| Author | Message | ||
     No_rice |
has anyone noticed the big increase lately of people just becoming members and the first or second post is and add for selling there bike more than likely, usually parting it out? i think we are becoming a good place for people looking to scrap out there buell's in order to make a chopper. i am all for an abundance of parts, but man... just my .02 i know some of you dont like the idea of making buell choppers. i have seen some real kick a$$ ones though. i almost did it to mine after i wrecked it this year. the only thing that i think sucks is when it is a perfectly good shape one being stripped down. notice that no one seems to complain when it's a perfectly good sportster getting gutted though, lol at this rate my 03 9r's are going to become a rare collector if i can keep them in one piece, lol. | ||
| Ftd |
A friend of mines new Mutant:   | ||
| Buellin_ri |
Wish they where selling stuff I needed.. | ||
| Lowflyer |
I don't care what anybody says, those mutants are slicker'n whaleshit. I don't think I'd like riding it near as much as I like looking at it though. | ||
| Easy_rider |
There are choppers I like, but count me as a "Don't get it" on that one. | ||
| Ricky |
It all goes along with... "if you can't ride worth a sh1t, then you might as well look cool." | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
I tried to stay out of this as long as I could since I love Buells and also like choppers. Evolution choppers are retarded. There. I said it. It's especially stupid to take a rubber mounted engine and jam it in a rigid frame. I would not be caught dead on that boutique bike. A chopper is supposed to be made by the end user, not by some shop that churns them out like refridgerators. | ||
| Xldevil |
It's especially stupid to take a rubber mounted engine and jam it in a rigid frame. The original X-engine wasn't rubber mounted. Ralph | ||
| Buellgirlie |
wow ftd - THAT looks rockin' cool! i like it. they're doing a nice job with it  D | ||
| Ryker77 |
It all goes along with... "if you can't ride worth a sh1t, then you might as well look cool." sorry to say. But I ride a Buell and my riding skills at high speeds is not what I put value into. I mostly just put around and make noise when taking off. I've never taken a corner at speeds to drag a knee. And untill the other day never even popped a wheelie. I value my body and my bike more than I value being able to take a corner at double the speed limit. If mutant would build a frame with a rear suspension. Then maybe. But I don't think I'd tear my buell apart. Just buy a wrecked XB since they are very common. But then again if you look around you can get a real bike -- Confederate Hellcats sell for around 20,000 used. most of them have 124 or bigger engines.} | ||
| Ryker77 |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custom-Built-Motorcycles-Hell-Cat-Roadster-CONFEDERATE-HELLCAT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ10062QQitemZ4603383681QQrdZ1  | ||
| Ricky |
...I ride a Buell and my riding skills at high speeds is not what I put value into. I mostly just put around and make noise when taking off. I've never taken a corner at speeds to drag a knee. I value my body and my bike more than I value being able to take a corner at double the speed limit. No one said anything about 'speeding'. I'll bet you can ride the Buell better than you think you can. Or put another way, I'll bet you can ride it better than you could a chopper. (ps. I like choppers, I just won't own one) | ||
| Buellin_ri |
I like the confedarate bike. They are far from faddish and have some very unique designs and ideas. Much like something we ride. | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
Ever notice that the rarest and most valuable Harley products are the high performance ones? Harley never built a whole lot of XR750s or XLCRs or Buells. Then figure that at least half of those classics like the XLCRs were bastardized into chopper wannabes. Thusly today those XLCRs are worth way more than a similar Sportster, and a lot of the Easy Rider wannabes don't even know they exist because so few are left. Thus the Easy Rider wannabe, eager to assuage his midlife crisis with a "chopper" trashes a Buell to make a chopper just as the older generation bastardized XLCRs. And someday a couple decades from now, and old biker will wish he hadn't trashed that now rare Buell to build a chopper so he could look cool at the bar 'til he totalled it on the way home... | ||
| Lowflyer |
I like that one too. That looks like one definitely built for riding. | ||
| Buellin_ri |
Buellgrrrl, Let em chop em up. Keep yours in nice shape, and then in ten years time YOU will have a nice collector item. Not the guy who hacked a "one of a kind bike" together. | ||
| Lowflyer |
 | ||
| Thansesxb9rs |
Buellgrrl, Why do you think those bikes are so valuable, just think about it for alittle while and the get back to us. | ||
| Spatten1 |
A used X1 is way cheaper than buying an engine and tranny for a custom or kit bike, or buying a sportster engine in decent shape and hopping it up. Plus you get the forks and wheels to use. I does make sense if that is what you are into. | ||
