| Author | Message | ||
     Oldog |
I'm new to XB/'25 ownership and use jack stands on my tuber, what is the best way to support a '25 for service? | ||
| P_squared |
Depends on what service you're performing. Pitbull makes stands, front & back. You can also fall back on the "suspended from the rafters" method as well. If you use a rearstand that lifts by the swingarm, be sure to use a "c" clamp to keep it from sliding off. Other than that, whatever works for you. | ||
| Ron_luning |
If you have an 09 model it has slider/spools installed from the factory in the rear swingarm. If you have an 08 there are aftermarket options to install spools through the axle. Pitbull does sell a Buell specific rear stand designed to cradle the swingarm without spools. If you have the spools I recommend buying their S/S (standard/spool) rear stand made for custom cruiser bikes with 240mm+ rear tires. That will fit into the spools on the 09. The cradles that hold the spools on the stand have unequal length forks. I had to mount them backwards and cut off the extra length on the left side to prevent contact with the swingarm. The drawback to buying the Buell specific stand is that you can't use it on another brand of bike. Plus the spool stand may be a bit more stable, but I'm guessing there. I also have Pitbull's "new front" front stand with a #3 pin. It works well and clears the bodywork during lift and lower. These 2 stands are pricey though, together you'd be looking at around $350. | ||
| Lastonetherebuys |
I saw another option for installing spools on the 08's at the local HD/Buell dealer's race bikes they just took aftemarket spools with what looked like a 3/8" bolt thread and they drilled the swing arm in about the same spot where the factory installed ones are on the 09's One of the techs told me that they had to take the rear wheel off to install it and there is a flat spot on the inside of the swing arm that they drilled through. One could prob do it with out taking the rear wheel off it would just take alot more time to get it laid out so they are exactly the same side to side. | ||
| Avc8130 |
I drilled through my swingarm and installed sliders. One of the best things I did. Much easier to work on the bike. ac | ||
| P_squared |
I'd be careful drilling & adding spools to the '08 swingarm. It brings up potential warranty & safety issues. If it's done on a race bike, no problem. The crew is usually competent & they understand the inherent risks of getting it wrong, plus there's no expectation of getting warranty work done. Just my $0.02 & YMMV. | ||
| Lastonetherebuys |
I agree with you on the be careful parts. although i was looking with a mirror the other night because i have been thinking about drilling for spools and the inside of that swing arm is gusseted all around that flat spot where you would want a spool as if it was almost put in there from the factory even in 08. as far as warranty goes if a dealer is gonna eff you around and black list your bike as far as warranty goes over putting something that makes it easier to work on it i would stongly recomend finding a new dealer. If you are doing things that will dramaticly change the way that the bike would run ya sure void the waranty but spools that would be over kill. But thats just my oppinion. | ||
| P_squared |
If the swingarm cracks because of a bad installation, I'd be surpised if the dealer didn't laugh a person out of the door requesting warranty work on the swingarm. Depending upon the skill of the installation, it could potentially lead to grounds for denying other warranty work as well, such as the belt, etc. I don't see a competent dealer refusing warranty work for anything NOT related to the swingarm. Just things to think about before you break out the drill. | ||
| Avc8130 |
I would not expect a dealer to warranty a cracked swingarm that has non-factory holes drilled in it...but I do not think it should affect any other portion of the warranty. ac | ||
| White79bu |
I have had mine installed for a year with 9 track days and zero problems. I only use mine when changing the rear tire. For everything else I my Dark Horse Moto sliders to lift the bike. | ||
| Avc8130 |
I use mine constantly. In fact I used them today while washing the bike after the trip from Indy. ac | ||
| D_adams |
You'd have to try pretty hard to crack one of these swingarms just drilling a hole in a gusseted section of it. I've done a couple of them and none have shown signs of cracking. I guess throwing the bike over on it's side and slamming it to the pavement might do it though, since the hardware I used was stainless bolts/nuts with an aluminum spool and the swingarm is aluminum. Of course, if you _did_ manage to crack one, I'd like to see it and find out how it was done. Odds would be on a hard crash, not drilling a couple of holes. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Is the dog bone structured to be a jack point like the XBs? | ||
| Oldog |
I thought that the machine could be lifted on its muffler like an Xb I guess not.... | ||
| Smoke |
it can be lifted by muffler but there is no flat spot to jack on. i had been supporting the bike with another spool stand with a web strap supporting the muffler hooked between the spool ears while i changed tires. too slow at the track plus concerned about melting the strap along with having to remove the belly pan. i ended up drilling for spools forward of the axle in a non- gusseted area and making wedge washers for inside and outside the swingarm to make the spools parallel to the ground. i use the dark horse sliders for normal clean and tire warming duties and the spools only for changing tire. tim | ||
| Avc8130 |
