bike swap

[optomist]

Hello Buellers,

I have an 09 Ulysses XB12X in good shape that I would like to swap for an 09 Lightning XB12Ss (long) in Similar condition.

The Uly has 15,000 miles, SS Drummer exhaust and ECM, Madstad Screen and crappy tires (at the moment). Belt is in good shape and I have a spare. Full luggage, new starter and battery and misc do-dads.

I am in the Pacific NW.

Love the bike but it is too tall for me and I don't go off road much.

 

[Phelan]

If you can't find a swap, it wouldn't be difficult to sell off the bags and swap components to turn the Uly into an SS, or even a hydrid. They share the same rails (though SS rails are drilled for passenger loops), frame, engine, swingarm, etc, so you'd just need to change the seat, undertail, and rear section to make it an SS tail, then decide if you want to swap suspension to lower it, peg mounts for footing (I wouldn't), fender, headlight modules and flyscreen, etc.

 

[Cooter]

I agree with Phelan. You know the history of that Uly and the swap is pretty inexpensive, especially re-selling the parts that come off yours.

I'd change the suspension and seat first, since you don't like how tall it is. Replacing the rear shock, and front forks will drop it considerably and you can do it your self if you are handy. If you are really handy, you can cut the spacer inside the forks to lower it and save some $$.

Theres less options with a Ss seat than the regular ones, but you can get a lower saddle. Careful to check the ECM! Some had issues with the seat sitting on the plugs and causing ECM damage (I don't know which ones, I'm sure someone smarter than me will chime in...)

 

[BuellyBagger]

First, if you want a smaller bike I think you would be money ahead to sell the uly (which are bringing better money than they used to)and try to find any 1200 lightning which you could likely find cheaper than what you SHOULD get out of your uly.
Now, if you like the uly but it's just too tall, lower it. There's the hyperpro kit (expensive) or find used uly XT or 12ss suspension and swap it out. All those options lower it just shy of 1 inch. Stt stuff will drop it about 3/4 (I run this shock on the rear of my uly.)
And then buy a "low" seat, there are a few options. .. from harley if you can still get one and Corbin made one. The factory one is a bit hard, but there's not much room to lower it so some pad has to go. And make sure the little black block is bolted on where your ecm mounts to hold the seat off it.

 

[BuellyBagger]

Just realized you've got an 09. Which has 47mm forks, lightnings and early uly have 43mm sooooooooo you'd need compete suspension and triples to do the swap!

 

[Restlessrustler]

I actually just swapped my lightning to a scg....i have the forks, lower triple, swingarm, rear.shock, and.kickatand. pm me for pics etc.

 

[Phelan]

Lightning suspension isn't the right spring rate or shock length. He would need Lightning Long forks and shocks.

 

[optomist]

Wow you all are a great bunch. Reading your responses has helped me clarify my thinking somewhat. One thing I decided was not to hack into the Uly. I think it has more value intact.

What I am after is a sort of Sports Tourer and thought the Ss would be a good platform to build on. I thought I could find a full fairing and set the bike up just so.

I do like the Uly so what to do? I think the best plan would be to simply buy an '09 XB12 Ss and set it up how I want. Then I could sell the Uly or keep it in my Garage for my friends to ride when they are in the NW.

So unless a good swap comes along I am looking for a nice clean Ss

Thanks for everything,

Optomist

 

[Cooter]

Or an STT

They are also on a "Long" frame and slightly lower than a Uly.

 

[BambamXB12r]

Not mine
2007 Buell XB12STT Lightning $3800
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/mcy/5767589749.html

 

[Cooter]

Good find!

 

[optomist]

Thank you Cooter and BB--As you have probably guessed I am new to Buells--Almost bought a new 1125 but then I didn't want an orphan--Ha Ha on me as I bought a new 1190RX in Nov 2014 --ironic-- I succumbed totally and bought the Uly for a back up bike last Nov. I really like the XB12 series and wish they made new ones.

Anyway I will look into the STT--going to take me awhile to sort out all the subtle model differences.

All the best from Optomist

 

[optomist]

Be careful what you wish for:

So now I have a mostly stock 2010 Lightning XB12Ss sitting in my garage, plus still have the Uly. I found a good deal up in British Columbia for a good price and 11,900 miles so just simply purchased it.

Haven't even taken it for a spin yet but will when the rain stops someday.

I don't know what I will do with 2 Buells and an EBR but that is a problem for another day.

Optomist

 

[optomist]

Report on the 2010 Ss--steering very strange at low speeds-- front wheel just wants to flop over--have to apply quite a bit of pressure on the bars to keep it going straight. Tires are funky but pressures are up.
Runs great though. OK on the open road.

Expect this to be a problem when I attempt to register here in WA state: What do I do about the now in Kilometers speedometer? How do I get it back to Miles?

 

[Cooter]

Replace the front tire regardless of how much tread is left. It's not a car.

To my knowledge a Harley dealer that isn't afraid of Buells will have to reflash the ECM to change it from Km. I'm dealing with this same issue right now. They re flashed the ECM and left me with Km now I'll find out soon.

 

[optomist]

Cooter, I am super fussy about tires on the bikes and agree 100%. I think I am responding to a different fork angle or somesuch.

 

[optomist]

Cooter, Not many friendly HD shops around my zone. Let me know how your re-flash goes

 

[Cooter]

What your describing sounds exactly like a front tire that's squared off. And they're cheap. Any Buellers around your area that would swap a front wheel for a test ride?

I haven't called Bartels Harley yet. I'll post up how they deal with their mistake.

I'm also searching around in TunerPro to see if there's an option.

 

[optomist]

Cooter,

My dilemma is that I am waiting for a DOT conformance letter from H-D. Then I can complete importing the bike into the US, then I can register the new Ss and then I can legally drive it, and then I will replace both tires and then I will know what is what.

All I know now is that low speed driving in the parking lot requires a lot of handlebar pressure to keep the bike from hard left or right "dives" but it was OK on the sneak 2 mile drive from my shop to my house. I have seen worse tires and never experienced this sort of thing--on any bike(long list). I will keep you posted.

Optomist

 

[optomist]

Cooter and all,

Just the latest on the 2010 Ss saga. I finally got my letter from Harley a few weeks back and the import process went fairly smooth with no import duty. The guy at Customs was very helpful.

Registering the bike in WA state was not so pleasant however. The state has a weird system where you pay tax on what they think the bike is worth rather than what you might have paid. In my case I paid $3000 USD but the state wanted tax on $6000 (high value on KBB). At 8.3% that is a fairly hefty chunk.

The Clerk was helpful and exercised the legal wiggle room so I ended up paying tax on $4000--still stung tho.
--------
As far as performance goes it is a pretty sweet ride. I have put maybe 70 miles on it. I got the tire pressures where they belong and it handles a little better. The tires will be replaced soon with new Angels. It feels a bit like my EBR in the sweeping corners but still feels odd at slow speeds. I am with holding judgment until after I get new tires