New Buell owner... need some general info

[Knifemaker87]

Hey everybody!

just wanted to introduce myself, and a little general info would be helpful.

I have been riding bikes for about 5 years now. My first real bike was an SV650, and i have owned several SV's since that first one. My most recent project was a CBR600 F2 that a rebuilt.

However, once i was done with building it i came to the realization that i really didnt like inline4 engines, and wanted to get back onto a V2. So i sold the CBR and i have always admired Buells, and when a 2003 XB9s came avalible in my area at my price-range i jumped on it.

I have been the proud owner of a XB for 4 days now and already love it.

However, i didnt get any type of owners manual, and so am lacking some basic info on the bike.

I have been told that my short list of to dos should be
white wire mod
both headlights on mod
and
catch can breather mod

is there anything else i should check out?
thanks so much!
~Chris

 

[snrusnak]

service manuals are available at the top of this site.

service manual link

Many people like the breather mod, I do as well. I don't care about the both lights on mod, that's up to you though. I'm skeptical about the white wire mod. If you get ecmspy you can turn the white wire off electronically. Other good mods would be a good tune or race tune(bikes run lean from factory), and NGK iridium plugs (one heat range colder). Also a right side scoop.

It looks like you have a race muffler so maybe so maybe you already have race ecm?

 

[Thaloc]

What rear sets are those?


Edit: Also cant stop staring at the CBR, very nice street fighter.

 

[GAXB9R]

The CBR is a nice bike!! You have any other pics. I am an avid Buell rider, but I love all types of motorcycles. Great job on that first build. You have any plans for the buell? Welcome!![cool]

 

[redrider]

Love that CBR with an awesome build like that cant wait to see what you do with the Buell! Welcome

 

[Knifemaker87]

hey!
I figured out that this is actually a XB9SL! pretty sweet as i am pretty short.
i am totally open to the mods... however those were the ones i was recommended. thanks for the manuals!

I was told it was a "stock" buell race exhaust that came with the bike. so you are right it may have the race ecm. will it be labeled? of that is the case should i even bother with the white wire mod?

Is the right side scoop functional? and where does it go to there isnt a feed into the airbox from that side is there?

As for the rear sets, they are Rizomas really sweet too. missing one heel guard, but i will be making a new set either CNC aluminum or Carbon fiber.

I am not sure what i am planning for the Buell. right now i am planning on just cleaning it up and riding it. however, the wheels will be getting painted. I will most likely start with some personalizing
before i do any customization.

I am glad you like the CBR! it was an amazing looking bike and very eye-catching be really uncomfortable, and its greatest sin was being an I4 which i just didnt like. i do have some more pictures as well as a build thread here:
http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126655

thanks!
~Knife

 

[snrusnak]

Yes the right side scoop is functional. Keep in mind the main purpose of the scoops (even the left side one) are to feed air to the rear cylinder. The earlier model bikes also drew air for the intake from the left scoop, but the later models had the hole in the frame closed up and didn't use the scoop for air. The bikes run pretty hot since they are air cooled and shrouded by the huge aluminum frame. The scoops help tremendously at speed.

There are a few options with the scoops, I chose to go with the oem "mini" scoop that came on 2010 xbs(cost ~$15 from HD):

The most common choice is the scoop from the oem Ulysses "comfort kit". It is a little bigger and I think more like ~$75, can be bought probably from HD, or american sport bike, or maybe other places. IMO it doesn't look good, that's why I went with something else.

Then there are other choices that are expensive. There are some that are pretty much a perfect mirror image of the left scoop. CF ones, etc...

Also, race ecm's almost always say "for race use only" on them. The ecm is located under the front fairing on firebolts and under the seat on lightnings.

 

[snrusnak]

Also, just FYI I believe 2003 had common issues with belts breaking(they have a different belt/pulley setup than later years). I think most convert to the later style to solve this issue. Also, I think 2003 was the only year with a kickstand switch and they were also faulty. Again most convert to later style kickstand and bypass the switch. There is a DIY on upgrading the kickstand bolt with a pin that HD came out with later around 07 or 08, I'd recommend going that route as some of the kickstand bolts are prone to breaking.

And if you have a race ecm I'm 99% sure the white wire will be turned off. I burned the race map to my ecm and it was off.