My First Ulysses Ride!

[AdventureUly]

I have now had my very first Buell for about 24 hours. And what a great bike it is....

I have a couple of questions, I have looked around for the answers butthere is a lot on this site to go through.

1st - Are both front lights ever on at the same time? when high beem is on the standard light is off and visa versa...

2nd - Any one else get a rattle from the screen area when pulling off?

3rd - I have taken off the cable to the valve in the exhaust and wired the valve open, sounds better, seems to run better..
Any one had any problems after doing this? And should I mod the pipes in the exhaust?

Many thanks in advance, and I am looking forward to a lot of good riding (I want to go trail riding).


[up]

[Macbuell]

1- do the dual headlight mod. 1 on low beams, both on for high beams. Search for it, easy to do

2- take screen apart, check where it rattles. Should be easy fix, just something loose.

3- Someone else knows more than I do

[bikelit]

On mine, the front rattle was the horn hitting the inner fairing. I wire tied a piece of foam in-between and ended it...

[Stevenc150]

- Both Headlights on KIY (http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/Headlight-Mod---Both-Lights-On-w-Hi-Beam)

- Wiring the exhuast valve open like that shouldn't hurt anything, though you'll lose a little bit of your lower end torque.

- Here's 2 DIY Exhaust threads: Thread 1 (http://www.buellxb.com/Buell-XB-Forum/Do-It-Yourself-Buell-Mods/How-To-Build-your-own-Exhaust) and Thread 2 (http://www.buelletinboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8924) that might be of interest to you.

[AdventureUly]

Thank you for your input, I will see to these issues at the week end.

Am really loving the ride! I don't want to work, just ride. I think I will become a cross contry post man.

[LionBuell]

AdventureUly Welcome.

The rattle in the front is the horn like bikelit said on mine the big plug connection was also touching on the horn i just zip tied it away from there.

You are a brave man wanting to do trails with your bike (suppose it depends on how rough) but these bikes are verry heavy to pick up and handle on rough ground, dirt roads are fine. Just lookout for bending rims (have done that a few times) on the dirt. the front suspention is also a litte short in stroke so it bottoms out quite easly.

Have fun.

:)[up]:D

Morne

[AdventureUly]

I just want dirt roads to start with, some inclines and some small down hills. This is one of the reaasons I bought the bike. I do not have plans to take it OFF ROAD per say, just off surfaced roads.

Thanks for the tips.

[AdventureUly]

Fixed the rattle, it was the horn. I did have a go at the light mod, but had a problem getting the wires out. I was pushed for time so I put it back together.

But I have some more questions:

1. The paint is coming off the rear belt sproket. Has any one re painted this? in situe or taken it off?

2. Is there a rear stand that works with my Uly?

[LionBuell]

Hi I can`t help with the other questions, but before you re do the wires for the light try to swich the swich half way and both lights comes on no mod required. I have been doing it since i got the bike and it works fine.

Yes surfaced or dirt roads are fine no problems but you will get stuck and that is where you learn your capabilities.[up]

[AdventureUly]

Thanks for the light tip:) I will try that on the way home. There is a huge dark rain cloud and it's very dark already.:( Sunny Liverpool!

[SylvanSlayer]

If you are going to ride in the rain or where its wet check you chain case oil often it likes to leak through the clutch cable.

[HiwaymanKS]

Just picked up my Uly last week and after spending way too much time reading the bulletin boards I have found a LOT of useful information.

I too was experienceing the take off rattle and appreciate the answers.

I have spent a little time on the dirt roads around here and am amazed at how well it handles them and am anxious to try a few trails myself. I am a Harley convert so after 30 years of Harleys the Uly seems very light to me just hard for a short fat guy to get on.

[AdventureUly]

Welcome to the world of the Uly.... you have made a very good choice.

My bike is in the shop having some little bits sorted out and I am missing it badly.

Once you get use to stopping and just putting one foot down (due to the hight of the bike) there will be no stopping you. [cool]

[Buellysses]

Don't take your bike off-road? BAH! I disagree.

Good info on the rattle, mine does the same thing, been driving me absolutely bananas! I've taken my front apart a few times and could never find it.

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2120_20080914185936_L.jpg


http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2120_20080914185954_L.jpg

[browland]

1. The paint is coming off the rear belt sproket. Has any one re painted this? in situe or taken it off?

several people have repainted as well as just removed the paint for a raw aluminum look like the teeth on this one: -(nitto12ss' bike if im not mistaken)
http://i429.photobucket.com/albums/qq19/turf2/IMG_3205.jpg?t=1258226047

[AdventureUly]

That's great, This was the next job on my to do list.

