| Author | Message | ||||
     Geoff |
Hello all! New guy here from the Chicago suburbs. I recently bought this 2008 XB12X with just 7k miles. This is my first Buell. I've owned a number of Harleys over the years so I'm quite familiar with V-twin engines. So far I've changed the engine oil and filter and the transmission oil. I also adjusted the clutch and primary chain. I used a pipe template I found on the site to build a wooden cradle for lifting the bike. I'm reluctant to use it. When I place the cradle on a scissor jack and lift the bike, the bike remains at the same lean angle it has on the side stand. Thus, if I raised both tires off the ground, the bike would fall over. Do I need a second person to hold the bike vertical while I raise the scissor jack? Is the pipe cradle intended for use with a foot pedal operated hydraulic lift? (One person could hold the bike vertical and lift the bike using the foot pedal.) Any suggestions?   | ||||
| Natexlh1000 |
I would suggest getting it almost off of the ground and then adjusting the angle. Personally, I just hoist mine up from above with a harbor freight engine hoist and two ratcheting tiedowns. As an aside, what does the clutch cable restraint at the front of the engine look like? The newer version is made of thick sheet metal. My original one was springy wire and it crapped out at 720 miles. This allowed the cable to contact the front exhaust. There was a recall I think. | ||||
| Tleighbell |
I do it all the time with mine. I just stand in the right side of the bike and stand it more or less upright while pumping the jack up with my foot. If you don't have a foot operated jack you could probably just straighten it up once the jack starts to take a little of the weight. It doesn't have to be perfectly straight. It is pretty secure but for extra security i will strap the bike to the jack if i am leaving it for a while. | ||||
| Skinstains |
That's a pretty sweet lookin ride. Did you steel it? Meaning did you get it cheap? Welcome and good luck with it. | ||||
| Geoff |
Thanks for the replies. The clutch cable restraint at the front of the engine is made of thick sheet metal. I have both a scissors jack and a foot operated jack. I'll try lifting the wheels off the ground and then straightening the bike on the cradle. I bought the bike for about 4K. I would have paid more considering its condition. It's like new and has never seen rain (undercarriage is spotless). Tires and battery are new. | ||||
| 2cylinderbill |
From the pics, it looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Very nice! I just did this to my 08 after it got extensively wet. Worked like a charm. | ||||
| Falloutnl |
That does look like a total steal. And a very good thing it's fitted with new tires. Have fun! The Ulysses is a fantastic bike. | ||||
| Ratbuell |
Spring for at least a rear pitbull stand...makes life a LOT easier. Front and rears (if the front lifts from the lower tree) will allow tire changes and everything. | ||||
| Geoff |
I gave a stand away a couple years ago. No plans to buy another. I'll use my scissors jack. I have another question about the Ulysses. Does the wiring for the heated grip on the throttle side ever break? Seems like the twisting motion could cause it to fatigue and break over time. | ||||
| Froggy |
The throttle side is more likely to fail, for the reason you mentioned, but for what it is worth I'm at 50k miles on mine, and they still get hotter than a thermonuclear reaction. | ||||
| Natexlh1000 |
Yes the heated grip on the throttle side is routed poorly from the factory. It concentrates fatigue at the point that the wires exit the grip. Mine failed at three years but I was able to fix it by slicing in to the grip to get at the wires and I soldered them back together, heat shrunk them and ziptied the wire to the grip to lessen the flexing. It bought me some more years. I just replaced it as the wires broke somewhere in the middle and I didn't want to mess with it again. | ||||
| Motorfish |
Welcome to the Tribe! Good luck with your “new “ ride! Looks showroom fresh! I made wooden cradles out of 2x4s, and use a Sears foot operated motorcycle jack which works great. I also have a rear stand, which is also another good stable method. I don’t have factory heated grips, but if yours fail beyond repair, Polly heaters are a good alternative, and can be used with any set of grips. +1 on cleaning up the 2 grounding points. It’s also a good idea to check out the New Ulysses Owners list, and nip some issues in the bud. Ulys are addictive machines, and a blast to ride. This site is a huge, huge help. Be safe, good luck, and enjoy, | ||||
| Geoff |
Motorfish, I searched for the New Ulysses Owners List but didn't find it. If possible, please provide a link. | ||||
| Motorfish |
