Merry Christmas to Me!

[hntnfsh]

Thanks to the input I received here, I pulled the trigger on this 03 XB9S (didn't take much convincing). I've been wanting a Buell ever since I decided to get back into riding about 10 years ago. I took a small detour and bought and sold a few Suzuki GS's, got me back into the mechanics of a used bike thing. Then two years ago I bought an 01 Honda VFR 800. She's mighty sweet, but there's always been this itch to buy a Buell. Last Wednesday I just happened to put "Buell" in the C-list search and, bang!, here was this bike. It was a tough decision for me because I don't normally think of myself at Christmas time, but hell! How could I pass this deal? Besides, I dropped more than a few bucks already on the house and the wife and daughter for Christmas this year, time for daddy to get a little, know what I mean? So I trailered him home yesterday in the driving rain and here he is.

He's bone stock, except for the PO upgrading the belt to an '04, something he felt pretty strongly about. Personally, I'd like to do the tail mod to get rid of the cheese grater and the headlight mod to turn on both lamps. Those are just cosmetic... I'd also like to do the right side scoop and change out all the fluids. Tires are good and wheel bearings were reportedly done 1500 miles ago. It's been sitting outside too much, as evidenced by the difficulty in getting the gas cap unlocked and the hand brake not turning on the brake light (but the foot peddle does). So, there's cleaning and dressing to be done.

Aside from that, what should I add to the list before spring? Not that I need a whole bunch of work to do, but I'd like to get the necessary items as I'd like to use this as my commuter bike. It has 28K on the clock. Thanks for your input!

 

[user_deleted]

for the asking price as i recall, this looks like a very nice machine at a great price. welcome aboard son.

 

[50dro]

Well done!! Congrats! [up]

Not going for a shameless plug here but you may want to consider some crash protection. Others here will tell you, they're worth their weight in gold should you lay the bike down are are a fair small investment. Check out our site for our offerings...

Right side scoop is a great mod too (as you mentioned). Another cosmetic (yet functional) mod is bar end mirrors. They give the bike a more aggressive look and IMO are easier to see things out of.

Ride safe!

5-0dro
www.5-0dro.com

 

[JustinMT]

Welcome to the forum!

The few mods you listed are good ones, for sure! Think about breather reroute, removing the fork reflectors (fugly!), and the WD40 header "polish."

 

[hntnfsh]

Well done!! Congrats!

Not going for a shameless plug here but you may want to consider some crash protection. Others here will tell you, they're worth their weight in gold should you lay the bike down are are a fair small investment. Check out our site for our offerings...

Thanks for the reminder! I have your site bookmarked from when I was on here two years ago. Will definitely look for the sliders!

removing the fork reflectors (fugly!), and the WD40 header "polish."

Hmm... Hadn't thought about the reflectors... WD40 polish? Haven't heard that one. Guess I'll have to do some research on here.

for the asking price as i recall, this looks like a very nice machine at a great price. welcome aboard son

Thank ya, brother.

 

[JustinMT]

Click on my name and go to the "Layla" thread, it's a thread all about my Scg. I briefly explain it!

 

[hntnfsh]

Click on my name and go to the "Layla" thread, it's a thread all about my Scg. I briefly explain it

Read where you used 180 grit and followed it up with scotchbrites... Not sure where the wd40 fits in.

Nice mods on your bike! Where in Ohio are you?

 

[50dro]

You wet the Scotchbrite with the WD then polish away. I take it a step further and use some metal polish after. After the pipes heat up, you end up with a goldish look like this:

 

[JustinMT]

I used 180 because there was gunk built up on mine that the scotchbrite wasn't removing. I guess the WD40 is used as a lubricant that cleans them as well. But do what 50 said, and follow up with metal polish. I'm going to be doing it again before the season. I put a lot of newspaper around my engine and stuff, as it'll splatter and make a mess. But once you do it, and ride a little bit, they'll golden up and they look really sweet!

Thanks for the compliment! I really appreciate it. I still have a ton of stuff to be done, just need some time. I'm in East Liverpool, about an hour straight south of Youngstown, OH.

 

[hntnfsh]

Congrats on a nice looking ride!
Welcome to the forum, and to the addiction

Glad to be here!

 

[Bullettooth023]

congrats! I love the black plastics on the 9's. like 50dro said, crash protection is always a nice buy. I've got his stuff on my XB and would recommend it to anyone.

 

[Gloomshadow]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVnIfzBX6nk

here is what I did with mine.. mine was the SX that I put it into more of a "S" mode. Just sit back, watch my video and be inspired.. check out my plastics.. those can go on yours if you want but they are not cheap.. look at my handlebars. SX bars and they can go on yours with no modification.. check out my painted rear sub-frame. also bar ends and wheel tape.. S models are wide open for modding..

oh yeah.. BODY ARMOR.. guys our age and wisdom with families to look out for, need to outfit themselves in FULL ******* BODY ARMOR.. it saves lives and hospital bills

 

[Cooter]

Gloomshadow is right.

I wear "tactical" shorts, and my flip flops are carbon fiber!

 

[Dragonslayer]

Congrats. I bought my '03 Lightning a year ago.
One mod that I did was getting the Muller Power Clutch. '03-'05 had heavier clutch pull, and this thing reduces it a good bit. You can find it at americansportbike.com. I also got some protective stuff from 5-0dro. Definitely worth it.

 

[D357R0Y]

Do a TPS reset if you haven't already!

Good lookin' bike.

 

[Gloomshadow]

dude those carbon flip flops are the ****.. I ******* love those things!.. they look great with that ballistic nylon wife-beater too.