| Author | Message | ||
     Woodcraft |
Just joined the board, this is Eric Wood and I thought that I could help offer some information to anyone who would like to know more about racing the Firebolt. We certainly learned a lot this season, and are looking forward to next year. I anticipate riding for Kosco HD/Buell next year with the team run by Rich Conrath (proharley on the list). Woodcraft will be offering Firebolt race parts as we develop the bike over the winter and between Rich and I we should be able to get a lot of quality parts into the hands of Buell enthusiasts. I am always willing to share information on setup and such on the bike, so if I can be of help to anyone please feel free to ask anything you'd like. | ||
| Newfie_Buell |
You should contact Blake to sponsor this board, get your name in banners like the other sponsors. | ||
| X1glider |
Welcome Eric, your presence here will be very valuble. There are a few of us who are anxious for the next season to start and are using mainly X1s and M2s. I heard a rumor of an XB or 2 in IA (Dave?) I've put in an e-mail to Rich about what he can do for me and my X1. Handling issues are next on my list. One thing I'd like to know is how to keep my X1 from standing up on me while trail braking through a turn. Recently I came in too hot, applied a little brake, half way through the turn I couldn't fight it anymore to keep it leaned, it stood up, had to give up on leaning it back in, it was too late by then and just decided to use the runoff. Is this a function of too little rake? I've never had a problem on bikes with over 25 deg of rake. Not enough compression damping causing me to dive and decreasing trail? I've been playing with the settings only to come up with no solutions. | ||
| Spiderman |
Dude can I have your autograph  LOL But seriously welcome to the board, and feel free to check out the 20th Anniversary card for Erik Thread  | ||
| Woodcraft |
X1 glider - I'll do my best on the handling issue. Often times a bike doesn't really stand up, but instead you lose feedback from the front end so you pick the bike up. Feedback is a partial function of trail, so what you need the bike to do is hold itself up better in the corner. Increased low speed compression damping and spring rate is what helps this. Every bike needs to be ridden differently and what I have found on the Buells is that you need to get the majority of your braking done before you get into the corner. This will allow you to minimize your front end input through the corner and make for a more secure front end feel. Good Luck | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Eric, Welcome to the board! I met you briefly at the Pocono BRAG Dinner but did not get a chance to congratulate you guys for winning at Loudon. I took this picture there:  Good luck next year, thanks to you and Rich for hanging out in this little corner of Buell cyberspace. | ||
| Henrik |
Eric; thanks for stopping by Happy to hear you will be developing race parts for the Buell. I'm already using some of your stuff on my SV650 track bike. It holds up well to crashing Henrik | ||
| Court |
Eric: Welcome, congratulations and thank you for the fine way in which you have represented Buell and your sponsors. Court Canfield | ||
| Blake |
Eric, Congratulations on Loudon! That is a race that will be remembered in the Buell community for a long long time. I've taken to the track on my '97 M2. No racing yet, just track days at Oak Hill Raceway. I found raising the forks on the M2 about 1/4" did wonders for the handling. It is very neutral where before it would want to stand up and took more effort to turn in. I look forward to hearing some of the insights and stories garnered during your Buell racing exploits. | ||
| Matty |
Geez, I love this place! Eric, good to see you're here - hope to be lapped by you sometime next season =) I haven't noticed anyone else posting anything about a questionare from Buell, but I got goosebumps reading it. Basically they were asking us if we had anyone from the shop, or any customers that raced (yes,yes) and if we thought there might be any interest in a race only XB9R (think 748R) or having race only components available. We need to start making some noise and get this happening! | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Matty, Could somebody scan it and post it?????? Somebody else mentioned this (Spiderman?) earlier this year and was looking for suggestions as to how to get more dealers involved. My suggestions involved getting the BRAG clubs involved. I had already posted somewhere else that Buell should build 50 or so XB9RR's, a "race only" F.USA spec version of the XB9R with the chain conversion, fairing, second ZTL brake and a "big bore" race kit with programmable ECM/laptop software already installed and ready to go. They should put it in their P&A catalog, and put the litlle "checkered flags" logo which says it's for "off road" use only, right? The aftermarket will definetly go after these bikes if more people race them. | ||
| Spiderman |
I didn't get one?!?! I did get a call however from Buell about that, and i told them the same thing you just said Jose. More race parts available to the public than just the S1 race faring. But.... I can call up Henry Duga and get a belly pan, full XB body work etc. | ||
| X1glider |
I think it would be really cool if Henry Duga would be allowed to do that for us. All we would need to show him is our license to be able to buy it. Make such a bike (they use a different tail section too I'm sure, I know they do for the X1) without all the unnecessary stuff like the wiring that would normally go to signals, lights and horn to shave the ounces off, pre-drilled fasteners and revalved shocks and forks. Perhaps headwork could be done too. This would save us soooooo much money than buying a street model and converting it. Not to mention a lot less hassle. We could use that saved money for tires. Then we wouldn't have to hopelessly depend on the aftermarket for decent products if they decide to make any at all. Does it really need a 2nd brake? I hear it'll throw you over as it is. | ||