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/442053.html?1238017122 If you click on the Big, Bad and Dirty forum, you will see “For those considering or just purchased a Uly, check out the New Owner Section; it will answer most, if not all of your "what should I look for" questions.” It’s in red print. Under that you will see, New Ulysses Owners Information, underlined. Click on that. | ||||
| Tleighbell |
BTW, the factory manual has a template for the wooden cradle to jack up the bike. I can send a copy if you need it. | ||||
| Geoff |
TIeighbell, please pass me a copy of the template. I already made one using a template I found on this site, but I'd like to see what the factory recommends. Thanks! | ||||
| Arry |
Congratulations on finding a beautiful, low mile Uly. Instead of jacking up my bike, I usually use tye down straps (ratcheting), and lift it from above. this works good if you have open rafters in a garage or shed. No chance of an accidental tip over, and you don't have a jack in the way below the engine. One good upgrade is the "comfort kit". It includes an air scoop for the right side, and a shroud for under the seat to divert engine heat. It doesn't look like your bike has this, yet. | ||||
| Shoggin |
I'm with Ratbuell 1000% "Spring for at least a rear pitbull stand...makes life a LOT easier. Front and rears (if the front lifts from the lower tree) will allow tire changes and everything." Vastly more stable and easier to use, and can be used on any other bike as well. IMO | ||||
| Geoff |
My garage ceiling is covered so I can't use ratcheting straps. Is there a particular Pit Bull stand that works with the Uly? Is engine heat a problem on the Uly? It's too cold to tell now. I'm surprised the comfort kit wasn't factory installed. (Message edited by Geoff on December 16, 2018) (Message edited by Geoff on December 16, 2018) | ||||
| Tleighbell |
Me and my big mouth. Sorry, can't find a template in the factory shop manual. Can't think where i got it but check out this thread. there is a good template in about the 4th post down https://www.buellchat.com/5-buell-ulysses-forum/11 15-lifting-buell.html That looks like what I used and it works fine. I can make a template of what mine actually looks like, it is not cut with perfect accuracy but it does the job. | ||||
| Ourdee |
My garage ceiling is covered so I can't use ratcheting straps. When I put Lil Red up on blocks, I place a ladder straddled over it. I then ratchet strap Lil Red to the ladder as a safety precaution.   | ||||
| Steveford |
I use a Lockhart swing arm lift with a Pit Bull which goes into the steering stem, a rectangular engine jack works well for raising and lowering the motor if need be. If you have a garage you'd be foolish NOT to buy some stands, they really come in handy. https://www.amazon.com/Black-Widow-Steel-Motorcycl e-Jack/dp/B002M9W7RQ https://www.pit-bull.com/front-stands/hybrid-headl ift-motorcycle-front-stand-f0100-000 The Lockhart is evidently out of production. Engine heat will certainly be noticeable in stop and go during the Summer but right now it's a good thing. | ||||
| Griffmeister |
The comfort kit was an option for ‘08, I think you can still find them. Also accompanied with a new ECM flash that changed the fan logic. The right side scoop directed more air around the engine, the fan logic kept the fan on above 15 mph to suck all that hot air out the back. Definitely a nice looking bike, I’m jealous of the nice clean newness look. | ||||
| Geoff |
I'm going to wait until the weather warms to decide if I need a comfort kit. As far as lifting the bike, I have two jacks. One is a scissor type, the other a foot pump atv/cycle lift. With the advice I received here, I now have no problem getting the bike in a vertical position on the wooden cradle I made. I gave away a racing stand a couple years ago. I don't intend to buy another. | ||||
| Sharkguy |
Wow, beautiful bike! Welcome and enjoy your new ride. | ||||
| Geoff |
Thanks! | ||||
| Froggy |
It was stock on 2010 models, they released it as a retrofit kit for the older bikes. | ||||
| Gobadgers |
Geoff, yes very nice looking bike. Just came across this post. Looks as though you are just south about an hour or so of East Troy. We'll have to put something together to ride. Maybe you might be interested in the Slimey Crud run? It is the first weekend in May. You have a nice set of cases with your bike. They look like the cases that came with the XP model, yet the side cases look to be a bit wider(a good thing). They do have the Buell logo though. Maybe somebody has more input on this. Where these cases the optional cases on the X? | ||||
| Glenn |
Here's the link to the wood cradle pattern. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/150337.html Glenn | ||||
| Smorris |
will try to upload pdf template
I found in my records, not sure who provided. works great |
buell lift template