| Tramp |
No_Rice said: "the only thing that i think sucks is when it is a perfectly good shape one being stripped down. notice that no one seems to complain when it's a perfectly good sportster getting gutted though" * * my feeling, mr rice, is that there are no perfectly good sportsters out there. the sportster's just not a great handling machine (the new generation sporties are much better), and the Buell is. There is little to improve on with a buell, and chopping one removes it's most inherent advantages: the suspension and steep rake. when ya chop a sporty, theres' no real loss, as they're just archaic standards, but a buell is a sporting machine. the elements which remain with the chopped buells are not very buell-specific, so there's little advantage to wasting a buell to make a chopper, except it's low cost. whensomeone chops a buell, they're really only advertising the fact that their image is far more important to them than their riding. someone who chops, then rides a chopped buell is only admitting that he/she values the opinions of others (regarding he/she) more than he/she values one's own comfort or enjoyment. outside of getting admiring looks from strangers, there's little advantage to a chopper. in the heyday of chopperdom, true sportbikes were a arare and expensive commodity, so newly returned WWII vets sought to lighten up their rigid-frame (because that's the only frame they could afford, right after the war, on used HDs) harleys by removing the big tanks and using little peanut tanks from smaller models, and removing (or bobbing) the heavy fenders, etc. fork extension came about for stability in the frequent street drags , where a longer wheelbase meant more high-speed stability. when someoen opts to shoplift the image of the heyday of chooperdom by building these cheap anachronisms, they're doing exacvtly the opposite of what the original chopper builders sought to do. the original chopper builders were building sportbikes, and they expressed disgust toward image-conscious riders of elaborate 'garbage wagons', etc. this is the 'chopper paradox' we are left with, in the 21st century. as i've said, we are rapidly becoming tokyo. | ||
| Bomber |
I find it interesting that the many Angels seem to be riding what were once called garbage wagons, which was, I believe, an offense that could getcha fined or booted -- ah well, here's to riding! | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
Good points, Tramp and Bomber. The outlaw bikers that the fools who chop Buells are trying so hard to emulate were mostly vets who were suddenly unemployed when WW II ended. With jobs being hard to find they had time on their hands and about the same time the War department was practically giving away now surplus motorcycles. Meanwhile there was still a shortage of cars and housing which made both expensive. But these early bikers had cheap transportation thanks to the war department's surplus bikes, and in warmer climates like the southwest they could just camp out. Hey... when you're unemployed a bike, tent, and sleeping bag make for an enjoyable lifestyle. Of course, all these new "bikers" received a certain degree of harrassment from backward cops, so the biker club or "gang" was formed by these unemployed vets for protection- there is safety in numbers. Now the 21st century equivilents of these pioneer bikers wouldn't have thousands of dollars to blow bastardizing Buells. Instead they, like the pioneer bikers of a half century ago, would buy the most bang for the buck- probably the '70s and 80s Japanese bikes that one can pick up at garage sales for a couple hundred dollars or less... Those are the real bikers- the kid on a 400 twin held together by cable ties and duck tape, clad in work clothes and maybe a worn leather jacket if they're lucky. Sorry, owners of the bastardized Buell "choppers"- you're just wannabes. | ||
| Spatten1 |
To take what Buellgrrrl said one step further: The WWII vets like HDs because they were big engined and fast bikes, badass machines at the time. Those same guys would not be riding cruisers today, they would be riding liter class sportbikes which are very fast and very affordable. In fact, visit a marine base, and you will see plenty of them parked next to the also fast and affordable Mustangs. Not too many low ranking young soldiers can afford a high-end Harley. To further the irony, the WWII vets went to Daytona to see RACES, not to show off paintjobs and cool t-shirts. Just my opinion and observation. There are a few hundred thousand Daytona visitors that would probably disagree. | ||
| Bomber |
just to add to the confusion -- it was the WW2 vets that were primarily responsible for bringing good handling cars and bikes to the states from Europe -- | ||
| Lowflyer |
