| Author | Message | ||
     Uylightning |
Hey guys, first time poster. I recently sold my 07 XB12S, mainly because after two years of owning it and being 6'5", just wasn't working. Loved the bike, though. Anyway, I really want to make a Ulysses into a "taller, long lightning". I'd like to build something into the first picture you see when you Google "Ulysses Buell". Anyway I cam across this bike in my area and I've been doing a little research about the ECU problem these can have and all, and was wondering what a bike like this in its state would be worth paying. I could get an "intact" Uly for just about that much. He's had it on eBay three times and it never got above 2k, which is what I think is the most I'd pay for a bike like it. http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/4602945565.html Thanks! | ||
| Terrycoxusa |
That's funny, he has been running the same bike on ebay for a couple of weeks. Sad to see a Uly butchered like that. He'd be real lucky to get $2,000 if the motor is good. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Yup. Somebody with a blown engine and good plastics and tail section *might* pick that up for $2000. But you have to question the judgment of the owner in other areas as well. ECM problems aren't any big deal, easy to avoid. Post 07 has a better crank and oiling system than the earlier ones, and so are worth substantial bit more IMHO. But I wouldn't (and didn't) turn down a good deal on an 07 or 06. | ||
| Uylightning |
Thanks for the quick reply, I actually was the high bidder every time!  I think it would be perfect for me to convert. I haven't sprung my offer onto him yet. Waiting until I actually see it cause I'm sure it's worse in person. I can paint and do everything myself, so I think it'd be a fun project. | ||
| Froggy |
It sounds like you want a XB12STT or later model XB12SS, quick and easy to throw a Ulysses flyscreen mount on it, and the Uly foot peg mounts are not that hard to do either if that is what you desire. Regarding that craigslist post, I'd give him $2k and a gallon of gas to set it on fire. | ||
| Uylightning |
I've looked at the specs for the STT and SS and I think they'll end up being too short for me. Remember I'm 6'5" and need all the height I can get. And didn't EB himeself say the windscreen doesn't fit from the Uly to the other XB's? | ||
| Buewulf |
That looks like a real hack job to me. He should have stayed with the "spaceship" look. I can't really say what it is worth as I would probably just keep looking for an intact bike. At $2K, though? That is probably worth the risk that the critical maintenance items weren't shown anymore love than the exterior. Plus you are going to be ditching the seat and subframe anyway, and you'll get some good tires to boot. | ||
| Uylightning |
He can keep those tires, ha. I would rather start with a normal X, but at this time 3k is about all I could afford. Remodeling, and other adult problems  Not that I would pay 3k | ||
| Rayycc1 |
the person that did that to that bike should not be allowed to own another motorcycle....or breed for that matter. Don't get me wrong...I'm all for making the bike yours thru mods....but that is just blasphemy | ||
| Froggy |
The windscreen doesn't fit, but if you put the Ulysses flyscreen mounts on, then yes it does. I've converted a SS into a Uly minus the suspension bits, it can be easily done. There is a 1.25" difference in ground clearance between the XB12X and XB12STT, and the STT is closer to the taller longer Lightning that you mentioned you are looking for. Either way these bikes are easily adaptable to your needs. | ||
| Uylightning |
Yeah the more I look at it, 2K seems like a good offer for that thing. So I've tried searching, and have found a couple of threads on the lightning long tail swap, but does anybody have any links to any info pertaining to this? | ||
| Woodnbow |
Ouch! I wouldn't pay anything for that bike. If he's that kinda maroon about the cosmetic part of the bike, what kind of treatment has the mechanical aspect undergone? Looks beat, rode hard and put up wet.. Sad. This, I would look at... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Buell-Other-2006-buell-ulysses-xb-12-x-/151381430541?forcerrptr=true&hash=item233f09510d&item=151381430541&pt=US_motorcycles (Message edited by woodnbow on August 18, 2014) | ||
| Motorbike |
Wow! What a piece of crap. I would offer him 10 bucks for it just to see the look on his face. Don't walk away from that deal, run away from it. You can do much better, even if it means not buying a bike... | ||
| Uylightning |
Didn't waste the trip down since he wouldn't go below 2500. Even though he knew I was the high bidder and the last time it got to 1376. Lmao. Let the searching continue.... | ||
| Etennuly |
I don't get all of the "hack job" comments.  Isn't this crowd still about "having it your way"? He personalized it. Looks to me like he unbolted the tail section and changed out the seat. $150 worth of used parts would probably put it back, if that was what YOU would want. I never trust a paint job on Uly Plastics though. There are special procedures that must happen for it to stick properly. So spend $150 more on a set of used plastics. Test drive it the same as a pretty one, to make sure mechanically it is good. Spend a few hours and another $150 and all of the maintenance stuff and it should be good. That is something that should be done on any other bike purchase. I love it when I can use the ol' "it looks like crap" judgment on a vehicle I want to buy.....it is where profit comes from in the repairing stuff business.  | ||
| Uylightning |
No, it wasn't just unbolted, it was sawed off and ratchet strapped back together. I'm all about making it your own and definitely agree on the painting plastics since it looks like it's not sticking already. But that tail and seat are now junk because they were literally, hacked off. got a text from him this morning asking if I had anything to trade on top of my offer....um, no | ||
| Motorbike |
I agree that everyone should be able to make their bike their own, however they see fit. The problem is, when you do something like this to a bike, you should expect that there will be those who will like it and those who do not. With that in mind, a person should expect to take a big hit when trying to sell any customized vehicle, even if it was done beautifully. Not everyone is going to like it. It would be hard to find the few who do like it and then hope they are willing to fork out the dough. Also, just by looking at the pictures, I doubt that this guy had any clue how to maintain the mechanicals. Just my $.02 and I still stand by what I said in my last post. It is also understood that he may not like my bike and I am fine with that. To each his own. | ||
| Etennuly |
Sounds like my kind of find if it comes with a good ratchet strap!  It looked to me like he may have cut the rails, but they simply unbolt and replace also. Wonder if he cut through the wires and seat cable to? If I had a need for a spare Uly I would try to scoop it for about $1500 and trade him something that I have nothing invested in. Might work. One thing.....I am not defending his being a potential idiot or having bad taste. Looks like he needs to buy some leathers and a Road King to complete his "being different" program!  | ||
| Ratbuell |
All he did was unbolt the tail section "bridge". The tail is 3 pieces - left rail, right rail, bridge. The bridge holds the tag bracket / cheesegrater, taillight, and connects the L and R rails. Same for a Uly, but the Uly has mounts for the triple tail and grab handles. This guy isn't smart enough to fabricate; all he did was unbolt. And Vern just likes guys in leather.  | ||
| Uly_man |
Not much.  You can see from here that he has cut off the pillion peg mounts so that would mean you would need to buy new hangers. Thats BIG MONEY to say the least. Then you have the plastics which could be near useless now. Stickers on the frame, chopped up covers, bad paint work and something approaching the quality of work "from the Devil" on the back end is just criminal. Every one has the right to do as they wish with there property. They paid for it. Just expect to loose money on the deal if you do this sort of thing. The bike is a pile of crap. Very sad. | ||
| Ratbuell |
passenger peg mounts are right where they belong, you can see them in the other photos. He has the turn signals on the peg mounts. | ||
| Ratbuell |
He took off the *heel guard* portion of the mount. But since the OP wants to use an XB-S seat and tail, he can just get XB-S (tail-mounted) pegs. But as I said in the other thread...I think the whole idea is too much work for not the desired result... |
