| Author | Message | ||
     Swordsman |
Well I like it, though I'm sure my butt would disagree! I REALLY dig the headlight assembly... I'm all about nutty headlights. Think he coulda' mounted those bars any lower??? ~SM | ||
| Caféelite |
First I think it looks like a complete photochop job but thats just from a guy that lives w/ a graphic design artist. How knows... I do like the bike for the most part though. I think it has that very street fight look but I think you went wrong in regards to the headlight. That thing is just horrible. I am loving the exhaust, that looks tough as hell. With all the custom work why leave the nasty master brake res in place? I think the suspension looks hot, especially w/ the color of the bike. Good work! (Message edited by caféelite on March 16, 2007) | ||
| Yohinan |
My personal opinion but I love it. Most likely could not afford it but I think it's awesome! | ||
| Glitch |
The picture in question, it's a real bike that's been Photoshopped onto a different background. | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Thanks everyone for your interest and comments. Thanks to Typeone who has graciously provided web hosting space, here are 17 more photos of the bike that show many of the details of this imaginative design. http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_1 .jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_2 .jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_3 .jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_4 .jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_5 .jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_6 .jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_7 .jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_8 .jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_9 .jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_1 0.jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_1 1.jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_1 2.jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_1 3.jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_1 4.jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_1 5.jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_1 6.jpg http://www.aluminum.nu/web/img/bryan_petersen/bp_1 7.jpg Gltich has raised some interesting questions about the bike which I will adress here. 1. Unsprung weight. a. Front wheel. I probably got a little carried away by my enthusiam here. The Marchesini wheel is very light, but the additional rotor and caliper probably add to the unsprung weight. Bryan was going to weigh the components, but the rush schedule did not allow it. b. Rear wheel: here I do believe that there is less effective unpsrung weight than the stock bike, as the effect of a weight on the supspension is relative to the square of its distance from the swing arm pivot. Thus the effect of moving the brake off the wheel is greater than the added weight of the chain, half of which is supported by the front sprocket. The wheel, and rear sprocket are rather lighter than the stock parts, and located where the weight really counts, and the actual swing arm is lighter than the stock arm, which is a rather beefy part, on both sides of the wheel. 2. Wheelbase. This is an area where reasonable people can disagree. Personally, I feel the bike is a bit unstable, because of it's short wheelbase and steep fork angle and short trail. Most racing bikes, including most racing Buells have chain conversions that allow a couple inches more wheelbase, I have a longer wheelbase on my own bike, as well as a steering damper, and I feel the bike is more stable, and handles better. However I am not the smoothest rider, and a bit on the overweight side, and those factors may be important too. Matt of Trojan has also written on stability issues, and has equiped his team bikes with a device that increases the fork angle and trail. I think he is using a longer wheelbase as well, if I recall correctly. I wish some factory voice would be heard on this matter. Finally I would like to thank Glitch for defending my honor and my modest Photoshop skills.  (Message edited by gentleman_jon on March 16, 2007) (Message edited by gentleman_jon on March 16, 2007) | ||
| Rocketman |
Well, I didn't realise this was the same XB custom I slated a few weeks ago, but the older pic was of the left side, and seeing the file of most recent pic's I'm still not liking the ss arm when seen from the left side. I especially don't like the clumsiness of what is now an oil tank that remains from chopping the swing arm. As always, a single sided arm has to carry the rear wheel inch perfect or the rear wheel looks to me like it doesn't belong. Unfortunately this XB for me has this problem seen from the left. I take back my earlier comments about the headlight and seat support. The headlight looks pretty cool when seen in the better pic's. As for the seat support, in the rough pic first seen it looked very much like the triangulated area under the seat was all one area. It is not and it looks neat for just having a stem of alloy tube to support the seat. Not sure about the quality of the seat recover though. A small detail but I don't like the shape nor style of the rear signals, and most everyone knows they are cheap aftermarket items too. The small stuff is important when it comes to attention to detail. Overall though, it looks a hundred times better than I thought it did from the mock up we saw weeks ago. Conclusion. Get some Renthals on it and junk that retro dumb cafe look. It's a Streetfighter for gods sake, and a pretty damn good one at that. Rocket | ||
| Liquorbox |
Absolutely Beautiful bike!!! Wish I could afford one! | ||
| Metalstorm |
Thank you for the pics Gentleman_jon Thank you for hosting them Typeone | ||
| Darkducati |
Ditto that. | ||
| Glitch |
Nice photos Jon. But there is no way a Ducati SSS is lighter than an XB swingarm. No way. Keep working on that Photoshop, you've got the talent hands down, practice will hone your skills. www.worth1000.com is the BadWeB of Photoshop, lots of tutorials, and some great contests. | ||