"Those are the real bikers...Sorry, owners of the bastardized Buell "choppers"- you're just wannabes." Wow. Bustin' out with the 'greatest generation' vets to support your warped and baseless argument. That's a new low. I would think their legacy was worth more than this pathetic "biker/wannabe" argument. Following your logic, any pilot that is not flying a plane they built out of bicycle parts is not a "real pilot." How stupid is that? I doubt anyone is truly qualified to classify who is or is not a "wannabe." That is for each of us to decide for ourselves. I dig the choppers for what they are, but haven't the time, skill, or money to build one. If I did, and wanted to use donated Buell parts, I'd definitely say "•••• you" to anyone who voiced an opposing opinion about it. I might also be motivated by those op-posers to write a book documenting the destruction of the Buell and the creation of the chopper. Build what you want. Ride what you have.  | ||
| Wardan123 |
It's been done...  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929133170/qid=1137439421/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-7032262-7896654?s=books&v=glance&n=283155 Editorial Reviews -found at Amazon.com Book Description Choppers dont have to cost thirty thousand dollars. In fact, a chopper built at home can be had for as little as five thousand dollars. The key is the use of a donor bike for most of the components. How to Build a Cheap Chopper documents the construction of four inexpensive choppers with complete start-to-finish photo sequences. Least expensive is the metric chopper, based on a 1970s vintage Japanese four-cylinder engine and transmission installed in a hardtail frame. Dont look for billet accessories or a fancy candy paint job on this one. Next up, price wise, are two bikes built using Buell/Sportster drivetrains. The fact is, a complete used } or Sportster can be had for five thou or less. Now youve got more than an engine you have wheels and tires, brakes, hardware, lights, harness, and some sheet metal. Bolt all that stuff to a simple hardtail frame to create an almost-instant chopper. Most lavish, but still cheap by comparison with many of the bikes built today, is a big twin chopper built from carefully chosen aftermarket parts. A RevTech engine and five-speed tranny set in a Rolling Thunder frame. Accessorize from the swap meet and add a simple one-color paint job to create a bike no one needs to be ashamed of. | ||
| No_rice |
this wasnt exactly where i was going with this when i posted this thread, but hey, what the hell..... i was being sarcastic with the perfectly good sportster thing. have seen a few tricked out nice but mostly they are not my style. DOESNT MEAN I WONT TALK TO OR RIDE WITH THEM. or even take them for a spin if offered. i'm always up for trying a new bike out. I WILL RIDE WITH ANY BRAND OR STYLE OF BIKE AND THATS THAT. i am in it for the fun and comraderie. plus as all true buell riders should know, for most of us if we are to good to hangout and ride with someone on another brand or even a poor chopper... then we would be riding alone ALOT. atleast i would because i am mostly a lone buell around these parts. plus i build all kinds of bikes. i suppose everyone will be pissed because we took a perfectly good jet engine out of something and made this bikehttp://legacymotorsportsinc.com/_wsn/page3.html my first street bike was a 350 honda. put 8 miles on it before an army recruiter ran a yield sign and wiped it out. that thing turned into a sweet cheap little chopper. probably pissed about the fact that we gutted a new v-rod to make the one on the bottom of the page http://legacymotorsportsinc.com/_wsn/page4.html but thats what the guy wanted so thats what he gets. the v-rod drivetrain needed a new home bad, why not prostreet something for it. wasnt built as a corner purpose bike. it was built to run around in downtown minniapolis. just trying to make the point that not everyone has the same idea of whats fun. for the majority of my life i put all my money into my snowmobiles and dont regret a min of it. some people including my best friends think its a waste of money. for me though there is nothing like blasting down the trails on a big bore thundercat. those are only supposed to be a lake racer if you ask what people think of them. i road the hell out if them on the trails and climbing the backends of all my friends purpose built TRAIL AND RACE sleds when they would say there was no way i could ride it on the trails and keep up with there lighter sleds. they couldn't get out of the way fast enough though once we really started to crank them up. but in the same aspect there is nothing like flying down a back road on a bike either. some people are not comfortable corner carving on any bike EVEN A BUELL, and might not ever be. so why not have a bike that does suit there needs even if it is taking a buell motor that they got ahold of and putting it in something like a chopper frame. to each his or her own. doesnt mean i have to really care for there opinion on which bike is best just to go for a ride with them. have a beautiful day and ride safe. no matter what it is you are riding  | ||
| Lowflyer |
This is better:  | ||
| Buellgrrrl |
No Rice, your screen name alone says someting for your level of tolerance for mechanical diversity. 'Bout that bastardized V-Rod that you said was built just to impress folks in downtown Minneapolis... I spend a lot of time on downtown Minneapolis streets and I've never seen it. Sounds like that V-Rod engine that Harley put so much energy and pride into will get rusted frozen from lack of use. Should have given it too me- I woulda put some miles on that V-Rod... | ||
