| Author | Message | ||
     Cadhopper |
Seeing as I like to ride 400-500 mile days and the fact that I can never leave anything alone here is my plan using Buell factory parts. The XB12SS I bought  Stage 1 (XB12SST) Adding the XB12X fairing, footpegs mounts and handguards.  Stage 2 (XB12ST) Adding the XB12X tail section so I can install hard bags. By overlaying the pictures in Photoshop it should drop the seat by about 1".  Stage 3 (XB12SX) Adding modified XB12X suspension. Suspension travel has been reduced by 1" to keep seat height at a manageable level. Also added high handlebars.  My goal is to create a comfortable touring bike with slightly more suspension travel to reduce the shock of rough roads on my lower back. I also like riding dirt trails and fire roads but I prefer to be able to comfortably reach the ground. Your thoughts and ideas would be welcomed. | ||
| Jaimec |
Interesting project, but would it not have been cheaper (and less work) to START with the XB12X and simply lower it? | ||
| Mdm |
i agree with Jaimec. Also, stage 4 need to add better tires for your dirt trails. | ||
| Cadhopper |
Yeah it would have been easier but not as much fun.  I bought the 12SS because I already have a F650GS dual sport but after putting over 2500 miles on the bike since August I really love this bike and would like to make it more dirt road worthy. Also, after getting the 15% discount from Dave at Appletons on all the required parts it won't cost much more than it would have if I had bought a new Uly. If I decide to sell the extra parts left over from my 12SS it should end up being less. I also thought I would use the bike for track days but I think I will end up buying a used XB9R. The ultimate way to do the modifications would be if I could find someone with an Uly that wanted a lower suspension. | ||
| Cadhopper |
Mdn, I would add the new dual sport tires in Stage 3, I'm just not sure which tires yet. | ||
| Teeps |
What you have there is the Holy Grail of Buell. Good luck with your project. | ||
| Mdm |
Have fun with the project if you decide to do it, and post pictures, lots ! | ||
| Thespive |
You need to keep the S fender, that would complete the package. Otherwise, it is just a Uly... --Sean | ||
| Teddagreek |
Why didn't you just buy a Uly? | ||
| Cadhopper |
Mdn, I am already gathering parts so the project is a go. I wanted to go look at a few parts today but my network server finally bit the dust so I had to rebuild my network.  But all is well because I now have a wireless network with a new laptop. Unfortunately it came out of my bike project fund so it's gonna take a little longer to finish. Thespive, I like the SS fender but it is too short to mount hardbags and carry a passenger. Teggagreek, Because I'm stupid.  | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Stage 2 is exactly what I'm doing in January. Even mentioned it last week to Flickenger(Buell CEO) when he was at Hals... It would be a parts bin bike for Buell to make a 'real' replacement for the S3T. | ||
| Bads1 |
That would be John Flickinger!! | ||
| Cadhopper |
Yeah, I ashame you can't custom order exactly what you want seeing as they are stock parts. Buell could easily make a touring bike lower than the Uly in limited numbers or by special order with the parts they have now. | ||
| Diablobrian |
So you've committed to replacing the s3t in your stable Steve? | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Brian, I'm pretty sure of it at this point. But not REPLACING, but adding to the stable  It may take me a year to do what I want however. But, if finances work out, it should be good for a January delivery of an SS | ||
| Jaimec |
What does the front fender have to do with carrying luggage and/or a passenger?? | ||
| Cadhopper |
What does the front fender have to do with carrying luggage and/or a passenger?? I ride a lot of fire and gravel roads on my F650. This bike will most likely replace the BMW so fender clearance is a must. I don't know if the current fender would allow rocks and mud to pass without doing damage. The bike is still in the design stage so things may change. Truthfully, there are things I don't like about the Uly such as the looks of the rear tail but it would be cost prohibitive to custom design and build something else. The existing tail, as much as I like it, is too short to mount hardbags of any decent size. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Chuck, Did you resolve the problem you ran into on the way home from Liberty? | ||
| Diablobrian |
I would make a spacer to raise the standard fender up an inch or so before I would consider the "beak" But that is just me. | ||
| Glitch |
One other thing to consider, the Uly wheels are more heavy duty than the other Buell wheels. So they can handle off-road better. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Cool Steve! And I'm glad you intend to keep the S3t. A lot of tubers are falling prey to mutant chopper builders, and there really weren't all that many (tube frame Buells) to begin with. That said, I think the XB12ssxr should work out to be a modern equivalent to your "t" | ||
| Bigdaddy |
The standard XB front fender looks 'OK.' If it were 20% larger it'd be near perfect and you could build in some clearance -- I can't do that, but sure wish I could. The additional inch that DB mentions would help by filling in the distance that's created when you de-beak the Uly. A modified XBRR fairing, modified, is the answer Race take-offs are always welcome. Come on Millville let me have one G2 | ||
| Glitch |
A modified XBRR fairing  | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Very close sir, very close Drop a typical XB front fender on it, chop extras off the butt-end, and it's really close. I'll get mine there eventually; time, time, and some time. G2 | ||
| Glitch |
I don't have a good picture of a Lightning Long to get the rest of the parts, but as long as you get the idea.  | ||
| Bigdaddy |
".....,but as long as you get the idea. " Unfortunately I do get it and I wish I didn't. This usually costs me more than it's worth, but it's so much fun G2 | ||
| Glitch |
Worth?  You forget who you're talking to! If it makes you grin, it's worth it! | ||
| Bigdaddy |
You hit that one out of the park. It'll be a really tall, front faired, w/bags, very black, sportbike eventually. I mocked up a R fairing and it, like the fender, isn't large enough. So, what I really need is a R front fender and fairing that's 20% larger than stock G2 | ||
| Diablobrian |
That is almost exactly what Steve, Tim, and I were discussing at Homecoming. It shouldn't be too long before there are fiberglass versions of the XBRR fairings available. Racers will want to retrofit their firebolts with the larger front. If there is also demand for it to be used on Sport touring bikes that will just make the prices lower for all of us. Personally I'd be happy with Uly rearsets, low suspension, a ztl2 brake and a XBRR muffler (assuming it will flow more than my Jardine, and be quieter). It is a good time to be a Bueller, and it promises to get better! | ||
| Cadhopper |
Jerseyguy, It was funny, when I went to pick the bike up from the dealer the tech turned the key on and the fan started cycling on and off while the engine was cold and the bike would not start. At that point it threw 4 error codes all dealing with the sensors. I took the bike home because they did not have time to look at it that day and checked the wiring harness for shorts and bad connections. I could not find any damage to the harness so I unplugged and reseated all the connectors dealing with the ECM, fuel and ignition. After a good test ride with no problems I did a reset on the TPS and AFV for good measure. I've put about 600 miles on the bike since then with no problems. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I will miss the wind/rain protection the S3T fairing gives me on the new bike. The Uly windscreen just doesn't cut it completely for me. And I don't think the firebolt fairing will do the trick either. It'll only be marginally better than the Uly windsreen. | ||
| Diablobrian |
A modified XBRR upper might do the trick though fiberglass replica pieces are probably already in the works | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Agreed! You gotta have vision to see it, but it's there G2 | ||
| Diablobrian |
Remember that you won't NEED the ram air ducts that the RR uses, that would make the "cockpit" roomier for gages GPS units etc. |