Tell me... Is that the exhaust out let at the front of the bike???

Does that make it a straight through pipe?

Any one?

[browland]

The exhaust is a prototype Voodoo XXX front exit muffler.

and no I do not believe it would be straight through

[AdventureUly]

Looks good.

Thanks for your input on the rear belt sproket, that was the only unanswered question I had i think.

[AdventureUly]

Buellysses...
Nice pics. I am with you on this one. I took mine off road last Sunday and had the best time I have ever had on a bike. As soon as I get my bike back from the shop I will be going back to do it again. I will post some pics when I am done.

I am planing a trip to the Lakes in the new year, Me, my tent and my Ulysses. Cant Wait. :)

[LionBuell]

Is the stabiliser on the post above mounted correctly? I can`t see much steering movement the way it sits. Mine sits left to right behind the forks. Someone enlighten me please?[confused]
Morne

[LionBuell]

Had a day leave yesterday and went exploring! This bike is a handfull on dirt and thick sand, i could not say that it was the most fun i ever had on a bike it just feels unsafe anyting over 80km/h. Even with the stabeliser, maybe i just need some more experiance.Here are some pics of our wounderfull country. I still had loads of fun :D
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/3336_20091126005629_L.jpg


http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/3336_20091126005541_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/3336_20091126005514_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/3336_20091126005437_L.jpg

On this pick there was some Impala in the bush but the bike spooked them a little and did not want to come out again.

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/3336_20091126005541_L.jpg
:D:D:D:D

[AdventureUly]

Looks great!

Where abouts are you? It's not the sunny UK is it. You don't see roads like that over here, they are either properly surfaced of dirt.

Pics are great.

[AdventureUly]

That should say OR dirt![smirk]

[LionBuell]

AdventureUly you are correct about "sunny" but it is sunny South-Africa in the North West province bushvelt all farm lands. Are you comming over for the Soccer World Cup in 2010? Is any other member of the forum comming over?:p

[AdventureUly]

I was not planing it! foot ball does not really do it for me! But that country side might...

That's the sort of place I want to ride. Do you think I can make it on my Uly? That would be some water crossing....[cool]

[drunk_uncle]

Whoever said the Uly is not good offroad needs to go do it. I thought it did quite well off road, even jumped it. Wasn't mine a jumping, rental on an adventure weekend. Great time. May be heading to Ft Polk next so give it a go in the swamps.

[LionBuell]

I think the the Uly on road / off road split is about 70 / 30, and comparing it to the GS1200 BMW i would say 60 / 40 i have ridden both so imho i think it is fair. What do you guys think?

Do it AdventureUly put it on a ship and come ride here for a month you won`t leave :D
Cheers
Morne

[AdventureUly]

Now that sounds like an adventure!

Do you think I could fit a wife and two kids in the Buell luggage system????/:p

One day I will take you up on that. I have promised my self that I will do a Long way round / Long way down type ride. I can't watch those with out wanting to get on my bike and ride any place that has mud and rocks.

Can't wait! :D

[LionBuell]

Maybe we will meet half way:D

[AdventureUly]

Sounds like a plan that needs working on.[up]

We could call it "Half way down & Half way up"

This has got to be done some day!

[LionBuell]

:D[up][down]

[Buellysses]

Here's a pic of my last ride. It's been too damn cold to ride the past couple weeks. (it @#$%ing snowed 3 inches in Bismarck last night) But this was a good little jaunt off the beaten path, I didn't think I was going to make it out of here.

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2120_20100507070109_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2120_20100507065924_L.jpg

http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2120_20100507070001_L.jpg

[BuellyBagger]

That totally explains why when i took my bike in 4 service the service manager mentioned my bike was prolly the cleanest uly he'd seen... i gotta try a lil off-roading:D

[LionBuell]

Bullysses does the words no traction mean anything to you?:D That looks like fun i am jelous.[up]

[raz65man]

Stop It!!! You guys are making me jealous. Now I want a Uly for a stable mate for Bruiser my Lightning Ss. I've done some unpaved/gravel roads but that's all I've attempted with road tires.[up]
I have taken Bruiser to the mountians here in VA for some fly fishing.
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2669_20090627091429_L.jpg
http://www.buellxb.com/buell_images/2669_20090627091230_L.jpg

[BigRedonBlack]

i took my XB12SS off road with my girl on the back and that was better than the twisties

[Buellysses]

It was definitely a good time. That was one of the few occasions I was kicking myself for installing the Pirelli's over the stock Dunlops.