New around here, Want a few suggestions.

[DvS21]

Hi everyone, I'm new to motorcycling and Buells. I bought my Black 2004 XB12s in October, used with 20k miles on it. It was taken care of pretty well and runs like a champ. However I'm a bit of a motorhead, and have started the modification process.
The bike came with bar end mirrors, that are rather solid, and adjustable levers, though they don't look to be special, not Pazzo's or anything, and what appears to be a crankcase breather mod, mounted rather slickly to the left side air scoop. Also He removed all the logos and decals on the body pieces and put on frame pucks.
Here's the stuff I'm currently in the middle of doing
-K&N: Done
-Hawk Muffler: at hawk now, damn good customer service!
-ECMspy and cable to do a TPS reset: On the way from ebay
-Jacks: bought a cheap set
-Cheese Grater chop: at hawk too
-Speedo face plate: got a custom one from the french guy =P
-Turn signals: Bought LED's for front and back
-S10 gas mask: Had to have one, on it's way from Brittan
-I bought a rear brembo brake off a ducati monster 695 on ebay, and a master cylinder off a ktm, that looks the same as the one I need for the conversion and on the next paycheck I'll get the bracket from dark horse.
-Right side air scoop: Buellsterparts on the next paycheck.

Things I need to consider
-Wheels: My translucent amber ones have some chips in the powdercoating from where tires were installed by previous owner. I don't know if I should get them redone, get new ones, or just get touch up paint. Also I think I like black with red pinstripe better
-Tires: I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a new set during the next riding season.
-Header wrap: I think it kind of looks cool, upsides/ downsides?
-Preventative Maintenance: I've done an oil change, changed spark plugs to platinum, and put a small hose clamp on the clutch cable boot to keep water out. I put injector cleaner through it, and I have stabil in the tank to keep the gas fresh since I am away from it currently and the driveway has some snow on it lol. What other major or minor things should I look at?

I love this bike so far, I want to keep her forever, which is a long time considering I'm only 19. So please guys, tell me all the tips and tricks to keep this amazing piece of machinery in good running condition for at least another 20k miles! I'm glad I was able to get a buell, and become part of all the helpful people in the community, just want to be a member for a long time to come.

Sorry for not having Pictures, but unfortunately I'm away from her, and I didn't take any last time I was home. I'll introduce her this weekend, when I get to get a chance to turn a couple wrenches and do some work.

 

[ophawk]

Dv,
you seem to be on the right track. the only thing I can see that may be an issue is the plug choice, most of the XB guys swear by the NGK Iridiums. Tire Choice has been discussed several threads over. wraps the same, I personally like the clean look of Ceramic coating, Black with red stripe ala the 1125cr, should look very sharp on any Black Bike.

As far as keeping it running for the 20k, with regular maintenance it will do that many times over. I have a 98 S3 with over 60k, replaced the final belt once, it didn't break just thought it was time. oil and filter changes, plugs and wires, clean the air filter.
Good luck and ride Smart and Be Safe.
Later

 

[DvS21]

I was thinking of these as far as tires goMetzeler sportec m3

Also do you have a recommendation for wires?

 

[Macbuell]

Great idea listening to Hawk about those things.

This is what I do, I read all post from people asking for help for something that went wrong, and when it is answered, I go over my bike and try to prevent that from ever happening. Just takes a good amount of reading but people are always entertaining.

Want to come work on mine a little? I think you take better care of your bike than I take of mine. I buy beer for 19 year olds all the time. Whisky and women are a lot alike. Both are best around 15 years old and mixed up with coke.



(comeon obviously kidding on all counts)

 

[twoguns]

have you considered the amber centre and polished lip on your rims... its a good look and compliments the raw metal elements elsewhere on the bike. like the forks, engine case, heel guards, rotor.

also a good cheaper option that a full change of colour.

for example...

 

[DvS21]

macbuell, Yeah sure, I love having a few beers and working on something with an engine me and my buddy were always working on his 69 charger and six pack of beer before I moved away. But unless your coming over to my shop I don't drink and ride, or drive for that matter. Also, yeah I know, I haven't been lurking that long, but these are just some of the things I've picked up on so far.

Twoguns, That is a sweet idea! How did you remove the powercoat safely, and precisely? Also what did you use for polish, just a standard aluminum wheel cleaner/polish?

 

[twoguns]

that isnt my ride... i have thought it though.

a mate did. just masked up the rim and paint striped the edge, then buffed it with a dremel and buffer and polish.

 

[DvS21]

sweet a cheap alternative until I get cash for black and red ones.

 

[twoguns]

i reckon... i am thinking to do this to my 09 buell. its a black with red rims... but not sure how it will look. everything else is black on the bike.

 

[DvS21]

I want to get a black transmission cover, but that's down the road.. I love the stealth mode buells

 

[fahren]

Thinking long-term, for the best way to preserve your bike:
You should really check bearings:
Go ahead and swap out the front and rear wheel bearings when you change tires. The bearings are not $$, and you will have peace of mind knowing they are renewed.
Also, steering head bearings.

You may want to swap out the oil pump gear for a new, phosphorous bronze replacement (re-designed '06 and later).

A Free-Spirits belt tensioner to replace the standard. These reduce wear on rear wheel bearings and output shaft bearings.

Get a service manual.

Follow torque spec's and shop manual instructions very carefully when putting wheels back on, so you don't mess the bearings up.

Be sure your battery is good and strong. Lots of gremlins appear due to old batteries.

 

[ophawk]

DV,
a choice for wires, I use the accel 300+, I think I picked them up from the HD shop, but any good quality spiral core, not solid core or the carbon glass fiber based radio suppression stuff, wire will work.
The solid cores will wreak havoc with the ecm.
I did a similar thing with my wheel. I stripped the amber off, then left the as cast/rough grind in the spoke area, then polished but not to a mirror the lip.
another thing to check is the Voltage regulator, they changed the power connector due to some issues with corrosion/loss of tension in the terminals, they had a recall on that to update that connection, that causes several other issues that will drive you crazy trying to troubleshoot.
later

 

[DvS21]

Farhen

I already bought a service manual, and I like the new bearing idea, I might do that on the next tire change. Also can I get that oil pump gear here off the forums online store?

 

[DvS21]

Also, will the Black forks fit on an 04 model? The description seems to only list 05 and later.

 

[fahren]

I think the size changed on the forks.

 

[Stevenc150]

Yeah earlier year models had 41mm forks.

 

[DvS21]

So no possibility of those working huh?

 

[Stevenc150]

Nope. But I wonder if you could just buy a newer triple tree and get the '05-Later forks. [confused]
Maybe someone else who knows for sure will weigh-in on that possiblity.

Edit: Or have a good machine shop bore your trees out to fit a 43mm fork - 2mm isn't much so it wouldn't reduce the strength of the tree.

 

[only1reds]

make sure to get some pics up as you continue along with the process

 

[80rs427]

All you need for the 43mm forks is a new lower triple. The upper triple size didn't change.

There are lots of good tires out there to choose from. I have had M3's on my '04 12R for two seasons and they are great. They handle good, are wearing good, and they have done a couple track days with no problems.