| Glitch |
 Sweet! | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Glitch, thanks for the Photoshop tip. You never stop learning Photoshop, and there is a cool new version, CS 3, in public beta, soon to ship. Just to set the record straight I had mis-spoken about the origin of the swing arm. It is NOT a Ducati SSS. Ducati is the donor for the seat. The pivot end of the swing arm is of course, from a Buell and includes the Buell oil tank. The hub carrier end is from a Triumph 955. The two were connected by lightweight aluminum pieces fabricated by Bryan. He claims that the finished swing arm is lighter than a stock Buell part. Just visually comparing the two of them, I can believe it. | ||
| Xbob |
thanks for the pics. nice to see it all done. nice job. great custom. | ||
| Beachbuell |
I am a believer! I have been humbled and do apologize for calling "horseshit". Outstanding art work! I must say That first picture you posted looked lite a photochop. Very, very nice machine! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I want that muffler! | ||
| Tommy_2stroke |
Clever way to anchor the steering damper, eh? And yes, I too would have this bike in the stable, if I had a spare $50K lying about. Nice work. | ||
| Anonymous |
It's a beautiful job, a custom that still has edgy sportbike looks, which makes it a very refreshing change. I love it. BUT, be very careful about technical superiority claims over a stock Buell XB. I've looked at all the photos, and there are plenty of things that are technically questionable. Don't take it as a knock on the work, which is way cool, just as a knock on the claims. And it is way more correct than most choppers! So, just keep going with the fabrication skills and the camera, 'cause it looks great! BTW, the inboard disc has been around for a long time, and it's technical strengths and weaknesses are well known. One example of it was on Walter Villa's 500cc Aermacchi/H-D in the mid 70's, and that wasn't the first. Technical tip of the day: the gear reduction ration of the sprockets works for the disc just like the engine. Can you say INSTANT lock up? | ||
| M1combat |
Excellent. Best Buell custom I've seen. Makes me wanna buy a grinder and a welder  . | ||
| Untouchabuell |
Hi guys, The bike in question is one that have about 90% finished. There are a lot of minor details that I have to complete (seat, paint, etc). I just threw together for Daytona bike week. Thanks for all the comments good and bad, the fact that you are willing to take time and talk about my bike means that I did something right, but there are a couple of thing I would like to say. 1. This bike will be at Laguna Seca in July 110% complete along with the other bike I’m working on. 2.Rocketman, I know you love my bike and that ok but the cheap blinkers are off a BMW M3 and cost $56 ea. and fit the undertail very will. I spend a lot if time on the little details. 3.Glitch, The swingarm on my bike is not any heavier then the stock one. I took the arm from a 955 turned it up side down and the made the front and oil tank out of 12 gauge aluminum sheet. Then by removing the pulley, caliper and rotor that all saves weight. 4. There are many parts on this bike that will be produce and sold through www.GrandStandDesigns.com This is also for sale I would like $25,000.00. this bike is great to look at and fun to ride, but the other one will be cooler. I would like to thank Gentleman Jon and xbcrazy for adding info in my bike and everyone else for all the comments. Bryan | ||
| Metalstorm |
I can't wait for Laguna Seca to see your bike in person! Again, awesome job  | ||
| Xbob |
nice to finally hear from the builder. is the other bike a buell also? | ||
| Untouchabuell |
Yes, 04 xb12r | ||
| Xbob |
does the red bike have any gauges on it? you cant tell from the pics. and does that exhaust have the valve in it? (Message edited by xbob on March 17, 2007) | ||
| Untouchabuell |
1 Dakota Digital speedo on top of the headligth, no valve on the exhaust | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Any chance of getting a YouTube video of it in motion? I know I would like to see it in 3D and would like to hear the muffler. I really like the looks of it. | ||
| Untouchabuell |
I'm not to sure how to do that, but i'll try. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
BTW Bryan, producing a Buell Custom embraced by even half of the folks here is a major feat. See below: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/262750.html?1173474887 Well done! Please keep us updated on any more Buell projects. | ||
| Bdabuell |
This bike will be at Laguna Seca in July 110% complete along with the other bike I’m working on. very cool...looking forward to seeing it very nice bike...my only nit would be the large lens/glass around the headlights...for my taste, I'd prefer the lights be on their own if possible - same lights, same position, just no bubble around them...but that's just me nice work | ||
| Ridrx |
Bryan, Fantastic job! Can't wait to see the next one as well.  | ||
| Rocketman |
Rocketman, I know you love my bike and that ok but the cheap blinkers are off a BMW M3 and cost $56 ea. and fit the undertail very will. I spend a lot if time on the little details. Yes actually, you're right. I should have studied your rear lights a little closer. I see now how the indicators shape contrasts really well against the triangulated seat sides going the opposite direction. I also noticed, which I missed the last time I looked, that you have a LED strip light there too. I assume this is the stoplight and the above large red light is the rear light? Here's my updated opinion, lol. I'd get rid of the rear light altogether, creating an even more minimal look, and I'd have that LED strip light working as my rear light as well as a stop light. But hey, it's your ride, and it's all good   Rocket |
