Buell XB ----how long can we keep em running?

[tomahawk1976]

My local shop guy is trying to convince me that the buells are gonna give me fits down the road with the aging electronics and computer stuff, and i am going to have a difficult time finding replacement parts as well as somebody to help me work on them....any thoughts or input?

 

[user_deleted]

hear this at least 1X per week. i'm sure he means well but your "shop guy" is absolutely wrong. in the most simplistic terms here's the real deal:
buell electronics such as wiring looms, switches, switchgear, ecm's, lights and all else very common and very well built components. most sourced from popular jap suppliers such as nissin. in my collection of vintage and modern bikes are a few 45 year old jap bikes with virtually the identical components. they still work flawlessly.

other than transluscent body-work...think kick ash/orange krate/hero blue/cherry bomb components....there will never ever be a shortage of parts available. if and when that time comes the aftermarket will kick in and reproduce the part and fill the void.

every single perishable and service related item on an XB will be available FOREVER! no exceptions.

there has always been a short-supply if you will of knowledgeable, competent trustworthy buell techs. that won't change. fortunately we're not talking garbage pizza bike desmo valve train adjustments here. a competent local sportster mechanic can do 90% of all the work any XB might ever require.

these are simple fairly bomb-proof bikes that are relatively easy to keep on the road. that will never change.

 

[GregoXB]

Your mechanic is right Buells will become progressively harder to maintain. You might get another 50K problem free miles, or your bike may break next week. Good luck.

 

[Subarubrat]

The engine metal bits are all readily available as stock or upgrade types, the seals, gaskets, clutches, etc. others will exist forever thanks to the Sportster commonality. The electronics are not really failure prone and are plentiful from parted out bikes and worse case you could convert to an alternate like a Sportster ECU (with conversion of timing sensors etc.). This bike will not be hard to keep in shape. Now, EBR on the other hand...... that is a bit tougher long term.

 

[Silverrider]

My local shop guy is trying to convince me that the buells are gonna give me fits down the road with the aging electronics and computer stuff, and i am going to have a difficult time finding replacement parts as well as somebody to help me work on them....any thoughts or input?

My input is go to a a new Shop !

 

[GregoXB]

I guess it all depends how much you love your bike and how far you are willing to go for it. Because there aren't many places that you can drop a buell off and tell them to fix it. A lot of the leg work, should you need to do it, will fall on your shoulders.

The community is amazing and there are many resources, but it depends on your ability to use what's out there .

 

[djs2k2]

My guess would be, " they will still be running long after we are gone"!

 

[Cooter]

For your "local shop guy" to have that attitude means he is so unfamiliar with Buells, I would never take it there. Honestly.

Any maintenance item on these is not a 'Buell specific' repair. If you can do it on a Honda, you can do it on Buell. Brake pads, wheel bearings, fork seals, whatever.

 

[mmcn49]

I'll be 69 in a few weeks.
Retired Marine Engineer, (pretty good motorcycle mechanic).
Own two, 07-Xb12STT's.

Think I'll be set for the next 15-20 years no matter what the parts market brings.

NOTE: I believe Lunatic Fringe to be absolutely correct.

 

[tomahawk1976]

Appreciate all the replies.really love these bikes and want to pick a couple more up in the near future......Guess you fellas helped make up my mind. Thank You

 

[Mesozoic]

My '08 Ss is the only vehicle I have ever purchased new and I don't intend to get rid of it, ever... as long as I can help it.

 

[Mito]

Back in the 70's I was quite into Triumphs and Nortons. The Tridents and Commandos I owned were only a couple of years old and parts supply was pretty erratic. I eventually moved onto Ducatis and now Buells but have rekindled my attachment to 70's British iron with a 71 Trident and a 71 BSA Firebird. Forty years on, amazingly there are more parts now than ever before due to the aftermarket industry stepping up to meet the demand. Not only that, many parts have been upgraded with modern tech like electronic ignitions, cnc machined low volume part runs etc. So long as there are Buells and Buell enthusiasts, there will alway be a ready parts supply and a band of tinkerers linked by the web that will keep them running. Imagine if we had the internet back in the 70's with forums and bike sites dedicated to Tridents. Cheers, Stu

 

[njloco]

My first bike legally drive in NYC, was a 68, 250 Yamaha two stroke, my second bike was a 1970, 650 Bonnie bought brand new in Brooklyn NY at Cardinal motorcycles, so I know the love of which you speak !