| Author | Message | ||
     Kdogshirow |
I am going to be installing this XBSS Long swingarm on my 07 XB9R this weekend , just got the swingarm back from the polishers today . Just need to clean all the black polishing compound out of holes , etc. Looks pretty cool . Will post pictures when I get it on the bike .     | ||
| Kdogshirow |
I'll say one thing I found out doing this , these Buell aluminum castings are really rough under all that paint , they take a lot of sanding and smoothing to polish . The paint and filler Buell uses covers a lot of flaws in the casting process . I thought I would just strip the paint and polish it myself . Boy , was I mistaken..... | ||
| Glitch |
That's gonna be NICE! | ||
| Brother_in_buells |
Wow thats shiny!  do you let the inside of the swingarm unpainted to? | ||
| Slaughter |
Um... the reason the casting is really rough under the paint is that it is a casting. That's why it's a TON of work to get the shine. I'm always amazed when I see polished metal on road bikes KNOWING what kind of work it takes to first get there and then KEEP IT THERE. | ||
| Kdogshirow |
I know , this was my previous bike . Polished aluminum does take some devotion . I like the look of polished better than chrome .  (Message edited by kdogshirow on May 19, 2012) | ||
| Kdogshirow |
and here...  | ||
| Biffdotorg |
Amen, I polished the tunnel on my sled this spring. And that is starting with smooth Aluminum as well. It's a buttload of work! But it looks so nice when done! I can only hope it will hold up next winter. Nice work! | ||
| Kdogshirow |
Heres where I am at so far . Still some parts to put on and make a new shock mount block , and plates . Its lowered a little right now , and the drive belt got ridiculously tight from that . Had to modify the belt tensioner assy. a little . Still got a few things to sort out . Anyone else out there lower their XB and notice how tight the drive belt got ? How did you deal with that ?     | ||
| Doubled |
Did you get a long belt to go with the extended swingarm or are you still using the stocker? | ||
| Kdogshirow |
I purchased a XBSS long belt from American Sport Bike, and it is very tight . The stock belt would not come even close to fitting . | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
I know when I replaced the belt on my XB9 it was tighter than Dick's hat band. After a few rides it set it to the proper tension. | ||
| Kdogshirow |
It seems to be getting a little better the more I ride it . I'll keep my fingers crossed .  | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
What's your impression on handling changes? | ||
| Gunut75 |
I did the same swing arm conversion. Had to bump the preload 1 notch, and a little fine tuning on comp and rebound. I like it waaaay better than the short swing arm. Lovin the polished swing arm. Going to do the frame? | ||
| Kdogshirow |
I have not got the shock mount sorted out yet . The first one I made was to high and I did not like the look of it . I want to keep it as low as possible , I lowered it even more today to see how it looked . I really like the way it looks slammed ! As for the handling , I dont really know yet because I have a Pingel drag strut (no shock) , its a hard tail now , lol . And my lower back hates it . So I am limited to very smooth paved roads a short rides till I get the shock back on . But man , I sure like the way it looks low......... even lower....oh yeah    Oh yeah , the super tight new belt has broken in now and seems to be fine . | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
One thing to keep in mind is when you lower your bike, you are also taking tension off of your belt. | ||
| Fast1075 |
Free Spirits belt tensioner. From Trojan at Adrenaline-moto a proud BadWeb sponsor and Bueller superb. I love the way the one on my bike works, and it makes it super easy to get the belt off and on at tire changes.  | ||
| B00stzx3 |
Swingarm and tensioner look sick! That thing is wild looking Fast0175 | ||
| Kdogshirow |
I gotta get me one of them !  | ||
| Xxxue |
Your wrong - the more suspension is compressed the tighter the belt will get, when the suspension extends the belt or chain will get looser. | ||
| Nobuell |
When the centerline of the wheel axle, swing arm pivot and pulley shaft align, that is the tightest point for the belt. Either side of that point will loosen the belt. From the picture, it appears a bit more travel will be the tightest point. The belt idler pulley shown in the picture does not appear to be correctly placed. It is barely touching the belt now and the belt will lift above the pulley when the shock is compressed. It appears the geometry of the belt tensioner is wrong for the swing arm. | ||
| Xxxue |
Full compression and the highest or OUT OF ROUND spot of the sprockets combined, will be the tightest point the chain or belt will ever be subjected to. This is the reason you always adjust a drive chain at the tightest sprocket points and also add the weight of the rider when, adjust the free play in the belt or tension to factory specs. | ||
| Kdogshirow |
Finally done ! Shock spacer was machined by a great guy and Buell enthusiast from the Bay Area named Alex . A true craftsman . The bike turns easier with less effort than the stock short swing arm . Looks trick to ! Very happy with the out come !       | ||
| Kdogshirow |
The rear brake line has been replaced to a longer one since those pics were taken  | ||
| Gunut75 |
Lookin great! I agree with your results with the handling. Usually a longer wheelbase would slow the handling, but it made my bike feel totally neutral. Even at high speed. Loooong, fast sweepers are a LOT of fun too. Nice job. What ya gonna polish next? | ||
| Kdogshirow |
think I'm gonna take a rest , lol . | ||
| Kdogshirow |
Here's a close up pic of the shock spacer by Alex . This part made it possible to use the stock XB9R shock with SS long swing arm . Strong and simple . Again , an awesome machining job !  | ||
| Speedfreaks101 |
Why did you need a shock spacer? | ||
| Afsoc_commando |
Beautiful machining on that spacer! Bike looks sweet! And without the spacer the bike would sit MUCH lower and change the complete handling of the bike and from the looks of it the rear shock geometry would also hamper operation. | ||
| Kdogshirow |
With the stock XB9R shock on the XBSS long swing arm it would be so low the swing arm would hit the fuel pump , smash the oil lines , etc. , if you could even get it to bolt up . Thats why you have to use a spacer or modify the shock mounts , or have a longer custom shock made by Penske or some other company , and that is $$$ . | ||
| Falloutnl |
Testing to see if bumping this thread works. /edit: alright, sort of. Not sure if the original poster can see this. But I need that exact same spacer/bracket for my project and I was wondering whether I could contact the guy who made it for you, Kdogshirow. (Message edited by falloutnl on September 23, 2016) |
