| Author | Message | ||
     Gentleman_jon |
 I am delighted to present this work of art by a new star in the custom bike firmament, Bryan Petersen. Unlike most customs however, this bike not only looks great, but promises to offer a substantial performance improvement over the stock bike. Among the many features of note are: 1. Ohlins front fork 2. Ohlins rear shock 3. Ohlins steering damper 4. Lightweight Marchesini wheels 5. Ultra light weight seat and subframe : approx. 5 lb. 6. Custom made stainless muffler 7. Eccentric chain adjuster 8. Inboard rear brake 9. Clip-on handle bars 10. Handmade high output head light 11. Long Wheelbase single sided swing arm 12. 520 Chain conversion 13. Dual ZTL front brakes 14. Custom made rearsets I haven't ridden this bike yet, but I have every expectation that in addition turning heads where ever it goes, that this bike will definitely out handle a stock Buell because of it's longer wheelbase, less unsprung weight fore and aft, its lighter weight, and of course, the Ohlins suspension and damper are all advantages over the stock bike. When one considers that this is the first effort of a young builder, it is all the more impressive. I am looking forward to Bryan's next bike which is already in the sketch stage, and will definitely be be a Buell. PS: It sounds as well as it looks! | ||
| Smokescreen |
Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder. Nice ride but not for me. Ohlins gold looks nice but it's a tad old. Why has no one bought the new black and grey ones? If I had the money I would be all for em. PS- Why would you go through all the trouble and money and leave the stock headers on it??? I would think that would be more than an oversight. Smokescreen (Message edited by smokescreen on March 15, 2007) | ||
| Disturbed |
Umm...... looks like a photochop of Lil' Blackie to me. EDIT: Unless you guys just get some crazy cool cloud cover frequently. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/32777/214884.jpg (Message edited by disturbed on March 15, 2007) | ||
| Xbob |
looks good. some/most will hate it. got any more pics?? is that the rear brake on the front sprocket? | ||
| Metalstorm |
Bravo! A custom Buell that's still recognizable as a Buell. Bryan Petersen has skill & talent, that's for sure! | ||
| Cereal |
Oil tank? | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
The oil tank is in the swing arm, same place as stock. The single sided swing arm is attached to a more or less stock oil tank, I believe. | ||
| Beastie |
Just curious.. how does a longer wheelbase make it handle better than a stock Buell? | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Many people believe that the XB series wheelbase is too short for optimum stability. It is not unusual for racing Buells to have chain conversions that include lengthening the wheelbase. The Buell XB's have a 52" wheel base, while most racing bikes have 54 to 55 inches. | ||
| Kdan |
Can't like that seat. Where's the electrics? | ||
| Typeone |
love it! more pics and higher res, please  if you need someone to host, i have plenty of space, just say the word. thnx for following up G_j! amazing werk, Bryan! did it sell at Daytona? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Very, very cool. This is a Buell custom I can really enjoy. The essence of what makes a Buell a Buell is still present. I think the dual ZTL would be touchy as hell, but I'm sure you could adjust the strength. I think the rear break placement is really ingenious. I wonder, though how it would fare given chain "sling". I don't think a slightly longer wheelbase would negatively affect the handling much if at all. It ain't like it's got a chrome extended swing arm from a 'Busa. I would like to see more pictures particularly of the front headlight assy. I think Brian and Lil Blackie both used a cloud background from the Sears Photo Shop.  | ||
| Nasty73z |
Have any shots that aren't distorted and cloudy? (lol and I don't mean the ones in the sky) | ||
| Xbob |
is that a 9 or a 12? wheres the battery? | ||
| Rocketman |
Very interesting approach to an XB custom. Certainly makes it look exotic. I especially like the rear brake, though it might add new meaning to toe sliders! I'd prefer Renthal style bars, and the headlamp is too big and ugly. I don't like the seat support brace either. Would look much better without one. I'd like to see the ss arm from the other side too. I like it though. Rocket | ||
| Samiam |
Xbob, If you look at the timing cover you'll notice it is the color of the 12. So it's a 12 most likely. Sam | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Yeah Rocket!!!!!!!!!!! Very fair and even handed analysis. Constructive criticism! Fantastic! | ||
| Cityxslicker |
I want to see those lights blare through the darkness! The stock ones are on their way off of my bike as they dont seem to work out in rural off grid riding at nite. (which is becoming more and more of my rides) | ||
| Beachbuell |
Looks like a fake to me. I call HORSESHIT! Prove me wrong and post up some more detailed pictures. | ||
| Ridrx |
GJ, Is that by chance the other side of the ssa XB you posted a few weeks before Daytona? One of my favorites (I'm a sucker for a SSA ). Maybe someday RAM will produce a kit that suits the style of the XB like they did with the S1W. | ||
