| Author | Message | ||
     Nicholas900 |
Just wanted to share my cafe-ish Buell build. If I posted this in the wrong spot please let me know. I'll be adding to this occasionally. So for the build. The project bike is an 04 XB12R. I picked it up for a good price and it has low (3,700) miles and is pretty clean. It will make a good donor and seemed to run well and function properly. As of now I am just in the very beginning stage. Wiring argh. The fuse boxes, ecm, horn, and lots-o-wires were located in the front fairing. So a finding spots to stash all the stuff and a fresh rewire were the first step. I moved all the bulky stuff under the air box cover and deleted the factory air box. I made a cover plate for the frame and welded on brackets for all the electronics. I used a K&N air filter and mounted the IAT sensor in it. I did a breather reroute mod and bent 3/8 steel line to run down the inside of the frame and welded on a bracket to bolt to the oil cooler subframe. I used a catch can from american sport bike. I also needed to do something with the gauges and wanted to keep the factory ones. So I welded up a new gauge bracket and mounted it to the triple clamp where the ignition switch used to mount. That will be relocated to the rear. Next on the list is making a new tube subframe for the seat, and making a fiberglass seat with cafe cowl. Then mounting my Ballistic battery under the cowl. After that I will be making an air box cover and a few other things. Hopefully done by March. Here's a few pics of its current state:      | ||
| Chicknstripn |
Front end looks slick! I'd like to do the same with my XB. I'm just not that confident with my abilities to splice nerves. How much of the wiring did you actually have to rewire and how much were you able to just reroute off the main harness? Keep us posted on your progress. I think its pretty awesome so far  This is my "custom" tail(in progress). It's all the stock stuff trimmed up a little. I think it turned out good considering I had to make the undertail from fiberglass sheets I bought from walmart!!!!! | ||
| Rickpxb12scgr |
Looks Awesome and very BADASS. I do have one recommendation though. You may want to reconsider relocating the ECM and FUSE BOX back into the tail section where it be stowed securely and protected. REASON: In order to get to all the goodies on the Top End and do Spark Plug Maint etc, you are going to have to juggle the ECM and FUSE BOX around in order to complete those periodic tasks. Both have a history of having issues with loose wiring and connector malfunctions from harsh movement, being sat on and the constant bike vibration etc. Just a thought to reduce any very potential future ECM and FUSE BOX Connector FAILURES. Nice job!!! | ||
| Newmans3 |
Wow, great work here! Any updates? I have a 99 S3 that I am thinking about putting a Firebolt tail section on, has anyone on this site seen this done before? | ||
| Newmans3 |
Can't seem to upload pictures... (Message edited by Newmans3 on February 19, 2014) | ||
| Nicholas900 |
If anyone is interested the build is being covered here. http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Buell-Firebo lt-XB12-XB9/XB12R-cafe-conversion Busy pounding out an aluminum air box and seat. But should have more updates soon. Thanks for the concerns on the ecm and fuse location. I built the electronics plate in a way to allow easy access. Not really any more to do than a stock bike. All the components will be mounted with rubber isolation pads. Its all still in mock up. I all has to come apart for powder coating and polishing. Peace. | ||
| Nicholas900 |
Bike's done:   If this type of stuff interests you, click the link I posted earlier. Peace. | ||
| Froggy |
Very well done! | ||
| Kenny_gilgore |
Nick, That is a beautiful Café Racer! Now you need to take it to the Ace Café and test it out against the old classics. LOL Kenny G | ||
| Nicholas900 |
Thanks Froggy and Kenny. But Kenny, I think we know what this will do to an old classic LOL. Here's a few more pics:                       | ||
| Kenny_gilgore |
Nick, If you manage to get your Buell to the Ace Café in London you might be surprised when some guy twice your age, on a 350CC Matchless Single or BSA Gold Star 500CC single, passes you on the inside of the first corner and the outside of the second corner you will understand what café racing is. LOL Never the less your machine is beautiful. Kenny G | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
It looks amazing and you have great skill. I kind of liked the other subframe better but I can see it doesn't follow this theme. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Very nice work. Great tip about pre-routing the wires, then pulling it back out on the bench, and then bundling it there to route it as a unit. I'm copying that one... | ||
| Tpehak |
What kind of fuse box housing did you utilise? |
