| Author | Message | ||
     Para504 |
I'm interested in what it would take to convert the Uly to a XB12Ss configuration. I already have the Uly, but I'm interested in doing at least a partial conversion. I'm not interested in the lower seat - I want to lower the bike a bit. I'm looking for something in-between the two bikes, maybe 5.25 - 5.5" front travel. I know, the grass is always greener next to the model that you don't have... Lowering the rear - go with a XB12Ss shock or similar? If that's the route, does that mean I'd have to convert the tail section (sub frame / seat)? It would be great if I could get by with retaining the existing tail. I'm thinking the front could be lowered by 1.5" by a suspension shop, without impacting performance (other than travel). Thoughts, tips, watch-outs, SWAG at cost, etc. are welcomed & appreciated! | ||
| Dennis_c |
gain 150lbs. that will help lower it. The cost is free $$$$$ | ||
| Stevem123 |
Well I was just pondering on your quest for a lean mean lowered machine and I think you could retain the stock forks by loosing the handle bars and going to some clip-ons. That way you could slide the forks up into the trees more and attach the clip-ons to the tops of the forks above the trees. Then all you need is a shorter rear shock. I have an idea of a special bracket to move the shock to a different mounting position but I'm still working on it in my head. Does that help a little? BC Steve | ||
| Windrider |
Para504, Here is a quote from a post on the ADV board from someone who has seen a lowered Uly done by a dealer: "Lowered Ulysses I rode one this morning. Deluxe HD/Buell in Gillette Wy has one sitting on the floor. It was the only one they had set up for demo, so thats what I rode. I asked how they lowered it, if they had just stuck the XB12Ss suspesion under it or what. The guy in charge said that I was very "Astute". They do a lot of flat track racing, and had their suspension guy down in Colorado Springs set it up, revalve it and lower it. It had a factory low seat on it too. Felt a lot like my Concours. At 5'8 I could flat foot it with no problems. I have ridden a 12Ss before, but not a Ulysses, and I found it very simmilar to the Ss, and maybe not harsher, but certainly stiffer than I expect a regular height Ulysses will ride." You can find the thread at: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127618&page=3&highlight=lowered+ Ulysses If you really want to pursue this I would give them a call. Best of luck, WindRider | ||
| Dakotadon |
Hey that is from me! New guy here, Don, from Glendive, Montana. Picked up my black Ulysses from the dealer I was talking about in the above quote on Saturday. Got my break in miles put in and first oil change done over the rest of the weekend. Planning on a road trip down to southern Wyoming this weekend, if the weather cooperates. The dealer treated me well, and I will take my bike back to them for the first service, but I will do my own work after that. The Dealer was Deluxe Harley, in Gillette if anyone has any questions about how their suspension people lowered the bike I demoed. I did get a full sized version, and it works great for me so far. Website is... http://gillette.deluxehd.com/ No affiliations, they just did right by me so far. Looking forward to riding this thing a bunch more!!! Don | ||
| Trojan |
You would need the XB12SS seat, plastic undertray and battery box assembly. You would also need either the stock XBS tail or one of the aftermarket versions. You can use the existing Uly side rails but need to tap a couple of the cast in lugs to accept the new fittings. All in all it is a very easy conversion to do. The bike feels lower and easier to control with this setup simply because the seat is narrower. We also put lower bars and higher pegs (not shown in this pic) on ours and found the riding position perfect.   | ||
| Para504 |
Great feedback guys, thanks! Sweet looking bike Trojan! I was thinking along the same lines, but a little lower. Not sure if sliding the forks would do it, unless you could do a similar thing to the rear (like the bracket that was mentioned)? I'd be concerned about imbalanced front to back suspension action; it may not be a problem at all, and the cheaper/more flexible way of doing it... Again, thanks for the tips! | ||
| Para504 |
Now that I launched into this project (finally), I just had a "oh sh#t" moment. I ordered a set of helibars for the bike, but its based on a Firebolt. All well and good, but I just remembered the X/Ss have different geometry than the smaller bikes. Will this work with the existing clamp / stem? | ||
| Steveford |
I rode a local fellow's Ulysses that had the Lightning shock and forks on it last week. It felt like a regular Lightning or perhaps a 3/4 size Ulysses. Very nice bike. | ||
| Para504 |
Sounds like a nice set up. The stock Uly is cool too, but I have that incurable "muck with it" disease... I think I caught it when I had my jeep. There was always a different configuration you could play with / tune it to, given your mood & needs. The plan at this point is to lower it 35mm to about 5" of travel, put a "R" front on it with helibars, and a "S" rear with cowl & "R" taillight (without strainer). Looking to make a bike that can still eat up New England roads (crappy pavement), but is sportier than the Uly. Also, I want to retain the ability to swap back to a Uly seat & possible luggage when I want to (with a little work, granted)... If nothing else, something a little different... I just hope this doesn't turn into a massive headache / compromise. (Message edited by Para504 on September 05, 2006) |