| Cycleaddict |
i like it !!! reminds me of a M V augusta "Brutale". twin ZTL'S =OVERKILL. | ||
| Xbob |
its the same one that was on here awhile ago. the other pics were when it was under construction. G.Jon - any chance that the builder will be on here? is that an open muffler, or does it still have the valve in it? | ||
| Glitch |
Beach, don't embarrass yourself. The bike has been posted here before while in the construction stage. Jon just added the background for a more dramatic picture. Never call Jon a bullshitter, he ain't one. It's a cool custom. But I like things more simple. | ||
| Pokinatcha |
Yeah looks like another tailgunner exhaust joke thread to me. You remmember, the exhaust that spins like a machine gun. Everyone went nuts over it just to find out it was a funny ass prank. Wish I would have thought of it first. | ||
| Interex2050 |
Pokinatcha, Believe it or not that is the real deal. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/254442.html#POST815772 Smokescreen, I don't think that they were put there to look pretty. They are Ohlins, and they are best for at doing one thing: performing. That thing is a beauty... Personally I am not too fond of the rear brake placement, it seems like it would put excess strain on the chain but then engine braking does this anyway. I too would like to see more pictures, especially of the swingarm. | ||
| Xbcrazy |
This bike is no joke and is very much a ridable machine. As with any custom built bike some things, like the twin ZTL brakes may be overkill, but that's the essence of a true custom. This bike is built to be flashy yet remain a fully functioning XB based bike that is quite fun to ride. As Jonathan said, Bryan is a young guy with many ideas. Best part is he built 95% of the pieces on this bike himself, including fab work, welding, painting etc. To answer a few other questions posed... All electronics are under the air box cover. The rear brake is on the front sprocket. "Choppers" have employed similar type brakes called "trans brakes," but I haven't seen anything like this on a sport bike yet. It is set inward of the rearset so toe clearance is not an issue. The power plant is a bone stock XB12 with a mini K&N filter, Race ECM and custom pipe that Bryan fabricated. If anyone else has any specific questions, please feel free to post and I will try to answer them. Also, we definitely have many more pics, but the bike has been photographed for 2 popular sportbike mags and I'm not sure what we can post and what we can't post until they decide whether they will use the bike or not. | ||
| Smokescreen |
Why has no one bought the new black and grey ones? If I had the money I would be all for em. I didn't say they were cosmetic. Ohlins makes something other than gold you know? AND who says they are the best performing either? Do you have one? Have you used anything other than the stock setup? Penske, AST and WP don't make s**t parts either. Plus their stuff looks like something custom, not ANOTHER f***ing gold Ohlins equipped bike. Smokescreen | ||
| Interex2050 |
"Ohlins gold looks nice but it's a tad old." It just seemed like you were referring to them as a trend... But you have made some very good points, indeed Ohlins is not the end of all suspensions. Although they are certainly up there, plus with Ohlins one can get a matched set for front and rear so they are designed to work together. I have not tried any other setup on the Buell, but I have ridden Guzzis, SVs and Ducatis with both OEM and Ohlins. The Ohlins seem to hold their ground better, then again that also has to do with setup... | ||
| Darkducati |
I have to say that I really like this bike but I disagree with Jon on one thing. Jon, you mentioned that there is less unsprung weight for and aft. Do you have any numbers? I understand that the wheels are lighter and probably magnesium, but it also has another rotor and caliper. I can't imagine the wheel being that much lighter than the factory Buell front wheel that already sets the manufacturer standard on aluminum wheels. Let alone being so much lighter that it makes up for more than the additional rotor and caliper. But, if I am wrong I would really like to know because if it is that much lighter, it must be incredible with only one rotor on it! Aside from that it is a beautiful machine and I really appreciate you posting a pic. One more thing though, can we see some more pics? | ||
| Glitch |
less unsprung weight fore and aft No way! You can't take unsprung weight away by addition. The fact that he added a brake caliper, rotor, and associated hardware added to the unsprung weight to the front. The rear is hard to say, but, the Ducati SSS is heavier that a stock Buell swing arm, and he added more weight by welding an oil tank. Now by using the Marchesini wheels may have helped, but probably not by much. Adding a chain, also added weight. I have no idea about the rear brake, my guess is it's major value is in the "wow" factor. Making a Buell longer only helps stability in a straight line, if the stock Buell's suspension isn't set up properly. I've had mine to 125+ mph, and was very stable. It will not handle as well in the twisties. I'm not digging on this guy's custom, it's a cool custom, but to claim all that's been claimed is a little much for me to swallow. |
