Just a thought. In my other passion (Oldskool Vw's) it's almost common to see an old beetle with a Suburu swap or the trusty redneck classic, a V-8,350 up front. Just wondering if any of you have swapped out the xb engine for something else. I see thousands of threads on here of people trying to make the Xb faster but honestly, with unrealistic goals. Not much talk of just doing a full swap..
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Anyone doing Xb engine conversions?
- Thread starter Junkbone
- Start date
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That'd be sweet. I've seen some fabricating on this forum that tells me some of these guys could put just about anything they want on there. In my case, I would probably end up doing it from necessity, wich means I would probably have to use what I could find cheap. Crashed ricer. Could be cool though, to have a high revving inline engine.
No offense Junkbone...but that powerplant IS what makes the BUELL a BUELL! (Yes..I know the 1125 is a Rotax engine,but it was designed and spec'd by Erik!). You like cars as most guys on here do...think of it like this; you just don't see Subaru engines in Corvettes...or Honda Civic engines in a Mustang GT! SURE! It COULD be done...it's just not right! I'm NOT hating or whatever Junkbone!! 
Hi snrusnak! I think you missed my point! Yeah..your right on your comment...but its STILL "old-school" V-8 power! Again...I'm very laid back and open minded, so....but you get what I'm saying? I am, in a way defending what the Buell is all about....it IS a 302 Mustang GT, (or Gen III Camaro or whatever!), on 2 wheels!! No...they won't turn RPM like a V-12 Ferrari,but a 302 wasn't designed to.
Your right wiggle2, I love everything about a Buell But at the same I know that sometimes you just have to do what you just have to do. Thats all. I figured there would be someone out there by now that has had thier engine blow or what have you, and then by necessity figured they could use that ole Kawi engine they have layin around.The cash factor normally comes into play, and then people find a way to make it work. Ya know?
I gotcha, and agree the xb engine half way makes the bike. Without it it wouldn't have that "character".
But I'd still like 150hp lol.
Think of it more like an old 302 mustang that has had a new aluminum 5.0 fuel injected swap. Best of both worlds???
But I'd still like 150hp lol.
Think of it more like an old 302 mustang that has had a new aluminum 5.0 fuel injected swap. Best of both worlds???
if you have the time and money it shouldnt be a problem.you would be doing what mr.buell wanted anyway higher revving,higher hp water cooled engine.imo the harley engine is the only weak link in this bike and the only thing that is not buell.
Yeah...that's more my point! It's always nice having more power! My buddy has a new V-Max...its cool and all and WILL smoke me on the highway...Over 180 at the rear wheel with exhaust and tuning...but the Buell still gets "cool bike" at gas stations and places as such! I DO sort of wish there would be more aftermarket support for us. I'm working on a plan to get somewhere close to 120hp (bhp-not rwhp). EricZ is working on a nice turbo engine. (Which is what I'd LOVE to build...when I make triple digits a year!).
konarider94
Well-known member
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- Sep 12, 2009
- Messages
- 4,435
that is not opinion...that is fact. the harley part is the only part ive had trouble with on my bike. just cost me over $1k for the new trans/crank bearing/labor involved. and i brought just the lower end in to be worked on.
it would be very difficult to shoehorn a new engine in that frame though. its a pretty tight fit for the engine it has.
Hi anrkizm!~ in a way you're right...if they'd ever gotten the bugs worked out of the 1125, they were on to something. (AND improved those goofy nacelles!). The XB engine IS Sportster "based", but to say it's not Buell isnt really true either. Pretty much everything internally IS Buell specific. it's sort of like saying Jack Rousch's engines are just Ford's. I'm not saying the XB engine is the best engine design ever....we all know better! But again...Isn't this "character" why we like the Buell?!
Just now seen your post Junkbone! (too busy working and typing!). I DO know....and to each his own really...thats part of it all...I don't HAVE to agree or disagree. I just DO believe and respect the Buell XB for what is...by far not perfect, but true to the American heritage it represents. (And yes-I know Showa's are Jap and the wheels are Chinese, lol-...but I believe you know what I'm saying!). I have a great respect for Erik Buell for doing what he has done, and continues to do. I am NOT very repectful to Harley for doing what they did, and they probably lost a many potential new customer. I myself would have probably bought a V-rod at some point....not so much now.
expatriate00
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- Apr 11, 2012
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- 79
Wiggle2 I get what you're saying still you'd be hard pressed to find ANY vehicle that was 100% American made.
I have often thought that it was kind of the next step in the Buell evolution to try to stick a V-rod engine in an XB frame. The V-rod engine makes more power than the XB engine but it would be a serious squeeze to get it in and still have the radiator fit. It would rock to see someone try it. I'd be seriously interested to see the result.
I have often thought that it was kind of the next step in the Buell evolution to try to stick a V-rod engine in an XB frame. The V-rod engine makes more power than the XB engine but it would be a serious squeeze to get it in and still have the radiator fit. It would rock to see someone try it. I'd be seriously interested to see the result.
CoastieRider
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- Jun 6, 2008
- Messages
- 342
I wish this would fit... Orca Turbo
Hi expatriate00!! You're absolutely correct! I can say with confidence, there IS no 100% American made vehicle out there! SOMETHING on any vehicle, no matter how obscure, comes from off-shore sources! If I'm not mistaken, Porsche was retained to help engineer the V-Rod engine? It sure IS a large heavy engine! STILL not sure WHY we can't seem to build a kick-ass engine in the States?! The NEW V-Max engine ROCKS, the Aprillia's are awesome! Yes..they're V-4's, but....! That is one of the many things that bugs me about Harley....they have the resources and technology to do it...but refuse. I realize their "core" group is hard core old school. I'm not saying they should abandon that...THAT is their "bread and butter"...but I'd like to see them expand their horizons some. That's why I was pretty excited to see the 1125 series!! But...they refuse...so be it!!
I have been thinking about putting a ktm lc8 out of the superduke 990 into my Buell the bikes seem to be fairly similar in size...... but other than that haven't done a lot of research on it. But that wont be for awhile as I just bought an 09 with only 1800 miles on it couldn't justify the cost of replacing such a new engine.
buelladdicted
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- May 8, 2009
- Messages
- 196
S+S,Actually has a sportster after market motor that is 100 inch that fits into a stock sportster.I considered geting one for my sportster project but its over 3000 dollars.Guys have rear wheeled over 140hp with it.But if you were trying to changing for more hp it would the easiest to make fit.