| Daves |
Spiderman, You didn't get the survey? They sent them to all Buell dealers. I talked to Henry about it and didn't get much more info. It was just to see if there is any interest out there. I'm going to call and see how many got sent back to Buell with positive responses. Ride to the edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Ia 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 | ||
| X1glider |
They sent that kind of survey to the dealers?!?!? What good would that do? Half the dealerships I've been to aren't interested in selling a Buell for the street much less a track version. Some dealers have the Buells in a warehouse where nobody will see them unless they ask. They should have sent the survey to the customers in their computer. How would a HD salesperson know if anyone is interested in racing a Buell? Dave and Justin excluded. | ||
| Spiderman |
Some one must of intercepted it or just didn't get to me in general. Now I could kill. | ||
| Daves |
And I thought the flow of info here was bad! I've suggested several times that maybe they(Buell) might want to look at the different "Buell" sites out here to get a feel for what customers are saying,doing and wanting. Anyways, I sent my survey back with a hearty "YES!" to building the "for race track,not street legal version" Too bad X1Glider is probably right, look how many dealers blew off the Slay the Dragon deal last spring. Sometimes I'd like to line up all the Buell dealers(except a few) and slap the sh*t out of them for Erik! PS, How many race bikes should I order for you guys if it happens? Ride to the Edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Ia 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 | ||
| X1glider |
"1" if you'll pay off my X1 first! | ||
| Daves |
I'll take it in on trade! Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Spiderman |
I'll take one if you will take in something other than a bike in on a trade | ||
| Daves |
Like what? | ||
| Ken01mp |
ive got a hot girlfriend (5' 9'', blonde), low maintenence, 19, premed student at U of Wisconsin. what else ya need? Ken (wants one REAL bad) | ||
| Halsracing |
HI MY NAME IS TERRY GALAGAN CREWCHIEF FOR THE #13 PROTHUNDER XB9R RIDDEN BY MIKE CICCOTTO. HAL'S HARLEYDAVIDSON/BUELL SPEED SHOP IS GETING CLOSE TO RELEASING FULL BODYWORK KITS IN BOTH STREET AND FULL RACE. ALSO SOON TO COME WILL BE ARE COMPLETE CHAIN CONVERSION KITS. THE SAME PARTS THAT WE USED TO TO FINISH SECOND IN THE 2002 AMA PROTHUNDER SERIES. FOR MORE INFO AND DATES YOU CAN CONTACT ME OR SCOTT RINDT @ HALSPA.COM OR PH# 262-814-7282 1-800-966-4443 | ||
| Matty |
Hi Terry! Man, this neighborhood is going upscale quick! Next season, I'm going to be on the track with a tweaked XB9R, or a full blown "XB9RR". Hopefully the latter - ideally the "RR" will be cheaper to run than buying a street bike and building it for race use? The M2 is either going to be a backup or it may have to go on the block to cover costs. What I want to know is if Buell is going to be competing with Hals & Kosco for race part sales, or are you guys going to supply the goodies to Buell and get money to put back into continuing race development? manomanoman, can't wait to see what the next year brings! | ||
| Blake |
Guys, You want race parts, specifically engine race parts, Nallin is the place to start. Why bug Buell for aftermarket performance racing engines when you have a fully dedicated performance shop already putting out reliable Buell racing engines? Richard Conrath and Hals Racing, Y'all are top notch Buell enthusiasts and performance innovators, would y'all consider supporting the site? Super cheap. Blake@BadWeatherBikers.com | ||
| José_Quiñones |
This is getting very interesting! | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Terry Any ideas where you will race next year, F.USA or AMA Superstock? | ||
| Spiderman |
Ummmm I have a Guitar, and a large speaker system and amp for a car radio. Um a cat, uhhhhh and a basket case 1976 XLCH | ||
| Daves |
I'm going to have Hoban Brothers Racing do some mods to our FireBolts! I can't wait! Ride to the Edge! Dave HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Ia 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 | ||
| Daves |
Ken, Sorry, can't take girlfriends in on trade as tempting as yours sounds. My wife wouldn't go for that, she's selfish when it comes to sharing me! Spiderman, I can't play the guitar,I'm a dog kind of guy not cats and I just listen to the radio in my old hunting truck. My garage is already full of bikes so I don't really need a basket case sporty. Sorry! Ride to the Edge! Dave Buell sales Mgr HD sales guy BattleMaster Brag club director Go fast gear sales Track day junkie Wannabe racer No wonder I'm so busy 1-800-342-7539 EXT 14 | ||
| Spiderman |
No problem, nice signature BTW | ||
| Daves |
That took me a lot of time to type out, wish this sight had a signature function or does it and I just can't find it. Ride to the edge! Dave | ||
| Spiderman |
If it duz I can't find it. | ||
| Daves |
Can we fix that Blake? Ride to the edge! Dave too lazy to type the rest. HD/Buell Cycle Center Waterloo Ia 1-800-342-7539 ext 14 | ||
| Blake |
Let me check... nope, new version of Discus is as yet unreleased in final form. They are up to Beta version 39.  | ||
| Jima4media |
Wow, This is getting exciting. Welcome aboard Eric and Terry, glad to have you guys around. Terry, we met at Laguna Seca this year. I was the guy taking all of the pictures of your XB9R bikes. Buell Motorcycle - You sent a survey to dealers asking about racing interest? There are only a handful of dealers in the country that have an interest in racing. How about asking customers if they are interested in racing and racing parts? If you are really interested in this idea, I can set up web survey software in about 10 minutes and poll all of the on-line resources, and have more data than you will know what to do with, from people who are seriously interested in racing. Jim Armstrong X-2.5 JimA4Media@DirecTVInternet.com http://caferacers.editthispage.com http://americansportbikenight.inspiredsites.net |