My thoughts were if the swingarm cracked during a crash, insurance would be picking it up anyways. The spools are way too convenient to live without. ac | ||
| Oldog |
when were the spools added to the bikes '09 or '10 how much is a spooled swing arm, I did steel bar through the axle last night then up on stands, a bit of a challenge. the stock exhaust is "the dog bone"? I saw some harbor freight stands that might do the job, | ||
| Avc8130 |
Spools added in 09. Swingarm would be black, not blue like stock. Steel bar through the axle doesn't get the wheel off, most of the reason for a work stand to me. Stock exhaust is the dog bone. I have seen bad pictures of the HF aluminum stand failing. ac | ||
| Puredrive |
I tried to lift my 09 CR bike with a friends pitbull stand. It hits the swing arm before its fully lifted. So I just stopped before I put a huge gash on the swing arm. Anyone experienced the same thing as me? BTW my friend rides a XB9 and has regular spools. | ||
| Avc8130 |
I use an OLD Lockhart Phillips stand. It is set about as WIDE as it will go. These Buell swingarms are really wide compared to most sport bikes. ac | ||
| Chadhargis |
I have a set of old Handy stands that I never use anymore. So I spread the rear stand wide enough to fit the 1125 swingarm and it works like a champ. Doesn't use the spools, but it works. I'd like to use the spools if possible, just don't want to by ANOTHER stand. I already have four. | ||
| P_squared |
For those of you who have installed spools on your '08 swingarms & are happy with the results, I'm happy for you. For those folks who might someday read this, before you attack your swingarm with a drill, think of the following: -Drilling a Kawasaki ECM multiple times -Flushing a Mustang's engine with water -Putting NOS energy drink in the gas tank D_adams, I don't doubt that it would take a hard crash to crack your install. I also don't doubt the mechanical ineptitude that lurks out there in the world which has internet access.  Myself personally, I have the DHM sliders with spools for the rear. That handles my normal lifting duties for cleaning, etc. When it's time to change the tires, swingarm stand with paddles to lift by the swingarm. Prior to that, I used an ATV jack positioned under the muffler (look at the cutaway pics of it sometime) positioned under the appropriate spots, and a LOT of straps off the rafter. | ||
| Ccryder |
I've got a set of T-Rex stands for my 12r that work on my 1125rt. For a more secure lift, I added a piece of 1/4"x1.0" key stock under the swingarm to keep the lift from sliding forward. There is a short boss on the bottom of the swingarm. I epoxied the key stock in place. It just makes the "stop" a little taller. I was kinda leary of drilling my 08' swingarm to fit spools too. later Neil S. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I have the spools, and they are too wide to use. I'm using the standard old Handy stand that I pulled a little wider apart. Works great. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I have the spooled swingarm on my '09, and I have a set of T-rex stands. The rear stand, at it's widest setting, will scratch the swingarm. It has nothing to do with not being able to be wide enough, but the curved shape of the swingarm and the GIANT hooks on the t-rex stand just don't jive. Easy fix, though - I just took some channel locks and bent the larger of the hooks outward a little. No more touchy touchy. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I already have two Pit Bull stands, and two Handy stands...I'm not buying another stand. It looks like the muffler could serve as a jack point too, so I might make an adapter like I did for my Uly and lift the bike the same way. | ||
| Nadz |
I have the Pitbull dual-mode (spools and padded swingarm) and there's nothing I haven't been able to do. I usually use some DHM-style thru axle spool/sliders, but if the rear wheel has to come off, I just spin the arms around and use the pads directly on the swingarm. If I need to work on the front or rotate the engine, I add an auto jack and a piece of wood under the muffler; this is surprisingly stable. If I needed to work on the rear swingarm (haven't yet) I'd put a rod thru the front axle for the Pitbull to lift, and jack under the rear end of the can. Bottom line, the Pitbull, a cheap auto jack, and spools will enable you can do everything short of pull the motor. | ||
| Mtrmnc02 |
Can you only drill through the 08' swing arm? I have an 06' Uly and I've been looking for a way to adapt spools to it for a while. Wish the R & D would of thought of it before hand! | ||
| Unique_id |
FYI -- I own a forward handle pitbull stand with non-spooled attachments and has worked great with my xb9s and other bikes. I saw that the 2009 1125r's come with spools on the swing arm so I ordered up some spool attachments. Excited about working on my new bike, I put the bike on the rear stand to do my first oil change and I step back and find that stand had scratched my swingarm. I guess I hadn't fully extended the spool lifts and they hit the swingarm. I was utterly mortified as not even having 50 miles on the bike and I already scratched it up! I stood back calmed down and pushed the spool attachments to their farthest. Tried again and it is "doable" but you have a hair's width of breathing room. I ordered some touch up paint that will hopefully make it new again. I'll have to look through the threads and find out what other people are doing. I found a picture that suggests that even Buell made the same mistake, makes me feel a *little* better.   | ||
| Aj2010 |
I have an early production 09 and the little threaded bits are NOT cast into the swing arm but rather welded on (from the factory) so I's say welding must be OK |