| No_rice |
no_rice is because the first thing everyone said when i got my bike is whyd you buy a rice rocket? why didnt you get a harley? some where i read that you have 4 bikes currently. are they all buells? congrats if they are. if not i guess i really dont need to say anymore about your opinions either do i. and as far as my mechanical diversity my 2 xb's would be the only bikes i have ever owned that aren't a foreign model. worked on more makes than i can remember and had just about as many. why is it that you think you need to force your opinion on everyone. some people (as in me) dont apreciate the way you were responded to in another thread that happens to be in the classifieds and that person (me again) made a coment as such. but yet you turn around and start bashing me and my work and even my screen name. i could simply say that you dont know how to spell very good grrrl but i realize there is probably a reason for your screen name being that way and might be polite enough to ask if i gave a crap. glad you know everyone in minniapolis. i am asuming you have heard of steinel(sp) then? the owner of the bike runs that company and also business in germany. and actually is a great guy to hang out with. so also could be that he is gone on business ALOT. also the fact that it currently spends more time getting requested at shows (despite your opinion on it, as you dont rule the world) since it was built might be another reason. even Willie G didnt think it was bastardized as you put it, and the vrod was his baby. we spent well over an hour with him talking about our bike as well as other ideas as he was looking it over at the all harley show in daytona last year. he was actually impressed with its enginering which i took as a compliment even though you may have not since he is part of harley you know. i am sure some how the fact that we also made a hydraulically driven bike and have 32 patents on it will set someone off because it doesnt require shifting. so what if it helps give longer motor life and better fuel economy because of the extremely low rpms you can drive down the road at. or the fact that not everyone has functional legs. to hell with helping them out also huh. do you see where this is going? this is america damn it! to each there own opinion, but doesnt mean you have to force it on me. good thing i'm so easily amused. if i were to be in your area, which actually i am not all that far from. and have been to many many times. i would gladly ride with you. even though i do not agree with your attitude towards our fellow man and women on some subjects, it doesnt mean you cant be a compitent rider. although i'm sure your morals would not allow you to ride along side someone like me that does such cruell things to poor defensless bikes or parts. anyway like i said so politely before HAVE A GREAT DAY! AND RIDE SAFE NO MATTER WHAT OR WHO YOU RIDE!! | ||
| Spatten1 |
I have that book. One winter I'm going to stretch a beat up CB750 or KZ1000, put a wheelbarrow sized wheel on the back and a 21" on the front. Should be fun. Barley ridable, but fun to put together. I'm sure I'll be scared to ride it in traffic, as I'm a nut for high end geometry, suspension, and brakes, but I just would like to make a fun rat bike project someday. That book really gives a rational economic reason to part out a Buell, if you want a HD based bike. | ||
| Skull |
Ricky: It all goes along with... "if you can't ride worth a sh1t, then you might as well look cool." Buellgrrrl: Thus the Easy Rider wannabe, eager to assuage his midlife crisis with a "chopper" trashes a Buell to make a chopper Some people are just too narrow minded to enjoy life completely. For this, I feel sorry for you. But, as for me, I'm having a hell of time - on BOTH bikes (Mutant and Firebolt)! | ||
| Panic |
"these early bikers had cheap transportation thanks to the war department's surplus bikes" Errr... No. Those were almost all WLA 45" and not fast enough. | ||
| Buellin_ri |
I'm not a chopper fan only for the reason everyone has/wants one. It just seems to "trendy" for me. With that said. I do enjoy some choppers that incorporate new and innovative ideas. If done right, can be a piece of motorcycle art. As for taking a a perfectly good Buell/bike and making a chopper out of it. I feel that if its done right, not taken apart never to see the light of day (where most projects seem to go), is ok. Its your property, do with it what you will. I am opposed to people building choppers who buy there stuff on ebay, outbid me with outrageous bids, so I can't put my bike back together. If you know anyone who is doing this punch them for me and tell them to call the dealership for the list price before bidding.  | ||
| Jsunstar |
ive gotten outbid on buell stock parts before on ebay to a guy who outbid me by waaay over the retail dealer price! what a duma$$ | ||
| No_rice |
ebay parts is a whole other thread in itself, lol http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/168897.html?1137376032 |
