! i love 03's the best  | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I like that stand, what kind is it? Did it come as a set with the front axle stands? | ||
| Damnut |
I can't believe you asked that second question.  | ||
| Buelltroll |
jack stands yes they usually come in sets.... | ||
| H2owerker |
I got the cycle/ATV jack and the SUV Jack-stands at SEARS. The jack is a Craftsman Professional aluminum, and stands weren't sold w/ it as a set...  (Message edited by h2owerker on December 04, 2008) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I hate you boobs. | ||
| H2owerker |
I like bewbs! | ||
| Skinstains |
Tough room. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
First were the mirrors, the one remaining shook like a queer in a bologna factory Thats just wrong.... Damnut can't help himself.... atm boy! | ||
| H2owerker |
17* here today, but I did get to spend a little time in the garage. So the forks came out, the rear suspension has been disconnected, and I'm ready to pull the frame off. If only I had some ratchet straps... 12/4/08  And here's how I keep warm in the garage.  I can't remember the brand name right now, I'll try to get tomorrow. I can tell you that it'sa 30-50,000BTU propane torpedo heater, and I use a 20lb tank to fuel it.  | ||
| Lovecars |
"Where is the dent in the frame?"-Skinstains Under the left puck. PO filled it w/ some sort of epoxy and painted that side gloss gray. He also over-sprayed onto the intake scoop so the black scoops (right, left, and oil cooler) will probably be be painted metallic black. I'm not looking forward to pulling floss through the adhesive tape behind the pucks. Any ideas where I can get new sticky stuff to re-adhere them? Go to an auto body shop supply store and buy 3M trim body side tape either the green or black. Be aware that it might be cheaper to buy new puck on EBay.} | ||
| H2owerker |
Thanks! I'll call around to see what the 3M trim tape sells for. | ||
| Lovecars |
Winter???? i don't get it... It's 76 out here in So.Cal although at night it's getting REAL COLD around 50.... brrrrrrrrrrr I hope the garage warms up fast tomorrow, I'm doing the 1000 mile service.... | ||
| H2owerker |
If the winter here was like that I'd never get started on these projects. 14 degrees last night. I didn't go out to do any work on the cycle, and when I get home from work today I'll have to shovel the snow that's falling... | ||
| H2owerker |
I've completed the disassembly and have a few pics to share from tonight. 12/6/08     That's all for tonight. I'll post pics of the frame and other parts as I paint them. I'm going to have to do a little frame work on the garage to make reassembly easier... Live and learn right? | ||
| Nillaice |
your an inspiring... now if i only had a garage | ||
| H2owerker |
I set about doing a few small things tonight, which consisted of removing a few small sub assemblies so I can paint them. (Rustoleum again) Easy enough. Then I decided that since I know of one nasty dent in the left side. I'll pull the pucks, and see just how bad it is. Off w/ the puck...  Just what I expected to see. It will never be "As good as new" but I'll fill it, paint over it, and get new pucks. Then I remove the Right side puck...WTF! the PO never said anything about a dent here! MOFO Cork Soaker! I couldn't stop myself from cleaning the adhesive backing off (most of the scratches are from me) so I could get a good look...  FACK! | ||
| H2owerker |
I got a few more parts painted. I'm going Metallic Black for some contrast.  On another note. I'll be ordering a 04+ belt conversion kit, and belt guards from www.americansportbike.com to make this b!tch a little more reliable.  | ||
| H2owerker |
I'm almost done painting the little parts, and will be moving on to the frame soon. I'm hoping that I'll be able to get started filling the dents this week and have it painted by the end of next week. Here's the air scoops, I thought that since the intake is composed of 2 pieces that I'd go w/ a silver tip and inside.  If it doesn't look right I'll just have to remove it and respray. | ||
| Tq_freak |
That scoop is going to look awesome!! nice detail | ||
| Ochoa0042 |
are you replacing the frame? or fixing it? kudos on going this far, I wouldnt have the gonads to take it apart like that!!! | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
I wouldnt have the gonads to take it apart like that Nor would I... I like the silver and black. | ||
| Oxygen151 |
Ya big ups to you for taking initiative to do this project. I like what you are doing, but here is my question. Will the spray paint hold up in time? | ||
| H2owerker |
"That scoop is going to look awesome!! nice detail"Tq_freak Thanks! If it doesn't work out the way I want I may respray it black, or accent it w/ the color of the bike.(TBA) " Will the spray paint hold up in time?"-Oxegen151 Who cares. It's my first cycle, and I got it relatively cheap...Everything except the frame can be easily (sort of) removed and resprayed at the end of a season, and the only difference between "REAL paint" and spray paint is the applicator. Prep/technique/environment are where durability are built. I don't know if having a "flex" additive would help, but I did use a Plastic primer where appropriate. "are you replacing the frame? or fixing it? Kudos on going this far, I wouldnt have the gonads to take it apart like that!!! "-Ochoa0042 While I wish I could have found a better specimen. there's no need to replace the frame, I'm not building a track or show bike. I'm doing this solely for myself and my personal spin on the XB style. The line between cojones and stupidity can be hard to distinguish most of the time... (Message edited by h2owerker on December 14, 2008) | ||
| Oxygen151 |
I wasn't saying anything bad about it. I was just curious. I would love to spray paint some of my parts. I commend you for doing such brave things to your bike, theres no doubt in my mind that it wont look great. Great work! |
